Decisions at Odonata Ecovillage are made through consensus, using a tried and tested model developed by the Winslow Cohousing community. The model uses colored consensus cards to organize thoughts and aid communication. We also are committed to learning conscious communication skills and to helping each other grow more mindful in relationship and community.
Absent members agree to accept consensus decisions made during their leave of absence, and are responsible for being current with the progress of the initiative upon returning to full participation.
Consensus is a decision-making process that works creatively to include all persons making the decision. Instead of simply voting for an item, and having the majority of the group getting their way, the group is committed to finding solutions that everyone can live with. This ensures that everyone’s opinions, ideas and reservations are taken into account. But consensus is more than just a compromise. It is a process that can result in surprising and creative solutions – often better than the original suggestions.
Methods
Members of a group must be able to communicate when making decisions – sharing information, values, opinions and feelings. It is important that people be able to understand and respect each other when these aspects of communication present differences.
The Winslow Cohousing group created a color card system for use in group process which provides an organized way for different aspects of discussion to be addressed. Each type of communication- questions, clarifications, process observations, opinions and acknowledgements- is addressed through a non-linear facilitation tool which assigns a colored card to each aspect of discussion.
There are 5 different colors, each with a meaning and order in which they will be recognized in the group facilitation process. The color card system helps participants in a consensus process structure their thoughts before airing them to the group. It inherently brings order to what can be the chaotic process of many hearts and minds trying to come to mutually acceptable decisions.
Members first identify their responses and then communicate by selecting the card which relates to their input. The card is raised by the communicant and is recognized by the facilitator in the appropriate order. By raising a card instead of a hand (or a voice!), the facilitator and group as a whole are given a tool to visually and calmly address the needs of each member, and a common language for doing so.
Since the process of discussing information is different in nature than coming to consensus, two sides of the colored cards are used – one side marked for discussion, the other for decisions.
Discussion Cards
Here are descriptions of the Discussion Cards:
(Listed in the order in which they would be recognized)
- RED: Process observation (e.g., discussion is off topic, call to refocus etc.)
- GREEN: Answer – I can provide clarification or information pertinent to a question raised.
- YELLOW: Question – I have a question or need clarification.
- BLUE: Comment – I have an opinion or comment.
- ORANGE: Acknowledgement – I appreciate your contribution (thank you!)
How It Works
A proposal is presented about common house design, for example. At the end of the presentation, six cards go up – 3 yellow, one green and 2 blues. The green is recognized first (as the order indicates) and that person adds some extra information, which causes one of the yellow cards to drop (question answered). Then the first yellow card is addressed, which generates another green card, which answers the question and then the second yellow card is addressed and another 2 green cards go up. One is addressed and then the other goes down (they were going to share the same information). All yellow cards are down now, so the blue cards begin to be addressed etc.
Decision Cards
Here are descriptions of the Decision Cards:
(Listed in the order in which they would be recognized)
- YELLOW: Question – I have a question before I make a decision
- GREEN: Agree – I agree with the proposal.
- BLUE: Neutral – I am neutral and have some slight reservation.
- ORANGE: Serious Reservation – I disagree, but will not block consensus.
- RED: Block – I feel the proposal would be bad for the group (only available to full members).
How It Works
As the discussion on common house design winds down, the facilitator (or a member) notices that we are close to a decision on the topic. The facilitator asks the circle for a summary of what has been said, and a proposal based on that discussion. The facilitator and the circle will refine the wording of that proposal, until all feel that the statement has accurately captured the circle’s sentiment.
Then, the facilitator will call for a consensus vote, avoiding language with any prejudgment of outcome. Instead of “Let’s see your green cards!” which subtly discourages any dissent, use something akin to “Consider the proposal as stated, and choose the consensus card which most closely reflects your position.”
Yellow cards must be resolved before the vote can proceed. If all cards are Green, Blue or Orange, the consensus decision has been accepted, and should be highlighted in the meeting minutes. If any red cards appear, the circle should investigate the reason for the block, and resolve it (to an Orange card or “better”. If it cannot be resolved, further research may be required, and the decision may have to be tabled for a future meeting.
Blocking Consensus
Blocking consensus is a serious matter that requires a high level of personal responsibility. Sometimes an individual may disagree with what is otherwise a united judgment on an issue. If the disagreement is serious enough, and the member feels the decision would be wrong for the group, then that individual may choose to block consensus. Blocking is a serious act that lets the group know more time is needed to reach consensus if a decision is to come forward that more fully represents the needs of everyone. Many groups have a reconciliation process where a small designated group can meet with a person who has blocked consensus. Together they creatively work on resolution – a new proposal is crafted and returned to the group consensus process. People who find their perspective is consistently and markedly different from the rest of the group may need to evaluate if this is a group where they belong. In some cases, this may result in someone leaving the group to find another group of more like-minded people.
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