Clarification of CoTech decision-making process

In the outcome of the “Allow GreenNet to join CoTech” thread Chris Lowis highlighted a lack of clarity in what rules rules apply to Loomio proposals in terms of voting basis (majority, unanimity, something else?) and quorum.
In the outcome of the “Reconfigure Loomio to allow CoTech to make decisions” thread it was agreed that voting should be on a one-coop-one-vote basis and the welcome page was updated to include the following text:
> If you are a member of a CoTech network co-operative you can participate in discussions and decisions here on Loomio. Voting on proposals is on the basis of one-coop-one-vote, so before voting on an issue, discuss internally and then make it clear when you vote that you are voting on behalf of your co-operative.
I’d like us to clarify what voting basis and quorum should be used for decision-making for the CoTech network. I plan to add a proposal to start the ball rolling.

Simon Grant Mon 28 Aug 2017 6:16AM
"people are encouraged to try things action-learning-like rather than theorising or designing structures that may or not may work in practice."
great!
"people and experts commenting and giving opinions"
I'd guess it's well recognised that people who give opinions on things that don't practically affect them aren't necessarily contributing positively to any decision.
When I read "I prefer a do-ocracy to a vote-ocracy", I'm feeling a bit of frustration because what I really want is to have the opportunity to find out what we agree on already, and what I can learn about you, or life, that I don't already know. The words may be getting in the way.
Many people have put a lot of effort into exploring ways to do "consensus" well in practice, but have kept hold of the term "consensus", while interpreting it in ways that are similar to what other people mean by "consent". Saying or implying that consensus is sub-optimal disrespects their efforts and meanings, and risks serving to start argumentation rather than dialogue.
A principle which I find very helpful in these kinds of situation is if both sides let go of their preferred terminology for the moment, and talk about what they find helpful or unhelpful in neutral terms. Often, when we have the courage to let go of our own terminology, we are surprised by the amount of common ground.
Pete Burden Mon 28 Aug 2017 9:14AM
Well said, Simon, thanks.
Re consent, consensus, I am sorry. A trap I sometimes fall into.
It sounds like we agree terminology can get in the way of understanding.
We also seem to agree that practical action is to be preferred to theorising.
In the spirit of surfacing assumptions and getting to know one another, I'd like to hear how familiar people are with the basic 'consent'-building process as used in eg Sociocracy?
And what other means of gaining 'consensus' are currently in use?
While not wanting to completely put aside the idea that much progress happens outside of formal decision-making processes (which may be what the do-ocracy idea relates to) I hope this might move us forward.

Simon Grant Wed 28 Feb 2018 11:15AM
Following on from the apparent disagreements over DLC membership and the decision-making on that topic, do folks prefer to extend this thread, or start a new, broader discussion on governance, which I guess could include evolving the constitution as well as detailing process and practice around and supporting decision-making, as well as decision-making itself?
Pete Burden · Sat 26 Aug 2017 12:37PM
Like Harry, I prefer a do-ocracy to a vote-ocracy.
I also prefer to work in a place where forgiveness is asked more than permission. Where people are encouraged to try things action-learning-like rather than theorising or designing structures that may or not may work in practice.
For me the world is filled with people and experts commenting and giving opinions. Personally, I think that might all be a distraction.
I am also very keen on a consent-based model of decision-making because for me that allows things to get done, more often than other models - either consensus or voting.
I like simple, easy to remember and use, models.
But those are just my personal preferences. I am really interested to hear about others ideas.