Consensus: Quick
Top Tips
- If you know you will need quick consensus, appoint a facilitator and practice in advance;
- Know your limits, use a system you’re confident with, even if that’s not consensus.
Quick Consensus Example
1. The police have given us two minutes to leave or we’ll be arrested - any proposals?
2. I propose that we link arms and sit down
3. Any blocks? Yes - lots of us said beforehand that we didn’t want to get arrested. I propose we go. Any blocks to new proposal? No.
4. So the proposal is that we go.
5. Are there any stand asides? No. Everyone else happy? Yes
6. Everyone leaves.
In an action situation, a change of events means you need to make a quick decision. Basic consensus would take too long, so you need a pared down version of the process: quick consensus.
How it works
Once you’ve understood basic consensus, the quick method is easy to grasp. The discussion is stripped out and people come up with proposals straight away. It’s how those proposals are treated that is important.
1. Facilitator states/clarifies situation
2. Proposal
3. Any major objections?
If yes then that person must come up with a counter proposal. If no …
4. Restate the proposal
5. Any stand asides? Agreement?
6. Implement decision
Major Objections and Stand Asides
Major Objections
A major objection kills a proposal, dead - it is a veto. If this happens you need a new proposal (quick!). Some groups insist that before you can veto you must have a counter proposal. In this version a major objection can be a way of moving the discussion on. In other words you could veto a proposal simply because the group is failing to make a decision, not just for the moral reasons normally associated with a major objection. As long as your group is clear on the way the major objection is used, this isn’t a problem.
Stand Asides
As with the normal consensus process this means you are saying “I personally can’t do this, but I won’t stop others from doing it.” The person standing aside is not responsible for the consequences of the groups actions.
Practice examples
Try out these scenarios in your group to develop your quick consensus skills:
1. You are participating in an action with groundrules that include no property damage. Another group is preparing to spray-paint messages on one of the buildings. Meanwhile unbeknownst to them, a TV crew is setting up to film them (give yourself 1 min).
2. On a protest, you are moved off the road by the police and threatened with arrest. You notice that you could sneak back onto the road (2 mins).
3. One member of your group wants to leave the protest now. The police are moving in to arrest everyone (1 min).
