A Process and a Product
"Consensus decision-making" refers to both a process, reaching a decision, and a final product, the decision.
The process is one in which everyone is respected and all contributions are valued.
When a problem or opportunity is identified, a proposed solution or plan is developed and presented at a community meeting. The decision on the proposal is usually amend, adopt, refer back to committee, or reject. The objective of discussion is to understand any objections to the proposal and to improve the proposal.
Members are expected to raise any concerns and objections in order to develop a proposal based on the intelligence of everyone in the room and to the extent possible addresses the needs of everyone in the room.
The criteria for consenting to the proposed decision is that given the goals and needs of the community, it is the best that can acheived at the moment. Members do not have to agree with the proposal in order to consent to its adoption.
The desired outcome of resolving concerns and improving the proposal is a decision acceptable to all even when it is not totally satisfactory.
Consensus is 100% consent, not necessarily 100% agreement.
Consensus, Not Compromise
Consensus decisions, however, are not compromises. Compromises can lead to results that satisfies no one. They are often short term, shallow decisions that have to be frequently renegotiated. If one partner wants a blue car and the other wants a yellow, a green car as a compromise is not likely to satisfy either person.
The process of resolving objections creatively is often avoided if compromise is the standard method used to make decisions. Each side is afraid of giving ground and a decision becomes a patchwork of give and take, not a wholistic, well-designed product.
A good consensus process is one in which the participants confront conficts and resolve them creatively to craft a good decision that is lasting because it is thorough in resolving conflicts and addressing needs as well as possible. It will meet the needs of all the decision-makers to the extent that they can "live with it."
Why in Cohousing?
The reason that consensus decison-making is used in cohousing is that it produces (1) better, more long-lasting decisions and (2) strengthens the community. The consensus process involves all members of the community and thus all their ideas, information, and creativity are used to fully develop a proposal. In a skilled group, with a skilled facilitator, consensus allows, and requires, conflicts to be dealt with openly and cooperatively.
When conflicts are confronted, the air is cleared and the problem resolved rather than suppressed. Everyone is given equal consideration, their needs are taken seriously, and honest efforts are made to address them. When each person feels included and respected, they will support a decision that may not be their first choice but they understand and respect their neighbors as their neighbors respect them. This support and respect builds an inclusive and supportive community.
The Requirements of Consensus Decision-Making
Consensus decision-making requires that those making the decision be able and willing to deliberate together. It takes time to hear from everyone, consider all their needs, and resolve any conflicts that arise. When a group is experienced and understands each other well, this process may be much shorter. Small groups may require less time. But difficult decisions take time.
Consensus also requires that a goup share a common aim. If one sub-group's aim is to hire a management company to manage the property, and another's aim is to have everyone involved in weekly tasks with no professional help, it is unlikely that a decision can be found to meet the desires of each group. In this case, the group may need to become two.
It is not unusual for forming groups to split, sometimes more than once, as different needs come to the surface. The splits usually occur around the location of the community — city or rural — or type of architecture — straw-bale or conventional frame constrcution. But even when splitting, the sub-groups can reach consensus on the need to form two groups and to support each other in reaching their different aims.
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