Cohousing-L Mailing List: Consensus decision making processes

[Kevin Wolf (kjwolf]

At 02:40 AM 2/3/2002 -0800, you wrote:
> Dear Maggi,
>
> >Do you, or anyone else, have suggestions regarding resources for helping a
> >new group come up with a fair, simple decision-making process?  Examples
> >would be helpful -- is there a good handbook?  Would you recommend having
> >a professional come in at the beginning and doing a workshop with all
> >participants?

Hi all
Years ago N Street members met to work out processes for how our meetings 
would run.  One of the results was this short description of the final 
steps in reaching consensus once a consensus-based proposal is presented 
for consideration.  It is in the facilitation manual on my website at 
www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/kjwolf.  I have also added new appendices including 
"Weighing Exercises" and "From Positions to Interests".  Next week I will 
add one called "Facilitating from the Back of the Room."  I hope this is 
useful.
Kevin


APPENDIX D-2: Reaching Consensus: The Final Steps

How can a facilitator and group use the 10-15 minutes customarily put in 
the agenda for "find consensus?"  It is assumed that there is work done 
before a proposal is made on the floor, either through the preceding agenda 
process, or through committee work.  It is also understood that when a 
person makes a proposal they are not pursuing their own agenda, they are 
putting forward a proposal that they believe might reach a group 
consensus.  Given these assumptions, the N Street Co-Housing Community 
worked out the following:

A proposal has been made to the group.

The facilitator stops the usual process of proceeding to the next person 
who had raised their hand.

The facilitator checks to see if anyone has objections to the proposal, 
feels the proposal is premature, or has a better/different proposal to 
make.  The facilitator starts a new list of raised hands and keeps the 
discussion to this focus.  People with minor objections, friendly 
amendments and similar comments should refrain from comment at this time.

The facilitator helps each person be clear in their objection and proposal, 
and finishes making sure all are heard.

The facilitator then asks if, after hearing these comments, can anyone come 
up with a new proposal that will address these objections and incorporate 
the other proposals?  If no one, including the facilitator, can make such a 
proposal, the facilitator either returns the group to the original 
discussion, or if time is running out, moves to postpone the decision or 
sends it back to committee to come back with a new proposal.

If a new proposal was offered, the facilitator repeats the above process 
asking who has objections, etc.  This process can reoccur for as long as 
time allows, or until a proposal is made to send the problem to committee 
or another action is taken.

If no one has objections or a different proposal to offer, the facilitator 
allows the proposal to be put before the whole group for wordsmithing, 
friendly amendments and discussion.  The facilitator should consider using 
the technique of breaking difficult or complex proposals into component 
parts for ease in decision making.

Whenever a facilitator thinks a consensus has been found, they can check 
for consensus by asking for a show of thumbs up or thumbs down or a voice 
of support and then if there is any opposition.  If the proposal is 
supported, the facilitator asks the note taker to read back the proposal 
word for word to ensure accurate note taking.

If anyone opposes, they should be given an immediate opportunity to explain 
their concern and be asked how a change of wording would make a difference 
in their decision.  Or, they can be asked if they want to express their 
concern, but not block the group's decision.


****************
Kevin Wolf
N Street Cohousing Community member
724 N St, Davis, CA  95616
530-758-4211
kjwolf [at] dcn.davis.ca.us

To download my facilitation manual or other material on
consensus decision making, visit http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/kjwolf

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