What is Occupy Oakland’s Collective Decision-Making Process?

Occupy Oakland’s Collective Decision-Making Process is the manner in which our General Assembly makes a decision pertaining to a specific proposal. A decision is reached through the mechanics of Occupy Oakland’s Collective Decision Making Process. The following outlines the said mechanics:

Step 1: Proposal is Presented
Proposal is presented to the General Assembly by following the mechanics of submitting a proposal to the General Assembly. Framing  and Actual Proposal

Step 2: Clarifying Questions
Members of the community present clarifying questions to that proposal in front of the assembly (i.e. who, what, when, why and how questions).

a: Each question is addressed by the proposal makers following the presentation of that question.

Step 3:  Pros & Cons
Members of the community are invited to present their views to the entire assembly pertaining to the proposal at hand. The pros and cons portion of the General Assembly is a space for dissent or support.

Step 4: Final Statement
The proposal makers address the concerns of the community following the discussion and adopt any amendments they wish that are brought forth during that discussion.

Step 5: Vote

Step 6: Calculating the Votes
If ninety percent approval is reached, then the proposal passes as an Official Occupy Oakland resolution and the process is complete. If it does not reach ninety percent, the proposal makers can table the proposal for further work or proceed to the second round of voting by adopting amendments.

Step 7: Amendments
To proceed to the second round of voting, the proposal must have received seventy percent approval during the first round of voting. The proposal makers must attach at least one friendly amendment to the original proposal during the amendment process. The community then votes to reach an agreement based on ninety percent approval. If ninety percent is not reached, then the proposal is tabled for continued work. If ninety percent is reached with a friendly amendment(s) then it passes as an Official Occupy Oakland initiative and the process is complete.

* Conflict is inevitable and healthy in a group. It shows that community members are taking ownership and sharing their ideas honestly. However, if conflict escalates and ceases to be constructive the facilitator may enhance any of steps 1-4 through an additional activity. Activities include but are not limited to small group discussion, focus groups on various segments of a proposal, fish bowl, etc.