This section provides selected references and links relating to: facilitation, mediation, consensus-building, collaboration, communication, dialogue, conflict resolution, public policy, public participation, governance and management of horizontal issues. There is also a subject heading for training opportunities.

References

Communication

People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others and Resolve Conflicts, Robert Bolton, Simon and Schuster, Toronto, 1979.

This book is a comprehensive treatment of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. There are lots of examples that illustrate key points. It is well organized and an easy read. It gives an excellent treatments of reflective listening and three-part assertion (“I” language), and outlines a specific technique for dealing with resistance by alternating between assertion and listening. The sections on conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving are practical and straightforward. Like “Getting to Yes,” this is a classic that is well worth the read.

Consensus

A Practical Guide to Consensus, Policy Consensus Initiative, 1999.
Collaborators: Jim Arthur, Christine Carlson and Lee Moore. $15 US.
http://www.policyconsensus.org/

This slim 72 page workbook is an excellent overview and “how-to” guide for those who might be thinking about implementing a multi-stakeholder consensus process. It is specifically written for government departments and agencies. The ten topical chapters are woven around references to five case studies, all of which document processes that took place in the United States.

The ten Chapters deal with topics such as how to: decide if a consensus process is the right tool; assess whether or not consensus will work; get representative participation; select a facilitator or mediator; plan the process; develop ground rules; negotiate the issues; reach agreement; and, implement the agreement.

Many of the chapters contain helpful checklists, questionnaires and handout materials. There is a strong emphasis on the planning and the preliminary work, which we really like.

A number of the references cited in the workbook are considered to be foundation pieces for public participation, mediation and consensus-building.

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Conflict, Collaboration and Consensus in the Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Managment (ESSIM) Initiative, Ocean and Coastal Management Report 2005-05, Prepared by Bruce L. Smith, BLSmith Groupwork Inc. for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region.

This paper was prepared to assist ESSIM stakeholders to participate effectively to achieve consensus through collaboration. The paper provides background information on conflict resolution, planning and interest-based negotiation. Using the “Circle of Conflict” model developed by Dr. Chris Moore, CDR Associates, potential causes of conflict within the ESSIM process are identified, and possible approaches for resolution are suggested.

Conflict, Collaboration and Consensus is intended as a companion piece for the November 2004 paper Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative: Proposed Collaborative Planning Model – A Discussion Paper, available for download at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/283943.pdf.

 

Managing Horizontal Issues

The Federal Regional Councils and Horizontal Governance:
A Report Prepared for the Regional Federal Councils and Treasury Board
Secretariat, Professor Luc Juillet, Centre on Governance, University of
Ottawa, September 15, 2000. 

http:www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/frc-cfr/background_e.asp

Professor Juillet conducted twenty interviews with Federal Council chairs, executive directors and Treasury Board Secretariat representatives to determine the origins and structures of Federal Councils, and how they are evolving toward horizontal management. He discusses key factors that were identified as determinants of success, as well as those factors which served as impediments to effective horizontal work. He concludes with a discussion of the future of councils and some of the challenges posed by the increased levels of activity.

Functional Evolution

information sharing            cooperation on        coordination of
relationship building            internal files           horizontal initiatives
     ------------------------------------------------------>>>>

Council members reported good performance at the lower end (left side) of the spectrum, with mixed results and unresolved issues at the upper end (right side.)

Factors Enhancing Councils’ Effectiveness
• their very existence --- often there are no alternative structures
• shared values, common purpose and a sense of community
    - voluntary personal commitment
    - front-line perspective - result focus; awareness of limitations
    - professional camaraderie - local autonomy
    - access to privileged information (increased personal effectiveness)
• leadership
    - effective chair, high level champions, shared leadership

Factors Hindering the Councils’ Effectiveness
• narrow loyalties
• lack of resources/core funding
• potential for loss of autonomy
• lack of support from ADMs and DGs
• existing administrative rules and procedures

Federal Regional Councils at the Crossroads
• increasing expectations undermine features which supported success
• bureaucratization and using up resources on process
• accountability framework
• must retain local autonomy and voluntary engagement/commitment

 

Public Policy

Public Policy and Public Participation: Engaging Citizens and Community in the Development of Public Policy, Bruce L. Smith, developed for the Population and Public Health Branch, Atlantic Region, Health Canada, 2003.  Developed as a resource for public sector employees and others who might be involved in the development of public policy. 

Taking Action Through Public Policy: A Focus on Health and Environment Issues, Environment Canada and Health Canada, Atlantic Region, 2002.  A publication of the Community Action Program written by Rochelle Owen (EC) and Margie MacDonald (HC), with some public policy content contributed by Bruce L. Smith, BLSmith Groupwork Inc.  This workbook was developed to accompany a workshop to support community participation in public policy development.

Tragic Choices, Guido Calabresi and Philip Bobbitt, W.W. Norton and Company, New York, 1978. A clear, rational framework for understanding how society allocates scarce resources. The authors distinguish two types of allocation decisions: how much of a good or service is produced (first order decision), and who gets it (second order decision.) The authors then set out a model that includes four “pure allocation approaches”: market mechanisms, accountable political decisions, lottery and customary. They also describe and illustrate a number of modified or combined approaches. The authors conclude by providing detailed examples to show how allocation methods change/evolve over time as society finds the unanticipated consequences of the choice of methods to be unacceptable. A most timely example is the 200 year evolution of military conscription in the United States. Highly recommended.

Links

Nancy White is an international consultant based in Seattle, Washington, USA who provides a range of support, design and facilitation services for clients, in “geographic and cyber-space.” She is perhaps best know as a global leader in online communication, facilitation, community and team building. Nancy’s site is a comprehensive library of information resources.

Nancy is the moderator of a popular Yahoo Listserve: OnFac (Online Facilitation) and has recently started blogging.

I took a three week Online Facilitation workshop with Nancy in 2001 and would recommend it without reservation. It was an important part of my personal knowledge and skill building for working in cyper-space. See Nancy's Webite for a description of the workshop.

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Thinkwell Research is a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia based research firm specializing in public affairs and in research for the development and assessment of communications, advertising, and direct marketing campaigns.