Episode #8 Voting Shift: Consensus Decision Making

[Judge Sam]

I. Introduction
II. Explanation 1
III. Explanation 2
IV. Proposals
V. Jobs
VI. The Final Vote
VII. Additional Info
VIII. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

This week's voting shift is consensus decision making, a process by which a group of people come together to seek the agreement of most participants on an issue. They additionally seek the resolution of minority objections to reach a consensus where nearly all of the participants agree on a course of action. Some organizations which use consensus to achieve a solution include the Quakers, Wikipedia, and the nation of the Iroquois Indians.


A lot of work has gone into writing this up, making it as easy to read and simple as possible. Please take your time reading it and read through it twice to understand everything. It is simple in concept but some of the exact rules require a little explanation.


EXPLANATION 1

The premise is simple. The group will come together and, working in harmony by respecting each others opinions and viewpoints, all agree on one person to Exile. During the consensus-reaching process, all players will treat each other with respect, give each other equal time to speak, appreciate and understand others' opinions, calmly discuss a course of action, resolve and incorporate objections and concerns, and finally all come together to decide what is best for the group as a whole.

As a decision-making process, consensus decision-making aims to be:

• Inclusive and Participatory: All people should be fully involved in the consensus decision-making process. The consensus process should actively solicit the input and participation of all people.
  
  
• Cooperative: Participants in an effective consensus process should strive to reach the best possible decision for the group and all of its members, rather than opt to pursue a majority opinion, potentially to the detriment of a minority.
  
  
• Egalitarian: All members should be afforded, as much as possible, equal input into the process. All members have the opportunity to present, amend and veto or "block" proposals.
  
  
• Solution-oriented: An effective consensus decision-making body strives to emphasize common agreement over differences and reach effective decisions using compromise and other techniques to avoid or resolve mutually-exclusive positions within the group.
  

It's that simple! With effective communication, a healthy debate of ideas, and a logical presentation of points, the group should be able to come to a decision on who to Exile with which nearly all people agree with. Please use common sense and understanding when incorporating the rules procedure of this process. While the rules need to be followed, refrain from rules-lawyering. Be understanding of small misconceptions or mistakes. The explanation for the process is lengthy enough without me having to type up 15 pages to cover up every loophole and eventuality.


While the idea is simple, some of the methods for reaching consensus can take a little bit getting used to. With that in mind, please reread the following section twice so you are aware with how proposals are made.

[Judge Sam]

EXPLANATION 2

1) Formation of a proposal: Based on the discussion a formal decision proposal on the issue is presented to the group.

2) Identification and addressing of concerns: Dissenters present their concerns on the proposal. These concerns may be incorporated into an adjusted proposal.

3) Vote for consensus: The facilitator of the decision-making body calls for consensus on the proposal. Each member of the group must actively state their agreement or disagreement with the proposal.

4) Identification and addressing of concerns: If consensus is not achieved, each dissenter presents his or her concerns on the proposal, potentially starting another round of discussion to address or clarify the concern.

5) Modification of the proposal: The proposal is amended or re-phrased in an attempt to address the concerns of the objectors. The process then returns to the call for consensus and the cycle is repeated until a satisfactory decision is made or the proposal dropped.

PROPOSALS

The process of reaching a consensus is wrapped up entirely in proposals. Proposals are your main tool for the entire meeting. It's as simple as this: a proposal is made. If it is accepted, then it goes into immediate effect. If 3 people vote against the proposal (BLOCK), then it is immediately rejected.

Anybody may suggest proposals. The Facilitator will call for votes on proposals if three people support one. If you support someone else's proposal and think it should be voted on, just say you support it.

But what am I going to suggest as a proposal? As said, it can be anything. Most proposals will have to do with how you communicate with each other to reach consensus. The last proposal will be the one that Exiles the person agreed upon. If you are looking for ideas, some example proposals you might suggest include:

1. How the consensus process works:

Proposal: Maximum ten minutes of discussion on any proposal.
Proposal: Don't change the subject when someone else is explaining their idea.
Proposal: Cast proposal votes in bold so they are easier to see.

2. Regarding jobs people have during the decision making process. for a description of jobs continue reading).

Proposal: Abolish or add a certain job.
Proposal: Change the rules of any job.
Proposal: Kick someone out from their job, replace them with someone else.

(remember these are proposals you may suggest and vote into law, none of these happen just by themselves unless you agree to them)

3. Reprimand someone for not following the rules of the consensus decision-making process.

Proposal: Any person not actively participating or failing to vote for proposals multiple times in a row will be reprimanded.
Proposal: Any person who is acting belligerent, nasty, or excessively insulting will be reprimanded.
Proposal: With two reprimands a person is eligible to be put on probation - they are unable to talk for a set time limit, are still allowed to vote on proposals.

These are just ideas to get your brain going, obviously not as many will be proposed and passed. This is all up to you! You will frame how you reach your decision.

Here is what you CAN NOT CHANGE with proposals:

1. The fact that 3 people can block any proposal. This can't be changed. This is key - if you do not want a proposal to take effect say BLOCK.
2. You cannot take away any person's vote by proposal. You can put them on probation a maximum of twice but the maximum time limit for that is 15 minutes.
3. You can't kick people out of the meeting.


VERY IMPORTANT: in order to block any proposal, at least 3 people MUST vote against the proposal. That is all it takes - 3 people and no proposal. Remember this number. Three is the magic number. It takes 3 people to suggest a proposal come to a vote. It takes 3 people to block a proposal.

Okay so next I need to tell you about jobs before I continue talking about the proposal process.

[Judge Sam]

JOBS

The consensus decision-making process often has several jobs which are designed to make the process run more effectively.

This meeting will have the following job:

• Facilitator: As the name implies, the job of the facilitator is to help make the process of reaching a consensus decision easier. Facilitators ensure the group adheres to the mutually agreed-upon mechanics of the consensus process; and, if necessary, suggesting alternate or additional discussion or decision-making techniques.
  
  The Facilitator has a lot of power to consensually guide the discussion and keep everything in an orderly manner. They also are the one that calls for votes on proposals. They must present all proposals agreed upon by at least three people to the group.
  
  
• Timekeeper: The purpose of the timekeeper is to ensure the decision-making body keeps everything moving along at a satisfactory pace. Effective timekeepers use a variety of techniques to ensure the meeting runs on time including: giving frequent time updates, ample warning of short time, and keeping individual speakers from taking an excessive amount of time.
  
  The Timekeeper has a very important job of keeping things moving in time, of gently ending discussions which are straying away or unlikely to end constructively, of calling for votes on proposals and ensuring everything moves along at a brisk pace. IMPORTANT: The Timekeeper also pokes people in individual AIM windows to cast their vote on proposals or participate. This is very important!
  
  Timekeeper: Kirsten
  
  
• Empath: The empath, or 'vibe watch' as the position is sometimes called, is charged with monitoring the 'emotional climate' of the meeting. Defusing potential emotional conflicts, maintaining a climate free of intimidation and being aware of potentially destructive power dynamics, such as sexism or racism within the decision-making body, are the primary responsibilities of the empath.
  
  The Empath must also work to avoid what I like to call 'clique-ism.' Everyone has equal worth, equal opinions, and should be given equal consideration, regardless of their personality, outspokenness, membership in an exclusive club, friendships with others, or suspicion of spy/citizen identity. It is the Empath's job to fight cliques which may seek to control the decision making process.
  
  
• Note taker: The job of the notes taker is to document the decisions, discussion and action points of the decision-making body. The note-taker will make a post on the board. In it they will type up each proposal and the result of the proposal - success or failure. They may also write the vote count or who voted against it is up to them.
  
  Note Taker: Ariel
  
  
• Questioner to Sam: This person sends all questions via IM to Sam who otherwise will rarely intervene. It is up to them to decide which questions to ask though others are encouraged to make suggestions.
  
  Questioner to Sam: Levi
  
  
• Devil's Advocate - In a decision which seems to be unanimous or has overwhelming support, this person should opt to present possible objections, bring up points against the current status quo, and introduce facts or opinions which may lead to the rejection of a proposal. This person is free to vote on proposals however they like.
  

New topics have been created to decide who gets three of these job. Three of these job have already been decided by someone who won that right as a reward in Challenge #7.


Timekeeper: Kirsten
Note Taker: Ariel
Questioner to Sam: Levi

Even if you received this job you are allowed to have another job, but you cannot have two of the other three jobs.

[Judge Sam]

THE FINAL VOTE:

At any time a player may make a proposal calling for a final vote. They would propose: "Should ____ be Exiled?" All in favor say yea, all against say nay. For this proposal to pass, it must pass with the support of all but two people just like all proposals, if three people vote no, it does not pass.

Two differences though:

However, in this case, the person who it is suggested should be Exiled AUTOMATICALLY VOTES against the proposal, even if they are not in the chat. Therefore only two additional nay votes are required, should two people object the proposal is immediately rejected.

EVERYONE MUST VOTE YEA/NAY IN THIS PROPOSAL VOTE. If there are 12 people, then 10 people must vote yea in chat for that person to be Exiled. There is also no time limit for this proposal, though you can't drag proposals from hours ago to count, if it's been long enough there must be another vote.

Any proposals changing the rules on the FINAL VOTE must be approved by Sam. Unless special situations occur, it is unlikely these rules will change, however you may try by passing a successful proposal and then having the Questioner ask me.


ADDITIONAL INFO

There are no penalty votes of any kind for this round.

If you are disconnected from the chat room try and return as soon as possible. This does not disqualify you.

Remember the magic number is three. Three votes to start a proposal, three votes to block any proposal. However, if people start leaving the chat, then this number gets smaller. I will reinforce which number is the 'magic number' in chat if it changes. At that point you simply will exchange three for two pretty much everywhere it says that.

14,13,12,11,10: 3 required to block
9,8,7,6: 2 required to block
5,4,3,2,1: 1 required to block

If six or less players are left, then the auto-vote of someone not present no longer counts.


CONCLUSION

In conclusion, treat each other with respect and dignity and follow through with things in a common-sense manner. Try not to rules-lawyer, this explanation posts are long enough no one wants to read 15 additional pages to cover every loophole or possible eventuality. If you do this everything should go smoothly!