Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: decision-making process

[David Heimann (heimann]

Hello Everyone,

	Patti mentioned that with Laird Shaub's strong help we refined our 
(JP Cohousing's) consensus process several years ago.  Specifically, the 
process goes over (at least) three meetings:

	o  At the first meeting, we present the situation and gather input 
from the group, both in terms of facts and feelings.

	o  In between the first and second meeting, a relevant committee 
or task force develops a proposal to address the situation.  Additionally, 
people who weren't at the first meeting have an opportunity to share their 
thoughts and feelings.

	o  At the second meeting, the proposal is presented and discussed. 
The proposal can be amended and/or action items given out.

	o In between the second and third meeting, people who weren't at 
the second meeting have an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings. 
The committee or task force develops a draft final version of the proposal 
and puts it out for comment from the community.  Depending on the 
comments, the proposal may be further amended.  Everyone is reminded that 
at the next meeting there will be a call for consensus.

	o  At the third meeting, the proposal is brought up for consensus. 
Depending on the response, the proposal is remanded for further work, in 
which case this and the above bullet point are repeated, or the proposal 
is adopted.

	Where we have hewed to this process we have generally obtained 
very good results.  Where we have not done so we still remember the 
"general meetings from hell".

Regards,
David Heimann
Jamaica Plain Cohousing


Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 09:25:05 -0400
From: Patricia Lautner <lautnerp [at] jpcohousing.org>
To: Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ decision-making process
Message-ID:
        <CAAVukWnXYpw+AXrGtrFSSHp+xsZ=pWysSjmcNuNw0C-QN+POWg [at] 
mail.gmail.com>
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This is such an exciting time for you!  Congratulations.

At JPCohousing in Boston we use the consensus decision making model for our
plenary meetings.  There is one committee that uses sociocracy sometimes
for their meetings but for the community-wide discussions and decisions, we
use consensus.

A word of caution:  We made it through development and into living together
for a total of about 6-8 years before we learned that we were not using the
consensus process 'correctly'.  We hired Laird Saub to help us a few years
back and our understanding and use of the consensus process is 10 times
better now.

Two points of advice:  1) Consensus does not mean everyone is in agreement;
rather, it means everyone gives their permission for a decision to move
forward.  2) Make sure you have a well defined list of common values. This
will help you IMMENSELY as you begin to make decisions together.

Good luck!
Patti
www.communitasdevelopment.com