There are a number of ‘consensus decision-making’ models available to any searcher-seeker who is interested in finding one. Many years ago, I was introduced to what I have come to call ‘The Quaker Way.’ It is rooted in the Quaker Way they use for conducting ‘business’ meetings. For more than 300 years their ‘way’ has been of central importance to the very existence of the Society of Friends. Although I have introduced this ‘way’ to a variety of organizations — particularly to boards of directors — those who are faith-rooted find this ‘way’ to be particularly fruitful [the reason for this will become clearer as we go along]. I have had the privilege of introducing this ‘way’ to Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist traditions and to the AA Board of Directors and these ‘faith-rooted’ groups have been highly receptive to this ‘way.’
For most of their history the Society of Friends tended to ‘live out’ this ‘way’ rather than try to explain it. During the past 50+ years some Quakers have helped us who are not of their tradition understand their ‘way.’ Simply stated, their method is as follows:
A Quaker business meeting is conducted in the same expectant ‘waiting for the guidance of the Holy Spirit’ as their worship service does. It is presided over by a ‘clerk’ — on a board of directors this would not necessarily be the Board Chair [the ‘qualifications’ of the role of ‘clerk’ will be delineated later]. After an initial period of quiet and prayer, the clerk brings before the meeting the business that is to be considered. Time is permitted for ‘careful’ and ‘deliberate’ consideration. Each person present [being ‘present’ is crucial], who is moved to speak is listened to and is heard. When, after some time, the clerk discerns that the ‘meeting’ has reached a decision, he or she states clearly and conscisely what seems to be the ‘sense’ of the meeting. If the members then affirm the ‘sense’ of the meeting that the clerk iterates a note is written capturing this sense and is then read to those present [this reading occurs prior to the conclusion of the session]. No vote is taken. Furthermore, there is no decision that is made by a majority to the detriment of the minority. Action is taken only when it is determined that the session members can proceed as one. Sometimes the clerk will sense unproductive argumentation and then he or she will call for a period of quiet, prayer and waiting for the Spirit to move or in certain circumstances the clerk will call for a setting aside [postponing] of the issue.
Since this way of being with one another is different from what is ‘common practice’ in secular life let us now shift a bit so we can look more deeply at ‘Consensus – The Quaker Way.’