StaticContract
The StaticContract is made up of all the GoThresholds, plus the DoneTimer.
GoThresholds
A GoThreshold is a minimum level of agreement (preferably 90%) and participation (number of people, sometimes categorized).
Examples
Participation GoThresholds:
- We need at least 11 ActiveMembers.
- We need at least 10 ActiveMembers who are not AboutUsStaff to participate.
- We need at least 10,000 residents of Cook County, Illinois, USA.
Agreement GoThresholds:
- We need at least 91% of those who do participate to be at YES on this document to "go".
- We need at least 90% of AboutUsStaff that participate to be at YES on this document to "go".
Why 90%
Are you crazy? How are we going to get 90% agreement?
Many communities are so divided that 90% seems like an unattainable number. When a group has a hard time getting to 51% using voting, 90% is unbelievable. And yet it works. In a consensus poll you can still reach a 90% consensus because of the other aspects of consensus polling, including the dynamic document and the active listening. There are not merely two options ("Yes" or "No") as in voting. People can actually change the document to work for them. This means that a sharply polarized community of people has a good chance of ending up together.
Consensus means 100%! How can you use only 90%?
We seek full agreement of everyone. And, we recognize that sometimes we just can't get there. It's really important that we not simply get to 90% and stop, because that's "good enough." We need to make a good faith effort to get to 100%. And if there are still hold-outs after that, we can still let the group move forward with a strong, but not unanimous agreement.
The Role of the Done Timer
Once a ConsensusPoll is above all of the GoThresholds, the DoneTimer begins counting up to a time specified in advance (48 hours or 7 days, for example). This means everyone has time to consider the document again, and either edit it or change their status, if necessary. If we fall below the GoThresholds, the DoneTimer is turned off. Also, each time the document is edited the DoneTimer starts over. The consensus poll isn't actually done until the DoneTimer expires.
Speak now or forever hold your peace
When the DoneTimer begins, your responsibility as a participant is to take one last look. If you identify a critical flaw, it is your further responsibility to edit the document. This resets the DoneTimer and more importantly, fixes the flaw in the document.
What about last-minute changes?
Don't worry. The DoneTimer gives everyone an opportunity to review and weigh in. And if you change the document, the timer starts over, giving everyone else the same opportunity, so there's no such thing as a last-minute change.
What can I do, as a participant, while the DoneTimer is running?
- Review the document and my thoughts.
- Change my status if necessary.
- Edit the document to make it better.
Also see EffectiveStaticContract.
