Session 14: Fair Group Decisions

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Signs of Our Faith, Grades 2-3: Being UU Every Day

In This Section

Introduction
From Signs of Our Faith

I believe that decision making should not be the exclusive right of the privileged. That those who are affected by policy—not those who by default often stand above it—should be heard in the debate. — Winona LaDuke, Native American activist This session is about the fifth Principle and use of…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Story — Game Day 10 Activity 2: Authority, Majority, and Consensus 10 Activity 3: Role Plays 20 Activity 4: Making a Group Decision 15 Faith in Action: Enacting the Group Decision Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action — Our Congregation’s…
Spiritual Preparation
From Signs of Our Faith

Today’s session is about our fifth Unitarian Universalist Principle, the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in our congregations and in society at large. Read the session’s quotation from Winona LaDuke….
Opening
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Centering table A chime or bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Cloth for centering table Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Preparation for Activity If the group designe…
Activity 1: Story-Game Day
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “Game Day” Leader Resource 1, Illustration – Game Day in Abby’s Classroom Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Fidget Objects) Preparation for Activity Prepare to tell or read the story to the group using th…
Activity 2: Authority, Majority, and Consensus
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 2, Ways to Make Group Decisions Preparation for Activity Print the Leader Resource. Use it as a guide to prepare and post three newsprint sheets to portray “authority,” “majority,” and “consensus,” as…
Activity 3: Role Plays
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint sheets “Authority,” “Majority,” and “Consensus,” from Activity 2 Preparation for Activity Read the description of this activity. Then, come up with scenarios to offer the group for role play in addition to those presented here….
Activity 4: Making a Group Decision
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stickers Preparation for Activity Plan the scenario for which you will ask the group to make a decision. The decision could involve choosing a low-cost snack to serve to all RE groups at a future meeting time.
Closing
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Optional: Items needed for new Closing ritual (Session 9, Activity 4) Preparation for Activity…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Signs of Our Faith

With your co-leaders, reflect on the session. What went well? What would you do differently next time? Ask yourselves: How have you made decisions together? Is there anything from this session you will apply to your personal life? Review the next sessions and assign any advance preparation….
Faith In Action: Enacting the Group Decision
From Signs of Our Faith

Description of Activity Participants follow through on the Faith in Action idea created in Activity 4, Making a Group Decision. Be sure to gather the group after the activity or event they had decided on together. Ask if they feel they made a good decision….
Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action-Our Congregation's Governance
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Visual aids, such as a list of the congregation’s board members and their roles, copies of board agendas, or photos of board members Preparation for Activity Invite two congregational board members as guests….
Taking It Home: Fair Group Decisions
From Signs of Our Faith

I believe that decision making should not be the exclusive right of the privileged. That those who are affected by policy—not those who by default often stand above it—should be heard in the debate. — Winona LaDuke, Native American activist IN TODAY’S SESSION… we talked about ways to make…
Game Day
From Signs of Our Faith

Abby always liked school, but she was especially excited about today. Her class had earned a reward: a game day! Their teacher, Dr. Liu, promised they could spend most of the day playing games. Abby’s best friend, Kamal, hoped they would play his favorite board game. Abby hoped they would play…
Leader Resource 1: Illustration - Game Day in Abby's Classroom
From Signs of Our Faith

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 2: Ways to Make Group Decisions
From Signs of Our Faith

Authority “I will make the decision.” One or more leaders decide what is best for the group as a whole at this time. Leaders may consult with other members before making a decision, but the decision belongs to the leader(s) alone. Majority “We will make the decision because most of us agree.” The…
Find Out More
From Signs of Our Faith

The Consensus Decision-Making website has helpful material on consensus. A Quaker blogger, Robin Mohr, writes about teaching http://robinmsf.blogspot.com/2007/05/voting-vs-quaker-decision-making-i… methods of decision making to an elementary school class.