“Do all things with counsel”1: Benedictine women and organizational democracy

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to set forth a model for organizfltional democracy especially suited to feminist and other non‐traditional, non‐hierarchical organizations and to illustrate that model by way of a case study of two communities of Benedictine nuns. The elements of the model are: shared fundamental values, structures designed to encourage true participation, and the provision of resources members need to participate effectively. The decision‐making practices of Benedictine sisters are a suitable case study, because Benedictine communities are feminist in nature, have relatively flat organizational structures, and have been using democratic practices for a longer period of time than have most contemporary organizations.