Most of the time, the board functions will be taken on by the mission circle: holding the organization true to its mission, supporting staff, fiduciary responsibility.
Yet, in a sociocratic set-up, there is more flexibility. If a board is required by the local laws but – for whatever reason – the organization does not want to conflate that legal requirement with the mission circle, there are other options, like dividing up the domains traditionally held by the board into different circles. For example, the budget can be in the general circle’s domain.
Another option is to have the legally required board be a department circle (or even a sub-circle), especially in cases where the legal organization is just a subset of the “real” organization. For example, a homeowner association is just a sub-set of a community that might include renters and children.
Design the circle structure and the aims and domains in a way that supports what is important to your organization.
For more information, check out our handbook Many Voices One Song chapter 2