Decisions must be made and how they are made matters!
- For new coops deciding how decisions are made is the first thing that should be decided!
- Otherwise it may be necessary to bring up and re-discuss everything that was decided before it was decided how decisions are to be made.
- Consensus-based decision making is the most common household agreement for making most coop decisions while many also have a backup voting system in place if unable to move forward. Consensus narrowly defined means everyone must unanimously agree to make a decision (see Resources page)
- Consensus allows for people to buy into the decision so they follow through and do so happily.
- Having everyone attend house meetings is crucially important so that everyone can be included in decisions.
- If and when a housemate is absent it is helpful if they provide input beforehand on what is to be discussed.
- Sometimes to reduce the number of decisions, like the exact number of apples to purchase, it is necessary to empower people to make certain types of decisions without going through a consensus process. It is important to define what those are with a consensus process.
- Once there is a decision process it is important to follow it to avoid feelings of confusion, manipulation, etc.
- Asking around the house casually to decide a small decision can cause trouble as it often doesn’t fit the agreed upon decision making household agreement.
- When people perceive that they aren’t heard or listened too they tend to disagree even if they would normally agree.
- Creative solutions are great for helping move forward and make decisions when many disagree.
- Couples should be treated as individuals.
- Couples are different people and may have very different opinions, remembering this can be empowering to the individuals in relationships.
- Viewing the decision making process as a learning opportunity is helpful.
- People who weren’t present for a decision tend to resent the decision or people who were there even if they chose not to be there.
- Components of a meeting – choose those that work best for your group:
- Attendance by everyone
- Agreed time to end meeting
- Activity that brings people together
- Time for sharing personal experiences (not just: I’m good, yesterday I went skiing. Instead: more about how you are doing in your life)
- Recording decisions
- Agenda
- Facilitator