Consensus

The Consensus WG has not yet settled on a specific meeting schedule. Please join the list serve to receive all notices about pending meetings. To sign up: https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/consensus  

To email the list: consensus@occupyboston.org  To see archives (must be signed up for the list to see them:  https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/private/consensus

  Mission Statement         The Consensus Working Group (CWG) seeks to explore and teach the principles, values and processes of consensus building. The mission is to instill these principles and values in the membership of the Occupy Boston community, and to share insights about the principles underlying consensus-building processes with the Occupy Boston community, so that we may faithfully and effectively put those principles into practice at General Assembly.

 Meeting Minutes

2/4/12

1/22/12

1/8/12



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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Here is an initial list of Consensus Values with which the group is working:<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline" id="internal-source-marker_0.5255630579625816">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Core Values of Consensus-Building <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">(from CT Butler’s On Conflict & Consensus)  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">trust  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- does not equal approval or friendship  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">respect  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- for emotional as well as logical concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- criticize acts not persons (even if you think the person is the problem, always focus on the acts)  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">unity of purpose  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- understand goals & purpose of the group  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- opinions may differ on how to achieve, but goal must be unifying  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">   (I have put this in red, because clarity of shared purpose is missing for Occupy Boston. As I put these values in place, it occurs to me that we need to have community gathering in which the unity of purpose is to establish consensus about our unity of purpose. On what grounds are we unified? At least if we knew and articulated that, we’d have a foundation) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">non-violence (non-coercion)  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- conflict is necessary to motivate change  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- objections/criticisms are not attacks, they are concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- it is considered violent to use power to control process or dominate  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- maximum power allowed to persuade is the revealing of your truth  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">self-empowerment  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- delegation of authority is failure to accept responsibility  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- anyone can express concerns, seek creative solutions  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- everyone is responsible for every decision  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">cooperation  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- not competitive, not about winning  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- adversarial attitudes focus attention on weaknesses rather than strength  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- must have attitude of helpfulness & support  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- from wiki page: “During a call for consensus, the red card indicates the member's opposition (usually a "principled objection") to the proposal at hand. When a member, or members, use a red card, it becomes their responsibility to work with the proposing committee to come up with a solution that will work for everyone.” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">conflict resolution  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- conflict = disagreement  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- strengths & weaknesses of attitudes, assumptions, plans are highlighted by disagreement  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- conflict pushes us to self-assess  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- there is no ‘right’, only best for now for this group  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- avoid blaming - that attacks someone’s dignity, elicits guilt, defensivenss, alienation  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- people will hide truth to avoid being blamed & group loses ability to resolve conflicts  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">commitment to the group  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- upon joining one accepts personal responsibility for respect, good will, honesty  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- recognize group’s needs have priority over individual desires  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- share responsibility for finding solutions to other’s concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">active participation  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- must have atmosphere in which every contribution is considered valuable  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline"> - ideas cannot be considered speaker’s property - do not be attached to opinions  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">equal access to power  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- consciously attempt to creatively share power, skills, information  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- avoid hierarchy  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">patience  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- consensus cannot be rushed  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- difficult situations must be allowed time  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- patience is more advantageous than urgency

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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Resources:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Books:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">On Conflict and Consensus, C.T. Butler & Amy Rothstein  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Consensus for Cities, C.T. Butler  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Websites:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">]][[http://www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/|http://www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/&lt;/a&gt;  ]][[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making|<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: underline;  vertical-align: baseline">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making &lt;/a&gt;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  ]][[http://www.vernalproject.org/papers/process/ConsensusNotUnanimity.html|<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: underline;  vertical-align: baseline">http://www.vernalproject.org/papers/process/ConsensusNotUnanimity.html &lt;/a&gt;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Impediments to Consensus  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- lack of training (a note from the Vernal project on one reason groups fail at consensus: “These groups often allow anyone to join the group and its decision-making process without any instruction or screening.”  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- external hierarchical structures  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- social prejudice - can get in the way of having faith in group’s ability to achieve consensus  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">One flowchart for consensus <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Facilitator Explains Process  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Proposal or Issue is Presented  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Clarifying Questions are Asked  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Level 1 - Identify Values  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- open sharing of ideas & values  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- TEST for consensus  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Level 2 - Identify Concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- list any concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- gather related concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Level 3 - Resolve Concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- resolve related concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- TEST for consensus  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- restate unresolved concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- questions to clarify concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- discussion focused on resolving one concern at a time  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- TEST for consensus  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Closing option:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- send to committee  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- test for stand aside*  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- test for block**  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">* stand aside - agree to disagree, to be willing to let a proposal be adopted despite unresolved concerns  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">** unresolved legitimate concerns remain  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Group Discussion Techniques  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- identification  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- whole group  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- small group  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- brainstorming  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- go-rounds  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- fishbowl  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- active listening  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- caucusing  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: bold;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Roles  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">Facilitator:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- “to make easy”  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- guides consensus process  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- rotates amongst everyone  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- non-directive leadership

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">move agenda in allotted time

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">guide process

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">suggest techniques

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">lead without giving personal opinion

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">address needs of group

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">ensure fair distribution of attention

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">does not express support for a point of view <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- clarity of process  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">leading openly so all are aware of process & how to participate

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">constantly review what just happened, is about to happen

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">explain every new discussion technique <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- agenda contract  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">responsible for group honoring agenda

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">keeps input focused <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- good will  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">always assume good will

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">assume each member understands group’s purpose

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">act as though a resolution will occur - especially when someone is trying to cause trouble or is emotionally unhealthy

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">ask people to explain how their input is in the best interest of the group

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">separate person from action - avoid accusing them of being their behavior <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">- techniques:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">equalizing participation

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">listing

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">stacking

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">pacing

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">checking the process

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">silence

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">taking a break

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">call for consensus

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">summarizing - “facilitator might choose to focus what has been said....might make a summary. This preempts a common problem in which the discussion becomes circular....”

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">reformulating the proposal - “it sometimes happens that the proposal become modified without any formal decision. The Facilitator needs to recognize this and take time to reformulate the proposal with the new information, modifications, or deletions.”

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">stepping out of role

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">passing the clipboard - to collect information

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">polling

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">censoring

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">expulsion

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">concerns:  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">facilitation: don’t have community who understands consensus; no way of handling people who were being coercive; no one addressing when yelling/coercive behavior, not supporting those who were harmed, not validating that person’s experience, voice; did not acknowledge the trust expressed in moments of vulnerability;  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">“disgusted” by how one person was held responsible for the proposal & she was vilified; having someone present the proposal with the awareness of how sensitive or potentially divisive and the willingness to table on their own;  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);  background-color: transparent;  font-weight: normal;  font-style: normal;  font-variant: normal;  text-decoration: none;  vertical-align: baseline">concern about my concern, “I don’t feel empowered to express my concern”

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Meeting Minutes

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">&lt;a href="1/22/12"&gt;1/22/12&lt;/a&gt;

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">&lt;a href="1/8/12"&gt;1/8/12&lt;/a&gt;

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Contact Us
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">consensus@lists.occupyboston.org

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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">&lt;/body&gt; ---^&lt;/sourcetext&gt;&lt;/parsererror&gt;]]

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