Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Consensus Models for larger groups

[Rob Sandelin (floriferous]

One of the most important functions which rotates between the facilitators
team and the board is that of GATEKEEPING. This  means, decisions are made
at different levels, and gatekeeping ensures that the proper  level is used.
Large group consensus should only deal with decisions which affect EVERY
member household. Anything else should be done at a task force or team
level. We are aggressive about gatekeeping so that our large group meetings
have the appropriate decisions only. This way, our general meetings deal
with maybe 5-7 decisions a  year and rest of the time we spend in
communication and community building.

In my observation, the number one most common problem groups have with
consensus is that the use the large group time for  decisions that are not
appropriate for the large group. This almost always  ends in frustration.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood
South Snohomish County at the headwaters of Ricci Creek
Sky Valley Environments  <http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm>
Field skills training for student naturalists
Floriferous [at] msn.com


-----Original Message-----
From: cohousing-l-admin [at] cohousing.org
[mailto:cohousing-l-admin [at] cohousing.org]On Behalf Of Becky Schaller
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 7:06 AM
To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org
Subject: [C-L]_Consensus Models for larger groups



We have 36 households in our community and lately I've realized that we are
governing ourselves with basically the same method that much smaller
communities are.  Basically, large group concensus.  We do have committees
that also make varying degrees of decisions.  Many of us believe we need to
clarify the mandates of the committees including their decision making
powers.   However, simply getting this item on the agenda has been a real
challenge.  Because of the above reasons and others, I am beginning to think
it woul be in our best interest to begin investigating other forms of
governance that are compatible with cohousing.  I would like to learn more
about  sociocracy.  Also, Rob mentioned having a group like a Board of
Directors who makes certain kinds of decisions.  Based on what little I know
of both of these, they both sound like they have possiblities.   I'm
wondering if other large cohousing communities have other governing forms
that we should also be aware of.   I'm sure I've missed some that have been
mentioned in previous posts.  But I don't remember any discussion of group
governance that includes size as an important criteria.   I welcome ideas as
to how other larger cohousing groups actually govern themselves and
references for other places to look.
Thanks,
Becky

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