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Governance
Planning a project at an EcoVillage meeting.
give and receive effective leadership
while remaining peers..
Brief History of Sociocracy
Gerard Endenburg, a pupil of Kees Boeke, developed Boeke's vision into a body of well-tested procedures and practical principles. After World War II, Gerard Endenburg's parents (socialists before the war), set up their own (successful) company to try out their advanced ideas. Gerard trained as an electrical engineer, gained expertise in cybernetics (the new science of steering and control), and worked briefly for Phillips Electronics, designing a flat speaker that is still used in small electronic equipment today. Then his father challenged him to manage a small, failing business he had purchased. In less than a year Gerard had made the business profitable and merged it with his father's company. In the late 1960’s, Gerard's father retired, and Gerard became manager of Endenburg Electrotechniek, with the mandate to run it both as a profitable business and as a laboratory for testing innovative management ideas. Sociocracy is a product of that experience.
Today, Gerard has retired from day-to-day management of Endenburg Electrotechniek to devote his time to running the Sociocratisch Centrum, a consulting business that assists a wide variety of companies and organizations to implement Sociocratic structures. Gerard is also a professor at the Economic Science and Industry Department of the University of Maastricht where Sociocracy is part of the curriculum and academic practice.
Why Sociocracy?
Initially, prior to construction, EcoVillage future residents used consensus to make decisions. This proved inefficient and exhausting and led to serious rifts. Introducing Sociocracy was a relief. The group became more efficient and subsequently has been able to make many difficult decisions in harmony with one another.
What Is Sociocracy?
Sociocracy is a full governance system that offers an organizational structure and a decision-making and unique election process.
How Does Sociocracy Work?
Sociocratic organizations use four basic elements. These are described briefly with an explanation of how they apply to EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA.
Sociocratic organizations use four basic elements. These are described briefly with an explanation of how they apply to EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA.
Organizational Structure of Sociocracy
Circles
The organization consists of circles of semi-autonomous groups. Each circle (usually referred to as a committee) has its own aim and performs the three functions of leading, operating, and measuring/feedback.
Double Link
The connection between two circles consists of a double link. This means that at least two persons from one circle participate in the decision-making in the next higher circle: the circle’s leader and one or more elected representatives.
Organizational Process
Consent
The principle of consent governs the decision-making process. This means that a policy decision can only be made if nobody raises a reasoned and paramount objection against it.
Sociocratic Election
Persons are elected exclusively by consent, after open discussion.
How the Four Elements of Sociocracy Apply to EcoVillage of Loudoun County
EcoVillage Community Association (EVCA) began in 1998 and is organized to serve as the governing body of EcoVillage of Loudoun County. Similar to other "homeowner associations", EVCA has a hierarchical organizational structure. Unlike more typical associations, however, the vast majority of our community's work and decision-making occurs at the committee level. EVCA Committees are:
• Architectural & Environmental Design Review
• Common House
• Covenant Compliance
• Economic Development
• Facility Maintenance
• Finance
• Land Stewardship
• Social
Each committee operates freely within given parameters in its own area of responsibility for the community. Each is responsible for educating its own members in its work and keeping its own records.
Building community through cooperation.
Finally, the EVCA Board is composed of the General Management Team, elected representatives from the General Circle, and people from outside of the community, invited because of their special expertise in areas vital to the community.
EVCA uses consent decision-making when setting policies. Because consent decision-making looks for objections not agreement, a broad range of tolerance is generally represented in final decisions.
Training in Sociocracy
For more information about Sociocracy, contact EcoVillagers, John Buck at www.sociocracy.biz, or Tena Meadows O’Rear at 540-822-4070. They two are the first Certified Sociocracy Consultants in the US. There is much to learn about Sociocracy, and all residents are encouraged to take one of the periodic training classes offered.
Gerard Endenburg talks to a gathering at EcoVillage in 2007
Governing Documents
People who purchase homes in EcoVillage self-select; there is no screening or interview process to determine whether individuals are the right “fit” for the community. Instead, prospective buyers and renters are encouraged to read and ask questions about EcoVillage governing documents, which contain substantial information about what to expect of EcoVillage life, and determine individually whether this is the right community. Below is a description of the documents that comprise the expectations and limitations related to living in EcoVillage:
EcoVillage Statement of Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives
• articulates the direction of EcoVillage
• serves as a touchstone for the community to evaluate where we are vs. where we want to be
• as we move forward and identify areas of concern or ideas for new initiatives that have not been addressed in documents to date, the Statement of Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives provides a context for determining our position and direction on any given issue.
