Cohousing-L Mailing List: 4 simple approaches to improve collaboration/consensus

[Rob Sandelin (floriferous]

In the late 90's and through 2000 I visited, observed and did work in dozens
of cohousing communities around consensus. I would say that the goal of
inclusivity, acceptance, and pursuit of best outcomes for the whole are
characteristics which almost all cohousing groups seek in their decision
making. Most find some decision structure, which they often call consensus,
to try to meet their goals. The processes groups use to achieve consensus
vary, and are sometimes quite different from group to group. I have been
involved in lengthy discussions about the word consensus, and what it
exactly means. There are passionate teachers who define it a particular way
and insist that is the definition. From my experiences I am less and less
sure that there is one grand process truth that will work for everybody.
Each group that collaborates has its own set of glitches and potentials
which come together to form the group process. There are a few general
things I have experienced which almost always improve a collaborative
process and they are as follows:

1. Train a team of people to become the best facilitators they can be.
2. Learn to pay attention to what is happening in the group. It's not always
obvious. Look for patterns.
3. Evaluate what you do regularly and acknowledge what is working, identify
things to improve.
4. Try out new approaches with good faith. You live in an experiment, so by
golly experiment!

(fine print: your mileage will vary)


Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood Cohousing
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


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