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.

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, 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

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

• 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