Consensus Decision Making
A simple explanation
Consensus Protocol is a process that uses a lot more empathy, and is more respectful than just asking for a show of hands and moving on, with some people satisfied with the outcome, some maybe never being heard, and some being unhappy with the direction. Consensus is like Democracy³ - a way that lets everyone speak, with the goal of coming to a common understanding. When you are working together with a group of mature, reasonable people who already have a common goal, it would be easy to get a lot accomplished.
This video is from the Occupy rally in Boise, Idaho, 2011.
from Wikipedia Commons
These are the things that helped me "get it".
Sometimes it's easier to understand when someone explains it out loud, so the video is easier for me, especially when I look at the wikipedia diagram while she's describing it.
Here is the entire wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making
There are slightly different ways of applying it. 100% consensus is always the goal. If a stalemate is reached that is holding back a project, another way is to use the 90% Rule, where the decision can be carried forward with 9/10ths in agreement.
You would first have to have 100% consensus on whether or not you would follow the 90% rule, only after there has been a great effort to come to 100% consensus on the particular issue. In this way still, people are giving "consent" for a proposal to move forward, even though they may not completely agree with it; very much like choosing to "stand by", it is an instance where someone might choose to give a bit for the greater good of a much larger idea.
Consent vs. Consensus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocracy#Consent_vs._consensus
Sociocracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocracy
When we signed on to the CommuniKindred project, Henry asked us to familiarize ourselves with the protocol. At first it was confusing, and seemed too abstract to be functional. But it's actually really organic, maybe just a bit different from what people are used to... in a world where our votes don't seem to count for much, and it feels very "Us vs. Them," Consensus Protocol is "all about US."
A message from Henry;
As documented in the earliest parameters of community governance, the Consensus Protocol is the most fair, comprehensive tool for addressing proposals and projects, perceived issues of violation or misinterpretation, further elaboration of established parameters, and rights clarification and ruling.
While 100% consensus is the ideal, the default process includes a 3-stage dialog scenario which assures a comprehensive airing of any issue if appealed after the first level of consideration. This requires the appellant to present substantive, not whimsical, reasons.
An issue may first be assessed to be very important/less important, and then be directed to an Agenda-in-the-Round, or for consideration by a council or a relevant mandate group.
Depending on the gravity of the issue, it may or may not be deferred to an appropriate date at the discretion of the council.
If it appears that amendments to the basic by-laws and parameters are mutually desirable, after considerable time of implementation, these amedments may be introduced for consideration in order of importance.