,CRITICAL ,?\* #b#a#g3 ,! WORK%OP E/ABLI%$ AT ! #f? ,REGIONAL ,ASSEMBLY ( ,N,E,A,N 9 #bh FIZZL$ \T AFT] A FEW EMAIL EX*ANGES4 ,I /ILL HOPE TO UND]TAKE A ?OR\< /UDY ( ?IS ISSUE & COME UP ) SOME RECOMM5DATIONS = BO? OV]ALL MEET+ PROC$URES & = A MODIFI$ CONS5SUS PROCESS4 ,BUT 9 CASE ,I DON'T1 ,I'D LIKE TO MAKE !SE NOTES AVAILABLE TO O!RS4 ,P]HAPS O!RS WILL BE 9SPIR$ TO TAKE UP ! NE$$ REEVALUATION ( \R MEET+ & DECISION-MAK+ PRACTICES4 ,A,K ,PRESS PUBLI%$ A NICE LITTLE /UDY :I* TAKES A CRITICAL APPROA* TO SOME ( \R PRACTICES & DEALS ) SOME ( ! ISSUES ,I RAISE BEL[4 ,IT IS USEFUL1 & 9SIT1 BUT IT IS NOT NE>LY COMPREH5SIVE 5\<1 & IS NOT MEANT TO S]VE AS A NEW MEET+ PROC$URES MANUAL4 ,SEE3 ,RI*>D ,S+] & ,DELF9A ,VANNUCCI1 ,COME ,HELL OR ,HI< ,WAT]3 ,A ,H&BOOK ON ,COLLECTIVE ,PROCESS ,GONE ,AWRY1 #b#i1 #abg PAGES4 ,ALSO1 ! NE$$ REEVALUATION MIR[1 & AGA9/ TRADITIONAL MANUALS ( P>LIAM5T>Y PROC$URE4.> ,CONC]N3 ,MEET+ ,PROC$URES ,PROPOSAL3 ,SET UP A ,/UDY ,GR\P TO EXAM9E ! ISSUE & COME UP ) RECOMM5DATIONS4 7,SUBMITT$ TO ! #f? ,REGIONAL ,ASSEMBLY ( ! ,NOR!A/ ,AN>*I/ ,NETWORK1 ,I?ACA1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,M>* #b#a-#b#c1 #b#h7 ,HELLO1 ,?IS IS A PROPOSAL TO SET UP A GR\P TO /UDY V>I\S MODELS ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+ &_/OR ALT]NATIVE PROC$URES4 ,:AT FOLL[S IS AN (F-!-CUFF ATTEMPT TO PUT SOME SUB/ANCE BEH9D ! REQUE/4 ,?IS C]TA9LY %\LD NOT BE SE5 AS A SUB/ITUTE = ! RECOMM5D$ /UDY4 ,WORK+ ?R\< TO EFFECTIVE MEET+ PROC$URES WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL ( /UDY1 REFLECTION1 & DISCUSSION1 BUT IT IS A TASK ?AT WE NE$ TO UND]TAKE1 9 MY OP9ION4 ,ANYWAY1 H]E >E SOME R&OM ?\E 7DIS7FUNCTION+4 ,( C\RSE !RE HAVE BE5 MANY GOOD MEET+S TOO4 ,?IS IS AN 9ITIAL CRITIQUE ( ! 0SO-CALL$ CONS5SUS0 DECISION-MAK+ PRACTICES ?AT WE'VE BE5 US+ FROM ! V]Y FIR/ ASSEMBLY 9 ,FEBRU>Y #b#g4 .<,NOTE3 ,S9CE WE DROPP$ 9TO ! NETWORK /RUCTURE ?AT WE'VE DEF9$1 REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES DO NOT HAVE DECISION-MAK+ P[]1 AL?\< PROBABLY !RE WILL BE OCCASIONAL DECISIONS AB\T M>G9AL MATT]S TAK5 EV5 AT REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES4 ,BUT ( C\RSE !RE IS SIMPLY ! MATT] ( H[ TO CONDUCT \R REGIONAL MEET+S4 ,?IS /UDY1 H[EV]1 IS AIM$ PRIM>ILY AT DEVELOP+ MEET+ SKILLS 9 \R LOCAL GR\PS & SUB-REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES4.