Tools for Consensus

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• Meeting Procedure:
  • Before meeting:
    • Choose a facilitator.
    • Gather agenda items.
    • Delegate responsibilty for each item.
    • Divide into reports/decisions/anouncements.
    • Bring materials/supplies needed.
  • At meeting:
    • Connect (game, song, ritual, etc.).
    • Check-in/excitement sharing.
    • Review agenda items.
      • prioritize.
      • set times.
    • Choose roles (if not already).
      • facilitator.
      • vibeswatcher (or caretaker).
      • notetaker.
      • timekeeper.
    • Go through agenda.
      • easy items first (reports, then decisions).
  • Facilitation techniques:
    • decision-making process.
    • discussion, problem solving tools.
    • conflict, stress resolution techniques.
  • Announcements.
  • Set next meeting.
  • Evaluation.
  • Closing.
• Role of Facilitator:
  • Watches content of meeting.
  • May formulate agenda (beforehand).
  • Calls on speakers.
  • Helps group to:
    • clarify issues.
    • focus discussion.
    • prioritize.
    • bring out all viewpoints.
    • look for underlying agreement.
    • synthesize differences.
  • Restates proposals.
  • Formalizes decisions.
  • Equalize participation.
    • draws out quiet people.
    • limit talkers.
  • Uses facilitation techniques.
  • Stays neutral while facilitating.
• Role of Vibeswatcher:
  • Watches the process of meeting.
  • Senses underlying feelings.
    • check body language and tone of voice.
  • Stops bad process.
    • prevent domineering, guilt trips, interrupting, space-outs, insults.
  • Helps resolve conflict.
  • Helps work out negative emotions.
  • Suggests tools to improve meeting.
  • Sets an accepting tone.
  • Deals with distractions.
• Problem Solving Tools:
  • Brainstorms
  • Go-rounds
  • Small group discussions
  • Pairs/triads
  • Feeling sharing
  • Fishbolws
  • Roleplays
  • Participation equalizers
  • Evaluations (during and end)
  • Visual aids
  • Prioritization techniques
  • Strategy development
• Conflict Resolution Tools:
  • Matching and pacing
  • Active listening exercises
  • Fishbowls
  • Modelling of opposite viewpoints
  • Gripes session
  • Resentment sharing
  • Criticism/self criticism
• Stress Reduction Techniques:
  • Feeling sharing
  • Singing
  • Humor
  • Affirmation
  • Calm voice
  • Deep breathing
  • Silence
  • Back rubs
  • Eye contact
  • Breaks, games
• Brainstorm Principles:
  In a brainstorm, the group thinks together, like one collective brain. In and of itself, therefore, it is a good way to appreciate our neural inter-connectedness and synergy.
  • Say whatever occurs to you that is relevant to the question.
  • Don’t explain or defend your ideas.
  • Don’t judge or discuss the ideas of others.