January 1996
Consensus Rules
Ground Rules for Participants in Consensus Groups
Return to Consensus article
1. Begin and end on time
2. Use a facilitator.
3. One speaker at a time.
4. Speak only for yourself.
5. No put-downs. (Criticism of actions is appropriate, but attacking a person’s character is not.)
6. No blaming. (Focus on fixing the problem for the future, not finding fault.)
7. No interrupting.
8. Everyone participates.
9. Confidentiality (when appropriate).
10. Silence = assent. (If you do not say anything, it means you agree.)
Optional agreements used by some groups
1. Alternate men and women speakers.
2. No one may speak twice on a subject until everyone who wants to speak for the first time has had a turn.
3. Each speaker who is physically able must stand to speak. (Especially useful in large groups, or groups where individuals tend to sit back in their seats and expound at length.)
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