Now we still use the Google Doc for wider perspective, plus a physical 'chore board' using a white board and sticky notes (which we are still adapting to), plus also Amplenote for Kata's.
Take time to have Kata conversations regularly with every person in the early-stage community. How regularly depends on the person and the amount of tasks they need to or decide to take on.
Start daily and test the waters by moving to every other day, and then every few days, and then on the schedule that they choose and you agree to.
For Holacracy circle meetings, try to have a set schedule so people are not surprised by the announcement of a spontaneous meeting.
This may seem abstract until you actually have the experience of why these meetings are so important for clarity of communication and settings expectations.
Here's a summary:
So far we are operating with a reduced set of governance tools, focused on the day to day needs on-site at Camazotz HQ to prepare basic infrastructure and focus on food cultivation.
We are using methods from Holacracy (semi-autonomous circles of stakeholders) and Toyota Kata (the most effective method of 'managing teams' I discovered in my 15 year professional career).
The Kata process focuses on the leaning curve we go through to create ever better results to achieve our goals.
The Kata process uses the following questions to help guide the learning process, with someone facilitating the conversation.
We are also using socionics principles such as “good enough for now, safe enough to try” along with Holacracy style meetings for group decision making. Corporate Rebels does a good job of describing the Holacracy meeting method.
The learning curve is a little steep because we all carry baggage from past work or project meetings.
We have produced a very light version of our Governance course to be fully developed in 2023 for public access.
Governance Plans
We aim to govern via self-organizing circles of accountability. We adapt from various methods such as Sociocracy, Holacracy, and web3 DAO governance.
The community will increasingly be managed as a DAO (distributed autonomous organization).
(Based on the Avolve DAO planning system)
Our considerations for future governance at Camazotz Collective include:
- REA Accounting (resource, ) for tracking and incentivizing value-adding contributions.
- Cooperative economic model to build profit-share opportunities for micro-business operators using the Camazotz Collective brand and network effects.
- Tokenomics that share co-operative proceeds as dividends to stakeholders.
- Co-living council to support and distribute decision making power to everyone involved.
Communication
For tension resolutions or disagreements, we advocate the process known as ‘non-violent communication’ as per these 4 simplified steps:
- Observation: Factual observation without judgemental evaluation.
- Feeling: What feelings (emotional, physical) happen for us at the time of observation?
- Needs: What personal needs are not being met due to the observations and feelings?
- Request: What cooperative concrete actions are requested?
For example: When I see that______________ I feel ______________ because my need for ________________ is/is not met. Would you be willing to __________________?
Bylaws
Each other
- By choosing to visit you are fully aware that you are ultimately responsible for your own wellbeing.
- “A non-aggression policy. Violations will result in a temporary or permanent ban.” - Douglas Butner
- Unhealthy behaviors/habits (such as smoking) if done are done at a distance from their influence on the community and ecosystem. (Subject to discussion with current visitors, settlers, dwellers, directors and delegates.)
- Romantic connections are welcome and encouraged, however any kind of sexual aggression or pressure will not be tolerated. If it’s obviously mutual, have at it like rabbits.
- Respect each other's property. If you want to use something that is not yours, ask the owner, and put it back in its place in a timely way.
- We welcome a visit with a current maximum stay of 3 weeks for a first visit, and up to 3 months for a second visit if everyone is happy during that time. People can then return after some time away if the community approves the next visit.
- Conduct a comfortable environment with good attitudes, tolerance for others, healthy boundaries, and non-violent communication.
- We strive to cultivate good virtues within ourselves such as love, honesty, loyalty, respect, honor, stewardship, empathy, reliability, etc.
Ecosystem
- Treat the land and all the plants, animals, and others with respect. Do not throw trash on the ground, and minimize usage of non-sustainable/non-biodegradable resources and anything that could contaminate the environment. Pick up and properly dispose of trash you see even if it was not yours.
- As non-natives and new residents of this land, we will preserve and protect the ecosystem while building with it, considering the practices of the native inhabitants and the ecosystem itself.