using Quaker-based consensus
Monteze Snyder
Note : This is being posted to Quaker-L, and Quaker-P, and
e-qu...@forum.swarthmore.edu
Friends,
We would like to hear from Friends who are using Quaker-based consensus
practices and processes in your work outside of Quaker Meetings. Please
note that I am deliberately using the term _consensus_ rather than _sense
of meeting_ here because I am speaking of using some of our concepts and
values with non-Quakers, who may be able to share some of those values and
practices though they may not share our sense of Divine Presence in the
process of deciding a course of action. (Note , too, that I am referring
to this as _Quaker-based_ and not Quaker.)
Purpose of request:
We would like to identify others who are currently working with
Quaker-based consensus practices in non-Quaker settings so that we can
share experiences and strengthen the network of Friends who are doing this
work.
Background:
Earlham College has a Kellogg Foundation grant to develop training
materials and workshops of Quaker-based consensus for non-Quaker
organizations and community groups. We have had input from Friends in FUM
Meetings as well as FGC Meetings in developing our work. We have also
drawn on existing published materials by Friends.
We are aware that some Friends do not believe that any of our Quaker
processes can be used in more secular settings. However, we have found
that non-Quaker groups and individuals frequently find some of our
perspectives to be helpful in reframing how they think about decision
making in their community organizations or other aspects of daily life.
Quotes from non-Quakers on what they have learned from exposure to
Quaker-based processes:
To illustrate this point, participants in workshops have indicated that
they learned the following that they hope to apply in everyday life:
-Calling for silence in a heated school board meeting to bring a group
together listening and speaking about what concerns the group and less
about individualistic ideas
-Active listening and making sure others speak their mind even if it is not
in a consensus manner
- Openness to a change of opinion, openness to each person's words and
ideas disconnected from past experiences with that person.
-How to move a group toward a consensus and how to feel more settled if it
is not brought to a consensus
-Being able to feel like I had to carry a group through a process - they
will get there eventually
-Trying to separate views from the individual - will be useful in all areas
for me
-Acting with the knowledge that everyone has something to offer
-To work toward a common goal - toward common ground so that all members
can live with the agreed-upon terms
-Respect other people and listen to what they have to say
-I developed more abstract ideas of the respect and simplicity
-The importance of the group vs. The individual
-That we all have a little bit of "truth" so that we should respect all
perspectives
-Separating ideas from person and decision-making as a learning process.
Often, its easy to discount ideas because of who said them and to see
discussions as a chance to communicate your "correct" ideas rather than
learning from others equally correct ideas
- The stress on respect and that goes for others and yourself. Also the
idea that discussion with others, in a community, will bring out the truth.
-Make an effort to make space for everyone to speak (or act)
-How taking advantage of Quaker processes we can really work toward a group
effort in residential life and hopefully involve more people and interests
to reach a wider range of people and work toward a broader sense of community.
-The respect for individuals inherent in this process is always useful to
keep in mind. Ideas about shared leadership are also applicable in all my
leadership endeavors.
-The importance of consensus - it takes into consideration both the
individual and the group and holds them both high. I feel as if I have a
better understanding of this value and can thus better utilize it in my
hall meetings.
-Everyone has an inner light and their own sense of truth. Must keep in
mind that everyone has something to contribute. Do not attack a person;
address an idea. It's imperative to separate these. This is done through
the line of questioning in consensus decision-making
-It's not a race to get the best ideas out first. It's the end product and
feeling of many people working together that seems to matter more
-Respect for others in a group - the value of the pause between discussion
on points
-Everyone's opinion is important; everyone has the right to express this
opinion; everyone's opinion should be respected, whether or not it is
popular or not
-Listen - God is in everyone - let it come through
-Silence, respect for individual, non-personal discussion
-I have really thought about how important everyone's views and opinions
are and that I need to be careful that they don't get overlooked
-Slowing down the discussion so that slow talkers get a chance to contribute
-You can appreciate an idea, solution, etc, even if you do not like the
person it came from
-Call for silent pauses. Respect for other beliefs or opinions.
Separation of positions from individuals;
- The importance of distilling your thought before speaking;
-The listening phase, with greater comfort using silence.
-Openness, focus on process just as importantly as outcome
-Well, I really like the idea about "seeking the will of God." It put
things in perspective and illustrates that we all really do have a common goal
-Recognition that a higher being is involved in all our decisions
-The clerk and his/her true role - applicable to family life
-Many principles I learned I didn't realize were Quaker based. I wish that
more people knew, practiced, and lived by these principles
The remarks above are from evaluations of different workshops. What is
striking to us is the similarity of responses that people have to
Quaker-based consensus.
Please email directly to sny...@earlham.edu if you -- or someone you
know-- is doing this work. Thanks.
Monteze Snyder, member of Tallahassee Monthly Meeting, South East Yearly
Meeting
Monteze M. Snyder
Director, Earlham-Kellogg Program on Quaker Foundations of Leadership and
Associate Professor
Management Progam Tyler Building
EC Drawer 97
Earlham College
Richmond, IN 47374-4095 USA
phone: (765) 983-1426 fax: (765) 983-1207
E-mail: sny...@earlham.edu
Arthur Fink
At 09:33 AM 4/20/98 -0500, Monteze Snyder wrote:
>We would like to hear from Friends who are using Quaker-based consensus
>practices and processes in your work outside of Quaker Meetings. Please
>note that I am deliberately using the term _consensus_ rather than _sense
>of meeting_ here because I am speaking of using some of our concepts and
>values with non-Quakers, who may be able to share some of those values and
>practices though they may not share our sense of Divine Presence in the
>process of deciding a course of action. (Note , too, that I am referring
>to this as _Quaker-based_ and not Quaker.)
I was president of the Board of a Waldorf School, and got the Board to
explicitly adopt a "Sense of the Meeting" approach.
We had several long conversations focusing on the difference between sense
of the meeting and consensus -- and I think the Board really understood.
Consensus is a bland "we all agree", while sense of the meeting means that
we may be able to move forward even though some would not have preferred
the way proposed.
I'd be glad to say much more -- upon request.
A r t h u r F i n k 10 New Island Avenue
Peaks Island, Maine 04108
Portland Friends Meeting phone/fax: (207) 766-5722
Portland, Maine e-mail: art...@ime.net
J Flenner
Dear Monteze Snyder,
I wish I had known about you last October when I resigned a job from an
organization which purported to use "consensus" in making decisions and
in running the organization!!
I am one who has *strong* doubts now about whether a non-Quaker org.,
which has to meet normal deadlines for funding, do 5-yr planning, etc.,
can use consensus *honestly* and effectively.
I have a story to tell if you think it would be useful to you--and
*many* questions. If you start an e-mail discussion list, I would like
very much to subscribe and to hear of others' experiences. You can put
me down as a "skeptic" at this point!
Thanks so much for posting your note,
Jackie Flenner
Asheville, NC