¶ Governance retreats
From time to time we organise a governance retreat. That's a weekend together and in seclusion. We discuss governance issues and develop proposals.
¶ Retreat rules
In order to have a pleasant and productive work weekend, we established some basic rules. These are based on Berlin Code of Conduct and further developed by participants, as it is still.
- Help to create a friendly, save and welcoming environment for all participants
- This is a closed event, it is not possible to sit in for while or similar
- Any participant can leave, if they feel the need to, and are welcome to come back anytime
- Care to give everyone a fair amount of room and time in a conversation
- Avoid interrupting and worship different opinions
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants
- Be careful with strong convictions, work towards a consensus not away from it
¶ Thoughts for next time
- More time for Sunday's presentation
- Evening socialising preferably on Friday
- Aim for 3 persons per workgroup
¶ Past
So far we had 3 retreats:
¶ Governance retreat 2026
April 2026 at Lichtung
¶ Main goals
- Develop governance structure between Vorstand and members
- Transparent and simple financing
- Develop member application process
- Refine decision making process
- Examine awareness and conflict resolution
¶ Developed proposals
¶ Pad
¶ "Founders Retreat"
September 2023 in Wernsdorf
¶ Main goals
- Fine tuning the Vereinssatzung
- Discussing xHain‘s core values
- Defining Curator
¶ Developed governance core ideas
We mostly agreed on the following pattern for governance:
- The Vorstand will only execute decisions. Decisions will be made by voting members.
- We will hold regular (at least monthly) meetings, in which the decisions can be made. Every member is welcomed to participate in the meeting and voice their opinions.
- Decisions are reached via Consensus by voting members. Every (voting and non-voting) member can raise an issue into the agenda for consensus.
- Voting members strive to take all opinions, discussions and resistances of all members into account when making decisions.
- There is a quorum of >=50% on all voted decisions.
- To become a voting member, any member may apply or be invited. The voting members consent to add new voting members to the group.
¶ Pad
¶ "Enting Retreat"
September 2022 at Wokule
¶ Main goals
- Preserving xHain‘s spirit
- Governance that disburdens the manager
- Handling finances & budgets
¶ Developed governance structure
- Member base: Do-ocracy and excellence
- Branch: Sort areas into „Branches“
- Curator: Represents and oversees Branch, named by members, approved by Enting
- Enting: Managing administration, votes on new Ents
- Legal Entity: Managers, represent xHain in legal matters, bootstraps Enting
¶ Formulated xHain mission statement
„xHain Hack+Makespace is a physical space with a supportive community. We are welcoming to all with an inclusive mindset. We all benefit from shared resources. Through individual and collaborative projects, we encourage all to explore what each finds enjoyable, meaningful, and fun. The possibilities for growth are diverse and rewarding. We teach, we share, we learn.“