PROBS Inclusion Circle Charter (Draft)

Article I. Purpose

The purpose of an Inclusion Circle is to ensure that all people affected by decisions in a bioregion have the opportunity to be heard, included, and respected in shaping those decisions. Power flows both upward to representatives and downward from them — never one-way.

Article II. Membership

  1. Any person who lives in, depends on, or is affected by the decisions of the bioregion is welcome in the Circle.

  2. Inclusion stewards will make proactive efforts to reach marginalized voices (youth, displaced peoples, disabled, underrepresented communities).

  3. No person may be excluded on the basis of identity, belief, or circumstance.

Article III. Decision-Making

  1. The Circle uses consent-based decision-making:

    • A proposal moves forward unless someone raises a paramount objection (a concern that the decision will cause serious harm or violate the Circle’s purpose).

    • Minor objections are noted and reviewed at a future date.

  2. For high-stakes or irreversible decisions, the Circle will strive for broad consensus within a clear time limit.

Article IV. Emergencies

  1. Each Circle will pre-select emergency delegates empowered to act when immediate response is required.

  2. All emergency decisions must be reviewed in the next Circle gathering.

  3. Delegates may be recalled if their actions are judged to exceed the Circle’s trust.

Article V. Representatives

  1. Representatives serve as messengers, not rulers.

  2. They must carry a written mandate from their Circle to any inter-bioregional gathering.

  3. Terms are short — no longer than 12 months — after which a new representative is chosen.

  4. Representatives must publish regular reports (oral or written) and open each report with:

    “I speak only as entrusted by my Circle.”

  5. Representatives are subject to immediate recall if they betray their mandate or fail to report faithfully.

Article VI. Transparency & Access

  1. Decisions, mandates, and reports must be publicly accessible in both digital and physical formats.

  2. Meetings must be open and announced with adequate notice.

  3. Records will be archived for continuity and accountability.

Article VII. Culture & Values

  1. Circles will operate with respect, humility, and a commitment to listening deeply.

  2. Disagreement is welcomed as part of the path to wiser decisions.

  3. The Circle exists to serve the bioregion, protect the commons, and safeguard the dignity of all.

Article VIII. Amendment

This Charter may be amended by the consent of the Circle, with changes logged and communicated openly to all participants.