WPIRG

Consensus Decision Making

WPIRG promotes the use of consensus-decision making throughout the organization. We provide training on consensus at the start of every school term. Consensus is a group decision-making process where all members are heard and the group works toward reaching a decision that is acceptable to everyone. The consensus process attempts to constructively deal with the range of opinion which naturally exists within any group.

Consensus will only work when participants make a serious commitment to using consensus, are respectful and supportive of each other, and are like-minded (serious division of opinion on fundamental issues destroys the essential cohesiveness of a group).

Consensus is not unanimity. Reservations or differences on a particular issue may still exist within the group ­ individuals may prefer a solution other than the one that is adopted. Consensus is reached if everyone in the group is willing to accept a decision and they feel it is the best possible decision which can be achieved under the circumstances. Consensus takes lots of practice, but it’s one of the best ways to try and emulate the change we’d like to see in the world.

The Board of Directors & the AGM

The Board of Directors is elected by the membership at an Annual General Meeting held in March. WPIRG is audited annually and reports to its membership at the AGM. While WPIRG funding which supports volunteer training, events and projects, maintenance of an office and library, plus two full-time staff is administered by the Board of Directors, the bulk of the issues worked on are chosen by volunteers. To learn more about the Board of Directors, click on the link on the left hand side of this page.

WPIRG is unique when compared to many other organizations. The range of issues and projects undertaken by volunteers through WPIRG is a result of the amazing mix of people who come through our doors passionate about an environmental or social justice issue.