Intentional Communities Newsletter: September 10, 2013

Consensus and Facilitation Books - PRICE DROP!

Building United Judgment:
A Handbook for Consensus Decision-making
124 pp, paperback, 8.5" x 11"; ISBN: 0-9602714-6-5

A Manual for Group Facilitators 
89 pp, paperback, 8.5" x 11"; ISBN: 0-9718264-0-4

Both books produced by the Center for Conflict Resolution and published by the Fellowship for Intentional Community, 2003.

At the Fellowship for Intentional Community, we love these two books so much, we took over their publication when they were about to go out of print. They represent the basics at their best, an excellent starting place for learning consensus and the key role of consensus facilitator (which can help the group immeasurably, particularly in the early days of consensus learning.) Even for groups who have been using consensus for a while, the cultural shift from competitive culture to cooperative culture can often be a tough road. These books can help.

Building United Judgment is an ideal starting place for a group or individual wanting to start to learn consensus. Is it is easy to read, direct and clear. Topics covered range from techniques to emotions, opening a meeting to conflict, the role of the facilitator and what to do when you can't reach agreement.

Manual for Group Facilitators is both a companion text for Building United Judgment, and a stand alone guide for facilitators. It offers both the nuts and bolts (agenda planning and meeting opening) as well as a useful framework for creating a culture in which consensus can thrive. It also includes great information on general group dynamics and common problems groups face.

We strongly recommend picking up both if your group is contemplating consensus, or using consensus and needing some help in having it go well.