Post edited 3:03 pm – February 7, 2011 by wspademan

I would like to propose the idea of a "Dissenters' Corner" for all future retreats and meetings.

A "Dissenters' Advocate" should be appointed/volunteered at the beginning of each event, and that person is charged with the task of investigating the nature and extent of any dissension that occurs during a meeting, workshop, or retreat.

Any time a person is in disagreement over an activity during an event, or the direction the activity is taking while it is going on, or the direction of the event in toto, rather than

disrupt the activity, or continue in spite of their objection, the person can leave the group and go to the Dissenter's Corner.

This would be a designated space (pointed out with ceremony at the beginning of each event) (and with a sign labelling it) where there is a designated "Official Dissenters' Journal" (that is saved from event to event) and a pen. A page should be titled with the date and the overall event name and rows underneath labelled: "Name," "Time," "Activity," and then several blank lines following "Reason for Dissent."

After the person documents their objection, they can either stay in that space, or they can go do whatever they want instead.

If the person(s) going to the dissenters' corner stands facing the facilitator and holds up a hand, this means that the person is experiencing strong emotion/opposition and wishes to be heard now. The "Dissenters' Advocate" (who should be sitting where he/she can see the Dissenters' Corner, should get up immediately and find out what the dissenter is objecting

to. If the advocate feels the concern is of sufficient import, he/she can stop the activity. Also, if there are a number of people in the dissenters' corner during an activity, the advocate should go and find out what the issue is and perhaps stop the activity.

If there is more than one person in the dissenters' corner who stays in the space, then the advocate should help to moderate a separate but equal activity (with profitable productivity) with those dissenting, so that their time will not be wasted.

If there was only mild dissent, at the end of the activity, the advocate should read any

"Dissenting Comments" to the group before the next activity and ask for a brief discussion and a determination if the dissenting comments should alter the situation in any way. A vote can be held, if deemed necessary.

The idea of the Dissenters' Corner is to minimize emotional coercion and peer pressure, whether real or perceived, and to provide a formalized forum for alternate, minority,

opinions. Everyone's opinions are valued and respected and even, in a sense, courted. Everyone will be able to have their opinions and feelings heard, taken into account, and so on. Something this important shouldn't be left to chance.

Thoughts?

Janet Henderson

By the way, If you are going to join the ranks of the Certified Dissenters (which requires many months of conscientious effort and passing three tests of increasing difficulty), for goodness sake, put on your Dissenters' Hat first! :)