Study Topic: Consensus, Wed. 7pm Union Hall

[Jim C]

~ Learn about Consensus: Teach-in/workshop 7pm Wednesday, Union Hall (signs will be up on the doors to point the way to the room we'll be using) ~

Howdy folks, after the rousing discussion about the consensus process at Sunday's GA, we decided to hold a teach-in/workshop about consensus. The teach-in/workshop will be held on Wednesday night at 7pm. I don't know how long it will run, at least an hour, but hopefully not more than two. We will decide at that teach-in what the next step will be.

The goal of this particular teach-in will be to introduce people to the consensus process. This isn't intended to be a training for facilitators or moderators, instead an opportunity to learn about consensus, and how to mold it to fit a particular group's needs. If the group is interested, it could morph into a working group to study consensus in the Occupy model, and develop a proposal to the GA for a particular form of modified consensus. Once/if the GA agrees on a form, then it will be taught to OccupyMissoula and it's GA participants and facilitators.

We'll be using the book "Formal Consensus" (previously named "On Consensus and Conflict: A Handbook on Formal Consensus Decisionmaking") by C. T. Butler and Amy Rothstein. Here is a link to a pdf copy of the book you can print out and bring along: occupymissoula.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/on-conflict-and-consensus2.pdf. And here is a link to an online html version: www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/.

The authors of this book are the acknowledged leaders in building consensus processes coming out of the Food Not Bombs Collective, and C.T. currently is assisting the Occupy movement in strengthening its consensus decision making forms. You can visit his website for more information: www.consensus.net

In addition to this book, there is a video from OccupyWallStreet about their consensus process that Jay was talking about at the GA. It is 40 minutes long so we may or may not watch it at this session, but it is great stuff to watch in preparation: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WfTf2db6YfI

It is our hope that people will contribute their own understandings of consensus, and bring their experiences and material to this teach-in to share.

-jim

[sara]

Excellent job of pulling this together. I'll be there and would like to mention one small housekeeping type comment. It seems to me that it is very kind of the the Union to let us use this room for Occupy activities. Since it is getting quite chilly these days, I suspect that keeping that room toasty might be a significant expense. My suggestion is to dress warmly so that the heater does not need to come on often which will also cut back on the noise factor. Just my two bits worth. See you Wednesday.

[Jim C]

Hi Sara. I think we'll be using one of the conference rooms in the basement of Union Hal, so we don't have to worry about schedule conflicts, or putting a small group in a big room and having to heat it. Thanks to Mark at the CLC for facilitating getting a room! See you there. -jim

[Jim C]

This weeks Consensus study group will meet at 7pm at the Union Hall. Look for a sign on the left most door to direct you to the room we will be using.

We'll be going over the preface and first chapter of C.T. Butler's book on Conflict and Consensus. occupymissoula.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/on-conflict-and-consensus2.pdf

Here is the preface and chapter one: occupymissoula.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/preface-ch1.pdf

[sara]

I loved our meeting tonight and the way little windows are opening up in my head, letting in some sweet breezes and what-not. I plan to spend most of tomorrow at the encampment and look forward to seeing some of you there. sara

[vicki]

A group of us have met on Wednesday nights for several months to study consensus decision making. We used the book On Conflict and Consensus: A Handbook on Formal Consensus by C.T. Butler (of Food Not Bombs fame) and Amy Rothstein, 1987-2007. These weekly meetings began as a Teach-in and over time morphed into a work group focused on proposing to the Occupy Missoula GA that we adopt formal consensus as our decision making process.

At yesterday's GA we handed out hard copies of materials that summarize the consensus decision making process and principles for its use. Our intent is to give everyone time to read and digest the information before we propose adopting of this process and its principles at the February 26th GA. All are welcome to meet with the Consensus Work Group at the February 19th Working GA. Any questions, suggestions, amendments, or complaints could be discussed at that time.

The process described on these pages is pretty much what we have been doing in our GA's (our group includes people who often facilitate GA's.) The value we see in documenting this process and these principles is that we will have them available both as a reference and to help orient new people to Occupy Missoula meetings.

So, in case you were not at yesterday's GA, the six-page handout is also provided here. The materials can be seen as 2 parts. The first part describes in 3 pages how decisions are made in GA's (it includes a handy flow chart.) The second part is about principles, also in 3 pages. We adapted the principles in C.T. Butler's book. There was discussion, but no decision, at our last work group meeting about adopting Occupy Wall Street's Principles of Solidarity and Statement of Autonomy also. These are also attached.

If you have questions or comments about this material, please email the Occupy Missoula Discussion List (i.e., the listserve) or come to the February 19th Working Group GA.

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