> #a4 ,NO EXPLICIT DECISION ON MEET+ PROC$URES4 ,FIR/ ( ALL1 !RE HAS NEV] BE5 ANY EXPLICIT DISCUSSION & AGREEM5T ON :AT MEET+ PROC$URES WE >E GO+ TO USE4 ,?IS WAS P]HAPS UND]/&ABLE = ! FIR/ OR SECOND MEET+1 BUT IT SURELY %\LD HAVE BECOME A FIR/ ITEM ( BUS9ESS TO EXPLICITLY AGREE & WRITE D[N ! PROC$URES ?AT ! NETWORK WAS GO+ TO USE4 ,9/EAD1 A C]TA9 WAY OR MANN] ( OP]AT+ HAS SIMPLY BE5 ASSUM$ 7OR IMPOS$74 ,AT EA* ASSEMBLY ! FACILITATOR GETS UP & EXPLA9S H[ ! MEET+ IS GO+ TO BE RUN1 BY CONS5SUS4 ,!Y !N EXPLA9 ! H& SIGNALS & A FEW O!R G5]AL ?+S4 ,IT IS MY /RONG IMPRESSION ?AT ?IS IS A SEV]ELY TRUNCAT$ V]SION ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+ ?AT WE HAVE BE5 US+ 9 MEET+ AFT] MEET+4 ,IT'S LIKE A BA/>DIZ$ V]SION ?AT HAS SOMEH[ BECOME COMMON CU/OM 9 ! RADICAL CULTURE4 ,BUT IT WILL TAKE A /UDY GR\P TO C>EFULLY EXAM9E :AT HAS GONE WRONG4 ,WE DON'T HAVE TO FOLL[ ! MANUALS ( C\RSE4 ,BUT WE %\LDN'T IGNORE !M EI!R1 CODIFY+ AS !Y DO PROC$URES ?AT HAVE BE5 C>EFULLY WORK$ \T OV] SEV]AL DECADES4 #b4 ,MISUSE ( ! BLOCK4 ,?IS IS JU/ ONE EXAMPLE ( :AT SEEMS TO HAVE GONE WRONG4 ,! BLOCK IS SUPPOS$ TO BE A R>E ?+4 ,IT CAN ONLY BE US$ 9 CASES ( EXTREME DISAGREEM5T4 ,YET 9 \R PRACTICE1 AS EVID5C$ BY ! PA/ F\R REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES1 IT IS A V]Y COMMON ?+4 ,V>I\S 9DIVIDUALS >E (T5 HE>D TO SAY 0,I BLOCK ?AT10 SOMETIMES RIE NOT WORK+4 ,I'VE NEV] LIK$ ?IS H& SIGNAL4 ,= ONE ?+1 IT'S A RIDICUL\S ?+ TO BE DO+4 ,BUT BEYOND ?AT IT SO EASILY PREJUDICES A PROCE$+4 ,SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO DO ?IS4 ,SO ALL ! WAY ?R\< A DISCUSSION V>I\S 9DIVIDUALS >E ALWAYS TW9KL+ !IR APPROVAL ( :AT IS BE+ SAID4 ,H]E'S :AT'S WRONG ) ?IS4 ,IT IS MU* EASI] TO AGREE ?AN TO DISAGREE4 ,YET !RE IS NO COMP>ABLE H& SIGNAL1 C]TA9LY NOT ONE ?AT HAS 5T]$ 9TO COMMON PRACTICE TO SU* A DEGREE1 = EXPRESS+ DISAGREEM5T OR DISAPPROVAL4 ,:AT W\LD IT BE1 A ?UMBS D[N H& SIGNAL8 ,FUR!RMORE1 ! TW9KLE IS N[ BE+ US$ AS A SUB/ITUTE = A VOTE4 ,A FACILITATOR WILL SAY1 T[>D ! 5D ( A DISCUSSION ( AN ISSUE1 :5 IT IS ?\1 & TW9KL+ IS A BIG P>T ( ?IS1 >E HEAVILY /ACK$ AGA9/ DISS5T4 #d4 ,! H& SIGNALS 9 G5]AL >E NOT WORK+4 ,!SE SIGNALS >E SUPPOS$ TO ASSI/ ! FACILITATOR 9 CALL+ ON APPROPRIATE SPEAK]S4 ,9 MY OP9ION !Y JU/ 9TRODUCE CONFUSION1 & NOT ONLY BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE SEEM+LY 9V>IABLY MISUSE !M1 BUT BECAUSE IT PLACES UNREASONABLE DEM&S ON ! FACILITATOR4 ,IT W\LD TAKE AN EXCEPTIONALLY SKILL$ FACILITATOR TO NAVIGATE ?R\< ONLY ?OSE H& SIGNALS4 ,I SUSPECT ?AT UPON FUR!R /UDY ,I MIY T5SION1 ESPECIALLY IF !RE IS AN ATTEMPT TO 0BALANCE G5D]0 BY HAV+ A MAN & A WOMAN BO? TRY+ TO FACILITATE