Consensus Decision Making

An introduction to the less familiar way we make our collective decisions.

Intro

Consensus decision making is a commitment to find solutions that are acceptable to all.

Instead of voting for an item, consensus is about finding common ground with decisions reached in a dialogue between equals, who take each other seriously and who recognize each other’s equal rights and needs.

No decision is made against the expressed will of an individual or a minority. Instead the group endeavors to adapt to all its members’ needs.

Stages of the Process

Stage 1: Introduce or clarify the issue or idea

Share background information. Work out the remit of the discussion - i.e. what questions do you need to decide about now?

Stage 2: Open out the discussion

Make space for everyone to share their needs and opinions before launching into trying to solve the problem. If solutions come up already, you could hear them briefly then park them for the next stage.

Stage 3: Explore ideas in a broad discussion

Come up with lots of different ways forward. Explore the pros and cons. Identify key concerns, needs and objectives.

Stage 4: Form a proposal

Look for a solution that meets everyones most important needs. This might involve weaving together elements of different ideas.

Stage 5: Amend the proposal

Look for changes that make the proposal even stronger.

Stage 6: Test for consensus

Clearly state the proposal and check whether there is real agreement. We ask in the following order:

• Any VITOS?

• Any STAND ASIDES?

• Any RESERVATIONS?

• Do we have AGREEMENT?

If we have too many stand asides or reservations we go back a stage and amend the proposal or create a new one.

Stage 7: Work out how to implement the decision

Work out what needs to happen, by when and by who.

When asking for consensus you will be asked to express one of the following:

🌻 AGREEMENT

Supporting the proposal and being willing to implement it.

🔨 RESERVATIONS

Having some reservations that the others should acknowledge, but being willing to still decide for the proposal.

👣 STAND ASIDE

You want to object, but not vito the proposal. This means you won’t help to implement the decision, but you are willing for the group to go ahead with it. You might stand aside because you disagree with the proposal, or you might like the decision but be unable to support it because you don’t have the time or energy.

The group may be happy to accept the stand aside and go ahead, or they may work on a new proposal. A critical question is whether the proposal requires everyone to implement it.

👎 VITO

Asking for a vito is communicating that you will need to leave the group if the decision goes ahead.

If there is a vito, we need a new proposal.

In cases where the vito stems from a fundamental disagreement with the aims of the group it might be more appropriate for the individual to leave.

Roles

Facilitator

• Collecting agenda items

• Keeping the meeting focused on one issue at a time

• Making sure everyone can be involved in the discussion

• Summarizing

• Asking for agreement on proposals

The Facilitator role should rotate between meetings, facilitators should make their biases known.

Time Keeper

• Keep everyone aware of the passage of time in relation to decision making

• Take the time to make a good decision now to save wasting time revisiting a bad one later.

Vibe Guardians

• Ensure meetings are accessible

• Facilitate conflicts in line with our principles

• Provide positive feedback when the group is working well

• Diffusing tensions

• Watching the emotional atmosphere

See also:

Scribe

• Publicly writes down points, concerns and ideas during discussion phase

• Keeps notes of discussions and decisions

• Creates notes to be sent to anyone unable to attend or for newcomers to the cult

Co-ordinator

• Keeps track of what needs to be done following the meeting

• Keeps track of who is doing it and when

Participation

• Be willing to work towards the solution that’s best for everyone, not just what’s best for you. Be flexible and willing to give up your favourite idea if there’s another solution that meets your core needs.

• Help to create a respectful and trusting atmosphere. Make space for everyone to express their ideas and opinions, and remember we all have different needs, values and ways of communicating.

• Be open and honest about the reasons for your view-points, and if possible express your concerns early on in the process so that they can be taken into account in any proposals.

• Listen actively to what people are trying to say. Make an effort to understand someone’s position and their underlying needs, concerns and emotions. If you don’t understand try to say so.

• Don’t be afraid of disagreement and conflict. Differences of opinion are natural and we need to know what they are in order to come up with a good decision. Easily reached consensus may cover up the fact that some people don’t feel safe or confident enough to express their disagreements.