WoW Aug 2020 - Renumeration process
There was a gathering back in Aug 2020. Thank you for co-creating it with us. Each and every one of us that was there, participating, co-creating, engaging, interacting with it digitally and physically made it into what it was and what it was supposed to be. There were also a few of us that had spent time prior to the event getting it all together. Making sure it happened. During the event to make sure technology was there and worked, recorded things, designed things, transported things… you know… stuff… With out that, there would not have been a possibility to create what emerged. Now we’ve settled that some of those people, that did that work have gotten paid. This post’s purpose is to transparently share how that happened.
The process:
During our meetings in the spring we decided as a community to set a side some money (if possible) to pay those that took on lead roles of the project.
After the gathering we put together the finances, paid out grants, covered costs, decided to reinvest the lion share back into the organisation so that we can keep building our movement, and finally saw that we had a possibility to split a sum of 50 kSEK or ca 5 k€ among those that the community felt deserved it.
We posted a thread with an invitation to nominate oneself or others that one felt should get part of this money. The invitation was that those nominees would then hold a meeting and decide among themselves how the funds would be distributed. If the group could not decide, the money would be split equally. This was up for several weeks with an open invitation for anyone to nominate.
That meeting has now been held and you’ll see the results below. Here are some of the take aways and also the process we used in the meeting.
We hosted the meeting over zoom at a time where all contributors nominated could be in the call.
We checked in and also shared some sensations regarding what we were feeling around this exercise. Without going into detail the common sentiment was discomfort and elevated stress. Wanting “to get it over with”. Fears and anxiety coming up around the topic especially about not wanting to destroy relationships of community. The key part of the anxiety in these discussion seemed to emanate that was with people that one had found through engagement, on the basis of a passion driven engagement, not primarily in a business/project context.
We explored curiously. The group decided that we would answer three questions on the topic:
- What did you do for the gathering that motivates you being in this call?
- What is your need for the money?
- Is there any emotional desire or aspect that is connected ot the money?
Each participant shared. The group had the possibility to further highlight or underline traits and bring up additional topics that the participant missed. This process was seen as generative and nice as a feedback and sharing of appreciations.
The next step was done through a google form where every participant attributed a % number to each of the other participants describing how we should distribute the money in the group. The averages of this % number was what was actually paid.
Finally we allowed for people to object or address any remaning tension. The group expressed that we were aligned around the outcome.
The feedback for next time was - again without going into too much detail. Good process. Scary. Gave insight.
Concretely:
- Better perhaps to have the sharing, then allow for one to think through the distribution and submit that and follow up the next day with a short follow up meeting / checking of the outcome to allow for more slowing and reflection.
- Better to have this closer to the gathering when things are more fresh.
- Communicate the process upfront (next time).
You’ll find screenshots of how the funds were distributed below. Funds in SEK.
Curious? Other comments or thoughts? Ideas? Does it spark an emotion? Please reach out. I’d love to explore what comes up.
<3
