Editing Consensus decision-making (section)

==Roles==
The consensus decision-making process often has several roles designed to make the process run more effectively. Although the name and nature of these roles varies from group to group, the most common are the [[facilitator]], [[consensor]], a timekeeper, an empath and a secretary or notes taker. Not all decision-making bodies use all of these roles, although the facilitator position is almost always filled, and some groups use supplementary roles, such as a [[Devil's advocate]] or greeter. Some decision-making bodies rotate these roles through the group members in order to build the experience and skills of the participants, and prevent any perceived concentration of power.<ref name="FNB">{{cite web|url=http://www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/ |title=On Conflict and Consensus |access-date=31 October 2011 |author=C.T. Lawrence Butler |author2=Amy Rothstein |publisher=Food Not Bombs Publishing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026234752/http://www.ic.org/pnp/ocac/ |archive-date=26 October 2011 }}</ref>

The common roles in a consensus meeting are:
*''Facilitator'': As the name implies, the role of the facilitator is to help make the process of reaching a consensus decision easier. Facilitators accept responsibility for moving through the agenda on time; ensuring the group adheres to the mutually agreed-upon mechanics of the consensus process; and, if necessary, suggesting alternate or additional discussion or decision-making techniques, such as go-arounds, break-out groups or role-playing.<ref name="Kerrigan">{{cite web|url=http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2004/09/how_to_use_a_co.php |title=How To Use a Consensus Process To Make Decisions |access-date=17 January 2007 |author=Sheila Kerrigan |year=2004 |publisher=Community Arts Network |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619051520/http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2004/09/how_to_use_a_co.php |archive-date=19 June 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Waller |first1=Lori |title=Meeting Facilitation |url=http://otesha.ca/?q=content/meeting-facilitation |access-date=7 August 2020 |ref=Waller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807005539/http://otesha.ca/?q=content%2Fmeeting-facilitation |archive-date=7 August 2020 |url-status=live |publisher=[[The Otesha Project]]}}</ref> Some consensus groups use two co-facilitators. Shared [[Facilitation (business)|facilitation]] is often adopted to diffuse the perceived power of the facilitator and create a system whereby a co-facilitator can pass off facilitation duties if he or she becomes more personally engaged in a debate.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.reclaiming.org/resources/consensus/blakey.html | title = Meeting Facilitation – The No-Magic Method | access-date = 17 January 2007 | author = Berit Lakey | year = 1975 | publisher = Network Service Collaboration | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061231013942/http://www.reclaiming.org/resources/consensus/blakey.html | archive-date = 31 December 2006 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
*''Consensor'': The team of consensors is responsible for accepting those relevant proposals; for displaying an initial list of these options; for drawing up a balanced list of options to represent the entire debate; to analyse the preferences cast in any subsequent ballot; and, if need be, to determine the composite decision from the two most popular options.
*''Timekeeper'': The purpose of the timekeeper is to ensure the decision-making body keeps to the schedule set in the agenda. Effective timekeepers use a variety of techniques to ensure the meeting runs on time including: giving frequent time updates, ample warning of short time, and keeping individual speakers from taking an excessive amount of time.<ref name = "FNB" />
*''Empath'' or ''vibe watch'': The empath, or 'vibe watch' as the position is sometimes called, is charged with monitoring the 'emotional climate' of the meeting, taking note of the body language and other [[Nonverbal communication|non-verbal cues]] of the participants. Defusing potential emotional conflicts, maintaining a climate free of intimidation and being aware of potentially destructive power dynamics, such as sexism or racism within the decision-making body, are the primary responsibilities of the empath.<ref name = "Kerrigan"/>
*''Note taker'': The role of the notes taker or secretary is to document the decisions, discussion and action points of the decision-making body.