Consensus vs. Action: When to use the Council

Deciding what needs a vote vs. what can just be done.

how_to_vote

Buy New Tractor

Ends in 2 days

Communities often get stuck in "meeting hell" trying to decide every small thing by consensus. ARA separates Action from Governance.

The Garden (Action)

Gardens are for execution. If you are the "Architect" of the Garden team, you generally have autonomy to decide how to plant the tomatoes. You don't need a vote for every seed.

The Council (Governance)

The Council is for decisions that affect the whole group or require shared resources. Use the Council for:

  • Spending money over a certain threshold ($50+)
  • Changing house rules or bylaws
  • Admitting new long-term members

ARA's voting system uses Consent (No objections) rather than simple Majority Rule, ensuring minority voices are heard before a proposal passes.