1. JHU School of Education Consensus Building

2. What is consensus building? Led by an unbiased facilitator All members contribute resources, ideas, and opinions Everyone has a chance to share their feelings Everyone can paraphrase the issue Involves a longer time-frame Compromise is reached All share in the final decision

3. Rules for Consensus Decision-Making Avoid arguing for your own position Don’t assume someone must lose and someone must win at stalemate positions. Look for the next most acceptable alternative. Don’t change your mind just to avoid conflict. Avoid conflict-reducing techniques like majority vote, averages, coin toss, or bargaining. Seek out differences of opinion. Robert Garmston, Facilitation Associates, 337 Guadalupe Drive, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, 916-933-2727

4. Consensus means that every member can say… “I believe that you understand my point of view and that I understand yours.” “Whether or not I prefer the group decision, I support it because it was Reached fairly and openly The best decisions at this time.”

5. Consensus building does not mean that… Someone loses and someone wins The final decision is the first choice of everyone A unanimous vote is attained Everyone agrees You change your mind just to avoid conflict

6. If consensus is not possible … Look for the next most acceptable alternative. As the administrator, you can make an executive decision.

7. Resources A Vote for Consensus http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/example/shea6284.htm http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/example/shea6284.htm Consensus Building http://www.nps.gov/phso/rtcatoolbox/dec_consensus.htm http://www.nps.gov/phso/rtcatoolbox/dec_consensus.htm Consensus Decision Making http://ellis.melton.com/meetings/Consensus.html http://ellis.melton.com/meetings/Consensus.html