SIMULTANE\SLY4 ,TWO PEOPLE CANNOT DRIVE A C> AT ! SAME TIME4 ,! FUNCTION ( A FACILITATOR IS TO GUIDE A DISCUSSION T[>D A DECISION4 ,?AT IS BE/ DONE BY JU/ ONE P]SON4 #f4 ,MISUSE ( ! /ACK4 ,MANY ( \R /ACKS >E WAY TOO LONG4 ,A GOOD FACILITATOR W\LD KEEP !M MU* %ORT]4 ,PLUS ! /ACK KEEP] %\LD BE SEP>ATE FROM & SITT+ AWAY FROM ! FACILITATOR4 ,ALSO1 !RE >E MANY O!R MODES ( DISCUSSION BESIDES JU/ ! /ACK1 LIKE3 TWO PRO TWO CON1 FREE-=-ALL1 R\ND ! ROOM 79 CASES ( EXTREME DISAGREEM5T ONLY71 & SO =?4 ,NONE ( !SE >E EV] US$ BY US4 ,WE LIMIT \RSELVES /RICTLY TO ! /ACK4 #g4 ,AMBIGUITY ( ! /&-ASIDE4 ,I'VE M5TION$ ?IS BE=E4 ,DOES IT MEAN ?AT ! PEOPLE :O /& ASIDE WILL NOT HELP C>RY \T A DECISION1 OR DOES IT MEAN ?AT !Y WILL1 EV5 ?\< !Y DISAGREE ) IT8 ,= SOME DECISIONS IT DOESN'T MATT]4 ,SAY ! DECISION IS TO DONATE A C]TA9 SUM ( MONEY 9 SOLID>ITY ) A POLITICAL PRISON]4 ,!N ! *ECK IS CUT1 & ?AT'S IT4 ,BUT IF ! DECISION IS TO M\NT A SU/A9$ CAMPAIGN ( SUPPORT = ?AT PRISON] :I* WILL EXT5D OV] WEEKS1 !N >E ! /&-ASIDES GO+ TO HELP OR NOT4 7,I BELIEVE !RE IS A FULL] DISCUSSION ( ?IS 9 MY ,M>* #g >TICLE ON ! EF=TS TO CREATE A NEW AN>*I/ NETWORK1 9 MY REM>KS ON SO-CALL$ CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+1 BUT ,I MAY HAVE MISREMEMB]$47 #h4 ,9/ITUTIONALIZ+ A ,COP TO ,MONITOR ,EMOTIONS4 ,AT FIR/ ,I ?\*I/S8 #i4 ,LACK ( DUE PROCESS4 ,PEOPLE R\T9ELY GET ATTACK$ 9 \R MEET+S1 YET !Y >E NEV] GIV5 A *ANCE TO DEF5D !MSELVES4 ,AT ! V]Y LEA/1 SOMEONE :O IS ATTACK$ 7CRITICIZ$ 9 A P]SONAL WAY1 NOT JU/ DISAGRE$ ) ON AN ISSUE7 %\LD HAVE ! RIT ( ! CRITICAL \TLOOK4 #a4 ,WE'VE BE5 PUTT+ \RSELVES 9 A /RAIGUM5TS >E ALL[$4 ,Y\ CAN'T SPEAK \T ( TURN4 ,Y\ CAN'T ANSW] Y\R ATTACK]S4 ,!RE IS NO WAY TO *ANGE ! DIRECTION ( A MEET+4 ,9 RETROSPECT1 ,I SWE> ?AT ,ROB]T'S ,RULES W]E MORE FLEXIBLE ?AN ! PROC$URES WE'VE BE5 US+4 ,DIRECT DEMOCRACY IS TURBUL5T1 *AOTIC1 EMOTIONAL1 CREATIVE1 UNRULY1 SPONTANE\S1 \TRAGE\S1 & NOISY1 NONE ( :I* ATTRIBUTES PREV5TS US FROM REASON+ TOGE!R4 ,TOO MANY ( ! MEET+S WE'VE BE5 HAV+ >E /]ILE1 BOR+1 & PETRIFI$4 ,IT'S LIKE WE'RE SUFF]+ FROM RIGOR MORTIS BE=E WE EV5 DIE4 ,SO !SE >E A FEW ( ! CONC]NS ,I HAVE (F H&4 ,I C\LD DO A MORE ?OR\< JOB IF ,I HAD MORE TIME4 ,HOPEFULLY A /UDY GR\P WILL BE SET UP TO EXAM9E ?IS MATT] & P]HAPS ,I CAN P>TICIPATE 9 IT4 ,DO ,I NE$ TO PO9T \T ?AT ( C\RSE !RE HAVE BE5 SOME GOOD MEET+S TOO1 & ?AT 9 G5]AL ,I REMA9 EXCIT$ & HOPEFUL AB\T ?IS POLITICAL 9ITIATIVE4 ,K9D ,REG>DS1 ,JAMES ,H]OD "9"9"9"9"9"9"9"9"9"9 ,9ITIAL ?