Making decisions is something we do every day as individuals, as well as within the groups or organizations we work with. Some groups make decisions by voting, others by consensus, and still others use a combination of processes, depending on the decision and situation. How we make decisions is about harnessing our collective power—few groups have spent much time talking about how we make collective decisions. But sometimes—in moments of conflict, transition, or because we’ve become “stuck”—it can be useful to have more options for making decisions, and a shared understanding of how to “switch” between them. Flexible decision-making is a hallmark of many agile and effective groups.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to explore the range of decision-making options available to groups working for social change. Participants will get more clarity on their own and their group’s approach to decision-making, and gain new options for finding agreement and advancing our work. Light refreshments and handouts will be provided.

The workshop will be facilitated by Luz Guerra and Andrew Willis Garcés.

Luz Guerra is an activist consultant who has worked with grassroots organizations for more than 30 years. Her first job as a housing organizer in New York City included facilitating discussions on decision-making, and she’s been hooked ever since. Andrew Willis Garcés gives workshops and leads planning meetings with Training for Change/Talleristas por la Justicia, writes at http://www.porvida.org/, and vividly remembers his first experience facilitating decision-making at age 17 with the Broward County Green Party.

There is a $20 registration fee, with a sliding scale for low-income and students.

For more information, contact luzatlarana@hush.com.

Location: 5604 Manor, 5604 Manor Road, Austin, 78723