Making decisions in groups (such as interagencies or networks) can sometimes be a very difficult process.  If a group you are involved in find making decisions difficult you might find the following documents and links useful.  YANQ has published the first two documents to help interagencies that participate in the Youth Consultative Network, though they may be useful to other groups in other situations as well.

• Dot-voting: This strategy is used when there is a variety of issues and opinions and a group decision is required. The process does not necessarily result in a consensus decision (i.e. where EVERYONE agrees with the issues), but it will give everyone in the group an equal role in making the decision. Dot Voting Guide 136.43 Kb.
  
  
• Nominal Group Technique: This strategy is similar to the dot-voting method above.  It also does not necessarily result in a consensus decision but is perhaps more likely to be closer to consensus than the dot-voting method.  Nominal Group Technique Guide 117.08 Kb
  
  
• Consensus Decision Making: Seeds for Change (a UK based organisation) has published a short guide on consensus decision making on their website at http://seedsforchange.org.uk/free/consens.
  
  
• Group Decision Making Toolkit: Iowa State University from the US has published this online toolkit.  It includes resources & tips on processes such as brainstorming, storyboarding and others.  You can find it at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/tools/decisions/.
  
  
• If you need more:
• try your local library (there's plenty of books on the topic of group decision making); or
• search Google for 'Group Decision Making' and you'll find plenty of links.

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