CONSENSUS BUILDING SLIDES

Slide 1: Consensus Building
(Image of healthy school-aged children in a huddle.)
The SHI is meant to be completed in teams. Teamwork allows for an exchange of ideas that can be extremely productive. However, using teamwork to develop an action plan to improve school health can also be a challenging task. Throughout the SHI process, the team will engage in important discussions and will need to come to a consensus on key issues. Consensus is a very important part of both teamwork and decision-making. I’d now like to discuss what consensus is and how we develop consensus.

Who can tell me what consensus is?

Slide 2: Consensus is…
Consensus is finding an acceptable proposal that all members can support.
Who can tell me what consensus is not?
 
Slide 3: Consensus is not…
A unanimous vote is not a consensus, because it may not reflect everyone’s first priority.

A majority vote is not a consensus, because in a majority, some people may get something they don’t want at all.

Everyone is not going to be 100% satisfied. You might want to consider the 80/20 rule—are you 80% happy with the final decision?

Slide 4: Consensus requires…
Consensus building is not an easy process. It requires time, active participation by all, good listening and communication skills by all, open-mindedness, and creative thinking.

Slide 5: How to Build Consensus, Step 1
To help build consensus among SHI team members on key issues, groups might want to try this two-step process. The first step is to generate ideas through brainstorming. During brainstorming, it is important that no value judgments are made on proposed ideas—brainstorming allows for a free-flowing of ideas. Here are a few possible strategies for brainstorming.

In free-style brainstorming, remind the participants of the topic, often in the form of a “how,” “why,” or “what” question. Encourage participants to give ideas and write them on a flip chart. Ensure that no discussion or value judgments are made about the ideas.

To use the Post-it method, give each participant a stack of Post-it notes and ask him or her to write each of their ideas on separate Post-its. Then stick all of the Post-its onto a flip chart. Let the group decide if there are duplicates that can be removed.

For the graffiti method, use flip chart paper to write down at the top of each sheet a key topic to be discussed. Post the sheets on the walls around the room. Allow participants time to walk around and write their ideas directly on the paper. Review and discuss the comments as a group.

Slide 6: How to Build Consensus, Step 2
Once your group has brainstormed ideas, it is important to clarify, group, and rank ideas. As with brainstorming, there are a number of ways to do this, but here is one idea.

Multi-voting involves grouping ideas on the brainstorming list into similar categories. Then, number each idea. Next, have participants select the few items they feel are the most important or most interesting. (A rule of thumb is that participants cannot choose more than one-third of the total number of items on the list). Go down the list of items and ask participants to say which ones they think are the most important. Participants can also vote by placing stickers next to their choices or by secret ballot. Tally the votes and select the items with the most votes. Finally, discuss, debate, clarify, and “sell” the items with the highest votes.

Slide 7: Don’t Forget!
Don’t forget that a consensus is finding an acceptable proposal that all members can support.