Our draft principles

Open and voluntary

We are open to all persons willing to volunteer and accept the responsibilities of membership.

Sociocratic

We are member-governed based on consent-based decision making and decentralized autonomy (the Wikipedia entry on sociocracy).

Participation

Members contribute value knowing the value derived by the organization and society more widely will be maximised when we all contribute more together.

Autonomy and independence

By members for members, end of.

Transparent

All information is open and public, excepting respect for individuals’ security and privacy.

Learning and education

Information and knowledge is most valuable when made open and accessible to all.

Co-operation

We seek to work with others who subscribe to similar values and principles.

Community

We care for humanity and environmental sustainability; the two are inseparable.

Our draft values

Our members hold dear the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. We cherish unity of purpose but not unity of thought; consensus best follows dissensus.

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With due respect to the Rochdale Principles.

Note. We refer to these principles and values as being draft, not because we think they’ll change much in spirit, but because the emerging community must determine if they’re spot on.