The Sheepfold |
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History:
The Sheepfold Consortium began in 2014 with a handful of communities. At that time we hosted 1 to 2 courses a year. There was one local formation leader, and the administrative tasks were handled by 1 person assisted by a guiding group that met periodically. In the past two years our number of member communities has increased (from 9 to 20), we have 4 local formation leaders, and we are currently sponsoring 4 courses. This increased growth has meant that the work associated with the administration of the Sheepfold has increased as well. Sheepfold leadership is wondering if there is a structure that would better serve our organization. Response: In the fall of 2019 the Guiding Group established a study group to explore a governance model called Sociocracy to evaluate its tools and if it might be a good fit for our needs. After study, prayer and reflection, the Sociocracy study group shared this model at our annual meeting in June of 2020. We were drawn to this model because it appears to connect so much to the spirit of our work in CGS. It highlights collaboration and deep listening to each other. It also has some connections with Montessori education. Some thoughts from one of the study group members: The Sociocracy training and the work we have done to develop a governance model for The Sheepfold has grown me relationally, spiritually and intellectually. The beauty of the sociocratic or dynamic governance method is that it recognizes that "all human collaboration starts from connection, and connection can only happen when we are authentic and show up as who we are and how we are." Every voice is heard, each member's gifts are acknowledged, and relationship grows. At the same time, the method guides us to put aside personal desires and agendas so that we evaluate all things in regard to how they impact the carrying out of our group's aim. The method almost organically allows time and makes space for the Holy Spirit to move amongst us, raising up ideas, generating clarification and weaving together our thoughts. I so look forward to our meetings. They are life-giving and productive. - Lorel McChesney Some key features of Sociocracy are a circle structure, decisions made by consent, and the use of feedback. A sociocratic organization is organized in circles-- working groups of people who are responsible for different parts of the organization. These circles are linked together through a general circle or coordinating circle made up of members of the other circles. Circle meetings strive to listen to every voice and make decisions using a consent process. All decisions have built into them a time to evaluate to allow for changes and improvements. In June of 2020 Sociocracy model of governance was approved to use in the Sheepfold to be evaluated at the 2021 Annual meeting. This effort has been a bit slowed down due to the pandemic. At the end of February 2021 the Guiding Group (our former governance group) held it’s final meeting at which the coordinators for all the work circles were selected. Now each of our working circles is meeting. We hope to have the first meeting of the Sheepfold Coordination Circle in Late April or Early May of 2021. All of this work is helping to support the reopening of our courses when it is safe to do so. This is an exciting time in the life of the sheepfold as we embrace this new model to foster our connection and collaboration. Below are images from the Formation Leaders Circle and the Implementation Circle meetings. Comments are closed.
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July 2022
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