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Consensus Books and Resources

 

Books

 

Avery, Michel, et al. (1981) Building United Judgment: A Handbook for
Consensus Decision Making
. Explains why, when and how to use secular
consensus process effectively. This book, originally published by the
Center for Conflict Resolution, has been reprinted by the Fellowship for
Intentional Community. FIC, Rt. 1, Box 156, Rutledge, MO 63563;
660-883-5545; fic@ic.org; http://consensusbooks.ic.org. $18 ppd.

Auvine, Brian, et al. (1978) A Manual for Group Facilitators. Clear
writing, practical approach, covers many key topics. This book, originally
published by the Center for Conflict Resolution, has been reprinted by the
Fellowship for Intentional Community. FIC, Rt. 1, Box 156, Rutledge, MO 63563;
660-883-5545; fic@ic.org; http://consensusbooks.ic.org. $18 ppd.

Butler, CT and Amy Rothstein. (1987) On Conflict and Consensus: A Handbook
on Formal Consensus Decisionmaking
. Formalizes procedural steps for
decision-making method. Full text available for free on the internet. Food
Not Bombs Publishing, PO Box 853, Burlington, VT 05402; 800-569-4054;
www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/. $14 ppd. http://www.consensus.net.

Doyle, Michael and David Straus. (1976) How to Make Meetings Work: The New
Interaction Method
. Classic book for mainstream, hierarchical organizations
on how to do participatory meetings. Berkeley Publishing Group, 200 Madison
Ave., New York, NY 10016.

Kaner, Sam. (1996) Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making.
Lots of handouts, information presented visually. Community at Work, 1
Tubbs St., San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-641-9773. $24.95 plus $6 shipping.
SamKaner@aol.com

Kelsey, Dee and Pam Plumb. (1997) Great Meetings! How to Facilitate Like a
Pro.
Nice overview, very accessibly written. Hanson Park Press, PO Box
3883, Portland, ME 04104; 888-767-6338; hppress@aol.com. $29.00.

Rosenberg, Marshall. (1999) Nonviolent Communication . . . A Language of
Compassion.
Outlines a particular approach to conflict resolution that has
been successful in a variety of contexts. Center for Nonviolent
Communication, PO Box 2662, Sherman, TX 75091; 800-255-7696;
cnvc@compuserve.com; www.cnvc.org. $15.95.

Schwarz, Roger. (1994) The Skilled Facilitator: Practical Wisdom for
Developing Effective Groups
. Thorough, well thought out; very useful
information if you donít mind the dry analytical style. Jossey-Bass Inc.,
350 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94104; 415-433-1740; www.josseybass.com.
$34.95.

 

Organizations and more

Alpha Institute. Caroline Estes and Lysbeth Borie teach workshops on
consensus and facilitation. Alpha Farm, Deadwood, OR 97430; 541-964-5102;
alinst@pioneer.net; www.pioneer.net/~alpha/ai-info.html.

CANBRIDGE (Consensus And Network Building to Resolve Impasse and Develop
Group Effectiveness). Consultation and assistance with consensus
facilitation and training. Contact c/o FIC, Rt. 1, Box 155, Rutledge, MO
63563; 660-883-5545; fic@ic.org.

Institute for Cultural Affairs (ICA). Offers facilitation and group process
trainings in U.S. cities and internationally. ICA/Chicago, 4750 N. Sheridan
Rd., Chicago, IL 60640; 312-769-6393; www.icaworld.org.

International Association of Facilitators (IAF). Sponsors an annual
conference, publishes a journal. 7630 W. 145th St., Suite 202, St. Paul, MN
55124; 612-891-3541; iafoffice@igc.org; www.iaf-world.org.

Northwest Intentional Communities Association (NICA). Maintains resource
pages on meetings and group process at their web site,
www.infoteam.com/nonprofit/nica/meeting.html. Contact NICA at 22110 East
Lost Lake Rd., Snohomish, WA 98296; floriferous@msn.com.

Randy Schutt, long-time activist, has a dozen short papers (1-12 pages
each) on cooperative decision-making, all available for the cost of copying
and postage. See the list at www.stanford.edu/~rschutt/RPapers.html.
Contact him at P.O. Box 60922, Palo Alto, CA 94306; rschutt@vernalproject.org.

 

These resources compiled by:

Tree Bressen
2244 Alder Street
Eugene, OR 97405
541-343-5023
tree@ic.org

 


see also Consensus page