During Scalable Skeletal Escalator Lucia Guggerli of The Field proposed sharing The Field's decision-making workflow.
«We believe in collaboration as a form of activism. Nevertheless, taking decisions as a group can be challenging. Here are some strategies that might be helpful to anyone who wants to promote a flat working structure. We happily answer questions or discuss doubts: hello [at] thefield.ch.»
1. Set up
With moderation (optional tool)
Time duration of session
Questioning statements
Summing up ideas
Provocations
Without moderation
Volunteer > Time duration of session
2. Awareness of challenges
fixed perspective
impatience
not listening
it’s not about always being right
personal preferences > taking sides
3. Discussion process
a) Exposing proposals
Positive aspects; potential of idea
Conditions, general info > What is there already
b) Implications
Consequence > financial, e.g. needs fund raising
Challenges
c) Position; opinion
Individually define one’s position
Express preference(s) and explain why
4. Decision making
Types of decision making
a) Chance
throw a dice, for example
b) Vote
everyone votes and votes are counted
c) Common sense
discussion
c) Common sense > Discussion
Step 1. Set time frame (moderator or volunteer)
Step 2. Pick on tools to shift perspective
Cosmic parliament > Include a non-human player (no switching)
Backbone > inner circle has the word, outer circle whisper
2 minutes per person to express their opinion
Discuss in pairs, report back your partner’s opinion to the group
Step 3. Decide
Lucia Gugerli is an artist working in dance and performance contexts. She studied contemporary dance in Germany and the Netherlands and has worked with Fabrice Mazliah, Kumpane and Isabelle Beernaert amongst others. In 2019 Lucia started creating and performing her own works while in residency at Tanzhaus Zürich (I’m scared to drop stuff when standing on a balcony) and at Atelier Hermann Haller (Loveletter Series I: Hanni). Alongside her performance career, Lucia worked at Tanzhaus Zürich co-organizing the professional training and was the production manager for the performing arts festival zürich moves! in 2018 and 2019.
Images: Annik Wetter