Better Online Discussions - Revision history

Rfs at 20:21, 6 July 2010

2010-07-06T20:21:59Z

Matteo: wikifi

2006-11-28T07:59:44Z

wikifi

MichaelWestwind: Category:Howto

2005-09-03T16:10:08Z

Category:Howto

Rfs at 01:33, 23 December 2004

2004-12-23T01:33:25Z

Rfs at 01:32, 23 December 2004

2004-12-23T01:32:37Z

Rfs at 01:31, 23 December 2004

2004-12-23T01:31:57Z

New page

0. State timeframes on process points.

a. "I'm making this proposal. Please comment on it and offer
you ammendments before Tuesday, when I plan to call for
consensus."

1. Take some of the discussion off the list, so as not to flood
the list with so much email it becomes difficult to read.

a. "I'm taking ammendments and comments on this proposal.
Please reply offlist, and I'll post back a summary."

b. "We seem to disagree on this. Let's talk offlist, and see if
we can come to some kind of agreement without wasting other
people's time."

This may also help build a cooperative rather than combative
relationship between the people involved.

2. Use active listening techniques to make sure everyone
understands each other.

a. "You seem to be saying [X]. Did I get that right? Can you
restate my position, so I know you understand me?"

FIXME: Include some links to active listening resources.

3. Be an active "mood checker" or "vibes watcher" or whatever you
want to call it.

a. "Things seem to be getting a little tense here. Everyone
should take a little time before responding."

For a list of all the roles that are needed to make consensus work
(including the vibeswatcher) check Starhawk's page on consensus at
http://www.starhawk.org/activism/trainer-resources/consensus.html

4. No proposal bombing. When we get to the point where we're
making proposals and calling for consensus, put off introducing
new subjects until the old ones are resolved.

a. "I'm calling for consensus on the proposal now. Could
everyone stay on this topic so we can get it out the door,
before moving on to other matters?"

5. Choose a facilitator for the onlist discussion. The
facilitor's job is to help the group move through the proposals being
discussed in an orderly and efficient manner, and to make sure everyone
gets a chance to be heard. Also, the facilitator should make certain
that timelines are spelled out for each step fo the process and followed.

6. Observe good netiquette. (i.e. Limit or eliminate
cross-posting, opting for posting links. Keep personal messages
off list. Etc.)

7. Don't just critcize everything. Make sure that you're working
from a postive stance as often as possible.

8. Limit the number of proposals that are open at any given time
to one or two. No more. Wait for an opening if the list traffic
gets overwhelming.

9. Be careful with humor, especially sarcasm, which can easily be
misinterpreted if tensions are running high. If you are feeling the
least bit spiteful, be aware that it will show through in your humor and
create more animosity on the list. On the other hand, actual (spite
free) humor can lighten the mood and break tension.

10. When you sign off the list for a while, don't do it silently.
Always drop a line saying why you're taking off and when you'll
be back. Unexplained absences can cause stress when people expect
you to weigh in, or if people might think you've dropped out when
you haven't.

a. "I'm going on vacation. Be back in two weeks."

b. "I'm getting tired of the signal to noise ratio. I'm taking
a break for the next three days."

The second of the two examples should trigger list members to
review the stress level of the list. If it's two high, it should
be toned down before more people drop off.

12. Ask for mediation from another participant that you trust if you
feel you're not being listened to.

13. Be clear and maybe a bit formal when calling for consensus
and when stating, restating, or ammending proposals. People need
to be able to look back at the actual proposal and determine what
was, in fact, decided.

14. Approach all subjects with an open mind. Try to understand
the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room
for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:21, 6 July 2010
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	# Approach all subjects with an open mind. Try to understand the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.		# Approach all subjects with an open mind. Try to understand the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.

