Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Principles of Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making (CODM)
Consensus and Unanimity
Participatory Decision-Making
Efficient Decision-Making Summary
2. The CODM Facilitator Role
Group Leadership
General Qualities of Effective Facilitators
The Facilitator's Primary Responsibilities
3. Final Decision Rules - What's Right for Your Group?
Person-in-Charge/Executive Committee
Majority Rule
Supermajority Rule
Unanimity
What Will Work Best for Your Group?
4. CODM Process Overview - The Seven Steps
An Outline of the Steps
Step 1: Frame the Topic
Step 2: Open Discussion
Step 3: Identify Underlying Concerns
Step 4: Collaborative Proposal Development
Step 5: Choose a Direction
Step 6: Synthesize a Final Proposal
Step 7: Closure
Modifying CODM
CODM Shortcuts
Spontaneous Resolution
Summary
5. Step 1: Framing the Issue
Collect Agenda Items
Clarify the Issue
Interview a Sample of Group Members
Identify and Delegate Pre-Meeting Research
Introduce the Discussion
6. Step 2: Facilitating Open Discussion
Inspire an Open-Minded, Creative Discussion
Provide Guidelines and Structure for the Discussion
Manage the Discussion
Support Full and Varied Participation
Record Ideas
Summary
7. Step 3: Identifying Underlying Concerns
Identify Stakeholders
Identify Underlying Concerns
Gather All the Concerns
Summary
8. Step 4: Collaborative Proposal Development
Describe the Collaborative Process
Select Root Ideas to Develop
Develop the Options
Facilitate Option Development
9. Step 5: Choosing a Direction
Check for Readiness to Choose a Direction
Analyze the Proposal Options
Preference Gradient Voting
10. Step 6: Synthesizing a Final Proposal
Review Any Unsatisfied Concerns
Identify Details That Might Improve the Proposal
Select Which Details to Include in the Proposal
Compose Final Wording for the Proposal and a Process for Deciding Unresolved Details
Improvising the Steps to a Final Proposal
11. Step 7: Closure
Apply the Group's Final Decision Rule
Provide Empathy for Any Unsatisfied Participants
Ratify Acceptance of the Group Decision
Request Cooperation in Implementing the Decision
Dealing with Unsatisfied Group Members
Concluding the Seven Steps
12. Going For Full Agreement (Unanimity)
Conditions That Favor Unanimity
Process Tools to Reach Unanimity
Issues Arising from Consensus Blocking and Required Unanimity
When Should a Group Require Unanimity?
Summary
Resources for Facilitators
Appendix: CODM Crib Sheet
Notes
Index
About the Author