Theme 3 - Teams

What structures assist with fair decision-making?

To keep a group together and involved it is important that everyone feels they can voice their opinion, and that others will 'listen'. There are various ways to ensure this occurs. Some are required processes for formal groups, and others are ways of communicating and reaching decisions fairly.

Some structures and processes assisting fair decision-making are:

• Well prepared meetings with adequate notice, prepared agendas and minutes
• The role of a chairperson
• A committee that is an appropriate size and well structured
• Rotation of the roles of the committee office bearers, usually annually at Annual General Meetings
• Evaluating progress and revising goals
• Communication styles that respect diverse opinions
• Decision making methods such as reaching consensus, majority voting, nominal group technique and delphi techniques

The Mental Health Council of Australia has some useful brochures about:

• Role of a chairperson
• Role of a treasurer
• Role of a secretary
• Role of a public officer
• Preparing meeting agendas