Structure and Groups

Meeting, discussing, creating, planning, choosing, deciding, doing, sharing, reflecting

More than 25 million meetings every day.

(And that's just the US.)


Billions of miles flown

every year.


Are we improving?

Improving:

Task outcomes

Group outcomes

Personal outcomes

My beef: democracy.

Individuals

Individuals

  • Communication style and skill
  • Power position
  • Relational identity
  • Needs
  • Agendas
  • Proficiency

Groups

Deliberately organized groups


image credit Robert Barcus

Structured social units


image credit family-home-evenings.com

Cultures


image credit Wilhelmvs

Associations


image credit AP Photo

Unorganized aggregates


image credit Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science

Artificial aggregations


image credit Eric Fischer

Group process



Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies

  • First published in 1876
  • Now in its 11th edition
  • Not very applicable to
    online communication.

Robert's Rules of Order: abbreviated

PRIVILEGED MOTIONS deal with the welfare of the group, rather than with any specific proposal. They must be disposed of before the group can consider any other motion.
Action Language Interrupt speaker? Second needed? Motion debatable? Motion amendable? Vote needed?
Adjourn the meeting I motion that we adjourn no yes no no majority
Recess the meeting I move we recess until no yes no yes majority
Complain about noise, room temperature, etc. Point of privilege yes no no no none, chair rules
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS provide various ways of modifying or disposing of main motions. They must be acted upon before all other motions except privileged motions.
Action Language Interrupt speaker? Second needed? Motion debatable? Motion amendable? Vote needed?
Suspend debate on a matter without calling for a vote I move we table the matter no yes no no majority
End debate I move the previous question no yes no no 2/3 majority
Limit length of debate I move debate on this matter be limited to... no yes no yes 2/3 majority
Ask for a vote by actual count, to verify a voice vote I call for a division of the house no no no no none, chair rules (majority if someone objects)
Postpone consideration of a matter to a specific time I move we postpone the matter until... no yes yes yes majority
Have a matter studied further I move we refer this matter to a committee no yes yes yes majority
Consider a matter informally I move the question be considered informally no yes yes no majority
Amend a motion I move that this motion be amended by... no yes yes yes majority
Reject a main motion without voting on the motion itself I move the question be postponed no yes yes no majority
INCIDENTAL MOTIONS grow out of other business that the group is considering. They must be decided before the group can return to the question that brought them up.
Action Language Interrupt speaker? Second needed? Motion debatable? Motion amendable? Vote needed?
Correct an error in parliamentary procedure Point of order yes no no no none, chair rules
Object to a ruling by the chair I appeal the chair's decision yes yes yes no majority
Consider a matter that violates normal procedure, but does not violate the constitution or bylaws I move we suspend the rules no yes no no 2/3 majority
Object to considering some matter I object to the consideration of this matter yes no no no 2/3 majority
Obtain advice on proper procedure I raise a parliamentary inquiry yes no no no none, chair rules
Request information Point of information yes no no no none
Withdraw a motion I request leave to withdraw the motion no no no no majority
MAIN MOTIONS are the tools used to introduce new business.
Action Language Interrupt speaker? Second needed? Motion debatable? Motion amendable? Vote needed?
Introduce business I move that... no yes yes yes majority
Take on a matter previously tabled I move we take from the no yes no no majority
Reconsider a matter already disposed of I move we reconsider our action relative to... yes yes yes no majority
Strike out a motion previously passed I move we reconsider our no yes yes yes majority
Consider a matter out of its scheduled order I move we suspend the rules and consider... no yes no no 2/3 majority


Horizontal structures

  • Effctive organization within
    direct democracy
  • Ensures equal access to participation

Tasks

Where technology comes in:

  1. By augmenting channels
    allowing new things to be communicated
  2. By guiding and structuring processes
    facilitating meeting process, enforcing rules
  3. By reasoning, organizing, or contributing content
    expert systems, knowledge bases, etc.
  4. By assisting learning.

Remember: Process is "tech" too

Examples supporting different task types

GenerateChooseNegotiateExecute
Social processes brainstorming
automatic writing
NGT
 deliberating
voting
ISM
 mediation
facilitation
NVC 		action items
committees
Technologies IdeaTorrent
User Voice
Doodle/Outlook
Selectricity, Decing
 Second Messenger
 Asana/Trello
Basecamp

Discussion

How do processes or technologies impact your group?

  • How do tools/processes work or fail for you?
    • Ways to use email
    • Ways to schedule things
    • Ways to approve decisions
  • What is it like to introduce new tools?
    • Barriers to acceptance
    • Appropriation