We had a great time in Nelson, BC for a planning retreat to brainstorm our "RareBirds Flight Manual": our emerging rules of community living document.
We thought we would share one of the pieces we have developed together: our 'consensus decision making guidelines'.
DECISION-MAKING AND MEETING PROCESSES
(Adapted from ‘The Dragonfly CoHousing Membership Manual’)
Drafted October, 2011
Using the Consensus Process
We believe that making a decision by consensus allows us, as a group, to create a solution greater than any one of us could reach alone. We recognize that the process requires commitment and patience. We believe that the resulting decisions are better, more effective and, in the long term, more time efficient. A true consensus decision reflects the concerns and creativity of all members of the group; it generates the solution that best responds to the needs of that group.
A consensus decision has 3 essential ingredients:
• It is made with the community’s best interest in mind.
• Everyone takes responsibility to speak their point of view and to listen to others.
• Everyone agrees not to hinder its implementation.
Reaching Consensus
Reaching consensus requires gathering and blending the ideas and concerns of individual members, and synthesizing these into a decision together.
Full consent does not mean that everyone must be completely satisfied with the final outcome.
The decision must be acceptable enough; however, that everyone will commit to support the group in choosing it. The goal is that each person feels that his or her concerns are heard, and everyone has contributed to the solution.
A consensus decision relies on the assumption that each individual’s thoughts are valuable and important to the final solution. Some people’s contributions may be more difficult understand than others, but respecting each one is key to the process.
Unity of Purpose
We are working together to make the best decisions possible for the good of the group. We are guided by our shared beliefs and values, expressed in our Living on Purpose document.
Cooperation
We share information and resources and provide mutual support and suggestions.
We are all working to find a solution that best meets everyone’s needs. Our ability to reach agreement will depend on truth, creativity, logic, respect, and love.
Trust
Consensus only works in conditions of trust. We trust that each person is honestly keeping the best interest of the group in mind and that every contribution will be offered and received with respect and patience.
Differences are Valued
In an atmosphere of trust, we appreciate that difference and disagreement are not damaging but are, in fact, important and creative processes. Conflict, when dealt with in the safety of the group, can often lead to the greatest solutions.
Feelings are Valued
Knowledge does not just exist at an intellectual level. We believe that emotion and intuition are powerful tools for understanding. Emotions and gut reactions are valued for the breadth and depth of understanding they provide. If emotions are not addressed, the process suffers and good decisions cannot be made.
Equal Power, Equal Responsibility
Because consensus decision-making requires a high level of involvement and responsibility from all participants, we strive to ensure that we all have equal opportunity for participation, leadership roles and access to information. Each of us needs to feel responsible for every decision made.
Common Ownership of Ideas
A consensus decision is owned equally by all of us. All members agree to support the decision and not hinder its implementation.
Time & Process
In order to nurture our community, we commit to follow the practice of consensus and allow sufficient time for the process.
Willingness to Learn Skills
Consensus decision-making requires skills such as communication, facilitation, and deep listening that we may not have yet developed. In order to develop these skills, we are willing to work to learn them.
Facilitator
Meetings are moderated by the Facilitator. This individual ensures that the agenda is being followed, that time constraints are respected and that all members have an opportunity to voice their concerns in a manner that respects the group process.
Timekeeper
The Facilitator is aided by the Timekeeper who reminds the group when they have surpassed or are about to surpass the estimated amount of time for a specific topic within a meeting.
Guardian
The Guardian watches the members and takes note of their emotional state of individuals and the overall mood and energy of the group. Specifically, the guardian takes note of members’ verbal tone, language used, body language, facial expressions or silence. The guardian will ring the bell when necessary to bring the group to a minute of silence and reflection; the bell is rung again after the minute of silence.
Card System
We use a system of cards to ensure that when a person has something to add to a discussion.
The cards used are as follows:
Colour Discussion phase Voting phase
Green Raise a point I agree to the proposal
Yellow Ask a question for clarity I have reservations but ok
Orange I am ready to vote I am neutral
Red --- I disagree
When due process is note being followed, the bell will be rung.
Blocking (red card) should very rarely be used if community members listen to each other and strive for what is best for the community. Blocking should not be used for personal preference.
Testing Consensus
Any member may block a proposal’s adoption. A blocker of a proposal automatically becomes chairperson of the ad hoc committee of 3 or more members. Those members are best chosen from those who share some of the blocker’s reservations. Their specific task is to compose a counterproposal which will take into account both the concerns of the blocking member(s) but also the wishes of the people who supported the initial proposal, unless the initiator of the proposal withdraws the initial proposal. In the advent of more than one dissenter, one of the dissenters may volunteer to be the chairperson. If no one volunteers, a name is drawn from a hat. The ad hoc committee has until the next meeting.
Consensus Impasse
In the event that all attempts to reach consensus reach an impasse, a board of directors meeting will be called. A decision will be made by the directors according to the Rules of the co-operative.
File under ‘RareBirds Consensus Decision Document’
No comments:
Post a Comment