"We have Gatherings where we decide what is best to do, but all sisters are welcome at a Gathering. No one is first among the sisters of a Gathering." Merwen shakes her head, faintly disbelieving, with a lazy shrug of one shoulder. "If one's voice carries more weight, then it is likely she has earned that through her wisdom or insight. We share our conclusions to other rafts for them to consider. Serious disagreements may take many Gatherings to resolve, but those are rare."