A Consensus Handbook by Seeds for Change & Max Hertzberg & Rebecca Smith & Rhiannon Westphal

Author:Seeds for Change & Max Hertzberg & Rebecca Smith & Rhiannon Westphal [Seeds for Change]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Consensus Facilitation Meetings Grassroots activists Community Co-operatives Conflict Democracy Society Direct Action Spokescouncils, Consensus Decision Making guide
Publisher: Seeds for Change
Published: 2013-05-01T10:52:58+00:00

Our group is biased towards the status quo

In any group there can be a resistance to change, with some people using the decision making process to consistently stifle new initiatives and to maintain the status quo.

Many people are afraid of change and can feel challenged by new people wanting to introduce new ways of doing things. It can be hard to overcome this, but consensus should not be used to prevent innovation. Rather it can help to accommodate both the wish for change and the wish to protect that which is well proved and working. If new ideas aren’t being accepted then ultimately people will get frustrated and leave the group. At the same time it is well worth taking into account people’s experience - there may be very good reasons why they are opposing something.

Some ideas to try:

A sub group could go ahead with a project without everyone being involved.

A trial period for a new way of doing things, with a built in review process.

Identify what it is that people are afraid of and find solutions.

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