"DIA is the most practical, energizing women's group I know! I love our consensus model."
"We can disagree with respect! We can speak openly. It takes time, but when we reach consensus, we're ready to act."
"We can disagree with respect! We can speak openly. It takes time, but when we reach consensus, we're ready to act."
Democracy in Action Norms
Democracy in Action integrates the strength of the circle based on respect for ourselves, each other and the group. There is an understanding and recognition among us that each participant is valued equally and shares responsibility for the effectiveness of the organization.We respect the Individual's:
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Right to diverse opinions
Right to speak and to be heard
Privilege to listen to one another
We respect the Process:
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It is organic, ever-changing , and sometimes ambiguous
It is spontaneous and energetic
It requires time and discussion to reach optimum outcomes
We respect the Group by:
Recognizing the value of collaboration and that each woman's contribution is honored as part of our collective goal of working toward a better world.Speaker Responsibilities:
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Speak clearly and concisely
Speak to the topic on the floor
Voice concerns
Listener Responsibilities:
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Listen with full attention and refrain from side conversation
Allow the speaker to finish
Facilitator Responsibilities:
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Restate, reflect, and clarify
Monitor, nurture, and protect the process
Summarize and provide closure
Call for silence or break for discussion if necessary
Guidelines for Consensus Decision Making
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Keep power in the center of the circle and not with individuals
All insights, positions, and concerns are valid and encouraged. Critiquing of issues and opinions is not personal criticism, but promotes well-considered decisions.
Any member may "stand aside" from a decision
Any member may voice dissent. Such dissent will be recorded in the minutes, without attribution.
Decision is reached when there is no further discussion among the members present.
In the absence of consensus, a decision will be postponed. When discussion has resumed and there is still a split, the proposal will be deferred or subject to the Conflict Resolution Model.
Consensus takes time which is well-spent because proposal that are wholeheartedly agreed to by a group are carried out wholeheartedly. The process requires maturity and flexibility, along with willingness to give way for the good of the group, to listen rather than hold forth, to invent rather than insist.
Facilitators will keep discussion on topic, call for a "go-around" silence or a break when needed.
