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pcplantdb - Re: [pcplantdb] Agreement, consensus

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  • From: John Schinnerer <john@eco-living.net>
  • To: pcplantdb@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [pcplantdb] Agreement, consensus
  • Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 23:11:39 +0000

Aloha,

> Withdrawal of participation is IMO the same as blocking because it
> represents a position of not supporting the proposal.

I understand where you're coming from.

I expect a clear statement of support, indifferent, disagree but not
blocking, or blocking. Some systems have another option or two, but
most I'm aware of have clear differentiations between:

1) disagree (not blocking)

2) blocking

Blocking is usually seen as a pretty drastic move in formal consensus,
something someone might do a handful of times in a lifetime if they
actually stay committed to a given group that long. People who block
frequently usually self-select out and/or are booted out, because it is
an indicator that they and that group are not well-suited.

One good tool I have seen is a set of colored cards that each person has
in hand during a meeting. Each color represents one of the available
positions in the consensus system in use (agree, indifferent, disagree,
blocking, others if they exist).

When an issue is brought up for decision, each person simply holds up
the card matching their position.
This removes most issues with assumptions about what words or actions
mean what position.

As for possible withdrawal of support - I figure people ought to get
what they want as much as possible in their life.
If what Lawrence wants is to leave the project if he doesn't get his way
about hosting on ibiblio - and it seems to me he's made that want very
clear - then I support him getting that.



--

John Schinnerer - MA, Whole Systems Design
------------------------------------------
- Eco-Living -
Whole Systems Design Services
People - Place - Learning - Integration
john@eco-living.net
http://eco-living.net




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