Ceptr: Do-Ops as Centers

This is a proposal for a do-op formation process. It is aimed at creating the do-op as a living center within Ceptr.

Emergent Scenarios

1. A do-op is most likely to form as a seed within an existing do-op. That seed may emerge as a signal: a question, an idea or a side discussion. Most such signals will merge with the stream of collective consciousness of the host do-op itself. Some signals will fade into the background. Some may gain energy until they’ve reached some kind of critical mass. Such a critical mass will affect the flow of the host do-op. The host do-op may meet this with different strategies. One of these strategies is to spawn a new do-op. This will alllow the host do-op to stay focused and aligned with its purpose, while a new do-op is free to explore its place in the world. Is is natural that the two will stay connected and that signals will travel between them (and with other do-ops). MetaCurrency spawned Ceptr. Ceptr spawned Holochain (and we are now discovering the nature of the relationship between the two).
2. Though less likely, bu tnot impossible, a do-op may form as a more spontaneous response to an outside agent. As Ceptr membranes become more permeable, new agents (people, ideas … ) may appear in Ceptr’s collective consciousness. It is better for new agents to be first embedded in one of Ceptrs existing Do-op’s, even if for only a short period. However we should stay open to “miracles” … unexpected forces and opportunities for change. We can achieve this by providing a containing nursery / incubation do-op. This can be a place for wildcards to gestate until they are ready to join Ceptr.

In both of these scenarios a new do-op emerges from within an existing do-op. A do-op should never be added as an external piece that is attached to the Ceptr body (that will most likely lead to a parastic relationship that will consume Ceptr instead of nourishing it).

Process: Do-Op Inception

The purpose of this process is to present a new do-op to the Ceptr team and to give the team an opportunity to intentionally relate to the possibility of a new do-op. A new do-op should be formed with a sense that it enhances and increases the coherence of Ceptr as a whole.

1. A group of at least 3 people have come together with a clear sense of a shared interest. At least one of them is at least a Ceptr Member (see Spheres of Engagement).
2. The group publishes a written proposal describing the new do-op. (see process: New Do-Op Proposal)
3. Everyone of the existing do-op coherence holders publishes a response to the proposal. (see process: New Do-Op Proposal Commentary)
4. If at least half of the coherence holders express a position of “passionately support” and none of them express a position of “object” then the new do-op can be created.
5. Otherwise schedule a meeting with the coherence holders. At least 75% of the coherence holders need to present in the meeting. All of the coherence holders who objected need to be present.
6. If during the meeting consent is given (all of the objections are removed), the new do-op can be created.
7. If consent is not given the proposing team will publish a summary of the process and what was learned from it.  (see process: Rejected Do-Op Report)
8. Decide who is the coherence holder for the new do-op.
9. Write a brief description of the new do-op.
10. Write a more extensive (though still brief) introduction to the do-op. Describe its purpose and how you expect it to contribute to Ceptr.
11. Create a home-space for the new do-op.
12. Announce the new do-op in the existing do-ops.

Process: New Do-Op Proposal

The purpose of this process is to help you formulate a proposal that is relevant and grounded in Ceptr’s current state of being and its needs. Following it will increase the odds that your proposal will resonate with the existing do-ops and that the new do-op will be able to contribute to Ceptr.

1. Take time to reflect on what a do-op is and what it isn’t. A do-op IS a means to focus existing attention and resources towards a clear purpose. A new do-op is a quiet space within the busy-ness of Ceptr where new ideas can be explored. A do-op is not a means to allocate resources. Ceptr has no free-floating resources that a do-op can apply-for or capture. A do-op is a means for injecting new resources, primarily your passion, attention, skills and time to contributing and evolving Ceptr. A vital do-op may be able to capture Ceptr resources by being relevant and attractive.
2. List the people who are proposing the new do-op.
3. Describe what in Ceptr (as it currently is) caught your attention.
4. Describe where you identified a desire to intervene and introduce change.
5. Describe the change that you would like to see and how you feel it may benefit Ceptr.
6. Describe what actions you would like to take as first steps if your do-op is formed.

Process: New Do-Op Proposal Commentary

The purpose of this process is to help you (an existing coherence holder) respond concisely and effectively to a proposal for a new do-op. It is intended to help you assess if and how the proposed do-op would contribute and enhance your do-op and Ceptr as a whole.

1. Read the new do-op proposal.
2. Ask yourself if the proposal is clear and coherent.
3. Ask yourself if the proposal resonates with your active do-op and with Ceptr as whole in its current state-of-being. What you are looking or at this stage is a feeling rather than an intellectual undertanding.
4. If the proposal does not resonate with you ask yourself if you want to invest energy in getting to understand it better.
5. If you are interested, contact the authoring team and inquire about the proposal to get a better understanding of it.
6. If you are not interested, ask yourself if that means that you object to this proposal?
7. If you do obect to this do-op see process: Rejected Do-Op Report
8. Otherwise, ask yourself how does the new do-op relate to your do-op (the one for which you are the coherency holder).
9. Ask yourself to in what ways you think that this new do-op can relate to your do-op.
10. Ask yourself if you would like to see this do-op come to life right now.
11. Determine your position: support passionately, on-the-fence, need more information or object.
12. Respond in writing to the proposal. Include in your response your feelings about it, feedback you would like to offer, reservations you may have and your position on it.

Process: Rejected Do-Op Report

The purpose of this process is to get better at working together by giving attention to differences in our perceptions and valuations.

1. Re-read the written proposal.
2. Reconnect with your original motivation in proposing the do-op.
3. Re-read the commentaries published in response to your proposal and if available a summary of the meeting with the coherence holder.
4. Ask yourself if you are able to see something now that you were not able to see before.
5. Ask yourself if you feel that you encountered a blockage that arises from some kind of group-think residue.
6. Take time to observe how you feel at the end of this process.
7. Assemble your thoughts and reflections into a summary that you feel may contribute to a future version of yourself or Ceptr.
8. Publish your summary as a reponse to the original proposal thread.
9. Close the proposal thread to further comments.