Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: decision-making process

[Eris Weaver (eris]

Thanks, Rick, for the shout-out!

Yes, most cohousing communities use consensus for the plenary decision
making. I highly recommend that groups get TRAINING in consensus, whether
it's from me or Tree or Laird or whoever else. It takes learning,
commitment, and practice to use it well. Also, there are several different
"flavors" of consensus and it is helpful, in the consensus training, to work
out exactly how YOUR community is going to use and interpret several
components of consensus. 

Even groups that use consensus for most big things may use other
decision-making methods for some kinds of decisions. Consensus, while a
wonderful, deep, connecting tool, is not the ONLY tool, and is not
appropriate for every group, need or situation. (This has been one of MY big
learnings over the years.) To expand on this would take more time than I
have at the moment.

(California folks: I'm doing a consensus & community building workshop in
the Bay Area soon, contact me back channel if you want more info.)

------------------------------
Eris Weaver, Facilitator & Group Process Consultant
Founding member, FrogSong cohousing in Cotati, CA
eris [at] erisweaver.info . 707-338-8589 . http://www.erisweaver.info

"On days when you have no ideas at all, the best thing you can do is start
doodling." Charles M. Schulz