Consensus Cards in Brief

Blue is the cold card – it is the card you hold up when you are unhappy with what is being said, or wish to oppose part, or all, of a proposal.

Orange is the warm card – it is the card you hold up when you are supportive of what is being said or you are in consensus with the proposal.

Yellow is the question card. It is the card you hold up when you want to clarify something or ask a question before voting. The yellow cards are used by the NSW/ACT Synod. Assembly use only the blue and orange cards.

These cards enable us to express our thoughts and feelings as we move through the different phases of our consensus process.

Do not hold the three cards up together as this can confuse those sitting behind you.

 Phases of Consensus

 Information Session

• The topic for discussion is presented

• Questions of clarification are invited via the use of the yellow or blue card,

 Deliberation Session

• The issue is discussed. The cards will let the chairperson know how members are feeling. At the conclusion of a speech, cards can be held at chest level indicating support or opposition to what was said. They are not a vote and can be changed according to your choice.

Decision-Making Session

• Cards are used to vote.

• All people are worthy of respect as they indicate their position, and no-one should feel pressured into agreeing with a position against their better judgment.

For further information 

• Consensus: How we make decisions in the Uniting Church and why we use the consensus model

• Read about Consensus Decision Making in practice at the World Council of Churches

•  Uniting Church Manual for Meetings

• The Church Guide for Making Decisions Together by Terence Corkin, Julia Kuhn Wallace (QUC has a copy of this book)