Facilitator's Guide

DESCRIBE THE PROCESS

The General Assembly is a 100% horizontal, consensus-based decision making body. Most people who come to the movement will be unfamiliar with what this means, so it is the facilitator's job to help educate them at every single meeting.

Start with hand signs, and what they mean. Explain how consensus works, especially the goals of solidarity and unity. Explain the Stack, as well as the purpose and function of each Role in the process. Introduce all the people filling each role, as well as how to get into those roles.

THE AGENDA

After describing the process to the Assembly, the second item is the agenda. Generally this will have been drafted at a working group (usually the Facilitation Group) before the Assembly. Present the agenda to the Assembly for approval, using the same consensus process as all major decisions. In this way, the agenda (including all time limits) becomes the property of the whole Assembly, and not fiat decided by the facilitators.

A typical agenda might look like this [typical time limits, if applicable]:
Working Group Reports [2 mins. each]
Announcements (facts, events, important information -- NOT a soapbox) [1 min each]
General Proposals
Soapbox - share your opinion!

REACHING CONSENSUS

Every topic brought to the Assembly (including the agenda) goes through the same process, overseen by the facilitators:
Introduce the proposal/topic for discussion
Open Discussion/Open Mic--Time Limits Need to be discussed and agreed upon.
After discussions, Facilitators Identify Underlying Concerns of Speakers
Collaborative Proposal Building/ Problem Solving Teams/Open Mic
Choosing a Direction Based on Discussion
Synthesizing a Final Proposal / Call for Consensus
Closure of Topic

The model embraced by the NYCGA uses a 9/10 modified consensus. Proposals are adopted with 9/10 consent, but no consensus should ever be reached without attempting to resolve all standing blocks. Individuals who block are prepared to leave the movement if the proposal is adopted without them, and this is something we want to avoid if at all possible.

ROLES

At each General Assembly, a few individuals will need to serve in roles that move the discussion forward, while remaining impartial. These roles rotate from one meeting to the next, and are open to anyone interesting in serving the General Assembly.

Every General Assembly has three vital roles that must be filled, as well as a handful of optional roles. These are:
Facilitator - Explains the process, introduces topics, and keeps the agenda moving forward on time. In larger meetings (esp. General Assemblies), it is best for two people to fill this role.
Stack Keeper - Records requests to speak, and organizes the list of speakers (the stack). Keeps speakers within a pre-set time limit (usually one minute.) May have multiple assistants (Stack Takers ) in larger meetings.
Note Taker - Takes notes to document the consensus process, including all proposals, discussion, and decisions of the General Assembly.
Additionally, there are some optional roles that you might want, depending on the size and resources of your General Assembly:
Conductor - Coordinates the People's Mic, when the use of amplified sound is not available or feasible. Will ask for volunteers to act as the People's Mic at the beginning, and may interrupt the process to request more volunteers.
Advocate - Speaks for individuals who cannot speak for themselves, whether due to absence, high emotion, or language barriers. An advocate may be called upon by any person in the Assembly to speak their case, but should always be a last resort.
Vibes Watcher - Monitors the emotional state of the Assembly, and brings attention to problems (coercian, intimidation, weariness, boredom, unexpressed tensions). Reminds the group of common purpose, and suggests breaks and tension reducers when necessary.

THE STACK

The Stack is the list of speakers for each topic, kept and maintained by the Stack Keeper. The Stack Keeper opens the stack at the beginning of each agenda item, and closes it shortly before the topic wraps up, under the direction of the facilitator. Stack requests may be taken by the Stack Keeper, or by assistants (Stack Takers). Speakers are arranged using a progressive stack - that is, priority is given to those who have not spoken before, or are from traditionally marginalized groups. In this way, access to the process is shared more broadly among the Assembly.

Throughout the process, the Stack Keeper will typically announce the next two or three speakers on a given topic, to allow them to make their way to the front of the Assembly. He or she will greet each speaker as they arrive, and inform them of any special rules they need to be aware of, such as time limits or special needs considerations. The Stack Keeper is will also time each speaker, and inform them when their time is up.

HAND SIGNS

The hand signs embraced by the NYCGA are as follows:
I agree with the consensus: Hands in the air, fingers wiggling
Not feeling the consensus, but not a block: Hands down, fingers wiggling
I disagree, and block consensus: Arms crossed like an "X"
Reserve for very serious moral, ethical, or safety concerns
Do not use unless you are prepared to leave the group if proposal is adopted
Speak Up: Finger pointing towards the sky
Violating rules of assembly / Off Topic: Fingers formed into triangle over head
Measuring how group feels about consensus (Taking temperature): How high hands are raised

THE PEOPLE'S MIC

The People's Mic is used when there are too many people to easily hear the speaker, and amplified sound is not available or feasible.

The speaker says just a few words at a time, then pauses as the people who can hear what she said loudly repeat the phrase so people further from the speaker know what was said. For very large crowds, multiple echos might be necessary.

At the beginning of each General Assembly, a Conductor will be appointed (if necessary) to make sure the People's Mic is functioning smoothly. The Conductor may request a few volunteers to act as the People's Mic throughout the Assembly, or request the entire Assembly to act as the People's Mic.

Effective use of the People's Mic requires speakers be concise and direct, and to avoid the temptation to say phrases of more than a few words at a time.

A "Mic Check" is how the Conductor gets attention to the People's Mic and ensures everyone can hear. Everyone repeats "Mic Check" until the speaker can be heard through the whole crowd.

Read more: http://occupyindy.proboards.com/index.cg....7#ixzz1ae560R9s