The consensus building handbook : a comprehensive guide to reaching agreement / edited by Lawrence Susskind, Sarah McKearnan, and Jennifer Thomas-Larmer. [print]

Includes bibliographies and index.

An alternative to Robert's Rules of Order for groups, organizations, and ad hoc assemblies that want to operate by consensus Lawrence Susskind -- Choosing appropriate consensus building techniques and strategies Susan Carpenter -- Conducting a conflict assessment Lawrence Susskind, Jennifer Thomas-Larmer -- Designing a consensus building process using a graphic road map David A. Straus -- Convening Chris Carlson -- The role of facilitators, mediators, and other consensus building practitioners Michael L. Poirier Elliott -- Representation of stakeholding interests David Laws -- Managing meetings to build consensus David A. Straus -- Producing consensus Sarah McKearnan, David Fairman -- Joint fact-finding and the use of technical experts John R. Ehrmann, Barbara L. Stinson -- Making the best use of technology Connie P. Ozawa -- Dealing with the press James E. Kunde -- Dealing with deep value differences John Forester -- Legal issues in consensus building Dwight Golann, Eric E. Van Loon -- Implementing consensus-based agreements William R. Potapchuk, Jarle Crocker -- Visioning Carl M. Moore, Gianni Longo, Patsy Palmer -- Collaborative problem solving within organizations Christopher W. Moore, Peter J. Woodrow -- Evaluating consensus building Judith E. Innes -- Introduction to the cases and commentaries Michele Ferenz -- Activating a policy network : the case of Mainport Schiphol Peter Driessen -- The Northern Oxford County Coalition : four Maine towns tackle a public health mystery Sarah McKearnan and Patrick Field -- The Chelsea charter consensus process Susan L. Podziba -- Affordable housing mediation : building consensus for regional agreements in the Hartford area Lawrence Susskind and Susan L. Podziba -- San Francisco Estuary Project Judith E. Innes and Sarah Connick -- Resolving science-intensive public policy disputes : reflections on the New York Bight Initiative -- Negotiating superfund cleanup at the Massachusetts Military Reservation Edward Scher -- RuleNet : an experiment in online consensus building Michele Ferenz and Colin Rule -- Regulatory negotiations : the Native American experience Jan Jung-Min Sunoo and Juliette A. Falkner -- Cross-cultural community-based planning : negotiating the future of Haida Gwaii (British Columbia) / Norman Dale -- The Chattanooga process : a city's vision is realized John Parr -- From city hall to the streets : a community plan meets the real world Kate Connolly -- The Catron County Citizens Group : a case study in community collaboration Melinda Smith -- Facilitating statewide HawaiiV/AIDS policies and priorities in Colorado Michael A. Hughes with John Forester and Irene Weiser -- Finding common ground on abortion Michelle LeBaron and Nike Carstarphen -- Organizational trauma recovery : the "God's Fellowship Community Church" reconciliation process David Brubaker -- Building consensus for change within a major corporation : the case of Levi Strauss and Company Judy Mares-Dixon, Julie A. McKay, and Scott Peppet.

Whether you work in the corporate world, a nonprofit organization, or the government sector, you likely face the need to work with others to solve problems and make decisions on a daily basis. And you've undoubtedly been frustrated by how laborious and conflict-ridden such group efforts can be. At all levels--from neighborhood block associations to boards of directors of multinational corporations--the consensus building process is highly effective in an increasingly fragmented, contentious society. In addition, the old top-down methods such as Robert's Rules of Orders often prompt more problems then they solve. Consensus helps you to implement better, more creative solutions. It provides a winning alternative to top-down decision making--and even parliamentary procedure. By learning to build consensus, stakeholders come to understand and respect one another's perspectives. The consensus building process allows participants to find solutions and forge agreements that meet everyone's needs--and provides a meaningful basis for effective, long-range implementation of decisions. The Consensus Building Handbook provides a blueprint to help make the process work in your organization, including a practical, quick-reference Short Guide. Plus, you'll find in-depth commentary and seventeen case studies with in-depth commentaries to provide the theoretical basis for this approach. --From publisher's description.

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