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group can decide on a few different 'modes' of discussion, analogous in
some ways to gears of a bicycle, which it feels are appropriate.
Considering the metaphor of bicycle gears, a meeting can start off in any
gear, stay in that gear or shift up and down as appropriate. How many
modes or gears a group has needs to be decided as there could be two,
three, four, or more. The extent to which particular tools are associated
with individual gears/modes also needs to be defined.
The following are only a few modes for illustrative purposes. You
could, if you wanted, have a 'Picnic mode' (where everyone went on a
picnic together to discuss an issue) or a 'No time limits mode' (well, a
day or even a weekend, but the whole available time is set aside for the
discussion, apart from social activities. The chair/facilitator needs to
have ideas for structuring the time however). It is for you to decide what
is appropriate.
Examples
1.Extended consensus mode
This can be a specially convened meeting or a residential before a
meeting which will discuss the issue in question. Time is taken to allow
consideration of an area in depth; while there may have to be some time
limitations, normal time restrictions are not applied. Brainstorming (with
no discussion until the ideas have been brainstormed) and lateral thinking
may be appropriate in the early stages of discussion.
2. Options mode [see 'Set aside' under Tools, also End
options]
a) Options are presented in written form by different members of the
group representing different strands of thought. These are compiled and
circulated to everyone before the next meeting.
b) The chair/facilitator confers with some members beforehand in
order to prepare a presentation of possible options, especially ones
which might receive consensus agreement. Where appropriate, options may
be eliminated from the discussion.
c) As above except the chair/facilitator prepares the options
following a discussion in a meeting; these options/proposals are
presented to the next meeting. Brainstorming may be appropriate at the
initial stage.
The three possibilities here under 'Options mode' are similar and which
of them is most appropriate has to be decided.
3. Normal mode
'Normal' meeting rules (whatever they are for an individual group) operate
with the use of appropriate tools from the agreed list, particularly go
rounds, short breaks and time restrictions.
4. Fast mode
Use can be made of go rounds with short time allocations for each person.
This can avoid something which seems uncontroversial being 'nodded
through' only for it to be discovered later that there are problems which
were not discussed.
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