Video Reflection Questions

Collaborative Decision Making Part 2:  Role of Participants

Concepts Covered

• Coming together as community to make a decision that is best for entity–decision belongs to group; group works together to think about a solution.

• All agree upon the decision–no winners or losers, seek perspectives from all, maintain relationships.

• Outcome supported by all, especially outside the meeting and even if an individual disagrees.
• Requirements: come prepared; ready to engage in discussion; wait for facilitator to call on individuals; contribute your thoughts to collective through speaking to the Chair; openness to new ideas; speak and release (trust group to have heard it); listen deeply to others’ perspectives; and consider how to build on what others say–group must commit to process.
• Value diversity of opinions–use disagreement as ways to learn and discern what is best for the entity–give-and-take in the meeting, not afterward in the parking lot.
• To reach consensus, not everyone needs to agree (unity, not unanimity)–group is responsible for moving the process forward.

Reflection Questions

• What might another participant do to encourage someone to speak up if they are silent and not engaging in a discussion?
• Describe your experiences with participants supporting a decision outside the group that made the decision.
• Share your thoughts about the difference between unity and unanimity.