Dotmocracy can be facilitated in many different ways, but the three main models are:
In a meeting and focused
In parallel with a meeting
Outside of a meeting
In a Meeting and Focused
An entire meeting or segment of a meeting can be dedicated to a focused dotmocracy session.
Advantages
Produce and prioritize many proposals in a very short period of time.
Participants get an opportunity to discuss and reformulate ideas in small groups.
The preamble can be presented live with engaging media, key persons and can include questions and answers.
Participants can meet each other and recognize who was involved and help build community.
Disadvantages
Requires a large venue and large group logistics, e.g. Snacks and drinks, materials for everyone to use at the same time, amplification systems.
Those we can not make the schedule are left out.
Examples
Suggestions
Give everyone their necessary materials as the enter or have them already set out on tables and chairs. A few rolls of tape. Scrap paper for everyone.
Post proposals for people allowing them to continue their discussions.
Help groups to produce many proposals.
In Parallel with a Meeting
Within a meeting a dotmocracy process can be conducted in parallel with the verbal agenda. After a brief preamble early in the meeting, dotmocracy sheets can be either circulated on clip boards or posted on a wall that is near to the meeting in progress.
Advantages
Traditional meeting format can be mostly maintained. This can be important if the traditional meeting format is viewed as effective or required.
Meeting discussion can inform and be informed by the posted ideas and dotting results.
Disadvantages
Examples
Organization members brainstorm and prioritize slogans while listening to a presentation about a new initiative they want to promote.
Audience members write down and prioritize questions for a speaker.
Suggestions
Have preamble and instructions written for those who may have missed the verbal introduction.
Have a materials table. E.g. pens (tip down) in a cup, scrap paper, tape, idea sheets, sticky-notes, paper recycling, clip-boards.
Outside of a Meeting
In this model the dotmocracy wall is in progress for many hours, days or even without a planned end. Depending on what group of people the process is intended for, the dotmocracy wall may be in an organization common space such as foyer, lunch room, or hallway, or may be in a public space such as public building, square or park. There may need to be facilitators present to manage the materials and encourage participation, althopugh for experienced organizations, it may be mostly self-managed by particiapants.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Can take many more hours, days or even weeks to equal the level of participation accomplished in one short focused large meeting.
Participants generally don't get discuss ideas.
People are less focused, patient and less likely to consider the proposals within a larger context.
Time and energy must be invested in promotion of the preamble and getting people to participate well. In a public setting, this could require full-time facilitators assisting in the process within a public space.
Examples
Suggestions
Have clear instructions posted on the dotmocracy wall next to the sheets.
Post and handout the preamble. Publish it in an organizations newsletter or other popular media among the participants.
Have pens clearly accessible near the sheets, ideally in pockets next to the sheets on the wall.
Be proactive in encouraging people to participate. Ask them for a moment of their time. Hand them a pen. Walk them through the process. Answer questions.
Position the dotmocracy wall in highly visible and popular area, such as near food or along a common corrador.
