This content has been modified from the Noisebridge Do-ocracy page and is under a CC BY-NC-SA license
Do-ocracy is a decentralized, anarchist way of deciding and managing how things get changed, and is the main way that things get done at xHain.
It can be summed up as follows:
Do-ocracy: If you want something done, do it, but remember to be excellent to each other when doing so.
Do-ocracy applies to almost everything at xHain, with only a few consensus exceptions (that are very big deep changes to xHain as an organization. If you think it'd be cool to build something out of some parts lying around without "private property" stickers, or that the tables should be re-arranged, or a new workshop should be built, you should do it! But remember to be excellent.
There are no formal rules to Do-ocracy, but here are some tips for smooth functioning Do-ocracy. Don't feel obliged to do any of them.
If you make a change that isn't terribly easy to undo, such as moving a projector, or which has impacts that can't be undone, such as putting a video on the projector that's potentially triggering of epilepsy, it's good to be accountable to those impacted by the change. Make sure that people know who made the change, so that they can clarify what's going on and how they're impacted. Write notes, post in the General or Members channel on Matrix or on the mailing list, make announcements in person. Let people know you're responsible for your change.
Sometimes you'll make a change Do-ocratically and someone will be unhappy with it. That's ok. Stepping on toes is fine. But what's usually not fine is not being willing to talk to the person about the change, so it's best to be willing to resolve the problems that it may have caused.
If you're concerned that a change may be a little too impactful to just do, and you want to make sure it's ok to do, speak to the people who are likely to be impacted. Be willing to find outcomes that everyone can live with.
If the particular thing you want to do isn't ok, either before or after the fact, explore other options. Try to achieve everyone's end goals, while being flexible with how you get there. It's often not the case that your only options are Do What You Want To Do vs. Do What They Want To Do. Usually you can find some other, third path to things which everyone can live with.
Because it really sucks to have one's project trashed, or a workshop turned inside out by a project, or the like, you may find that you've Do-ocratically done something that makes someone irritated. While it's not Excellent for them to be aggressive or hostile, you should expect that they may be upset. Be patient and compassionate.
Even tho it really sucks to have one's project trashed, or a workshop turned inside out by a project, or the like, don't be a dick to the person who did it. Aggression and hostility are widely considered Unexcellent and you may find yourself asked to leave if you can't keep that under control. Instead of immediately talking to person who made the change, take some time to think about the situation. Drink some herbal tea, smoke some weed, go for a jog. Give your limbic system time to relax.
If you're not willing or able to put in the time or effort to hack, don't stand in the way of the people who are are. If you have opinions, be willing to hack. Offering advice is fine, but it's usually good to ask if it's wanted, and if not, don't give it.
Fizz asks around if anyone would feel negative about painting a new pink tree on the wall.
Fizz paints a pink tree.
Fizz paints a pink tree on the wall.
Buzz becomes unhappy about the fact that the wall has a pink tree on it because it doesn't fit with the green theme of the room it is in.
Buzz politely engages Fizz in discussion about why they thought this was ok.
Fizz realized that other people they share the space with have feelings too.
Buzz and Fizz decide to work together modify the mural to fit with the theme of the room.