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Easements and Restrictions for EcoVillage of Loudoun County
• defines the rights and authority of Sycamore Springs LLC, the developer, and rights and authority of EcoVillage Community Association over the northern section of the property. (The southern section of the land will be subjected to the force of the Declaration when it is approved for subdivision)
• defines the Powers and Duties of the Association and the Association’s membership
• documents that the Association recognizes its subjugation to applicable VA laws, e.g. VA Nonstock Corporation Act and VA Property Owners’ Association Act
• documents the relationship of Sycamore Springs LLC and EVCA vis a vis Loudoun County. Provides the County with reassurance that this private arm of government known as a community association will carry out certain responsibilities, and that those responsibilities will not be thrust upon the County, e.g. private road maintenance.
• documents the rights of public service entities, such as utility companies and emergency service companies vis a vis EcoVillage common property and individual property Owners
• documents the rights and restrictions upon individual Owners during the construction process
• lays out the powers and basic procedures for levying assessments on individual Owners
• documents the remedies that the Association can use to deal with non-payment of assessments and fees and other covenant violations, therefore providing a basis for subsequent action within the legal system
• identifies the rights of EcoVillage Institute with respect to EcoVillage commons
• lays out the restrictive covenants to which each Owner, Resident and Guest is subject while on the property
• defines the types and levels of insurance that must be purchased to insure Common Property, thereby assuring all Owners and their Mortgagees that that portion of their investment which has paid for Common Property is protected
• defines procedures for reconstruction and repair of Common Property that is damaged
• defines the dispute resolution procedure that will be used by the Association and documents individual Owner’s and Resident’s waiver of their individual right to take legal action against the Association prior to going through this procedure; also the individual’s waiver of their individual right to take legal action against another Owner or Resident regarding a covenant violation prior to going through this procedure
• documents the rights of Mortgagees; documents the assets that are actually being purchased by individuals to whom they loan money (mortgagees may require a copy of the Declaration when an individual requests a loan)
• provides the foundation of legal force for all Governing Documents through the following definition:
Governing Documents means the EcoVillage Statement of Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives; this Declaration, the Articles of Incorporation of EcoVillage Community Association, the Bylaws of EcoVillage Community Association, the Rules and Regulations of EcoVillage Community Association, and the EcoVillage Architectural and Environmental Design Guidelines, as such documents may be amended or replaced from time to time.
Articles of Incorporation of EcoVillage Community Association
• defines the purposes and limitations of the corporation
• documents the corporation’s subjugation to the VA Nonstock Corporation Act
• defines the membership and voting rights of Members
• defines basic rules of operation by the Board, e.g. qualifications, nominations, removal
Bylaws of EcoVillage Community Association
• defines the organizational structure and decision-making process of EVCA
• defines the requirement for community service for Adults and Youths
• defines basic fiscal management activities and standards
• defines the procedures and general schedule for meetings
• documents EVCA’s approach to the issue of confidentiality
• details the qualifications, powers and authority of Board, General Circle and standing committees: Architectural & Environmental Design Review, Common House, Covenant Compliance, Economic Development, Facility Maintenance, Finance, Land Stewardship, and Social
• documents indemnification
• defines and lays out procedures for addressing conflict of interest
• defines the form of and access to EVCA records
Guidelines and Procedures of EcoVillage Community Association
• minimally drafted at this time
• the state of Virginia refers to these as Rules and Regulations. They are procedural in nature, so our descriptive title seems more appropriate.
• expect that these will evolve from each committee over time, (e.g. Finance Committee has developed EVCA Investment Guidelines).
EcoVillage Architectural & Environmental Design Guidelines
• provide the details that apply to all changes on, over and under all of the Property, including Improvements to Common Area and Improvements to all Lots located on the Property following initial purchase of a Lot by an Owner
• management of natural resources includes issues related to land and soil, water and wetlands, air and sky dome, plant life, and native and non-native wildlife
• guidelines for community quality include landscape structures, (e.g. fences), permitted uses and operation of individual Lots, permitted uses and operations of Common Area, including Protected Conservation Areas, paths and trails.
• guidelines for architectural design include a section on aesthetics (building form, size design features, and materials); energy performance standards for buildings, and standards for septic systems and water use.
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