transitionnorthfield Mailing List: Consensus

[Gene and Rose Ann Steenhoek (genesteenhoe]

At our last meeting I briefly described the decision making process that we 
used at the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) workshop I attended.  It was 
introduced in relation to a form of governance known as sociocracy.  This was 
new to me - I learned just a little bit about it at the workshop and was 
interested to learn more.  So I checked out some websites today.  
www.sociocracy.info/consensus.htmlgives an interesting history of consensus - 
and helped me look at the consensus process from a broader perspective.
It looks like many in the NVC community are familiar with sociocracy and use 
some form of it.  One of the groups in the northwest describe their decision 
making process thus:
How does voting take place within a circle? A:  There is a meeting facilitator 
and a recorder at each meeting.  Each role is elected using the sociocratic 
election process.  After those roles are filled the proposal process is as 
follows:
   1. First a proposal is stated,   2. Next is a “clarification” round to 
answer any questions that help clarify the proposal.   3. Members briefly state 
their first impression in the “reaction round.”  The proposer can decide 
whether to stick with the original proposal or make refinements.      4. If 
there is common accord, the Facilitator may sense this and a proposal may be 
passed by acclaim.  The formal process is to conduct a “consent” round where 
each person either gives their consent or announces a “paramount objection”.  
If all have consented to the proposal then it goes into effect for a specified 
period of time.  All proposals are reviewed periodically.  If paramount 
objections are raised, the proposal fails to be passed.  The objections are 
explained, and the proposal can be modified in response.  If modified, it again 
goes through the clarifying, reaction and consent rounds.
Sounds similar to consensus processes in groups I've been involved in - the 
difference I believe is in the concepts of consent and paramount objections.
Rose Ann

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