Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Building Consensus Sociocratically

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Feb 14, 2007, at 7:28 PM, maggiedutton wrote:

> Sounds like the aim is related to having a capital or reserve
> fund....so...once the group consents to this Aim a proposal would be
> drafted.  If someone didn't think the "math" made sense I am not sure 
> that
> would be considered a paramount objection.  They would need to explain 
> what
> it was about it that didn't make sense so the group understood and 
> could
> work on making it clearer or fairer.   There are a number of ways to 
> work
> through objections to incorporate them into proposals.

What is of paramount importance in sociocracy is the argument. 
Sociocracy emphasizes a rational process of looking at a proposal and 
amending it so it meets the needs of everyone in the group, within the 
aims of the group.

The process only works in the context of a defined group, a circle in 
sociocratic definitions, that shares a common aim. Emphasizing that aim 
is important, not only because it focuses the argument but because it 
defines the group, the context for the decision. What group is making 
the decision and what is their common aim?

So when people have objections, the process is to first step back and 
take a big look at who are we and were are we going -- be sure that is 
clear -- then to begin resolving objections as Maggie describes. Take 
them one at a time and seek solutions.

Resolving objections is important as a process of improving the 
proposal -- not just watering it down with compromises. A decision is a 
course of action and you want one that everyone can support, and thus 
enabling everyone to achieve the aim of the group better.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
http://www.sociocracy.info