Circles should be clear on why a proposal is needed in the first place. The better need for a proposal (and understanding the context and the underlying needs in a situation) is understood, the easier it will be to develop an effective proposal. If a circle thinks it’s worth its time, they will formulate a needs statement before developing a proposal. That same needs statement can be kept as a rationale for the policy to support the institutional memory around that policy.
For more information, check out our handbook Many Voices One Song section 3.3.2 and chapter 3