Appendix A: Modified Consensus

1. Ask a question or state an issue about which a decision needs to be made.
2. Clarify the issue and formulate ideas in one or more ways:
   • Open discussion
   • Informal brainstorming without taking turns
   • Round-robin brainstorming
   • Small group discussion then large group synthesis
   • Speeches by experts
   • Other
3. Make a proposal (a positive statement of a possible action to be taken).
4. Ask clarifying questions (questions to remove ambiguities from the proposal, not voice concerns).
5. List concerns and affirmations about the proposal as stated.
6. Integrate concerns.
7. Ask for unresolved concerns (group decides if concerns are germane).
8. Options if germane concerns can not be resolved:
   • Return to an earlier step.
   • Withdraw the proposal.
   • Withdraw the concern.
   • Refer proposal to a committee reflecting all points of view to report to next meeting.
   • Empower a committee to examine issue and make decision.
   • Take a straw poll.
   • Modify proposal to include or represent concerns.
   • Those with unresolved concerns step aside without favoring the proposal.
   • Schedule community-building sessions to deal with emotional issues.
   • Schedule mediation for parties at odds.
   • Try to identify ambiguous values or values in conflict.
   • Go for modified consensus (80% vote).
9. Consensus is achieved when there are no more unresolved concerns.
10. In the event of unresolvable concerns, the issue can be called to a vote. A four-fifths majority is required to pass.