* Front Matter

* The Advantages of Formal Consensus

*** Group Dynamics

*** Conflict

*** Majority Rule and Competition

*** Consensus and Cooperation

*** Proposals

*** Characteristics of Formal Consensus

*** Formal Consensus is the least violent decisionmaking process.

*** Formal Consensus is the most democratic decisionmaking process.

*** Formal Consensus is based on the principles of the group.

*** Formal Consensus is desirable in larger groups.

*** Formal Consensus works better when more people participate.

*** Formal Consensus is not inherently time-consuming.

*** Formal Consensus cannot be secretly disrupted.

* On Decisionmaking

*** The Structure of Formal Consensus

*** The Flow of the Formal Consensus Process

*** Clarify the Process

*** Present Proposal or Issue

*** Questions Which Clarify the Presentation

** Level One: Broad Open Discussion

*** General Discussion

*** Call for Consensus

** Level Two: Identify Concerns

*** List All Concerns

*** Group Related Concerns

** Level Three: Resolve Concerns

*** Resolve Groups of Related Concerns

*** Call for Consensus

*** Restate Remaining Concerns (One at a Time)

*** Questions Which Clarify the Concern

*** Discussion Limited to Resolving One Concern

*** Call for Consensus

** Closing Options

*** Send to Committee

*** Stand Aside (Decision Adopted with Unresolved Concerns Listed)

*** Declare Block

* On Conflict and Consensus

** Foundation Upon Which Consensus Is Built

*** Trust

*** Respect

*** Unity of Purpose

*** Nonviolence

*** Self Empowerment

*** Cooperation

*** Conflict Resolution

*** Commitment to the Group

*** Active Participation

*** Equal Access to Power

*** Patience

*** Impediments To Consensus Lack of Training

*** External Hierarchical Structures

*** Social Prejudice

*** On Degrees of Conflict

* The Art of Evaluation

*** Purpose of Evaluation

*** Uses of Evaluation

*** Types of Evaluation Questions

*** Some sample questions for an evaluation:

* Roles

*** Agenda Planners

*** Standard Agenda

*** Facilitator

*** Good facilitation is based upon the following principles:

**** Non-Directive Leadership

**** Clarity of Process

**** Agenda Contract

**** Good Will

*** Peacekeeper

*** Advocate

*** Timekeeper

*** Public Scribe

*** Notetaker

*** Doorkeeper

* Techniques

*** Facilitation Techniques

*** Equalizing Participation

*** Listing

*** Stacking

*** Pacing

*** Checking the Process

*** Silence

*** Taking a Break

*** Call For Consensus

*** Summarizing

*** Reformulating the Proposal

*** Stepping out of Role

*** Passing the Clipboard

*** Polling (Straw Polls)

*** Censoring

*** Expulsion

*** Group Discussion Techniques

*** Identification

*** Whole Group

*** Small Group

*** Brainstorming

*** Go-rounds

*** Fishbowl

*** Active Listening

*** Caucusing

* Glossary

* Bibliography