id: cooperative-consent-round
title: Cooperative Consent Round
description: >-
  A decision method where each member in turn states consent, stand-aside,
  or objection to a proposal, so the decision is recorded with all
  positions visible. Used in worker cooperatives and sociocratic
  organisations.
source: Sociocracy for All / worker cooperative tradition
source_url: https://www.sociocracyforall.org/
tags: [consent, cooperative, decision-making, governance]
forked_from: null
image: null
steps:
  - headline: Present the proposal
    description: >-
      The proposer presents the proposal and answers clarifying questions
      only. No opinions are offered yet.
  - headline: Open for reaction
    description: >-
      The facilitator opens a brief round of reactions to surface concerns,
      without yet seeking resolution. Concerns are listed visibly.
  - headline: Amend to address concerns
    description: >-
      The proposer amends the proposal to address concerns that have been
      raised, stating each change explicitly.
  - headline: Consent round
    description: >-
      Each member in turn states one of: consent (no reasoned objection),
      stand-aside (I won't help but won't block), or objection (a specific
      reason this would cause harm).
  - headline: Address objections or withdraw
    description: >-
      Objections are addressed by further amendment. If an objection cannot
      be resolved, the proposal is withdrawn or held.
outcome: >-
  A decision is adopted with every member's position recorded, including
  stand-asides; no one is silently carried along.
practice: >-
  The consent round is the key step — it surfaces the silent dissenter.
  Stand-aside is not a block; it is a recorded non-participation. Objections
  must be reasoned and specific.