Patricia Stevens’ first act as facilitator of the task force studying an area along Sunset Hills Road was to introduce its members to a system of color-coded cards. Each member of the task force was given a green, yellow and red card. As discussions progress, the task force members were to hold up cards indicating their level of comfort with the decision.
Anyone who holds up a red card must be prepared to defend his or her position. Individuals who hold up green or yellow cards are not under that obligation.
If the preponderance of the cards are green then the decision will be considered to be positive, a few yellow cards will not necessarily indicate a no vote.
Stevens did not made clear what would be the result if most members showed a yellow card, indicating that they might have some reservations.
It will be for Stevens to frame the questions to which the task force will respond in holding up their cards. It will also be for Stevens to look at what cards are showing and decide the sense of the task force.
Arthur Hill, a member of the task force, suggested that the body follow Robert’s Rules, an established format for conducting formal meetings. Hill suggested that the task force could have a non-voting chairperson as is provided for in Robert's Rules.
Supervisor Joan DuBois (R-Dranesville) explained that the rationale behind not having a committee chair, or co-chairs. She and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) expect strong feelings during the meetings, DuBois said. "We thought it would be better if it was facilitated," she said.
Hudgins said that the red, yellow, green system helps move meetings along.
Stevens called for a show of cards. Based on what she saw, she determined that the task force did not want to use Robert’s Rules.
In a later interview, Hill said that while he prefers the more traditional Robert's Rules, this style of meeting will likely work also. "I think this system will probably work," he said. "[Stevens] obviously has a lot of experience working it. I’m just more familiar with the more traditional system."