Decision-making in communities

What are some decisions that could be made by community leaders and officers?

There are 4 major influences on decision making in communities that can used to help determine the outcome of the decision, these include:

When a law is passed by the government it is then known as legislation. Legislation will guide and influence community decisions. There are local government, state government and Commonwealth / Federal government laws that communities must consider when making decisions.

Examples: Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 (Cth), Employment Protection Act 1982 (NSW).

Human activity can impact on the environment, so it needs to be considered whenever a decision is to be made. There is legislation in place that protects the environment The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), which in turn influences community decisions.

Environmental issues to be considered are: pollution, recycling and energy conservation. Historical buildings, streetscapes, parks and gardens, and places of historical significance are also preserved and protected by heritage legislation.

Lobbying is when an individual or group contacts a member of the government in an attempt to influence a decision. The more people who express concern about an issue the more likely action will be taken.

Examples: Community petitions, Change.org, Sending letters to local MP, Banners, Stunts (Earth Hour)

Protesting can be defined as an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid. Our democracy recognizes this right which is subject to the general law and must be balanced against the rights and interests of others and of the community as a whole.

Examples: BLM Marches, Climate Protests.

Legally Blonde 2

In the movie, Harvard Law graduate, Elle Woods, travels to Washington D.C. to pass a bill (Bruiser's Bill) to put an end to animal testing after she finds out that her dog's mother is used for testing at a cosmetic company that is represented by her law firm.

Activity:

Using the information above and exerts from Legally Blonde Two, complete the following:

1. Explain the Legislation that Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde 2’ was trying to pass through senate.

2. Explain how environmental factors could impact on the decision of Bruisers Bill in Legally Blonde

3. Provide an example from ‘Legally Blonde 2’ to demonstrate how Elle Woods was lobbying to various members and describe how she used a community petition to get her message across.

4. Explain how protesting was used in ‘Legally Blonde 2’ to support ‘Bruisers Bill’. In your response, describe how the protest was carried out.

What factors influence the way decisions are made in communities? (8 Marks)

Intro:

• • Define and outline decision making in communities.

Paragraph one: Legislation

• • T: Identify what Legislation is.

  • E: Explain how it influences decision making in the community.

  • E: Provide an example to support your explanation

  • L: Link to wellbeing.

Paragraph two: Environmental Factors

• • T: Identify what Environmental Factors are.

  • E: Explain how it influences decision making in the community.

  • E: Provide an example to support your explanation

  • L: Link to wellbeing.

Paragraph three: Lobbying

• • T: Identify what Lobbying is.

  • E: Explain how it influences decision making in the community.

  • E: Provide an example to support your explanation

  • L: Link to wellbeing.

Paragraph four: Protesting

• • T: Identify what Protesting is.

  • E: Explain how it influences decision making in the community.

  • E: Provide an example to support your explanation

  • L: Link to wellbeing.

• Process that seeks to resolve a dispute.

• Evidence presented by both parties.

• Discussion made by arbitrator → decision is legally binding.

ACTIVITY:

1. Nominate three abritators

2. Divide class into two teams

3. Consider the decision:

The 11pm one passenger rule for P- plate drivers should be removed.

4. Present your case to the arbitrators. The arbitrators will then make the decision based on what they have heard. The decision will stand and cannot be appealed.

• Aims to include everyone in the decision- making process.

• Opinions are discussed and any objections are resolved so that widespread agreement is achieved without taking a vote.

• Aiming for a win win outcome.

ACTIVITY:

1. Nominate a class chairperson

2. Topic:

Deciding on the best way to have Milo.

3. Procedure:

   • Chairperson announce that a decision will be made through consensus. We are striving for a win win solution. This may involve some members comprising or making changing to their current schedule in order to assist the group in reaching a consensus.

   • Each person/ group of people put forward their preference.

   • At selected intervals, the chairperson will test for consensus.

   • Continue with this process until everyone is in agreement.

• The election process gives individuals an opportunity to express their views and to be involved in the decision making process by voting for one option over another.

• A vote is a formal expression of an individual's choice in a decision- making process.

ACTIVITY:

1. Vote for the cutest dog (see powerpoint)

2. Presiding officer: ____________ (supervises election process and vote counting).

3. Vote and place ballot paper in the box

4. Vote counters: _________________________

5. Announce winner

• This is a Formal expression of an individual's choice in a decision-making process. It may be for or against a proposed motion, for a candidate or a political party.

• Examples include voting for a local member of Parliament in your community and voting for a Political party in a National campaign.

• Vote to change the constitution.

• Change can only come about if there is a double majority vote. This means that more than 50% of the population have the same vote in four or more states (four out of seven states = over half).

• Differs from a regular vote where it is “first past the post”.

• Same process as election/ voting.

• Examples - Legalising same-sex marriage, whether Australia should be a republic.

Examine the various links below to help you answer the following four questions:

1. Identify the role of individuals and groups.

2. What factors influenced the decision making process? (legislation, lobbying, protesting, environmental factors)

3. What processes were employed to make the decision? (arbitration, consensus, voting/election, referendum).

4. What was the outcome?