About NBCC

The North Bay Consensus Council is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to the improvement of the process of public policy decision-making in Sonoma County. The Council was developed in response to a perceived need for an institution dedicated to the facilitation of consensus-building processes in public decision-making. It is modeled on the North Dakota Consensus Council that has been operating successfully in that state for many years. The primary function of the Consensus Council is to provide assistance to leaders and residents as they establish agreements regarding major issues of public structure, policy and services.

What it does
The work of the Consensus Council is supplemental to and in support of the existing processes of democratic decision-making. The Council provides forums and assistance to representatives of private and public constituencies in building agreements on important issues of public concern. The Council uses innovative methods for effective problem solving and building consensus. Consensus is recorded and reflected in documents that are presented, when appropriate, to government bodies already empowered to implement any agreements reached.

Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Consensus Council is to build basic agreements on issues important to our public life. The objectives of the Council are to provide effective methods for stakeholders to find common ground, reach agreement and identify ways to implement agreements.

• identify important issues needing a consensus agreement by the people of our region;
• steward the process; and
• sustain the Consensus Council institutionally.

Its members are people who are familiar with the concerns of the diverse population. The Council is nonpartisan, nonaffiliated and neutral. The Board of Directors does not approve or disapprove of agreements reached by participants but protects and supports the availability and integrity of the process.

Staff
The staff of the Consensus Council provides nonpartisan analysis and research and serves the planning, facilitation and documentation of consensus processes.

Funding
The Consensus Council services were originally funded through foundation grants. Currently the services are primarily funded by contracts. The Board of Directors has developed a long-range business plan which includes other grants, contracts and private donations.

Testimonials
“Working with the North Bay Consensus Council on the Day Labor Hall issue was a transformative experience for me…to go from a group having opposing points of view to achieving understanding, respect and the ability to work together was a remarkable and unexpected outcome.” Susan Capelis, Resident of Graton, CA

“NBCC’s role was the process, keeping the process together, holding the team together during the times we couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Jonathan K. Krug, Division Director Environmental Health Division Sonoma County, CA

“This was my first experience with the consensus process, so I can’t compare it to "other examples, but it seems to me there were plenty of opportunities for the process to derail, but it didn’t – your skills as facilitators helped us stay focused on the issues and objectives, even as we were defining them … Truly this process was an experience that was unforgettable and worth the effort.” Don Scott, Director of Packaging Sonoma Wine Co.

“The efforts to find positive solutions would have come to a dead end without the consensus process masterfully led by you and the entire NBCC staff. We now feel that significant, maybe even model solutions are on hand for our town.” Terry Winter, Board Member Centro Laboral de Graton

“The patience, the ability to juggle all the pieces at once, thinking in the moment, moving us forward when the process got stuck and going back to revisit our guidelines at critical junctures –all took special skills and spirit.” Merrilyn Joyce, Graton Community Services Project

“The process was interest based and very respectful. I came into the process expecting rough waters with uncertain harbors, and came out of the journey with everyone rowing in the same direction and toward a safe harbor.” Noel J. Buehler, District Supervisor Oak Grove Union School District

• The Consensus Council supports public participation in the process of building and implementing public policy.
• We support the role of leaders and recognize their responsibility to see, hear and interpret the views of residents on issues.
• We actively involve people with diverse viewpoints, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, life experiences and geographical areas of the region to strengthen the process.
• We value innovation, welcome new ideas and encourage adaptability to new opportunities while recognizing the wisdom of tradition.
• We value the graces of hospitality and encourage active listening as people build new relationships.
• We are committed to fairness and honesty in providing impartial and confidential staff services for consensus-building processes.
• We are committed to collaborative approaches in all our endeavors.

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