Self-Organization of ASC
To Keep It Stupid and Simple, here is my suggestion, as simply as 1-2-3:
1- Defining Self: When ASC has been defining itself through its Charters/Bylaws, each member will be invited to define himself/herself as in his/her relationship with ASC. There will be no self-organization possible without a clear definition of the “self” – i.e., the clear, consistent and (relatively) unchanging characters/principles. These definitions, serves as commitments towards ASC and its all members and posted on ASC website, can be made when a new member joins ASC, and a survey of current members. It could be a paragraph summarizing “why do I join ASC,” and/or it could be simply a checkbox on a simple category, such as:
a. I just want to be included in ASC mailing list and to be in touch;
b. I’ll be active in email discussions from time to time;
c. At this time I am willing to spend my time to join an action group;
d. At this time I have suggestion(s)/motion(s) for ASC and willing to lead an action group;
e. At this time I am able to volunteer my time to serve on the board or as officers.
2- The forming of Motion-Action Group: In ASC, any member is free to suggest a motion to do something to improve or enrich ASC, but in the same time the member with a motion should also commit to action. A motion become effective when it gets TWO other members to second, and the three members form an action group to do whatever is necessary to implement this motion. The board or the officers have no right or authority to veto or deny the motion. This will enable an environment in which self-organization is possible.
3- The Action: Once a Motion-Action Group is formed, its goal becomes an ASC initiative, and must be supported by ASC officers in their existing capacity. The three (or more) members will assume the roles of the Doer(or “Organizer of the Doers” if more than three members signed up for the action), who do things to implement the motion according to a plan; the Measurer/Sensor, who reviews/analyzes the results/deliverables from the doer(s) against a previously defined goal and reports discrepancies, in a previously planned schedule; and the Coach, who analyzes the discrepancies between the predefined goal and the current status, and between the predefined schedule and the current actual progress, and make suggestions to modify the initiative.
The Types of Action to be encouraged can be discussed by all members, via emails and/or conferences, starting from their “self” definitions, in simple format such as wish-lists. Examples may include collaboration in projects under ASC name, authoring/co-authoring contents for ASC website, development of cybernetics curriculums, making a cybernetics documentary movie, organizing an out-reach drive to enroll more members, facilitate on-line discussions or on-line tutorials, organizing conferences, publishing a journal, etc.
After all these years of ups and downs, it is high time that ASC really start self-organizing itself. Cybernetics as a basic element contributing to our education system is long overdue. Organizations such as Organizational Development Network could have conferences at the level of 1000 participants every year, why not ASC? Other organizations can sustain a consistent official journal for many decades, why not ASC? The capacity of reflection is a theme of cybernetics and learning, and is also a challenge to ASC members. It is my believe that if this suggestion is accepted and added into the Bylaw, a really self-organizing ASC, with the freedom, creativity, and all possible contribution from all members, could eventually grow towards its full potential. Ah men.
Author is elegible for HvF Prize (aged under 35): NO
