CONSENSUS DECISION MAKING ANNOUNCEMENT HISTORICAL PRECEDENT TRADITION GROUP

CONSENSUS DECISION MAKING? ? ? •

ANNOUNCEMENT HISTORICAL PRECEDENT, TRADITION GROUP CONSENSUS UNANIMOUS VOTE BY GROUP LOTTERY, COIN FLIP, STRAWS 9 COMMON DECISIONMAKING PROCESSES COMPROMISE, GROUP AVERAGING, BARGAINING MAJORITY VOTE BY GROUP EXPERT COMMITTEE IS GRANTED POWER POLICIES / WRITTEN GUIDELINES

What is consensus decision making? It is a process for group decision making in which all members provide input and a decision is made that is acceptable to all group members. It does not mean that everyone agrees with the decision, but it does mean that everyone can live with, support and implement it. It is a form of cooperative, non-coercive decision -making.

The Consensus Process A group of people… √ Raise an issue or a problem √ Discuss the issue § Thorough, depersonalized discussion – what is best for the group?

√ Propose a variety of options § present all possible options § examine the problems associated with the proposed options § note the agreements and disagreements and the reasons for them

§ synthesize and evaluate the proposed options to find one or find a totally new alternative √ Choose the option that best satisfies the group § since everyone is involved in the decision, there is a greater chance the change will be implemented § incorporates everyone’s “best thinking”

Things to consider… √ Do not argue for your own position or idea; simply present it √ Remember, you are addressing the proposed options, not attacking the people who put them forward √ Don’t change your mind to avoid conflict √ Avoid employing “conflict reducing techniques” – majority vote, coin-flips, bargaining

√ Don’t take disagreements with your idea(s) as personal attacks √ Be aware of the shy people in the group – their voices also need to be heard √ Don’t allow the discussion to get limited to one proposal – this may close off other good ideas √ The group takes credit for the good decisions, but also takes responsibility for the failures

When does consensus work best? Consensus works best when the participants… § Share values § Value the other participants § Are informed § Make a commitment to work together § Actively listen to each other § Are willing to accept differences of opinion

Summary Consensus means… • all group members contribute • differences are viewed as helpful • all members share the final decision • all members support the final decision • all members take responsibility for implementing the final decision