\IAN ,MOVEM5T ,WE NE$ TO TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT ! /&>D MODEL ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+ & CONSID] MAK+ ANY *ANGES ?AT WE ?9K W\LD WORK BETT] = US4 ,H]E >E SOME ?\E EV5 ACCEPT$ = ! CONS5SUS PROCESS4 ,SOME MANUALS SUGGE/ ?IS4 ,?IS C\LD SAVE A LOT ( TIME1 EF=T1 & FRU/RATION LAT] ON BECAUSE ! RANGE ( OP9ION ON ! ISSUE W\LD BE GOTT5 \T 9TO ! OP5 FIR/ (F1 & SO ANY PROPOSAL ?AT W\LD SUBSEQU5TLY BE MADE C\LD BE BETT] BY HAV+ TAK5 9TO ACC\NT !SE DIFF]5CES ( OP9ION4 ,9 O!R WORDS1 :AT MIT (F ! DISCUSSION ) A =MAL PROPOSAL1 & !N ALL ! DISCUSSION ( DISAGREEM5TS HAS TO BE WORK$ 9TO ! CONS5SUS PROCESS 7I4E41 ! AIR+ ( 0CONC]NS074 #b7 ,A POSSIBLE *ANGE 9 RULES4 ,ANY PROPOSAL REG>D+ A S]I\S1 SUB/ANTIVE TOPIC ( DISCUSSION 7AS OPPOS$ TO SAY1 PROC$URAL71 MU/ BE SUBMITT$ 9 WRIT+ TO ! NOTE TAK] BE=E ! PROPOSAL CAN BE TAK5 UP & SUBJECT$ TO ! CONS5SUS PROCESS4 ,! NOTE TAK] WILL READ ! PROPOSAL BACK1 OR EV5 WRITE IT UP ON A %EET OR *ALK BO>D4 ,ANY SUBSEQU5T *ANGES 9 ! PROPOSAL1 AFT] DISCUSSION ( CONC]NS1 WILL BE DULY NOT$ & RECORD$ 9 ! *ANG$ WORD+ ( ! PROPOSAL4 ,(T5 ! *ANGE ( ONLY ONE WORD CAN *ANGE ! MEAN+ ( A PROPOSAL DRAMATICALLY4 ,! ALL-TOO-FREQU5T FAILURE TO DO ?IS SIMPLE ?+ (T5 CAUSES DEBILITAT+ FRU/RATION & T5SION1 ALL QUITE UNNECESS>Y4 #c7 ,RECONSID]ATION ( ! USE ( H& SIGNALS4 ,V>I\S PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESS$ FRU/RATION AB\T \R USE ( H& SIGNALS4 ,WE %\LD NOT CONSID] ?IS WAY ( 9T]ACT+ 9 MEET+S TO BE WRITT5 9 /ONE4 ,H& SIGNALS W]E JU/ DEVICES 9V5T$ ) AN EYE TO FACILITATE DECISION MAK+ 9 MEET+S4 ,IF !Y FAIL TO DO ?IS JOB1 OR DO IT POORLY1 !N !IR USAGE %\LD BE RECONSID]$4 ,QUE/IONS AB\T ! EFFECTIV5ESS ( 0TW9KL+0 HAVE BE5 RAIS$4 ,BUT = N[ ,I'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON ANO!R H& SIGNAL -- ! DIRECT RESPONSE H& SIGNAL4 ,! DIRECT RESPONSE SIGNAL IS A WAY ( BREAK+ /ACK1 BUT = V]Y LIMIT$ PURPOSES1 LIKE ADD+ FACTUAL 9=MATION4 ,IT EXPLICITLY EXCLUDES SUB/ANTIVE DISCUSSION ( :AT ! LA/ SPEAK] HAS JU/ SAID4 ,:AT ?IS DOES IS RECONFIRM & RE9=CE ! /&>D CONS5SUS DECISION-MAK+ MODEL'S FIRM REJECTION ( ANY SPONTANE\S DEBATE OR CONV]SATION BETWE5 TWO OR A FEW PEOPLE AB\T SOMEONE'S REM>KS4 ,! /RICT & RIGID ADH]5CE TO ! /ACK IS ?US VIGOR\SLY ASS]T$4 ,?IS PUTS ! GR\P 9 A /RAIE (T5 QUITE ESS5TIAL = RESOLV+ AN ISSUE & MOV+ ! GR\P T[>D AGREEM5T ON A PROPOSAL OR T[>D OV]COM+ AN IMPASSE OR MISUND]/&+4 ,SU* EPISODES %\LD BE RECOGNIZ$1 ACCEPT$1 & =MALIZ$1 NOT CONDEMN$ 7SEE BEL[74 ,SU* AN EPISODE OCCURR$ AT ! #h? REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ( ,N,E,A,N 9 ,I?ACA JU/ REC5TLY 9 ! ,SATURDAY AFT]NOON DISCUSSION ( A PROPOS$ *ANGE 9 ! NETWORK'S /RUCTURE DOCUM5T4 ,AT ONE PO9T A BRIEF CONV]SATION BROKE \T BETWE5 ?REE OR F\R PEOPLE :I* GREATLY CL>IFI$ ?