Circles

Within OD4L we cultivate shared stewardship of the movement, inviting leadership and responsibility to emerge throughout the community. The legal board holds only the responsibilities that must remain within the formal entity, while the life of the movement unfolds through self-organising circles.

Circles are created around purpose and evolve as the community learns.

Our current circles are:

The Governance Circle

This circle explores and shapes how the movement organizes itself. Its focus is on how decisions are made, how roles and responsibilities are distributed, and how we continue learning what it means to work as a self-organising system.

The circle practices Action Inquiry as a way of reflecting on and evolving our governance.

Meetings are convened when needed.

The Wisdom Circle

The Wisdom Circle serves as a guardian of the deeper purpose of the OD for Life movement.

It offers reflection and advice to the community and other circles but does not hold decision-making authority.

The circle helps ensure:

• diversity of perspectives (generation, gender, culture, geography)

• care for the whole system and humanity

• long-term thinking, including the wellbeing of future generations

Questions from the community can be brought to the Wisdom Circle. Conversations may take place in open fishbowl dialogues, where the community is invited to listen and learn.

Members emerge through community trust and nomination. The circle begins small (around five members) and may evolve over time.

The Events Circle

The Events Circle convenes gatherings and learning spaces for the community.

It collaborates with the board and the Wisdom Circle when helpful. Participation in this circle is open to gardeners, activators and stewards who wish to help bring events to life.

One of the eco-system stewards is part of the in-person gatherings and Open Campfire.

The Action Enquiry Circle

This circle cultivates practice and learning in Action Inquiry within the community.

It supports individuals and circles in reflecting on their learning and strengthening the community’s capacity for conscious leadership and collaboration.

The Board

The board stewards the legal and financial responsibilities of the OD for Life Foundation. Its role is intentionally limited so that leadership and initiative can remain distributed across the community.

The board focuses primarily on administrative and legal matters that must be held by the formal entity. Much of the preparatory work is supported by volunteers and circles within the community.

Responsibilities include:

• ensuring legal and financial compliance

• overseeing financial accounts

• being informed about financial commitments above €2,000

• stewarding major risks

• occasionally offering recommendations for the health of the wider system

The board carries out these responsibilities in alignment with the community’s culture of care, transparency, and trust.