All meetings should be conducted in the same spirit of acceptance of one another that we hold in the
dance. Every contribution is important and every member is equal. It is important to remember that
everyone who becomes a GA does so with good intentions of helping and supporting the network.
We share the responsibility of focalising and minute-taking as it aids understanding and helps
people take part.
Taking time
Care and time should be taken in reaching decisions so that GAs can be supportive of any decisions
reached — which is why we ask GAs to give a day of their time for any meeting.
Dancing
Dance is used as a tool to remind us of why we are there and to help in reaching decisions. During the course of the meeting, any Guardian Angel can suggest that we need to dance. It is not just the
focaliser’s responsibility.
Minutes
Minutes are taken and agreed after each decision has been reached during the meeting, so that
everyone is clear about what has been decided and to avoid protracted discussion about them at the
next meeting.
Decision-making techniques
- A show of hands: this method is useful for any straightforward decisions, e.g. adopting accounts. There is a presentation, discussion and then a move to a vote. This can also be used to find whether there are any sticking points.
- Creative listening: These techniques, in which each contribution is heard, are particularly useful if the topic under discussion provokes strong feelings and opposing views, e.g. a prospective GA over whom there is uncertainty. For these methods to work, speaking for yourself, not defending a position or criticising others and using ‘I think’ rather than assuming that you are speaking for others are all important. Each contribution is discrete but they build up to a decision of which all have ownership. They enable people to change their minds by not forcing them to defend a position.
A couple of examples
- A go-round is when everyone speaks in turn round the circle and the meeting goes round until a consensus is reached. There is the right to pass — you do not have to speak — or there is the right to speak later in a second round if you have not spoken before.
- Talking stick: whoever holds the talking stick has the floor and should not be interrupted (contributions can be timed). Contributions can be in order or random.
Smaller groups
Some problems that need further research could be delegated to a smaller group to report back at a
later meeting.
Frances Fawkes
October 2004
Amended 2005
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