+S4 ,BUT SOMEONE IMM$IATELY PIP$ UP & SAID ?AT ! DISCUSSION WAS GETT+ *AOTIC & ?AT WE %\LD GET BACK TO ! /ACK4 ,?IS %[S H[ RIGID ADH]5CE TO /ACK CAN GET 9 ! WAY ( EFFECTIVE DECISION MAK+4 #d7 ,! OV]ALL /RUCTURE ( ! MEET+4 ,! /&>D FL[ *>TS ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+ DEAL ONLY ) H[ TO REA* AGREEM5T AB\T A S+LE PROPOSAL4 ,!Y SAY NO?+ AB\T ! OV]ALL /RUCTURE ( ! MEET+4 ,9 MY Y\?1 MO/ ALL MEET+S FOLL[$ A G5]ALLY ACCEPT$ =MAT 7:I* AT ?AT TIME EV]YONE JU/ ASSUM$ WAS UNIV]SAL1 & BAS$ ON ! NATURAL ORD] ( ?+S74 ,! MEET+ WAS CONV5$1 ! M9UTES ( ! LA/ MEET+ W]E READ1 ANN\NCEM5TS W]E MADE1 OLD BUS9ESS WAS DEALT )1 !N NEW BUS9ESS WAS TAK5 UP1 ! TIME & PLACE ( ! NEXT MEET+ WAS SET1 & !N WE ADJ\RN$4 ,WE NE$ SOME?+ LIKE ?IS4 #e7 ,WE NE$ WAYS ( COMPLETELY *ANG+ ! DIRECTION ( A DISCUSSION4 ,NONE IS PROVID$ 9 ! /&>D FL[-*>T ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+1 AS ,I PRES5TLY UND]/& !M4 ,ROB]T ,RULES PROVID$ = ?IS & >E ACTUALLY SUP]IOR TO ! CONS5SUS PROCESS 9 ?IS REG>D4 ,9 CONS5SUS1 ONCE A PROPOSAL IS ON ! FLOOR = DECISION1 ALL Y\ CAN DO IS RAISE CONC]NS AB\T IT1 UNTIL ALL CONC]NS >E DEALT )4 ,BUT :AT IF Y\R 0CONC]N0 IS ?AT ! PROPOSAL BE DROPP$ 5TIRELY1 OR PO/PON$8 ,OR :AT IF Y\ WANT TO SUGGE/ A SUB/ITUTE PROPOSAL :I* IS COMPLETELY AT ODDS ) ! ONE UND] DISCUSSION8 ,NONE ( !SE IS POSSIBLE UND] ! CONS5SUS PROCESS4 ,YET !Y W]E POSSIBLE ) ,ROB]T'S ,RULES4 ,Y\ C\LD MOVE ?AT A DISCUSSION BE 5D$ 7?AT IS1 ! PROPOSAL BE DROPP$71 ?AT IT BE TABL$1 OR Y\ C\LD (F] A SUB/ITUTE PROPOSAL4 ,ROB]T'S ,RULES1 AL?\< WRITT5 BY AN >MY G5]AL1 W]E NEV]!LESS BAS$ ON C5TURIES ( EXP]I5CE ) P>LIAM5T>Y PROC$URE4 ,!RE MAY BE ?+S ?AT CAN BE SALVAG$ FROM !M4 ,OR SOMEONE MILIAM5T>Y ,PROC$URE4 ,WE MIE VIGOR\SLY 5=C$ BY PE] PRESSURE1 RULES :I* SUPPRESS DISS5T & GIVE 5TIRELY TOO MU* P[] TO ! FACILITATOR1 ! /ACK KEEP]1 ! VIBES WAT*]1 & ALL ?OSE PRES5T :O SPEAK \T TO 5=CE ! UNWRITT5 & UNCONS5S$ UPON 0RULES0 = BEHAVIOR 9 MEET+S4 ,IT IS ESPECIALLY DI%E>T5+ TO ME TO SEE ?IS K9D ( 9=MAL 5=CEM5T 9 MEET+S ( AN>*I/S4 ,H]E IS A BRIEF REJECTION ( ,ROB]T'S ,RULES :I* ,I WROTE 9 ! SEV5TIES1 & :I* ,I 9CORPORAT$ 9TO MY BOOK4 ,I'M BEG9N+ TO ?9K ?AT IT MID MODEL ( CONS5SUS DECISION MAK+4 ,REJECT ,ROB]T'S ,RULES ( ,ORD] ,ROB]T'S ,RULES ( ,ORD]1 WRITT5 BY A