Topics for Mini-lessons on Consensus Process

Because the Council is the largest group at Free Geek to regularly use consensus, we have instituted a brief mini-training in consensus near the beginning of each meeting. The intention is to help the entire group become more skilled in the process. These are some potential topics for future lessons.

• Beyond the stack: other ways facilitators guide conversation.
• Understanding others' concerns. (Basically, listening techniques. The quick moral of this one is: the point is less to defend your point and "win" than to understand the other's position and concern and make sure it's addressed.)
• Preparing to present.
• What's a clarifying question?
• Pulling together an agenda.
• Subcommittees. (when to create them, giving authority, reporting back, dissolving them - or not)
• What to do if you don't feel understood.
• Capturing conversation in the minutes.
• Brainstorming. (when it's appropriate, basic groundrules)
• Stand asides vs. blocks. (ah, the ol' standby, but always relevant)
• When to call the question.