Working for Consensus: GGFS Organizational Structure
As the new academic year begins, new members may be curious, and old members may need a refresher about the organizational structure of GGFS, and about how we make decisions. These were both collectively decided in 2004 by then-GGFS members (after hours and hours of discussion). Curious about feminism, consensus decision-making, and organizational structure? Check out Jo Freeman's essay The Tyranny of Structurelessness. A classic.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the annual GGFS Meet & Greet to kick off 2008-2009.
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GGFS Organizational Structure
Membership:
Membership is for any graduate student interested and/or engaged in feminist research. Members on the list serve will be considered members for the purposes of meetings.
Consensus Model:
The purpose of the consensus model is that at each meeting, the members present will work towards building a consensus before decisions are taken. When an issue is being discussed, all members have the right to voice their opinion at the meeting. (If they are not present, there opinion can be sent via email, but they will not formally be considered as a present member). Members have the right to ask for a speakers list. At any time a member feels like the group is approaching agreement, a member can test for consensus.
Testing for consensus:
When a member tests for consensus, all present members have four options:
1) Agree: means that the member agrees with the proposition for which consensus is being tested. No explanation is given in the case of agreement.
2) Dissent with objection: means that member disagrees with proposition. Member explains dissent and discussion continues to find consensus.
3) Dissent with abstention: means that member disagrees with proposition, but is okay with the decision being taken by the group. Explanation is allowed.
4) Block: Means that member is strongly against the proposition and this acts as a veto. Explanation is required for a member to block a decision. Any new proposition must incorporate the reasons for the block for it to be considered.
Consensus, consensus with abstentions, and blocked decisions (with brief explanation) should be included in the minutes.
What goes to consensus:
1) Structural changes
2) Creation of working groups
3) Working group proposals that request support of GGFS as a whole
4) Endorsements
5) Projects
Working Groups:
GGFS creates working groups through consensus. GGFS members have the right to participate in any working group. Within working groups, consensus models will be used. Propositions from working groups are represented of the working group, not GGFS as a whole. Working groups have the option to ask GGFS for full support (i.e. ask GGFS as a whole to reach consensus on a proposition proposed by the working group.)
Stay tuned for the announcement of the annual GGFS Meet & Greet to kick off 2008-2009.
**
GGFS Organizational Structure
Membership:
Membership is for any graduate student interested and/or engaged in feminist research. Members on the list serve will be considered members for the purposes of meetings.
Consensus Model:
The purpose of the consensus model is that at each meeting, the members present will work towards building a consensus before decisions are taken. When an issue is being discussed, all members have the right to voice their opinion at the meeting. (If they are not present, there opinion can be sent via email, but they will not formally be considered as a present member). Members have the right to ask for a speakers list. At any time a member feels like the group is approaching agreement, a member can test for consensus.
Testing for consensus:
When a member tests for consensus, all present members have four options:
1) Agree: means that the member agrees with the proposition for which consensus is being tested. No explanation is given in the case of agreement.
2) Dissent with objection: means that member disagrees with proposition. Member explains dissent and discussion continues to find consensus.
3) Dissent with abstention: means that member disagrees with proposition, but is okay with the decision being taken by the group. Explanation is allowed.
4) Block: Means that member is strongly against the proposition and this acts as a veto. Explanation is required for a member to block a decision. Any new proposition must incorporate the reasons for the block for it to be considered.
Consensus, consensus with abstentions, and blocked decisions (with brief explanation) should be included in the minutes.
What goes to consensus:
1) Structural changes
2) Creation of working groups
3) Working group proposals that request support of GGFS as a whole
4) Endorsements
5) Projects
Working Groups:
GGFS creates working groups through consensus. GGFS members have the right to participate in any working group. Within working groups, consensus models will be used. Propositions from working groups are represented of the working group, not GGFS as a whole. Working groups have the option to ask GGFS for full support (i.e. ask GGFS as a whole to reach consensus on a proposition proposed by the working group.)
Labels: decision-making, structure
posted by Graduate Group for Feminist Scholarship, McGill at 10:20 AM
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