RETIR$ >MY G5]AL 9 #a#h#g#f1 HAVE BECOME DEEPLY EMB$D$ 9 POPUL> CULTURE 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 TO ! EXT5T ?AT !Y >E (T5 AUTOMATICALLY TAK5 AS ! BIBLE = H[ GR\PS %\LD BEHAVE 9 MEET+S4 ,!Y >E LIKE AN EXT]NAL LAW1 IMPOS$ ON US FROM ABOVE4 ,PEOPLE =GET ?AT !Y CAN WRITE ANY RULES !Y WANT TO = !IR MEET+S1 OR HAVE NO RULES AT ALL4 ,ROB]T'S ,RULES GIVE F> TOO MU* P[] TO ! *AIR4 ,!Y 5C\RAGE P>LIAM5T>Y MANEUV]+4 ,!Y >E /IFL+ & RIGID1 & CAN QUITE EASILY BE US$ BY SKILLFUL MANIPULATORS TO DEFEAT ! COLLECTIVE WILL4 ,WE NE$ TO 9V5T MORE FLEXIBLE1 DEMOCRATIC1 & LESS C5TRALIZ$ PROC$URES = ORGANIZ+ \R COLLECTIVE ASSEMBLIES ,B PROC$URES ?AT ALL[ = MU* MORE *AOS1 SPONTANEITY1 9T]RUPTIONS1 TALK+ \T ( TURN1 QUICK TRIAL VOTES1 >GUM5TS1 & DIFF]5T PROC$URAL OPTIONS = DISCUSS+ ISSUES4 ,IT'S DEF9ITELY TIME TO RULE ,ROB]T \T ( ORD]4 #f7 ,WE NE$ A V>IETY ( 0MODES ( DISCUSSION10 =MALIZ$ & /&>DIZ$4 ,AT PRES5T WE USE MO/LY ONE1 RIGID ADH]5CE TO /ACK1 & OCCASIONALLY A SECOND1 GO+ R\ND ! ROOM4 ,A FACILITATOR %\LD BE ABLE TO %IFT TO ANY NUMB] ( O!R MODES ( DISCUSSION AT ANY TIME DUR+ A MEET+4 ,H]E >E ?REE IDEAS = O!R MODES ( DISCUSSION1 9 ADDITION TO /ACK & GO+ >\ND ! ROOM4 ,!RE MAY BE O!RS4 7,BY ! WAY1 GO+ >\ND ! ROOM IS GROSSLY MISUS$ 9 \R MEET+S4 ,IT %\LD BE A R>E EV5T4 ,IT IS V]Y TIME CONSUM+4 ,IT %\LD BE RES]V$1 ESPECIALLY 9 L>GE MEET+S1 = OCCASIONS ( ABSOLUTE DEADLOCK :I* DEM& OP5+ UP A DISCUSSION TO A WID] RANGE ( OP9IONS4 ,!RE IS USUALLY NO NE$ TO HE> EV]YONE'S OP9ION ON A MATT]4 ,:AT NE$S TO BE HE>D >E ALL ! DIFF]5T OP9IONS4 ,!RE >E BETT] WAYS TO ACCOMPLI% ?IS ?AN BY GO+ >\ND ! ROOM & ASK+ EV]YONE TO SPEAK TO ! ISSUE1 :I* EATS UP MEET+ TIME LIKE A MON/] PAC-MAN47 A7 ,FREE-=-ALL DISCUSSION )\T /ACK4 ,:Y IS ?IS SO UNIV]SALLY BANN$ 9 \R ASSEMBLIES8 ,?IS IS (T5 ! BE/ WAY TO GO4 ,BUT IT HAS BE5 \TLAW$4 ,SURE IT W\LD BE NOISY & *AOTIC4 ,BUT SO :AT8 ,I SUSPECT ?AT IT HAS BE5 BANN$ BECAUSE ( A MI/AK5 BELIEVE ?AT /RICT ADH]5CE TO /ACK WILL EQUALIZE G5D] P>TICIPATION :ILE A FREE-=-ALL DISCUSSION W\LD FAVOR L\D-M\!D M54 ,?IS IS C]TA9LY NOT NECESS>ILY TRUE1 & O!R WAYS MIIZES ISSUES4 ,BUT ISN'T ASK+ = 0CONC]NS0 JU/ A EUPHEMI/IC WAY ( ASK+ = DISAGREEM5TS8 ,ISN'T A 0/&-ASIDE0 A P]SON :O DISAGREES ) ! PROPOSAL8 ,! SUB/ITUTION ( 0CONC]N0 = 0DEBATE0 ILLU/RATES ! G5]AL BIAS 9 CONS5SUS AGA9/ DISS5T1 DISAGREEM5T1 DEBATE1 DIFF]5CE1 CONFLICT1 >GUM5T4 ,NONE ( !SE IS ALL[$4 ,MY GOD6 ,:AT HAVE WE GOTT5 \RSELVES 9TO8 C7 ,CONV]SATION /YLE4 ,A FACILITATOR1 SEE+ ?AT A FEW PEOPLE >E ON TO SOME?