Day 50 Interpersonal (Reaching a Consensus)

Reaching a Consensus

Students will be given a copy of p. 99, 100, & 101 of I Am Already Successful: Activity 40 Vote On It. As a class, we will agree on definitions for the following:

1. Compromise: An agreement where both sides give something up.
2. Alternative: Something other than your original choice.
3. Majority: 50% +1
4. Minority: Everyone not in the majority.
5. Persuasion: Trying to convince someone gently.
6. Filibuster: Aggressive actions to push through your agenda or to prevent someone from stating theirs.

Students will then discuss the following ways of arriving to group discussions. Positives and negatives will be discussed.

1. Secret Ballot: No pressure to vote a certain way, takes time and effort.
2. Open Ballot: Very quickly done, people can be pressured to vote a certain way.
3. Roll Call: A definite figure can be found and recorded, people can be pressured to vote a certain way.
4. Consensus: Minority viewpoints are still heard and acknowledged, takes effort and time.

Students will then be given a copy of Papal sympathy praised by chief, from today's Star Phoenix.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Life/Papal+sympathy+praised+chief/1548231/story.html

Students will use this topic, and another topic previously discussed and chosen by the class for a exercise in consensus reaching. The exercise is as follows:

1. Students choose their issue.
2. Each student expresses their opinions, which are recorded.
3. Groups try to reach a consensus. The consensus is expressed as a simple sentence.
4. Each group will record any opinions that were omitted in compromise to reach the consensus.

Issue: Roman Catholic responsibility to provide restitution to first nations people.

Opinions:

1. Pope should apologize to FN people.
2. This is an issue that can't be apologized for because it's still occurring.
3. Not just FN people should be apologized to, but everyone who has suffered because of the church.

Consensus: The Pope should apologize and bless the FN people, but should acknowledge that abuse still occurs.

Compromise: Not Pressing for a global apology from the Pope.