tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post1172469544348423170..comments2024-01-07T09:34:44.086-05:00Comments on What Canst Thou Say?: Voting vs. Quaker decision-making in third gradeRobin M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-6090412748959339932011-12-02T15:32:43.687-05:002011-12-02T15:32:43.687-05:00I have heard of a decision process that is attribu...I have heard of a decision process that is attributed to Quakers. I'd like to know if it is true. The idea is that you ask the congregation what options they *cannot* live with. That leaving the set of options that everyone would be OK with. Then, you can proceed from there. Is this actually a method that Quakers use in their decision approach?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-51774306642859962022007-05-03T20:54:00.000-04:002007-05-03T20:54:00.000-04:00Liz, if they had to identify a class mayor through...Liz, if they had to identify a class mayor through a Quaker process, they'd have a nominating committee, etc. Friends know how to do this pretty well, I think.<BR/><BR/>cubbie, the kids' examples were great. One of the things I should have taken away from my devotion to <A HREF="http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2007/05/further-appreciation-of-tom-chapin.html" REL="nofollow"> Tom Chapin</A> is that the images have to be vivid and it helps if they're funny.<BR/><BR/>Martin, I decided to be brave and just go ahead with what I really think about Quaker decision making. That means talking about God, not too much in this setting, but I can't avoid it either. To me, Quaker process, for worship or business, doesn't really make sense without God. And these are great kids - thoughtful, well-behaved, and well-prepared. As is common in their school, I started by asking for a short time of silence for us all to collect ourselves. It was, as always, the right way to start a Quaker discussion.<BR/><BR/>One of the things that the teacher said after I finished, while reminding the students about the upcoming board of supervisors' meeting, was that good listening makes the voting process work better too. Which of course is true for almost any decision-making process.<BR/><BR/>I'm still trying to find out from my son whether it was interesting to the students or not really. He was engaged, at least, and not yet embarrassed to have his mother at school.Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-38880132894386256582007-05-03T18:21:00.000-04:002007-05-03T18:21:00.000-04:00Sounds like you got pretty deep into it, cool. Whe...Sounds like you got pretty deep into it, cool. When I spoke at a semi-Quaker high school last year I was surprised at the direction it took so I can imagine the third-grader class animation when they realized they could talk about the role of cheating. I don't think I ever thought of disruptive business meeting practices as cheating but I guess it is. Interesting indeed!<BR/>MartinMartin Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999620933648327663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-23337491748569256532007-05-03T18:00:00.000-04:002007-05-03T18:00:00.000-04:00i like what you have to say... please give me a s...i like what you have to say... please give me a skateboard. no, wait, candy. no, wait, a skateboard.<BR/><BR/>... all silliness aside, i do like it. i am glad when quaker things happen at the quaker school.cubbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01967417546891684102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-66887526632064755942007-05-03T17:54:00.000-04:002007-05-03T17:54:00.000-04:00Hey, Robin--You sure this summary of what you said...Hey, Robin--<BR/><BR/>You sure this summary of what you said wasn't for adults who attend Meetings for Worship with attention to Business?!? smile<BR/><BR/>I liked the spin of "cheating" at Business Meeting. That's a new way of looking at it.<BR/><BR/>I wonder how the kids would have carried out "elections" if they had to search for sense of the meeting to identify that student to serve as class mayor. Just a thought.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Liz Opp, <A HREF="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">The Good Raised Up</A>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.com