Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Consensus Decision Making

[Cheryl Charis-Graves (ccharis]

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I think Rob Sandelin is the person on this list most qualified to respond, but
here's my two cents.

Blocking, in my opinion, should be virtually unnecessary if the group has a good
process for gathering good information by which to develop the proposal, brings
the proposal to the community with clear explanations about the process that
went into developing the proposal, and there has been time to present the draft
proposal and bring forth any concerns or questions. If a person has not brought
those concerns and questions to the group formulating the proposal when feedback
was asked for, it is irresponsible, in my opinion, to block at the point of
decision-making. And if one is uncomfortable but unable to articulate it fully,
then that should be said. And the process team or facilitators need to help in
sorting out what the real concern is. If a block is in the offing, everyone
should know about it ahead of time because there has been enough discussion up
to that point that the sticking points are already known. One should not be
making a final consensus decision in the same meeting as the proposal is brought
forth, unless the issue itself is very concrete and not related to money or
process or policy.

Caroline Estes says that a person could go their entire life without blocking,
and if the process is moving the way it should, a block would not be necessary
except in very rare circumstances. I think she said blocking as many as three
times in a lifetime would be a lot.

In our community, a block is reserved for those times when you believe a
proposal is potentially harmful to the community. If your reservations are
strong but personal, you can stand aside, which sends a major message, but does
not prevent the proposal from moving ahead. I have not yet blocked in six years.
I have stood aside probably twice. I can only remember once in the past six
years that a member of the community blocked a decision. We have raised a lot of
concerns, and done a lot of talking. And sometimes that drives me crazy.
Actually, I think if the proposal has been properly prepared, your research will
point you in a direction that anticipates and satisfies most concerns. Whatever
else comes up can then be dealt with.

And remember, consensus is not necessarily unanimity. It means we agree with the
proposal or we can live with it, and are satisfied that it is the best thinking
possible at this point in time. We don't have to love it.  Later, experience may
point to a different solution. We have a policy that a consensus decision can be
reopened if half of the households agree to reopen the discussion. That seems to
work. It's not easy, so it has to be important. But if we're not willing to
participate fully in the development and revision of the proposal, then we have
to be sensitive to the fact that those closest to it have done a lot of work and
merit serious consideration for their efforts. Cohousing is not the place for
micromanagement. And a high level of respect and trust would be a good thing.

I guess the bottom line for me is that a block should actually be unnecessary if
there is a true spirit of problem-solving around the proposal. Research,
present, query for specific questions, discuss concerns, revise, present again.

If only it were as simple as it sounds!!

cheryl
harmony village
golden, colorado


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