Modified Consensus
As the Portland Food Coop, we acknowledge that how we do our work will determine the quality of our service, how long it flourishes, and what value it will have to the community we serve. (Adapted from AWAKE, Anchorage, AK) As a cooperatively based business and an organization that seeks to value the voices of the community, we have decided to use a decision making process based on the consensus model.
The Portland Food Coop, all of its sub-committee, ad hoc and project committees will make decisions based on the best interest of the coop and all of its members. All new committee members will be given a brief description of consensus, with the expectation that they use that method for decision making.
When there is a decision to be made, any member will give a proposal. The facilitator will then use the model adapted from AWAKE to bring the group to consensus. If consensus is not reached in what the facilitator deems as a reasonable amount of time, then the conversation can be tabled until another meeting, a new proposal can be submitted or a vote can be taken, with each present, participating committee member having one vote. There must be a two-thirds majority to determine outcome.
The decision making process of the Portland Food Coop, subject to amendment. (November 28, 2007)
