Quaker decision-making principles

There are a number of principles which are characteristic of Quaker decision-making:

1. Unanimous decisions—no voting
2. Silent periods—at start of meeting and when conflict arises
3. Moratorium—when agreement cannot be reached
4. Participation by all with ideas on the subject
5. Learning to listen—not going to meeting with mind made up
6. Absence of leaders—the clerk steers but does not dominate
7. Nobody outranks anybody
8. Factual-focus—emotions kept to a minimum
9. Small meetings—typically limited numbers

References:
Michael J. Sheeran, Beyond Majority Rule, p. 51.
Stuart Chase, Roads to Agreement, pp. 51-52.