Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: consensus versus majority vote

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

One distinction for when consensus is important vs a delegated decision is 
policy vs operational decisions.

Policy decisions apply to future behavior.

Operational decisions apply to today.

Deciding that all workdays will alternate between Saturdays and Sundays is a 
policy decision and should be made by consensus — which doesn't mean it needs 
to be discussed at a membership meeting but community members should be able to 
raise objections. Then if necessary it can go to a meeting.

Deciding that the date of the next workday will be Oct 10 is an operational 
decision. When it is announced, if someone points out that the CH is reserved 
that day for a fencing match, that should be raised but the lead on the workday 
decides whether to go ahead or not.

In dynamic governance, policy decisions are made by consensus in the circles 
(teams), each person functioning on an equal basis.

Operational decisions are made by the operational leader in accordance with the 
circle's policy decisions. If there is no policy covering a situation, the 
leader makes the decision and it is discussed at the next meeting. In 
operations the leader leads and often functions like an autocratic manager. 

The emphasis is on effective action and in operational situations, decisions 
have to be made clearly and quickly. Policy decisions need to be carefully 
considered.

Confusing the two, I think, may be what people mean when they say some 
decisions don't belong in the Membership Meetings.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines, Washington DC
"Behavior is determined by the prevailing form of decision making." Gerard 
Endenburg