convergent thinking Participatory Decision-Making

convergent thinking Facilitation Slide 2

convergent thinking Facilitator Someone who “makes the process easy.” remains objective and neutral helps everyone feel comfortable and included designs an agenda to keep things on track guides the discussion plans the outcome may record key discussion points helps the group reach decisions summarizes the conversation

convergent thinking Ground rules

Techniques: ground rules 1. Listen to others 2. Respect the validity of others’ views even if you disagree 3. Suspend judgement 4. Be brief 5. Participate by sharing your views

convergent thinking Agreement on procedures we’ll follow to make discussion productive Process for making decisions Reminder that everyone needs to participate Reminder that no one should dominate Ground rules

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point group discussion

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger familiar opinions ?

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger familiar opinions diverse perspectives Boy, is that stupid That makes me mad I disagree!

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger familiar opinions diverse perspectives struggle

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger divergent thinking convergent thinking familiar opinions diverse perspectives struggle refinements consolidated thinking

convergent thinking New topic decisio n point Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger divergent thinkingconvergent thinking generating alternativesevaluating alternatives free for all open discussionsummarizing key points gathering diverse points of viewsorting ideas into categories discovering the logic of a problemarriving at a general conclusion

convergent thinking Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger Core values: Participatory decision making Full participation all members encouraged to speak no one is allowed to dominate diversity of opinion leads to better decisions Mutual understanding need to understand and accept legitimacy of one another’s goals and needs basic acceptance and understanding is crucial diversity of opinion leads to better decisions Inclusive solutions group is wiser than individuals Quakers say” Everybody has a piece of the truth” Shared responsibility members feel a strong sense of shared responsibility for decisions feel responsibility for helping to implement decisions diversity of opinion leads to better decisions

convergent thinking Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duana Berger Benefits of participatory values Personal learning Improved leadership skills Stronger power of reasoning More confidence More commitment Better communication skills Effective groups greater access to multiple talents access to more sources of information more peaceful atmosphere for making decisions clear procedures for handling group decisions increased capacity for tackling difficult problems Sustainable agreements more ideas higher quality ideas solutions that integrate everyone’s goals wiser decisions more reliable follow-through

Case study: Reengaging the community

Scenario Board struggling with how to get people involved Many new residents were not active 10-year-old strategic plan had lost relevance Changing community conditions including development activity, housing market, economic downturn Changing demographics – more families with children

Where would you start?

1. Must have agreement that organization really wants involvement – discuss pros and cons of engagement 2. Build on what’s already in place - past strategic plans, neighborhood surveys and votes 3. Process design - what are your goals?

Process design 1. Give new residents an opportunity to set a new agenda 2. Quickly develop a vision for the future – focus on positive 3. List obstacles and opportunities 4. Spend majority of time developing action steps

Techniques: large group SWOT analysis: strengths weaknesses opportunities threats

Techniques: large group Dot voting Simple way to let everyone have an equal voice in setting priorities

Techniques: small groups 6-10 people share ideas record their group opinions report out to entire group

Outcomes a working plan to help all residents feel involved in activities and priorities. board and long-time neighborhood residents felt reenergized roadmap for next 5 years for dealing with city, developers and community partners