Decentralized autonomous structure for cooperation
An example of how to use the fractal circle method in an organization
A decentralized organization works in parallel with the already existing organizational model and relieves the board and the focus groups while at the same time it giving all members the opportunity to actively participate both in developing proposals and implementing projects.
The fractal system creates a situation where all meetings are planned and carried out in the same way. In this way, the complexity is kept at the same level regardless of how large an organization you have or how many projects are in progress. It may sound complicated when you read about it for the first time, but it is in fact very simple. To facilitate this, a coordination group is created with mentors who have undergone a short training in the method.
New members are recruited by signing up for a mailing list. We invite them to a presentation of our vision and plan. The plan includes creating a decentralized network of individuals and organizations that share our vision.
Each member is offered to participate in a group of 6 people if they want to participate and create proposals. Those who do not want to join a group have the opportunity to join as a support member and can still participate in other activities.
When there are several members in the same place, we invite them to create a local group where they can meet at the home of one of the members or in another place. Otherwise, the group meets over the internet.
Each group receives a mentor who has the task of providing support and instructions. The mentor is present at the first meeting and can participate if necessary until the group manages itself. Mentors have undergone a short training in the method.
To be a member you can have set up requirements. We recommend every member to 1) Report new proposals in writing to the coordination group. 2) That they hold one meeting per week. 3) That each member attends at least 2 meetings per month.
At local meetings, a method is followed that its mentor demonstrates and explains. The group receives one or more questions per week to answer from the coordination group. They also get a short text to read out that describes the organization’s activities since the last meeting. The group discusses the issues and puts forward new proposals. The list of suggestions is arranged according to the group’s priorities. The meeting ends with a representative being selected to write down the proposals, report them on to the coordination group and to present the proposals at the next larger meeting.
At regular times, larger meetings are held where up to 6 local groups create a new group and meet to share their proposals. This is called a level 2 meeting that connects 36 people. This takes place if possible in a local meeting room but otherwise over the internet. One member per group presents the proposals. The meeting only requires representatives to attend, but other group members can also attend and be given space to speel by their representative if necessary. No new suggestions can be added. In the same way as at the local meeting, proposals are prioritized, and a new representative is elected to report further to the coordination group and to the next meeting at level 3.
Large meetings at higher levels are held every week where 6 groups from the previous level are connected again according to the same principle as before. If the organization has many members, several levels are required for all groups to be connected. For each meeting, 6 times more members are connected. 36, 216, 1296, 7776, 46656, 279936. In this way, an organization of almost 8 thousand members can be connected in 4 weeks with one meeting per week.
The proposals that reach the highest level meeting are presented back to all local groups where its members can decide whether they want to participate in the joint activities that are proposed. If necessary, new working groups are created for new proposals where those who are interested in participating in planning these create new meetings according to the same decentralized model and can thus discuss details and create plans for implementation. When the details have been prepared, this is reported back to the local groups who can participate in the execution.
| Meeting | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |
| Local | x | x | x | x |
| Level 2 | x | |||
| Level 3 | x | |||
| Level 4 | x | |||
| Level 5 | x |
Example of meeting structure
Examples of participation in meetings. We assume that we have a total of 10,000 members. Of these, 4,000 want to participate and meet and create proposals. All of these members attend local meetings with their group each week. There will be 667 groups and everyone organizes and conducts their meetings themselves. Week 1, we have a level 2 meeting, which means that one from each local group participates in the meeting. There will be 111 groups and 667 participants and the meetings are organized by the coordination group for example via zoom with break out rooms. Week 2 we have level 2 meetings with 19 groups and 111 participants. Week 3, level 3 meetings with 3 groups and 19 participants. Week 4, level 4 with 1 group and 3 participants.
Examples of working groups. Assume that the last general meeting of level 4 presents its proposals to the coordination group that selects 3 of the proposals. They then start 3 working groups, one for each proposal and send out a message to all 10,000 members and invite them to contribute to the working groups. Example: Working group 1 will make a flyer and get 100 interested. Working group 2 will create a manifestation with 200 interested and working group 3 will create a website and have 20 interested.
| Meeting | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
| Workgroup 1 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Workgroup 2 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Workgroup 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 |
After 3 days, the participants in the various working groups brainstormed and put forward proposals on how the various projects should be implemented. The working groups can now present the various proposals to its participants and propose a further division of the working groups. Assume that the first workgroup tasked with creating a flyer wants more subgroups. Subgroup 1 creates the text, subgroup 2 creates the graphic design and subgroup 3 organizes the distribution of the material to local groups and instructs how to distribute the flyer. Everyone who wants to participate in the different groups registers their interest in that group. The subgroups that have more than 7 people conduct work meetings according to the same principle as before and they organize their meetings themselves. All groups have the opportunity to receive support from the coordination group and mentors who can help structure meetings and offer tools for conducting them.
For an organization of 10,000 members according to the example above, many mentors are probably needed and these can be recruited from the circles. All members who have attended 10 meetings can register to become a mentor and then receive a short training consisting of a text and a video. The coordination group does not need to have as many members and can probably be around 10 people.
Organizational structure
The main group
This group consists of all members. Proposals are presented here and the central strategic manifesto is developed, which includes problem description, analysis, vision and plan for the organization. Meetings are held regularly in local groups and with regular large meetings where they appoint members to the organizational group through an annual organizational meeting.
The organization group
This group consists of the central representatives of the organizational meeting and has the task of appointing elected representatives and approving new members of the other organizational groups.
Elected representatives
Several organizations or individuals can act as signatories to register bank accounts, sign subscriptions etc. Central bank accounts can be avoided by having several treasurers in the organization as well as auditors who keep track of where funds are.
Coordination group
A group that handles the reception of new members, trains mentors and helps to plan meetings and organize working groups. This group also handles conflict resolution between members.
Archiving group
A group that organizes and archives protocols and materials from various meetings and makes them available via social media.
IT group
A group that handles installation, maintenance and education of IT systems such as websites, chat groups and other services.
Working groups
Working groups are created on an ongoing basis from the main group and have the task of implementing the projects selected.