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A Checklist for the Consensus Process
and Facilitation
These are just some of the many ways to conduct a
meeting using the consensus process. Roles should be carried out by
everyone as
needed — not just the person specially designated.
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Basic Procedure
Before the meeting (or at previous
meeting):
Choose
facilitator(s)
Gather agenda items
Determine presenter/initiator for each
item
Determine item type: announcement,
report,
discussion, decision
Bring materials/supplies needed
At the meeting:
Connect
(game, song, ritual, etc.)
Check-in/excitement-sharing
Agenda
review: agree on order and time
Choose
notetaker, timekeeper, vibeswatcher
Step through the agenda (big or little
first?)
Take breaks
Announcements
Set next meeting
Evaluation
(good, bad, better)
Closing
(game, song, ritual, etc.)
The Flow of a
Cooperative Decision-Making Process
Background
What are we talking about? .Issue raised- what is the problem?
Clarify problem — put it in context
Discuss,
bring out a diversity of ideas, concerns, and
perspectives — look at possible solutions and the
problems with those solutions
Develop Proposal /Proposal Made
Clarifying Questions
Concerns
Discussion / Friendly Amendments
Re-state Proposal
Test for Consensus
Strong
concerns /objections
Stand
Asides
Blocks
Consensus
Consensus
Reached Decision Implemented – who does what? Make sure there are no loose ends Restate the decision for the note taker (including implementation)
Tools for Successful Meetings
Brainstorms, Popcorn (no order, just popping in)
Go around the circle, rounds
Stacking (count off - limit to
3-5),
Small-group discussion, dyads, tryads
Advantages/disadvantages chart
Straw Polls – sense of group
Visual aids, Visible notes
Criteria Process
Goals'/priorities-setting techniques,
dots
Challenges/devil's advocate questions
Participation equalizers (pebbles, etc.)
Active listening in pairs
Support groups/caucuses, Feelings sharing
Fishbowls, Role plays
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Typical Tasks
of Facilitators
Helps formulate agenda
Helps establish a hopeful, upbeat, and
safe atmosphere
Helps group work through decisions:
Calls on Speakers
Asks for clarification
Summarizes, sorts, focuses discussion — lists threads of
thought, agreements, and disagreements
Helps prioritize and order discussion topics
Brings out all viewpoints
Looks for underlying agreements
Synthesizes differences
Restates Proposal, Limits proposals on floor
Formalizes Decisions
Encourages equal participation
Draws out quiet people
Limits Talkers
Uses Facilitation Tools
Stays neutral while facilitating
Typical Tasks
of a Vibeswatcher ("Caretaker")
Watches the process of the
meeting
Notices underlying feelings from tone of
voice and body
language, points out tension and weariness,
recommends changes
Stops bad process (domineering,
guilt-tripping,
interrupting, put-downs, bulldozing, defensiveness, space-outs, etc.)
Helps
resolve conflicts
Helps work out negative emotions (fear,
anger, anxiety, hopelessness)
Suggests tools to improve meetings
Helps create a safe, accepting tone
Deals with outside distractions
Tools for
Stress-Reduction/Conflict Resolution
Stretch breaks/cooperative games
Singing
Humor
Affirmations
Feelings sharing
Silence (mediation, prayer)
Calm voice
Making LOUD noises
Eye contact
Breathing (deep)
Back rubs
Fears in the hat
Appreciations/affirmations
Active listening
I-messages
Restating other's viewpoint / modeling
opposite views
Support groups / Caucuses
Venting emotions somewhere else
Gripe sessions – share feelings
Resentment sharing
Fishbowls
Spectrums
Expulsion – based on
agreements, questions
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