Imagine a Tribe with No Chief…
…or president, guru or pooh-bah
The Tribe of Men uses a unique governance model – a series of overlapping committees – we call them Rings of the Tribe. After initiation, each man participates in a challenge group and at least one ring.
For example, some of the rings include:
- The Initiation Ring – to operate the initiation process for men joining the Tribe
- The Operations Ring – to run the operations of the Tribe
- The Facilitation Rng – to train facilitators for challenge groups
- The Resources Ring – to ensure we have resources to fund our activities
- The Tribe Council – to make decisions and provide guidance on behalf of all tribesmen
Each ring typically meets every 4 to 6 weeks. The process of forming and disbanding these rings is organic. At this point in the Tribe’s life, each man coming to the Tribe becomes part of the formative process. Men are encouraged to join a ring that will serve their own growth and development.
Collaboration and leadership
In many of the societies and organizations built by men, there is often a large degree of structure, usually hierarchical. Because we regularly work with our relationship to power, to our intuition, and to something much larger than our egos, this tends to result in the use of much less structure, and few standardized processes or rules. Much of our decision making is done collaboratively, in which we require consensus – and unanimity where possible – endeavoring to take into account the needs of all who have something at stake. This yields higher-quality, longer-lasting decisions, often instilled with passion, and without resistance.
The Tribe has no permanent hierarchy or leaders. Men step into leadership as needed, and step out when it is no longer needed. Any tribesman is encouraged to try on leadership. Our principles, and the many opportunities for reflection and self-reflection, serve as checks and balances for abuses of power, without the need to exert control.
“Our intent is for each man to have equal voice, no matter their seniority or position in the tribe. Our desire is to have as flat an organization as possible, with each individual having an equal opportunity to weigh-in and influence.”
— M.L.
As an example, the website you’re reading now was not implemented by a web design firm, but rather is a collaborative product of the Outreach Ring – designed and built by tribesmen – with quotes, photo contributions, and feedback incorporated from men throughout the Tribe.
How would you want to serve?
Continue with the guided tour with Tribe Events.
Or skip to the next section, Are We For You?