+1 C\LD SAY3 ,OKAY1 Y\1 Y\1 Y\1 & Y\ CAN 5GAGE 9 A FREE-FL[+ CONV]SATION1 BACK & =? EX*ANGES1 UNREGULAT$ BY /ACK OR 0TAK+ TURNS0 -- JU/ NORMAL CONV]SATION1 9CLUD+ EV5 9T]RUPTIONS 7!Y NOT HAV+ BE5 BANN$7 ON ?IS TOPIC = FIVE M9UTES4 ,/ACK W\LD BE SET ASIDE4 ,I REG>D ! ABS5CE ( ?IS MODE ( DISCUSSION 9 \R ASSEMBLIES AS A SEV]E H&ICAP4 #g7 ,IS ! CONS5SUS PROCESS APPROPRIATE = EV]Y DECISION TAK5 AT A MEET+8 ,! CONS5SUS PROCESS1 ( DEAL+ ) CONC]NS AB\T A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL1 IS LONG & COMPLICAT$4 ,H[ C\LD IT POSSIBLY BE US$ = EV]Y DECISION ?AT NE$S TO BE MADE 9 A MEET+ -- :5 TO BEG9 ! MEET+ 7SEE+ ?AT \R MEET+S (T5 />T LATE71 :5 TO TAKE BREAKS1 :5 TO MOVE ON TO ! NEXT AG5DA ITEM1 :5 TO ADJ\RN1 DECID+ :O WILL FACILITATE1 DECID+ ON ! AG5DA1 & SO =?4 ,YET1 IF WE'RE NOT US+ CONS5SUS = !SE MATT]S1 :AT >E WE US+8 ,MAJORITY RULE1 DECID$ BY A %[ ( H&S8 7,I SEEM TO REMEMB] ONE MANUAL RECOMM5D+ ?IS47 ,ONE IS TEMPT$ TO SAY ?AT WE %\LD SEP>ATE PROC$URAL FROM SUB/ANTIVE ISSUES & USE CONS5SUS ONLY = ! LATT]4 ,A MOM5T'S REFLECTION1 H[EV]1 COLLAPSES ?IS DI/9CTION1 BY %[+ ?AT IT IS FALSE4 ,ANY PROC$URAL MATT] CAN HAVE S]I\S SUB/ANTIVE SIGNIFICANCE4 ,AN 9CID5T :I* OCCURR$ AT ! #bND ,N,E,A,N ASSEMBLY1 AT ,AMH]/1 CAN ILLU/RATE ?IS PO9T4 ,A GR\P HAD BE5 FIT] LEFT TO DEAL ) IT4 ,& SO IT F9ALLY CAME TIME TO TALK AB\T /RUCTURE4 ,AT ?AT V]Y M9UTE A MEMB] ( ! GR\P OPPOS$ TO TALK+ AB\T /RUCTURE PROPOS$ ?AT WE TAKE A BREAK & /RET* \R LEGS4 ,?IS RAPIDLY BECAME :AT WE DID 7?R\< ,I DON'T KN[ :AT K9D ( DECISION MAK+ -- ,I C]TA9LY NEV] HAD A *ANCE TO OBJECT TO IT74 ,SO ?IS SEEM+LY PROC$URAL DECISION EFFECTIVELY D]AIL$1 ONCE AGA91 ! DISCUSSION ( NETWORK /RUCTURE4 ,:5 WE RECONV5$1 HALF ! ASSEMBLY HAD LEFT1 & HALF \R TIME WAS GONE4 ,IT WAS LATE 9 ! DAY4 ,EV]YONE WAS TIR$4 ,! MOM5TUM ( ! MEET+ HAD BE5 LO/4 ,A SUB/ANTIVE VICTORY HAD BE5 A*IEV$ ?R\< A PROC$URAL PROPOSAL4 ,I DON'T HAVE AN ANSW] TO ?IS DILEMMA4 ,MIX+ MAJORITY RULE VOT+ 7) A %[ ( H&S7 ) CONS5SUS PROC$URES SEEMS V]Y ODD TO ME4 ,YET IT IS EQUALLY WRONG-HEAD$ TO USE CONS5SUS = EV]Y LA/ DECISION2 IT IS CUMB]SOME1 TIME CONSUM+1 & IMPRACTICAL4 #h7 ,:AT TO DO AB\T MULTIPLE PROPOSALS :I* >E ON ! FLOOR SIMULTANE\SLY8 ,?IS HAPP5S 9 ALMO/ EV]Y MEET+4 ,IT'S NOT SUPPOS$ TO4 ,WE'RE SUPPOS$ TO BE DEAL+ ) ONE PROPOSAL1 CONSID]+ CONC]NS1 REVIS+ ! PROPOSAL1 UNTIL AGREEM5T IS REA*$4 ,BUT ALMO/ 9V>IABLY WE 5D UP ) SEV]AL PROPOSALS ON ! FLOOR 9/EAD ( ONE4 ,! MEET+ GETS ALL TANGL$ UP1 & ! POOR FACILITATOR DOESN'T KN[ :AT TO DO4 ,!RE >E