A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

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Encourage different points of view.

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Sometimes changes to proposals are

Summarize as you go, such as,

suggested during the discussion, these

 Joanne, Ed, and Tiffany Amber all

may be called amendments.  Some 

spoke in favor of the proposal to write

times they're minor (change a word of

a letter to the editor, does anyone think

the letter) or major (hold a press con 

it's a bad idea?;  and

ference instead of sending a letter to

the editor).  If it's a major change, treat

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If there is not much discussion, but you

it like a proposal, get clear, discuss

think it's a hot issue, people may not be

change, decide on change.  Once the

feeling comfortable talking, or they

group has either accepted or rejected

may feel confused.  Have them turn to

the amendment, go back to the consid 

someone next to them and talk for a

eration of the original proposal (which

few minutes, before trying whole

may now be a revised version);

group discussion.  If lots of people

want to speak, you can have them talk

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If you can get clear on the conflict, per 

in pairs first too.

haps a new creative solution that will

meet all needs can be found.  Some 

times this can happen on the spot, or

Step 3: Try and Resolve Differences

sometimes it takes more time.  If there

About the Proposal

is considerable disagreement and not

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See the next section on resolving con 

so much time pressure, you may want

flicts   you can use some of these

to ask for a small group of volunteers

principles and techniques;

(representing different viewpoints) to

meet outside the meeting and come

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Good communication is key.  Make

back with a new proposal;and 

sure people listen to each other, and

make sure people feel heard.  You can

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If only a few people are still debating,

say,  Jeannine, could you say what you

it may be time to decide.  

thought Brian meant?  or  Jeffrey,

what did you mean by  increasing visi 

Step 4: Deciding on the Proposal

bility?    You can summarize points of

agreement and points of difference:   It

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Depending on what decision making

sounds like you both think it's a good

structure you use this step will differ

idea to write a letter to the editor, but

slightly.  In consensus you do not vote;

Ali wants to send it to papers in the

instead you can take a straw poll to get

community and Steve just wants it to

a sense of the group;.  

go to the campus paper; 

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Sometimes a decision has been made

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As a facilitator your role is to help the

implicitly and the discussion has gone

discussion move forward, not lobby for

on to figuring out how to implement

your own point of view.  If you want to

the decision.  It is important to stop and

express an opinion, say,  I'm taking off

make the decision more consciously.

my facilitator's hat, I think we

The facilitator can say,  It seems like

should__________; 

we all agree, let's just check.  So are we

all in favor of ________?  or  Before

we discuss how to do it, let's make sure

M a n a g i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

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