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Occupy New Haven For Saturday's Meeting there are many things to be discussed. Below, you will find notes on consensus, and the process Wall Street has used in their General Assembly. As you will see, "why we're here" or "soap-boxing" time will be saved to the end of the discussion. With that in mind, what points of discussion do you hope to see raised Saturday?
To explain the consensus: This is a "modified conse...nsus" and is used when the group makes large decisions. To pass a proposal the General Assembly (GA) needs a 9/10s majority. The word "modified" is crucial to the understanding of the consensus.
Working groups (committees) do not need to get every action approved -- they are called working groups for a reason. However, at GA there will be a time when working groups report back to let everyone know what they're doing and if they need any help.
In GA we need there to be facilitators. They are there to guide the discussion and keep it rolling and on point, not put in their opinion. These can be saved for later times. We must remember that GA is a "horizontal, autonomous, leaderless, modified-consensus-based system with roots in anarchism"( OWSJ)
During GA we need to create a stack (line) if many people wish to speak. Working groups can allow one representative to share what they are doing and they will be arranged in a stack. Someone needs to be assigned to run the stack and take stack. Consider writing down your thoughts before hand if it will help you remain on point.
During GA, we need to address proposals, concerns, priorities, stack, working groups, and the agenda. Not necessarily in that order.
After GA is finished, people are more than welcome to get on stack and Soapbox.
Furthermore, here is a of the hand signals and a brief description for all.
Fingers waving upwards -- I agree
Fingers in the middle -- On the fence
Fingers waving down -- Don't like
(The fingers can also be used to take a temperature check to see how the everyone's spirits are. While they have the same hand motions, temperature checks are not the same as the I agree, etc.)
Creating a triangle with your fingers -- This is called "point of process." If someone or the group is not following our processes correctly, hold up the triangle and after the person is done speaking, an explanation of why the process was violated can be addressed. Sometimes people interrupt GA to go on a tangent and if that does happen Point of Process needs to be thrown up and the soapboxing needs to stop.
Finger point -- This is called "point of information." It is used if one has factual information to share. Say that we were not sure if tents we okay to be erected on the Green. If someone in the crowd had knowledge on this issue, they can use "point of information." This is not to be used to share one's opinion (not point of clarification, point of interest, etc.).
Circular fingers (aka moving fingers in a circular motion) -- Means wrap it up. We have gotten your point already.
Block -- This is a very serious motion to use. If you have a moral or ethical concern regarding a decision that the group is making, you may use a block. However, if we can still get a 9/10 majority, the proposal will still pass. Every block that is used needs to be addressed and the person making the block needs to explain the moral/ethic dilemma they are facing.
The "minutes" that are taken at meetings need to be almost verbatim. Not an outline of what was discussed. If we can find someone that is good at typing and can type relatively fast they would be suitable to take minutes. Link to the FB source post
Please help us keep others informed by sharing.
To explain the consensus: This is a "modified conse...nsus" and is used when the group makes large decisions. To pass a proposal the General Assembly (GA) needs a 9/10s majority. The word "modified" is crucial to the understanding of the consensus.
Working groups (committees) do not need to get every action approved -- they are called working groups for a reason. However, at GA there will be a time when working groups report back to let everyone know what they're doing and if they need any help.
In GA we need there to be facilitators. They are there to guide the discussion and keep it rolling and on point, not put in their opinion. These can be saved for later times. We must remember that GA is a "horizontal, autonomous, leaderless, modified-consensus-based system with roots in anarchism"( OWSJ)
During GA we need to create a stack (line) if many people wish to speak. Working groups can allow one representative to share what they are doing and they will be arranged in a stack. Someone needs to be assigned to run the stack and take stack. Consider writing down your thoughts before hand if it will help you remain on point.
During GA, we need to address proposals, concerns, priorities, stack, working groups, and the agenda. Not necessarily in that order.
After GA is finished, people are more than welcome to get on stack and Soapbox.
Furthermore, here is a of the hand signals and a brief description for all.
Fingers waving upwards -- I agree
Fingers in the middle -- On the fence
Fingers waving down -- Don't like
(The fingers can also be used to take a temperature check to see how the everyone's spirits are. While they have the same hand motions, temperature checks are not the same as the I agree, etc.)
Creating a triangle with your fingers -- This is called "point of process." If someone or the group is not following our processes correctly, hold up the triangle and after the person is done speaking, an explanation of why the process was violated can be addressed. Sometimes people interrupt GA to go on a tangent and if that does happen Point of Process needs to be thrown up and the soapboxing needs to stop.
Finger point -- This is called "point of information." It is used if one has factual information to share. Say that we were not sure if tents we okay to be erected on the Green. If someone in the crowd had knowledge on this issue, they can use "point of information." This is not to be used to share one's opinion (not point of clarification, point of interest, etc.).
Circular fingers (aka moving fingers in a circular motion) -- Means wrap it up. We have gotten your point already.
Block -- This is a very serious motion to use. If you have a moral or ethical concern regarding a decision that the group is making, you may use a block. However, if we can still get a 9/10 majority, the proposal will still pass. Every block that is used needs to be addressed and the person making the block needs to explain the moral/ethic dilemma they are facing.
The "minutes" that are taken at meetings need to be almost verbatim. Not an outline of what was discussed. If we can find someone that is good at typing and can type relatively fast they would be suitable to take minutes. Link to the FB source post
Please help us keep others informed by sharing.
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