Join us in an exploration of Dynamic Governance/Sociocracy
with Keynote Speaker Eric Bachman*
At the
Brattleboro Time Trade Annual Meeting
April 28, 2024 1 - 4 pm
The Root Social Justice Center,
28 Williams St, Brattleboro

All are Welcome!

Timebanking is a form of alternative currency allowing people to exchange goods and services using time instead of money. Each member has an account and transactions are credited or debited based on actual time spent.(timebanks.org). Brattleboro Time Banks also is involved in numerous wider community service projects that individuals can earn time credit for (www.brattleborotimetrade.org).

At this years Annual Meeting, We will go over the the past years events and business and consider plans for the future. Furthermore Eric Bachman will introduce Socicocray as an approach to governance of BTT and utilize practices to illustrate that approach. We believe this will help promote the mission of BTT and allow for more efficient, inclusive and equitable decision making.

Sociocracy is a form of Dynamic governance that promotes inclusion of all voices and puts decision making power in the hands of the people. (www.sociocracyforall.org)

It is organized so that independent groups called "circles" have decision making power for any areas that do not impact other circles. These circles interact in a non hierarchical way to keep the entire organization informed and working together. The focus is on accomplishing tasks that further the mission of the organization

All members of a circle are given equal input, so that no particular voices are dominant.

Decisions are arrived at by "consent", meaning that after initial analysis of an issue, proposals are suggested, and discussed. They are accepted and implemented not on full agreement, but on the idea that there is no major objection. That can be different from "consensus" where everyone needs to agree fully on a proposal. But all views and concerns are recorded. Implementing the proposal can then be assessed to see if the benefits are realized or if the concerns are serious enough to reconsider.

Anyone interested in a different way of organizing democratic decision making or the value of time banking as an alternative form of commerce and community involvement are welcome, free of charge. For more information contact brattleborotimetrade@gmail.com

*Eric Bachman is a long time timetrader with Onion River Exchange and has years of experience in organizational development. He helps groups develop collaborative working methods: facilitation, consensus, and other meeting skills. He is currently participating in a formal study of Sociocracy, a form of Dynamic Governance.

May 8, 2024, 10:30 to 11:15 AM

May 10 to 12, 2024

May 11, 2024, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM