Making Decisions by Consensus

At Peace Community Church, the congregation deliberates and acts through a consensus process.

 

Consensus is an alternative to Roberts Rules of Order for groups making decisions. In Roberts Rules of Order, various motions are made and seconded. After a period of discussion, a vote is taken on that motion. A motion passes if 50 percent of voters, plus one, vote in favor of that motion. In some instances, a higher number of votes is needed for a motion to pass.

 

When voting by consensus, one or more individuals bring a proposal to the group. Discussion follows. For it to be approved, there can be no votes against the proposal. The hope in making decisions by consensus is that the entire group feels good about the decisions made, rather than leaving as winners and losers.

 

There must be enough time and respect for each other to allow a full discussion of the proposal. During the course of the discussion, the proposal may be modified by the individual(s) making the original proposal. It is also important that the person leading the meeting makes sure that everyone has the opportunity to speak to the proposal, especially if there is a sense of opposition.

 

After an adequate time for discussion, the leader of the meeting calls for consensus by asking if anyone wants to block consensus. Blocking consensus means one or more people are unwilling to let the proposal be approved. If consensus is blocked, then the leader of the group asks those who are blocking consensus if there is a way the proposal can be modified that would resolve their objections. After more discussion, the leader calls for consensus on the proposed modifications, if any. Suppose someone blocks consensus on the modified proposal. In that case, the leader asks for one or two representatives from among those who supported and opposed the original proposal to enter into a time of negotiations to determine if the proposal can be modified in such a way that would bring consensus. The group will set a time later on in the meeting or for another meeting to learn if the negotiators arrived at a modified proposal to present to the rest of the group. If the negotiators are not able to arrive at a modified proposal to present to the group, that is reported and the original proposal fails. If the negotiators arrive at a modified proposal, the leader will call for consensus after discussing the modified proposal. If someone blocks consensus on the modified proposal, the negotiations start again.

 

Alternatively, anyone may stand aside. This means a person may have some objections to or concerns about the proposal, but doesn’t feel it is necessary to block consensus. In other words, the person can live with the proposal, though they might not regard themselves as a supporter of the proposal. After the leader asks if anyone wishes to block consensus, and there is no one who does, the leader then checks for consensus by asking something like “Do we have consensus?” At that point, anyone wishing to stand aside states the intention to do so. It is usually helpful to the group, but not required, if that person states their reason for doing so, if they have not already made it clear during the discussion. If there are several people who stand aside, there may need to be more discussion before consensus is approved. The group needs to learn why so many people are standing aside. It is probably an indication that the proposal needs some modification. If no one chooses to block consensus and there is comfort in the group about those standing aside, then the leader calls for consensus. Some kind of affirmative sign needs to be made by each member who is not standing aside (a nod of the head, thumbs-up, verbal affirmation, etc.). If no one has blocked consensus, then the proposal is approved. 

 

For consensus to work the way it should, it is imperative that all voices are given a chance to be heard. It is hard for one voice to speak in opposition to a proposal that might have overwhelming support from the rest of the group. But it is necessary that such a voice be raised and be taken seriously by the rest of the group. The person who is leading the discussion should be careful to provide the opportunity for all voices to be heard, but the ultimate responsibility to make sure all voices have been heard lies with the collective. After some discussion, the person may decide to withdraw his or her objection, but they may not. The group may discern some wisdom in the objection and decide to modify the proposal.

 

The ultimate goal of consensus is to discern the will of the entire body, not the will of the majority of the group. We believe that working to achieve consensus will help discern the movement of the Spirit in us and among us.