About Consensus Decision Making

Formal Consensus Decision Making has a clearly defined structure and process. It requires a commitment to active cooperation, disciplined speaking and listening, and respect for every member. Thus differences and conflicting viewpoints can be expressed in a way that they can contribute to constructing a final outcome.

In Consensus Decision Making a three step process for consideration of proposals moves carefully through each step allowing everyone’s concerns, interests, or objections to be folded into the development of consensus at each step of the way. The use of strictly timed agendas produced by the agenda committee and proposals developed in detail through the use of subcommittees provide for an open atmosphere that gives every participant opportunity to talk about their issues and viewpoints.

The Land Use and Transportation Study Coordinating Group has been trained in Formal Consensus Decision Making and is growing steadily in the perfection of its practice. They have also consented to eleven Standards of operation and the set of rules for Formal Consensus.

Information about Formal Consensus Decision Making can be found at www.consensus.net/ocaccontents.html or by reaching its author, C.T. Lawrence Butler at ctbutler@together.net or 1-800-569-4054.