The Collaborative Process:
Is it Right for Craftsbury?
Collaboration is simply a process for bringing people with different opinions together to work on a problem. However:
The process is very carefully designed and structured and managed to ensure forward progress.
Collaboration works best when:
· There is agreement on the nature of the problem
· All points of view are reflected so no group feels left out.
· Everybody has the same reliable information on which to make a decision.
· Everbody is equal and all opinions and beliefs carry equal weight.
· There is careful advance preparation to avoid stalemate.
· There is a good facilitator to keep the process moving forward.
· There is ample time to collect information, analyze alternatives, look at pros and come to consensus
The Process works because:
· Agreement on small issues tends to lead to agreement on large issues.
· The group is working from the same facts and information.
· All groups and all perspectives are part of the solution
· Participants (or stakeholders) become advocates of the solutions they have arrived at.
· The process is carefully managed to avoid stalemate and acrimony.
Collaboration is not:
· A process based on majority rule;
· A debating society where members dominate by making convincing arguments.
· A search for the single correct solution
Collaboration is right for Craftsbury because:
· There is disagreement on the reliability of the information.
· Not everyone has access to the same information.
· There is a need for new information and access to new research
· Some believe decisions have been made by a small majority.
· There is disagreement on the nature of the problem.
· Some groups do not feel adequately represented.
· To date the issue of the School has taken the form of an up or down vote.
· The issues are complex and interrelated.
· The Town has become polarized
