Interpreters' Cooperative of Madison

Preset meeting time, location, agenda and length of meeting.

Pass Out Agenda and assign note taker and facilitator if this has not been done previously through email. (I am proposing that it would be best to preset these assignments on a rotating basis after we establish the regular meeting date.)

Check in. (7 minutes)

Review Agenda. Ask for any additions to the Agenda. (3 minutes) (Based on the agenda it will be discerned if there is a discussion or a decision required for each item and how much time can be spent on each item. I suggest we do this before the meeting and that the member proposing the agenda item includes it with their item.)

The discussion of each item will follow its presentation by the member who has proposed it. Each member shall speak on the item at will beginning with the person to the left of the member who has brought this item to the meeting.
If the agenda item requires a decision the facilitator will ask for more discussion in order of show of hands until a member suggests that the group is ready to vote. The facilitator will monitor the discussion as per time allotted to that agenda item.

When it is time to vote the note taker will reread the proposal that has grown out of the discussion from of the agenda item. Members will agree or amend the proposal through show of hands. When all are comfortable with the stated proposal the facilitator will ask if everyone is ready to vote. If everyone is not ready to vote discussion will be called for if the designated time has not elapsed. If the time has elapsed the facilitator will ask for a vote on whether to spend additional time on the agenda item or move on. If everyone is ready to vote a vote will be called for.
The facilitator will ask, “Who is comfortable with this proposal?” The members will respond through show of hands.(This vote reflects a feeling that the proposal is good for the group and all the members of the group in all of its aspects.)
Next the facilitator will ask, “Who can live with this proposal?” The members respond through show of hands. (This vote reflects an acceptance of the proposal the way that it is with a feeling that some of it could be different but not a strong enough feeling to block consensus nor the proposal.)
Next the facilitator will ask, “Is there is anyone who completely objects to this
proposal?” (This vote blocks the proposal until the next step of the process.)

If all of the members are either comfortable or can live the proposal it passes. If one or more members object the proposal cannot pass.
If the proposal does not pass the facilitator will ask the objecting members to state their objections. Subsequent to these statements the facilitator will ask for feedback on whether the group wants to continue to try to resolve the proposal or table the discussion. If a proposal is objected to it may not be moved to a majority vote status until the next meeting though it may be moved to consensus vote a second time in the same meeting after discussion of the objections.

When the set time for an agenda item has elapsed the facilitator shall note that to the group. When the meeting time has elapsed the facilitator will note that to the group and adjourn unless a member propose to continue the meeting.
Consensus must be reached on the first round of voting in order to extend the meeting time.