CCME has identified consensus decision-making as one of its fundamental operating principles. It is a process that attempts to recognize and account for the differing, legitimate interests of its 14 member governments. It maximizes opportunities to resolve differences and to reach agreement on workable solutions. A working description of the consensus approach follows:

Consensus

"Having heard and understood all views expressed, a solution has been proposed, and while I may not hold that this proposal is optimal, I believe it will work and I will support it."

Although all participants may not agree with each specific aspect of the solution, consensus is reached if all participants are willing to live with the total package.

• The process of voting does not lead to consensus
• Bargaining does not produce consensus
• Majority rule is not consensus
• Minority or one-person rule is not consensus

• Look beyond people's positions to understand their interests
• Invent options for mutual gain: what is fair vs. what is best for each, or for all
• Use objective criteria to assess options
• Build sound solutions

• Identify the problem causing the blockage
• Identify areas of agreement and those of disagreement
• Self-evaluation will determine if process so far is leading toward original goals
• Look for exaggeration, hyperbole, distortion and separate facts from fiction
• Switch roles: have participants argue from another person's standpoint
• Modify the best solution so far
• Develop two lists: one "agreed upon", the other "not agreed upon"