L G B T   C a m p u s   O r g a n i z i n g

and who is in the minority; is it the

one s input and concerns are part of the

women in your group who are continual 

process, those decisions made by consen 

ly getting over ruled?  Is it the bisexuals?

sus are often the strongest decisions and

Is it the gay men?  Is it always the same

the ones everyone is invested in. Using

group in the minority? If so, your group

consensus can also help to strengthen

may be divided into two or more blocs.

interpersonal relationships and trust.

This may lead to intense competition,

However, there are drawbacks.  Consen 

hostile debates, and the silencing of

sus requires commitment to real listening

minority voices.  If the minority group

and caring about everyone in the group s

feels no power, they may try to sabotage

opinion.  It also requires patience, prac 

decisions in other ways. 

tice, and skills in conflict resolution.

Consensus

Among the negative aspects of consensus

In consensus everyone must agree to a

is the amount of time it may take to make

particular decision for it to be valid.  It

decisions.  In order for the group to do

DOES NOT, however, mean that every 

anything, everyone must agree that it is

one must agree on the issue.  They simply

the appropriate action to take.  This can

must agree on (or not object to) the action

become an all consuming process.  It

that the group as a whole will take.  The

may be that your group will have to meet

following description by the Center for

more often and spend more time working

Conflict Resolution makes this point

through different issues.  If members

clear:

share values, and there is a good amount

of respect and trust, consensus may be

Consensus stresses the cooperative

worth the time involved.  

development of a decision with group

members working together rather than

In fact, some groups use both types of

competing against each other.  The goal

decision making processes; they attempt

of consensus is a decision that is consent 

to reach consensus, but if a there is a

ed to by all group members...Full consent

pressing decision they may fall back on

does not mean that everyone must be

voting.  That is, if there has been a sig 

completely satisfied with the final out 

nificant attempt to reach consensus

come in fact, total satisfaction is rare.

unsuccessfully, then the group may

The decision must be acceptable enough,

decide to decide by majority rule.  In this

however, that all will agree to support the

case, there typically needs to be a two

group in choosing it.

thirds majority.  

Consensus relies upon information, artic 

GETTING STARTED

ulation, and persuasion to clarify and

change the minds of group members; it

If  you are starting a new group or resus 

also uses compromise to reach agree 

citating one that has been dead for years

ment.  There are a number of different

the following are beginning steps you

ways to express dissent ranging from dis 

may want to consider.  Although many of

agreeing but "standing aside," to totally

these suggestions are geared to a student

blocking the consensus.  Used in the spir 

group, they can easily be adapted by

it of cooperation, consensus can ensure

groups of faculty, staff, alumni/ae, or

everyone s equal power.  Since every 

mixed groups.

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