##Resources on Facilitation

<h2><a href="http://publiclab.org/wiki/mailing-lists#Guidelines">Guidelines</a></h2>

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References:
<a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Etiquette">http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Etiquette</a>,<br>
<a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Community_Code_of_Conduct_(Draft)">http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Community_Code_of_Conduct_(Draft)</a><br>
<a href="https://hackpad.com/HOT-Code-1X2acHIN2HX">https://hackpad.com/HOT-Code-1X2acHIN2HX</a>

##Resources on Facilitation
##Potential Models of Facilitation and Decision Making
[Consensus decision making via voting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making#Decision_rules)<br>

[Roberts Rules of Order: Parliamentary procedure.](http://www.rulesonline.com/) <br> A quote from the ether: "Robert's Rules are what make town hall meetings so boring." But there are clear ways to form a new proposal and present it to the group, and it would be helpful to have a widely known American standard. However, Public Lab is an international community.
<br>
[Spokes Council Model](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokescouncil). <br>Good pic at  Used by the Occupy movement--[good pic here](http://www.occupylv.org/spokes-council-organizing-affinity-groups). Representatives from Working Groups (or Affinity Groups) meet in a Spokes Council. Does not presume a particular decision making method for the Spokes Council -- it could be consensus, voting, whatever.
<br>
[Sociocracy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocracy). <br>_Consensus processes like Quakers. However, if the group can't reach a decision, a smaller group (say, 5 or 6 out a a group of 40) would be delegated to reach a decision. (yes this is a reference from Mathew Lippincott). _
<br>
Summary of Statement-Based Process (current method)
<ul>* members may present public statements, motions, or open letters and encourage others to sign them, as is sometimes done by university faculties
* may then say "x % of organizers signed a statement that ..." or "the undersigned ..." 
Pros: 
    * nobody may speak for anyone else without their signed affirmation
    * anyone may write a statement and circulate it for support at any time; minimal "process"
    * no veto; dissenting members cannot stop others from writing or signing statements
Cons:
    * essentially nonbinding: a statement does not speak for the Organizers group as a body unless it has 100% of its membership signed
    * very difficult to reach 100%; most statements will presumably be signed by a [possibly small] subset of organizers
</ul><br>
[The Union system, as established by the International Worker's Association](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workers%27_Association#Organization). 
_If you wanted to push a change to the overall organization, you'd first put it first through your "Local," Local Union, or possibly even chapter--[Mondragon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondragon_Corporation) in Spain is a famous example._

##Types of Facilitation
##Handbooks
**Come Hell or High Water: A Handbook on Collective Process Gone Awry**<br> Book published by AK Press. http://www.akpress.org/comehellorhighwater.html <br>_"Helps individuals navigate the world of egalitarian, directly democratic groups. From authors' experiences working with egalitarian and anarchist organizations"_


##Online Discussion/Decision Making Platforms:
http://loomio.org/
https://pol.is/
http://www.discourse.org/

##Rough Ideas##

<p>Flat leadership can be great for innovation and interaction.  However, some events may be controversial and require mediators and facilitators to provide a forum for reaching consensus.</p>
<p>Consensus is desired, but may not be obtained.  What will be our process then?  How will we voice dissenting views? <br>Many other methods exist for approaching difficult decisons.  Could we approach consensus by region, mailing group, organizers, Robert's Rules of Order, etc.? </p>