GOVERNANCE
The
MERJ Action Team is a non-profit organization with 501(c)3
status, which means it is “organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and
educational purposes.” MERJ’s mission is “to engage a broad group of citizens in
decisions and actions that foster sustainable economic, environmental, and
social progress for Madison, Estill, Rockcastle, and
MERJ CONSENSUS
POLICY
Definition | Guiding Principles | Process | Philosophy
Definition of Consensus
Consensus means mutual
gain through unity.
Consensus is a process
used when agreement among a group of people is required. Certain instances require consensus when MERJ
groups meet according to the MERJ Action Team bylaws.
Consensus is defined
differently depending on the size of the group and the importance of decisions.
This difference reflects an understanding that unanimous agreement is painfully
slow and often impossible or impractical with large groups.
·
Consensus for the MERJ Steering Committee or Board
means an agreement among all participants that all participants can
accept and implement.
·
Consensus for MERJ groups larger than 13 participants means an overwhelming percent (75%) of people
interested in or affected by a particular issue agree to a proposal or package
of ideas, when it is determined that unanimous agreement is not practical.
Guiding Principles of Consensus
Follow the MERJ guiding
principles during group interactions to ensure the creation of a safe and
sacred space:
- Focus and stay on topic.
- Do not interrupt.
- Listen.
- Respect other participants.
- Use a facilitator (and other group roles when
necessary).
- Be brief and stick to the allotted time for
agenda items.
- Do not hold back your contributions/
participate.
- Choose language carefully.
- Offer constructive criticism that begins with
positive reinforcement.
Consensus Process
1) Different levels of
discussion exist. They should be identified on the agenda before the meeting.
These include:
- Information Item: This is a report for information only. No action is necessary.
- Discussion Item: This is an item that requires discussion and action, but does not
require a final decision until a later time.
- Action Item: This is an item that may include additional discussion but
requires a final decision made through consensus. Agenda items should be labeled as an
“action item” on the date for which a decision will be made.
2) Reaching consensus:
1.
Articulate issue/Put decision on the floor as an
action item.
2.
Discuss issue.
3.
Formulate proposal/motion. Allow notetaker to restate the motion/ Get it down in writing.
4.
Second the motion.
5.
Facilitator asks, “Further discussion?” Allow
discussion, if necessary.
6.
If the discussion warrants, amend the motion if
necessary or
·
Be willing to Stand Aside* if necessary and
·
Go back to step 3.
7.
Facilitator asks, “Any objections?” **
8.
If objections occur, go back to step 2.
9.
If no objections occur, then “Let the minutes show
that the motion is approved by consensus.”
10.
Group “AHOH!” *** to
celebrate successful CONSENSUS!
* Members can “stand
aside” or abstain from a consensus vote, and their reasons for abstention
should be stated in the minutes. Abstention
should only occur when there is a personal conflict with a proposal. The group or facilitator may recommend this
alternative for an individual so that the group can move forward and take
action.
** Objections are
permitted when member(s) feel a proposal does not fairly reflect MERJ’s mission and policies. Objections should not be based on individual
preferences or concerns.
*** “AHOH” is the
manner in which consensus is expressed physically by the group. Everyone gathers in a circle, each placing
one hand toward the center. When
everyone’s hands are touching, the group says “AHOH!,”
voices starting lowly and slowly until all hands rise up and agreement becomes
a shout!
Consensus
Philosophy
The collective knowledge and experience of the MERJ Action Team is a
valuable resource that should be shared.
Among the MERJ Steering Committee alone are carpenters, engineers,
social workers, educators, farmers, writers, editors, homesteaders, activists,
musicians, artists, cooks, and healers; and most people wear more than one of
those hats. We have skills
in organic gardening, horse logging, mycology, sustainability education,
marketing/publicity, community organizing/public outreach, cultural diversity,
researching, and networking. In addition
to the various skills we bring as individuals, we also share a collective
skill/practice that we believe is equally as useful: the game of hacky-sack.
“Hacky-sack” is a cooperative game that involves the kicking
of a small footbag.
Everyone in a hacky-sack circle is on the
“same team” and thus works together to achieve a “hack” -- the object of the
game. A hack is achieved when everyone
in the circle kicks the ball at least once (using no hands) before it hits the
ground (with practice, multiple “hacks” are also possible). We begin every meeting with a game of hacky-sack, which has proven to be a very valuable part of
our group process. This form of exercise
not only inspires the flow of creative energy, but also reminds us that we are
working for a common goal with our collective, collaborative energy and
focus. Hacky-sack
also mirrors both our grace for meal-sharing and our consensus model, in which
we gather in a circle to “AHOH” our agreement and solidarity.
Many MERJers are also active participants in a regular community
labor exchange and potluck known as the Berea Garden Party. “The Garden Party is a fun
monthly gathering in which people learn about and practice
sustainability and social responsibility through the local sharing of food,
labor, and goods; through the networking of sustainability-related knowledge,
news, and events; and by serving as a model for the formation of other Garden
Party groups.” While our involvement in
the Garden Party is based on the shared value of social and ecological
sustainability, it is important to note that, while they are similar in
motivation, the Garden Party and MERJ Market are not synonymous and are quite
different in scope. The Garden Party is
and will continue to be an informal network of individuals who share labor,
while the MERJ Market will be a macrocosm of a similar concept with a much more
formal organizational structure.