NO CLE>LY E/ABLI%$ PROC$URES1 AT LEA/ NONE ?AT >E 9 COMMON PRACTICE4 ,NOR IS ?IS NECESS>ILY ! FACILITATOR'S FAULT4 ,PEOPLE RAISE !IR H&S & GET ON /ACK4 ,:5 IT COMES !IR TURN1 !Y MAKE ANO!R PROPOSAL4 ,?IS IS PROBABLY RELAT$ TO PO9T NUMB] FIVE ABOVE1 AB\T *ANG+ ! DIRECTION ( A DISCUSSION4 ,PEOPLE MAK+ A NEW PROPOSAL >E TRY+ TO SOLVE ! ISSUE UND] DISCUSSION BY %[+ ANO!R WAY \T4 ,BUT H[ IS ! NEW PROPOSAL TO BE H&L$8 ,DO WE />T OV]1 ) ! CONS5SUS PROCESS1 TO WORK ON ! NEW PROPOSAL8 ,& H[ DO WE DECIDE ?AT8 ,& H[ DO WE *OOSE BETWE5 ?REE OR F\R DIFF]5T PROPOSALS :I* HAVE SUDD5LY BE5 SUBMITT$ DUR+ A DISCUSSION8 ,?IS IS A V]Y ?ORNY MATT] ?AT DEM&S URG5T ATT5TION & SOLUTION4 #i7 ,WE %\LD LIFT ! BAN ON HEAT$ DEBATE4 ,ACTIVE AN>*I/S >E POLITICAL ANIMALS1 :O TAKE !IR IDEAS S]I\SLY4 ,( C\RSE !Y >E GO+ TO FEEL /RONGLY AB\T !M4 ,IT IS RIDICUL\S TO BAN HEAT$ DEBATE4 ,& IT TURNS \R MEET+S 9TO BOR+1 T$I\S AFFAIRS4 ,I SUSPECT ?AT ?IS BAN HAS COME FROM FEM9I/S1 :O SAY ?AT !Y DON'T WANT TO LI/5 TO M5 >GU+4 ,BUT :AT AB\T WOM5 >GU+8 ,& H[ CAN REASON+ BE SEP>AT$ FROM EMOTION8 ,I DON'T ?9K IT IS PRIM>ILY A G5D] ISSUE4 ,IT IS A CULTURAL ?+4 ,EUROPEANS KN[ H[ TO HAVE PASSIONATE >GUM5TS )\T A LOSS ( CIVILITY1 JU/ AS !Y KN[ H[ TO FLIRT )\T GETT+ ALL TWI/$ UP ) PURITANICAL GUILT4 ,U,S,AM]ICANS DON'T4 ,NOR IS IT A SOLUTION TO SAY ?AT WE %\LD CRITICIZE A P]SON'S IDEAS BUT NOT !IR P]SONS4 ,?IS IS ANO!R ONE ( ?OSE NE> UNIV]SAL CULTURAL ITEMS :I* S\NDS PLAUSIBLE 5\< BUT IS ACTUALLY WRONG4 ,PEOPLE ID5TIFY /RONGLY ) !IR IDEAS4 ,IT IS MEAN+LESS TO SAY ?AT Y\ CAN CRITICIZE !IR IDEAS )\T CRITICIZ+ !M4 ,Y\ >E CRITICIZ+ !M :5 Y\ CRITICIZE !IR IDEAS4 ,!Y >E ! ONES HOLD+ !SE IDEAS1 ?AT IS1 !IR 0P]SON0 IS4 ,\R AN>*I/ CULTURE SEEMS TO BE MOV+ 9EXORABLY T[>D SUPPRESSION ( DISS5T1 ) ITS MISGUID$ CONC]N = AVOID+ 0CONFLICTS0 9 MEET+S4 ,?IS WAS SADLY1 BUT AMPLY1 DEMON/RAT$ BY ! LI/ ( 0MEET+ AGREEM5TS0 ?AT WAS SPONTANE\SLY G5]AT$ AT ! BEG9N+ ( ! #h? REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ( ,N,E,A,N 9 ,I?ACA4 ,ASPECTS ( ?AT LI/ W]E QUITE DI/URB+ 9 !IR EMPHASIS ON CON=MITY & ! SUPPRESSION ( DISAGREEM5TS4 ,SO :AT WE NE$ TO DO IS LE>N H[ TO RE/ORE CIVILITY EV5 TO PASSIONATE DISCUSSIONS4 #a7 ,:AT'S GO+ ON :5 DECISIONS >E MADE )\T EI!R A VOTE 7%[ ( H&S7 OR ! CONS5SUS PROCESS8 ,?IS HAPP5S ALL ! TIME4 ,WE HAVE COME TO REF] TO IT JOK+LY AS 0DECISION BY SIL5CE40 ,A FACILITATOR WILL ASK IF WE %\LD DO SU* & SU*4 ,NO ONE SAYS ANY?+4 ,& ?AT'S IT4 ,?AT IS TAK5 AS ! 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