1. Reaching Consensus

3. “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. (1967)

6. What is Consensus??? Consensus is finding an acceptable proposal that all members can support.  achieved when a group of individuals with a common goal agree to support activities necessary to achieve that goal even if that agreement flies in the face of the wishes of individual members of the group  facilitated when leadership is strong

7. Consensus is not… A unanimous vote A majority vote Everyone 100% satisfied

8. Consensus requires… Time Active participation by all Good listening and communication skills by all Open-mindedness Creative thinking

9. What is Consensus Building? Led by an unbiased facilitator/leader 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

10. 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

11. 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 decision at this time.”

12. 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

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