Governance meeting

Governance meetings are times dedicated to discussing proposals and making decisions that affect an organization's roles or policies.

Purpose of a governance meeting

The main objective is to change the structure of a team or circle and its decision-making processes. This can include:

• Defining or modifying policies,
• Assigning roles,
• Granting representative status.

The Holacracy governance meeting

InHolacracy, governance meetings use the integrative decision-making process (which works by consent). This process follows well-defined stages:

• Check-in round: A round-table discussion to get everyone focused.
• Clarification round: A question phase to better understand the proposal.
• Reaction round: Members share their impressions and ideas.
• Amend and clarify round: The proposer adjusts his proposal if necessary.
• Objection round: Identify valid objections and resolve them.
• Closing round: Finalization and validation of decision.

Each participant may submit a proposal or objection, provided it concerns the growth or smooth running of the organization. The meeting ends when the proposer and objector agree that the amended version of the proposal resolves the tension while eliminating the objections.

A method accessible to all

Although governance meetings are an offshoot of the Holacracy Constitution, you don't need to practice this methodology to benefit from it.

The integrative decision-making process and governance meeting structure can be adopted by any team or organization. This approach leverages collective intelligence while making quick, decisive decisions to move projects forward.