Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: RE: process and the spirit of consensus

[Berrins (Berrins]

In a message dated 4/22/02 7:41:39 PM, sharon [at] sharonvillines.com writes:

<<  If you follow a good process, then you'll have opportunity for questioning
> the outcome built in.  And if the outcome is good, the process was also.
> The means and the ends are inseparable except in abtraction and theory.

Actually this is the presumption that I was questioning. When you get to the
end of a process and the decision is not a good one, it is not appropriate
to say, "but we followed the process we agreed upon." >>

A good example of good process/bad outcome is what all of us on the list 
know- computers and software.  You know, garbage in, garbage out.  The 
program did what it was supposed to but the answer was off.  

Process works the same way.  You need to know your goal to pick the right 
process  and then you need to give it the correct information in the 
appropriate form.  In cohousing, adding concensus to the program means that 
everyone needs to have the  opportunity to give their input while also 
allowing the program to run.  The stinky points come with conflict; the right 
process and good facilitators help to minimize conflict. 

I think that's about as far as I can (or want to) stretch this analogy...

    Roger Berman
    Pathways Cohousing
    Northampton, MA
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