Consensus workshop (Launch report)

This was an informative and lively session led by Rhiannon from Seeds for Change with extra input from Mark from the Sheffield Samba Band.

What is Consensus Decision Making?

Consensus decision making was described as a creative process that can lead to decisions which everybody present can live with. It occurs when everybody:

• listens;
• is willing to compromise on their position; and
• repects eveyone else's knowledge and experience.

How to Achieve Consensus

Consensus decision making requires that:

• there is a known common goal for the group, without which people are not speaking on the same level;
• that the people involved are committed to both the goal and the group;
• that there is a clear process for defining problems and reaching decisions; and
• that there is sufficient time for that process to be carried out.

The following process for reaching consensus was suggested as one possibility:

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Further Information

You can get the Seeds for Change Consensus Decision Making information pack here; the consensus flow chart is from here.