MCC & Advisory Committees
Decision Rules for Conflict Resolution
Purpose
The goal of the Decision Rules for Conflict Resolution
is to work toward consensus and resolution of significant problems.
These rules are intended to ensure that conflict is handled in a constructive
manner, allowing for differing opinions to be heard. In most instances,
these issues can be settled with some discussion, followed by a vote and
a majority ruling.
However, when these are important issues that may threaten to disrupt
progress, preestablished Decision Rules will be used at the discretion
of the MCC co-chairs and Advisory Committee co-chairs.
Decision Rules
These Decision Rules are adapted from “Guidelines for Discussion,”
originally developed by the MCC Prioritization Committee and approved
by the full MCC at its Feb. 4, 1998 meeting.
If discussion of an issue results in significant disagreement
or conflict which is not readily resolved, a “straw” vote will determine
how many agree on a particular issue.
If the “straw” vote shows > 75% agree, then
the issue will carry.
If it shows that <75% agree, the following process
to facilitate discussion and potential resolution will be implemented
for a time period specified by the group:
After the “straw” vote, identify and focus
discussion on the relative points of agreement (i.e., “What does
the group agree upon?”)
Then clarify, “What are the specific points of
disagreement? What options are there for a compromise?”
If after this discussion there is still <75% agreement,
the pros and cons of continuing the discussion will be considered.
A vote will be taken either to drop the issue or continue the discussion
for a set amount of time agreed upon by the group. If the discussion
is continued and completed, the issue will be put to a final vote.
If <75% favor the proposal, the issue will be dropped.
Once an issue has been dropped, it can be referred
for subsequent discussion at a future meeting if there is a majority
vote (>50%) to do so.
Click
here to download the MCC Decision Rules
for Conflict Resolution as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.*
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