Consensus management....why not?

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Here at New Vrajamandala we are working to develop a varnasrama ecovillage.

Towards this end I am researching management techniques. Here I want to get

the opinions of the learned devotees on the idea of 'consensus' management.

 

In our well known democratic system there are winners and loosers. This

creates disharmony, with the loosers often dedicating themselves to

overthrowing the winners. However consensus management strives to satisfy

everyone (I know, I know...you can satisfy some of the people some of the

time....;-). But it can only happen when the individuals have a different

world view, one in which they are prepared to put aside their own needs,

desires, or opinions, in favour of what is best for the group. Effectively

in consensus management, an individual can block a decision, but they would

only do so if they felt that the decision would endanger the community, and

they would be obliged to demonstrate that to the group very stongly, and

with clear reasons.

 

In a situation where within a group there is a split of say 51% to 49% over

a proposal, it would seem that either the proposal itself is in question, or

it has not been properly presented or discussed. One problem with the

democratic system is that a voter does not need to voice why he or she

opposes or supports a proposal. They can do so for purely personal motives,

and not at all for the benefit of the group. The consensus approach means

that everyone has the opportunity to be heard. The desire of the group is to

benefit the group, that is why they have formed as a group in the first

place, so in the process of consensus it is important that every member of

the group fully understands the proposal, and that the concerns of the group

are fully heard, so that everyone gets the chance to realise the true

benefit, or not, of the idea. When there is an understanding that an ill

understood proposal, if implemented can have harmfull effects, then it

behoves the group to study the idea untill they are all completely

satisfied. There are opportunities to agree to disagree, and other

mechanisms to avoid standoffs. In urgent cases the group may even consent to

votation in order to expedite a matter.

 

The whole idea of consensus management requires that the participants are

educated in an entirely different way of community life as is found in the

west today. It is being practised quite widely by alternative groups around

the world.

 

Here is a statement that illustrates the vision of such a community.

............................................................................

Common unity is faith in action. We recognize that with the sovereignty of

the individual comes personal responsibility for the community.

Collectively, we are committed to open and honest communication. Together,

we can create an environment where conflict and differences are expressed

openly and safely. Individually, we practice nonviolence.

 

As individuals and as a group, we are constantly in the process of evolving

the ability to resolve conflict without violence. We are committed to living

simply. We do not own people or things. We have open, non-possessive,

honest, egalitarian relationships with consenting peers. We are all students

and teachers. We give unconditional support to those dependent upon us. We

are stewards of the earth and all her relations.

 

We strive for sustainable systems in all our endeavors. Within our

community, we are creating a social order which is based upon honesty and

trust, nonviolence and self-empowerment, and equality. Within the larger

society, we are an alternative society with a vision of encouraging the

outbreak of peace. We are not turning away from the existing society; we are

the hope and the future of society.

...........................................................................

 

This is part of a presentation on consensus management. If anyone would like

to participate in a brainstorm about how we could achieve consensus

management in a devotee community (or if we should even consider it) please

let me know (maybe we could start a conference?). I have a lot of very

convincing material that I can share. It appears to me that the process of

consensus is completely in line with Vaisnava dealings, and in fact that

Srila Prabhupada actualy described to us such a system. I feel that this a

way that we can realise Srila Prabhupadas proposition that we can prove our

love for him by cooperating to fulfill his mission; to deal with love and

trust.

 

Your servant

Samba das

 

Here is a passage which I particularly like, to wet your appetites:

 

Conflict is usually viewed as an impediment to reaching agreements and

disruptive to peaceful relationships. However, it is the underlying thesis

of Formal Consensus that nonviolent conflict is necessary and desirable. It

provides the motivations for improvement. The challenge is the creation of

an understanding in all who participate that conflict, or differing opinions

about proposals, is to be expected and acceptable. Do not avoid or repress

conflict. Create an environment in which disagreement can be expressed

without fear. Objections and criticisms can be heard not as attacks, not as

attempts to defeat a proposal, but as a concern which, when resolved, will

make the proposal stronger.