Role of the Clerk or Facilitator for Consensus
1. Remains neutral with regard to content, but is a champion
for holding to the process.
2. Organizes the prepartion for the meeting, including:
(Where there is also a convener, the convener may serve in this
capacity).
- Setting the agenda with appropriate consultation;
- Organizing the meeting time and place;
- Circulating background reports or other materials in advance;
- Introducing the topic to be considered and opening
the floor for presentation of key issue by a subcommittee or other group charged
with background work on the issue.
3. Reminds group of responsibility of seeking for the common
good of the group and staying focused on the task at hand.
4. Encourages quality of individual participation:
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Identifies who will speak next.
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Encourages less verbal members of group to express their
concerns and insights.
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Asks questions that help draw out speakers' meanings.
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Encourages speaking without attribution.
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Creates safety for the whole meeting by interrupting a speaker
who has gone on too long; is repetitious; is not addressing the issue at
hand; is operating from his or her own agenda, or is abusive of others.
5. Describes the weaving that is emerging and tests the image
with the group.
6. Works with conflict by:
-
Naming differences and conflicts.
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Encouraging expression of missing or conflicting viewpoints.
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Redirecting attention to ideas and information that were
previously disregarded by the group
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Calling for silent pauses as needed to restore the group
to its common purpose.
-
Enforcing front porch consultation, not backdoor coalition
building. Names it if there is hidden backdoor coalition building.
7. Channels ideas toward clarity and closure:
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Asks if enough alternatives have been developed or if criteria
for problem solution have been met.
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Expresses group feeling or thought: voices the sense of what
the group is feeling, points out a conflict or a collusion, relieves tension,
describes the reaction of the group to an idea or a solution.
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Proposes a "minute" that states the "sense of the group."
Asks for response. If none, asks for approval of the minute. (No names
are noted in the minute. This decision belongs to the group.)
8. When the group has not reached a decision in the available
time, identifies areas where agreement has been reached, names issues remaining
to be resolved, and proposes next steps ( (e.g., decides
to hold over, defines steps to take before next meeting, assigns to an
existing committee or ad hoc group) for further vetting. Obtains consent
to move forward in this way.
9. In rare instances, directs the proceedings or takes
decisions on behalf of the group where necessary. This may occur when there
is enduring conflict and a member cannot unite with the group in moving
forward or offer a viable alternative after respectful consideration by
the group.
10. Initiates evaluation
of the process. (If there is a separate convener, the convener make
have this responsibility.)
See sample "Script
" for a Clerk in opening a meeting.
© Quaker
Foundations of Leadership, 1999
Earlham
College
Richmond,
IN 47374
USA
Please request
permission to use here.