This blog post was written by Clara Dos Santos, Worker Member, Co-Director and Secretary at SEA.
Patterns for Decentralised Organising is a workshop series organised by Richard D. Bartlett and Natalia Lombardo, both of whom have been supporting non-hierarchical organisations for over five years, co-founding Loomio (a worker co-op building software for collective decision making) and Enspiral (a network of self-organising companies). They’re currently touring Korea, USA, Europe, and South America, meeting with activists, entrepreneurs, coaches and organisations who are trying to work with less hierarchy and more collaboration.
As a non-hierarchical organisation, SEA has been experimenting with different ways of organising since day one. Now, just over two years into our journey together, it was really positive to be able to attend a workshop with like-minded people and share our challenges and successes with others.
The workshop was really informative and interactive, and it gave us good insights into practices we’ve been experimenting with ourselves. I was reassured we were on the right track, and that our struggles were common ones experienced by others seeking to organise in this way. Through Rich’s presentation I was able to identify areas that, in the past, we’ve fallen short of success, and was able to think through the next steps forward, to discuss with the team back in the office.
The workshop was roughly divided into two parts: presentation and real-life challenges. During the first half, Rich and Nati shared with us eight patterns for decentralised organising that have emerged through working within Loomio and with many other groups around the world. And, on the second half, people were asked to share with the group real challenges that their organisations or collectives had been facing, and the group voted on the topics they would most like to discuss.
The workshop was a great opportunity to meet others, learn new things, and feel part of a movement of people that are trying to democratize organisations all over the country and the world. If you have a chance, don’t miss the opportunity to attend their upcoming workshop in London this Saturday. Further details below.
Patterns for Decentralised Organising
Date: 23rd September 2017
Time: 10:00 until 13:30
Location: Newspeak House, 133 Bethnal Green Road, London
To find out more and book your place, click here.
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