−	[[Category:~~Howto~~]]	+	[[Category: Procedures]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-. State timeframes on process points.
+# State timeframes on process points.
+#* "I'm making this proposal. Please comment on it and offer you ammendments before Tuesday, when I plan to call for consensus."
-           a. "I'm making this proposal. Please comment on it and offer
+#Take some of the discussion off the list, so as not to flood the list with so much email it becomes difficult to read.
-           you ammendments before Tuesday, when I plan to call for
+#* "I'm taking ammendments and comments on this proposal. Please reply offlist, and I'll post back a summary."
-           consensus."
+#* "We seem to disagree on this. Let's talk offlist, and see if we can come to some kind of agreement without wasting other people's time."
+#:This may also help build a cooperative rather than combative relationship between the people involved.
+# Use active listening techniques to make sure everyone understands each other.
-. Take some of the discussion off the list, so as not to flood
+#* "You seem to be saying [X]. Did I get that right? Can you restate my position, so I know you understand me?"
-the list with so much email it becomes difficult to read.
+#: FIXME: Include some links to active listening resources.
+# Be an active "mood checker" or "vibes watcher" or whatever you want to call it.
-           a. "I'm taking ammendments and comments on this proposal.
+#* "Things seem to be getting a little tense here. Everyone should take a little time before responding."
-           Please reply offlist, and I'll post back a summary."
+#: For a list of all the roles that are needed to make consensus work (including the vibeswatcher) check Starhawk's page on consensus at http://www.starhawk.org/activism/trainer-resources/consensus.html
+#No proposal bombing. When we get to the point where we're making proposals and calling for consensus, put off introducing new subjects until the old ones are resolved.
-           b. "We seem to disagree on this. Let's talk offlist, and see if
+#* "I'm calling for consensus on the proposal now. Could everyone stay on this topic so we can get it out the door, before moving on to other matters?"
-           we can come to some kind of agreement without wasting other
+# Choose a facilitator for the onlist discussion. The facilitor's job is to help the group move through the proposals being discussed in an orderly and efficient manner, and to make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard. Also, the facilitator should make certain that timelines are spelled out for each step fo the process and followed.
-           people's time."
+# Observe good netiquette.
+#* (i.e. Limit or eliminate cross-posting, opting for posting links. Keep personal messages off list. Etc.)
-This may also help build a cooperative rather than combative
+# Don't just critcize everything. Make sure that you're working from a postive stance as often as possible.
-relationship between the people involved.
+# Limit the number of proposals that are open at any given time to one or two. No more. Wait for an opening if the list traffic gets overwhelming.
+# Be careful with humor, especially sarcasm, which can easily be misinterpreted if tensions are running high. If you are feeling the least bit spiteful, be aware that it will show through in your humor and create more animosity on the list. On the other hand, actual (spite free) humor can lighten the mood and break tension.
+# When you sign off the list for a while, don't do it silently. Always drop a line saying why you're taking off and when you'll be back. Unexplained absences can cause stress when people expect you to weigh in, or if people might think you've dropped out when you haven't.
-. Use active listening techniques to make sure everyone
+#* "I'm going on vacation. Be back in two weeks."
-understands each other.
+#* "I'm getting tired of the signal to noise ratio. I'm taking a break for the next three days."
+#: The second of the two examples should trigger list members to review the stress level of the list. If it's two high, it should be toned down before more people drop off.
-           a. "You seem to be saying [X]. Did I get that right? Can you
+# Ask for mediation from another participant that you trust if you feel you're not being listened to.
-           restate my position, so I know you understand me?"
+# Be clear and maybe a bit formal when calling for consensus and when stating, restating, or ammending proposals. People need to be able to look back at the actual proposal and determine what was, in fact, decided.
+# Approach all subjects with an open mind. Try to understand the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.
 [[Category:Howto]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 3 September 2005
Line 95:		Line 95:
	the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room		the other person's point of view before responding. Leave room
	for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.		for using their vantage point to make your proposal a better one.
		+
		+	[[Category:Howto]]