Meeting Ground Rules

Purpose: To ensure productive meetings and most effective use of time.

1. We believe it is important to start and end on time (latecomers will need to review the minutes or check with someone after the meeting to learn about anything missed).
2. We believe meetings should stay within designated time, and, if necessary, items should be deferred to future meetings in order to stay on time.
3. We believe everyone should participate and leave your title at the door.
4. We believe actively listening is important and everyone should be allowed equal "airtime".
5. We believe that electronic gadgets can be a distraction and should only be used during the meeting for information-gathering related to the current topic.
6. We believe it's important to stay on topic and not participate in sidebar conversations.
7. We believe it's important to speak for yourself and use "I" messages.
8. We should put agenda items on the wiki in advance.
9. We will be respectful of others.
10. We will focus on problem-solving and seek win-win win-win solutions.
11. We will keep an open mind.
12. We will ask questions (without fear)!
13. We believe that different opinions are welcome; when necessary, we should agree to disagree.
14. We should record notes (in bullet format), action items, and conclusions in the wiki.