At its most basic level, a spokescouncil is simply a way for people who share a similar vision of the world to meet together and plan concrete actions, in order to make that vision a reality.

Rather than meeting as individuals, however, the spokescouncil model is based upon the idea of autonomous affinity groups.  An affinity group is simply a small group of individuals who know, love and depend upon one another.  In this way, members of an affinity group share such a close connection, they are able to operate in even the most demanding or stressful situations.  " Autonomous " basically means "independent."  This means that while the affinity group may participate in a spokescouncil at any given time, the affinity group also retains the right to plan its own actions independently, without the approval of any higher authority.

Affinity groups participate in the spokescouncil by electing "spokes" who will present proposals made by his/her affinity group to the larger meeting, as well as reporting back on decisions consensed upon by the spokescouncil.