documents:consensus [La Reunion Cooperative]

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====== Consensus Process ======

  - **DEFINITIONS**
      - __Member__
        - A current member of La Reunion Cooperative, as defined by applicable house policy.
      - __House__
        - All current members of La Reunion Cooperative.
      - __Proposal__
        - A topic presented to the house for discussion, change to house policy, the allocation of funds, or general approval.
      - __Sponsor__
        - The member who represents a proposal.
      - __Facilitator__
        - The member who insures the “Ground Rules”.
      - __Minutes Taker__
        - The member who takes the meeting minutes.
      - __Minority__
        - At least 1/4 of the members present at the meeting.
      - __Simple majority__
        - At least 1/2 of the members present at the meeting.
      - __Super majority__
        - At least 2/3 of members present at the meeting.
      - __Consensus Check__
        - A step of the consensus process when members have the option of making a described twinkle motion to indicate their level of consent.
      - __The Floor__
        - Speaking rights to address the meeting.
      - __The Stack__
        - A list of members who wish to speak.
      - __Relevant__
        - Discussion that conforms to the current step of the meeting.
      - __Move-On__
        - A general circular motion.
      - __Up-Twinkle__
        - A general upward motion to show approval.
      - __Middle-Twinkle__
        - A general outward motion to show neutrality.
      - __Down-Twinkle__
        - A general downward motion to show disapproval.
      - __Block-Twinkle__
        - A general motion of guarding oneself from attack.
      - __Quorum__
        - Seven members are required to be in attendance at a house meeting to meet quorum.
  - **GROUND RULES**
      - Proposals are introduced in any order determined by the present members
      - Members must convey their request to be on the stack to the facilitator without disrupting any member who currently has the floor.
      - All members who wish to be on the stack must be added to the stack.
      - All members on the stack must be given a chance to speak.
      - The facilitator determines who has the floor using the stack.
      - Should the minutes taker request time to make notes the floor should be held by the facilitator until the minutes taker indicates that they are ready to proceed.
      - When a member has the floor they should keep their comments relevant.
      - __If members who do not have the floor indicate move-on, the facilitator should assess if the member with the floor is speaking with relevance.__
        - If the member is relevant they should be allowed to keep the floor.
        - If the member is not relevant they will be asked to concede the floor and must request to be added to the stack again.
      - __During a consensus check the facilitator will observe the twinkles made by the house to determine how to proceed with a proposal.__
        - //If there are at least two block-twinkles://
          - //__The facilitator will ask the blocking members for a reason why they are blocking.__//  - If at least two of the blocks are found to be relevant the facilitator will table the proposal.
            - If less than two blocks are found to not be relevant the facilitator will continue to **2.i.II**.
            - If at least 90% of the non-blocking members present affirmatively decide that a block is not relevant, then the block is overridden.
        - If not **2.i.I**  then, if there is at least a super majority of up-twinkles the proposal continues.
        - If not **2.i.II **  then, if there is at least a minority of down-tinkles the proposal is tabled.
        - If not **2.i.III**  then, if there is at least a simple majority of up-twinkles the proposal continues.
      - At any time the sponsor can table their proposal.
  - **INTRODUCING A PROPOSAL**
      - A proposal is introduced by being read from the meeting agenda by the facilitator.
      - The sponsor elaborates on the proposal as they feel is appropriate
  - **POINTS OF INFORMATION AND CLARIFYING QUESTIONS**
      - The facilitator will introduce this phase as “Points of Information and Clarifying Questions” and advertise that members can now join the stack for this phase.
      - __Conversation that is relevant:__
        - Members may offer information which they believe is relevant.
        - Members may ask a direct question about the proposal.
        - Any member with the answer to a question may override the stack in order to provide a direct response.
      - When the stack is closed the facilitator will call for a consensus check by asking if the house wishes to move on to “Concerns and Friendly Amendments”.
  - **CONCERNS, FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS, AND FINAL CALL**
      - The facilitator will introduce this phase as “Concerns and Friendly Amendments” and advertise that members can not join the stack for this phase.
      - __Conversation that is relevant:__
        - Members may voice concerns
        - Members may offer friendly amendments to address concerns that they or another member has expressed
      - __When a friendly amendment has been proposed the facilitator should ask the sponsor if they accept the amendment.__
        - If the friendly amendment is rejected the facilitator will return to the stack.
        - //If the friendly amendment is accepted by the sponsor the facilitator will start a stack for the friendly amendment allowing members present to voice any points of information, clarifying questions, or concerns, to the proposed friendly amendment.//
        - Once the friendly amendment stack is clear the facilitator will ask for a consensus check on the friendly amendment.
      - When the stack is closed the facilitator will ask the minutes taker to read the final wording of the proposal.
      - After the final proposal has been read a final consensus check for the proposal will be called. Quorum must be met for a consensus check to be called.
      - At the discretion of the facilitator, previous amendments may be revisited before the proposal is finally tabled.

<sub>[[meetings:archive:2015-04-05#agenda_item_5|[HM 4-5-15]]]</sub>