1. Consensus Based Decision Making
(CBDM)

2. What is CBDM?
Method of making decision that attempts to hear all voices and combine all views to come to a decision or resolution that is a acceptable to the group.
Does not require unanimity like in strict consensus. It might be more accurate to say that through CBDM we “aspire” to consensus.

3. How does it Work?
Discussion that takes place helps make CBDM an evolutionary process.
Common misconception that it is easy or quick and painless.
Requires time and faith.
Work together to build a proposal that the body or most of the body can agree upon.
It’s about building consensus not winning or losing a debate.
Rather that speaking for or against a static motion, we work together to find a proposal that all/most can agree upon.

4. The Process Move to a decision Move to a decision Continue discussion
Introduce & discuss proposal
Straw poll
Continue discussion
Straw poll
Wait until next meeting
Modify proposal
Give the proposal to a specific body to refine

5. 1. Bring Proposals to the Committee
Formulate clear proposals in advance with as much communication and collaboration as possible to facilitate the consensus- decision process.
Facilitator presents the proposal to the Committee (similar to the motion in the Robert’s Rules process).

6. 2. Maker Speaks to the Proposal
Maker will share intent of the proposal.

7. 3. Open up the floor first for clarifying questions about the Proposal
Not a debate on the merits, but a brief session to be sure everyone understands the proposal.
The use of the Yellow Card for asking a question.
The use of an Orange Card for answering a question that has been asked.
White Card may be used if enough information has been gathered to move forward.

8. 4. Straw Poll
Facilitator asks whether anyone has reservations about the proposal.
They are heard and they may be answered or the proposal may be tweaked in a manner similar to the “friendly amendment” process in Robert’s Rules.

9. 5. Discussion (Using Color Cards)
Green
“I have something to say”
Raise this green card to make a comment or give your opinion.
Orange
“I can clarify on what was just said.”
Raise this orange card if you can help answer or clarify on the topic.
Yellow
“I have a question” or “I need clarification on what was just said.”
Raise this yellow card for clarification.
White
“I’ve heard enough, let’s have a consensus or straw poll.”
Red
“Stop”
Raise your red card to indicate problems with the process such as when...
Our agreed upon procedures are not being followed
The discussion has gone off topic & needs to refocus
A member is dominating the discussion or being otherwise inconsiderate
You’d like to suggest a break

10. For Discussion (Green)
“I have something to say”
Raise this green card to make a comment or give your opinion.

11. For Discussion (Orange)
“I can clarify on what was just said.”
Raise this orange card if you can help answer or clarify on the topic.

12. For Discussion (Yellow)
“I have a question” or
“I need clarification on what was just said.”
Raise this yellow card for clarification.

13. For Discussion (White)
“I’ve heard enough, let’s have a consensus or straw poll.”

14. For Discussion (Red)
“Stop”-raise your red card to indicate problems with the process such as when...
our agreed upon procedures are not being followed
the discussion has gone off topic & needs to refocus
a member is dominating the discussion or being otherwise inconsiderate
you’d like to suggest a break

15. 6. Consensus
Once all reservations have been heard and answered in this way, Facilitator asks, “Do we have a consensus?”

16. Participants respond in one of five ways:
Green – Agree (Assent)
This means that the addict supports the proposal, all things considered. It may not mean that the addict is in agreement with every aspect, that the addict has heard the discussion and has had a chance to participate in the process of finalizing the proposal, and is prepared to support the final proposal. Agree (Assent) is signified by a Green Card.
Yellow – Agree (Assent) with Reservations
This option is not materially different from the Assent option but is included as a way of giving addicts a place to stand when they do not want to object more strongly, but they do want to note that they have reservations. Agree (Assent) with Reservations is signified by a Yellow Card. The assumption is that the reservations have been heard already, and the addict is simply noting that they can support the proposal and still have these reservations.
Orange – Stand Aside
A common misconception about the Stand Aside option is that it is similar to abstention. It is not. It is more accurate to say it is similar to a “no” vote. It is a statement that the addict does not support the proposal, but the addict’s objection is not of the nature or the severity to warrant a block. Stand Aside is signified by an Orange Card. Should the number of decision making members standing aside reach 20% this will indicate a proposal too weak to adopt. Discussion should continue to determine if consensus can be reached. A proposal can also be delegated to the Maker of the proposal or an Ad Hoc Committee (Workgroup).
Red – Block
This option is also commonly misunderstood. Given that a proposal can be defeated by a sufficient number of Stand Asides, the Block should be an extremely rare step taken only when a participant honestly believes that one of the Traditions or Concepts has been violated by this proposal, or some very fundamental moral position of the participant is violated. Block is signified by a Red Card. An addict who blocks must be able to articulate which Tradition, Concept, or Spiritual Principle fundamental to NA is violated by the proposal.
White – Surrender
“I go with the Group Conscience.” Surrender is signified by a White Card. Surrender indicates that the addict has no opinion.

17. For Consensus (Green)
“I agree with the decision
at hand, all things considered.”
Raise this green card to AGREE if you are generally in support of the proposal.
Agree does not mean that you agree with every aspect of a proposal, but that you have heard the discussion, have had a chance to participate in the process of finalizing the proposal, and are prepared to support the decision.

18. For Consensus (Orange)
“I personally can’t do this, but I won’t stop others from doing it.”
Raise this orange card to STAND ASIDE if you have a serious personal disagreement with a proposal, but are willing to let the proposal pass.

19. For Consensus (Yellow)
“I have concerns, but I can live with it.”
Raise this yellow card to AGREE with RESERVATIONS if you are willing to let a proposal pass but want to register your concerns.

20. For Consensus (White)
“I go with the group conscience.”
Raise this white card if you:
have no opinion
surrender

21. For Consensus (Red)
“I cannot support this or allow the group to support this. It is against our principles.”
Raise the red card to BLOCK -- it means you strongly disagree. Blocking members will be asked to explain their objections.

22. Why CBDM?
Recovery is learning to live by spiritual principles. CBDM is making decisions by spiritual principles.
Emphasizes inclusion, collaboration and consensus building. CBDM seems more in harmony with our spiritual principles.
Principle of Group Conscience refers to more than just a vote.

23. Tradition 2
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”
“True spiritual principles are never in conflict; they complement each other.” – Basic Text p. 64

24. Concept 6
“Group conscience is the spiritual means by which we invite a loving God to influence our decisions.”
“Group conscience is the means by which we bring the spiritual awakening of the Twelve Steps to bear in making service-related decisions. It is fundamental to our fellowship's decision-making process. It is not, however, merely a euphemism for “voting” and is not itself the NA decision making process.” – Guide to Local Services p. 119
“Just as we seek the strongest possible spiritual unity in Narcotics Anonymous, so in our decision-making we seek unanimity, not merely a majority vote. The more care we take in our considerations, the more likely we are to arrive at unanimity, and no vote will be needed to help us translate our group conscience into a collective decision.” – Essay on the 6th Concept

25. What is required? The process of CBDM takes a strong facilitator.
To participate in CBDM, we need to remain flexible and be a good listener.
Open-mindedness is the key.
Whatever the outcome of discussion, everyone needs to be ready to shoulder the load to do the work involved to implement the decision.
As our Basic Text says, “All that is required is willingness. All that is essential is that we open the door to a Power greater than ourselves.” p.25