Ground Rules for Meetings A sample set of guides © 2001 by Management 2001

1. Participation Come to the meetings. Express yourself. Help make a consensus. Make sure that everyone knows how you feel on the issues. (c) 2001 Management 2001

2. Honesty Say what you truly believe. Don't hold back. Don't censor your thoughts. Don't play games. Don’t say you agree if you don't. (c) 2001 Management 2001

3. Equality Treat everyone as an equal. Everyone has the right to their opinion. Everyone has the right to their full say in each matter. Everyone can agree or not agree. Anyone can bring up any issue. (c) 2001 Management 2001

4. Respect Treat everyone with dignity. Don't shoot down ideas. Honor confidentiality. You can disagree without being disagreeable. (c) 2001 Management 2001

5. Listening Pay attention to everyone. Don’t speak more than others. Try to understand all sides. When someone says something with which you disagree, don't argue back, but think about it and ask questions. (c) 2001 Management 2001

6. Understanding Don't just say what you believe, but give the reasons why you believe it. When others speak, ask questions if you don't understand their point of view. Help the flow of discussion by using paraphrasing and by validating others’ point of view when needed. (c) 2001 Management 2001

7. Acceptance Respect the right of other people to their own point of view. Whatever is said, don't take offense or treat it personally (even if you really don't like what someone else said). Don’t feel that you have to change other peoples’ minds. (c) 2001 Management 2001

8. Objectivity Be willing to face subjects that are not pleasant. Try to examine facts and reasons, not just beliefs and opinions. Have the strength to deal with things as others see them, and not just as you do. (c) 2001 Management 2001

9. Learning Appreciate and understand other peoples' opinions. Examine assumptions instead of jumping to conclusions. Leave with at least one new thought that you can put into practice (c) 2001 Management 2001

10. Diversity We are all different, and this is a source of strength. By hearing out different opinions, we can establish true consensus. We respect one another so that we can work together as a team. (c) 2001 Management 2001