Re: Brochure - Second pass

The difference is that democracy requires a 50% plus one vote for anything to pass. That means, if 49% vote one way and 51% vote another way, there is a clear winner and the losing 49% gets nothing. Consensus, of course, means full agreement from everyone. Organizations that have tried consensus have had some difficulty getting things done, unless the group is very like-minded. Consensus-seeking, then, basically means making every effort to get consensus, but accepting that it cannot always be achieved. Our group probably needs to talk more about when and how we accept that consensus cannot be achieved on an item, and what to do at that point. Would it go to simple majority or require more than that, for example two-thirds. (GPUSA, mentioned in the following paragraph, uses two-thirds)

Politically, the Peace and Freedom Party of California operates by democracy. The Green Party USA is consensus-seeking, and I believe the state Green Party association is as well. (GPUSA may be a misnomer, since they are not in fact a political party) Other than that, a number of peace/activist organizations are run by consensus. Some function quite well that way, but again that is generally when the group is already like-minded.

Since Ranger Brad doesn't like the wording about the nudity issue, I accept that it will not be worded that way. Of course, I was not suggesting that we use my words in the flyer anyway, just trying to clarify why it is that people can generally "get away with" nudity on national forest lands.


I intend no insult to Ron, and hope one hasn't been taken. However, it is my opinion that announcing to everyone that we bring extra stuff and telling them how we try to appear friendly does sound rather like a desperate advertisement. ( I used the word "rather" again, just like the first time I said it)
When I first went over Ron's rough draft at the springs, I had no idea that these items were intended to be a part of the flyer. It seemed internal and that's what I thought it was. To me, that sort of thing seems like the kind of thing we would be sharing with new members, not with the general public. It is always important to consider your audience.