Guidance

The objective is to reach stable decisions:

  • In general, that means supported by a consensus of members of the Forum/Work Group

  • It also means not strongly opposed by a sufficient subset of the members to cause decisions to be revisited

  • Do not interpret silence as agreement, and do not permit others to do so either

The consensus decision-making process not only seeks the agreement of most participants, but also resolves or mitigates the objections of the minority in order to achieve the most agreeable decision.

“Consensus” is usually defined as meaning both general agreement, and the process of reaching such agreement. The consensus decision-making process is thus concerned primarily with that process.

What is Consensus Decision-Making?

  • Inclusive – as many stakeholders as possible should be involved in the consensus decision-making process

  • Participatory – the consensus process should actively solicit the input and participation of all decision-makers

  • Cooperative – participants in an effective consensus process should strive to reach the best possible decision for the group and all of its members, rather than opt to pursue a majority opinion, potentially to the detriment of a minority

  • Egalitarian – all members of a consensus decision-making body should be afforded, as much as possible, equal input into the process

  • Solution-oriented – an effective consensus decision-making body strives to emphasize common agreement over differences and reach effective decisions using compromise and other techniques to avoid or resolve mutually-exclusive positions within the Forum/Work Group

Reasons to Avoid Voting

Voting is competitive, rather than cooperative, framing decision-making in a win/lose dichotomy that ignores the possibility of compromise or other potential solutions.

A majority decision reduces the commitment of each individual decision-maker to the decision.

Members of a minority position may have a sense of reduced responsibility for the ultimate decision.