IMC Jakarta Consensus Policy

Summary

1. If there's a block we need an 80 percent vote to vote
2. If we vote to vote, the actual vote will require a 75 percent concensus to pass
3. Another option, if a matter is important enough, will be to "vote to put off until next meeting," then vote then.

Consensus Policy

Consensus is a decision making process based not on "majority rule," but the greater agreement of the deciding community. Instead of a majority making a decision for the group, all people in the decision making body have equal voice and power. Consensus is reached when all members of a group, committee, or organization agree that a proposal is best for the group; individuals may not agree with everything in the proposal, but a commitment to community building and needs makes consensus work.

Why do it?

The IMC Jakarta uses consensus for many reasons. It allows us to collectively explore solutions until the best one for the group emerges. Consensus assures that everyone has a voice in the decision making process, synthesizing all ideas into one plan that all participants agree to implement. Since all participants agree to the decision, people are more invested in carrying out what has been decided. The process promotes commitment to carry out decisions.

Consensus is important in allowing minority opinions and concerns to be heard and considered, and encourages cooperation among people with divergent views. It attempts to minimize domination and empowers the community in the process of making a decision.

How do we do it?

First, the issue is defined: what needs to be decided.

Next, we discuss the issue. After the group has had enough time to discuss the item, someone makes a proposal (some proposals may be brought to a meeting beforehand) for a specific plan of action. The facilitator (or other individual) can ask for a proposal if she/he feel that people are repeating the same points.

After a proposal is made, people can offer clarifying questions. This is not the time to speak for or against the proposal. This is an attempt to flesh out exactly what the proposal entails.

Then, we list out all the concerns people may have with the proposal. An attempt is made to resolve each individual concern through further discussion or amendments to the proposal. If there are no concerns, there is consensus.

In the event there is not concensus: The facilitator will ask for any stand asides. People who stand aside have concerns that have not been resolved, but will not "block" the proposal from moving forward.

The facilitator will then ask if there are any blocks. People who block have serious concerns that have not been resolved and cannot allow the decision to be made by the group; blocks are serious decisions, and they must be based on a belief that the proposal being put forward goes against the principles of the group or organization, or will do serious harm to the purpose of the group. If there are no blocks, there is consensus.

In the situation where a decision must be made and a consensus cannot be reached, anyone can ask for consensus to take a vote.

In order to take a vote when there are blocks 80% of the group must be in favor of voting. If there is a decision to vote then a 75% majority is required for passage.

In special cases where people block because they feel the decision in question would violate the IMC Jakarta's principles of unity they may ask that the following proceeder be used:

We will "vote to vote", and then the proposal will be put off until the next IMC meeting (not to be less then 7 days from then)

In these situations we will strive to get the widest input possible by widely publicizing the issue at hand. The proposal in question should go out to all imc distro lists and be posted on the website wihout commentary.

At the next meeting we will go over the proposal once more, but no one will be able to invoke a special block that delays the vote.

-- HarisHidayatullah - 09 Mar 2005
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