Attendance

• Members arrive on time
• If unable to attend, members notify the chair and send any input or documents (Chair may table items if necessary.)
• If a member anticipates missing 4 or more consecutive meetings, s/he will notify the chair in advance, and an alternate may attend those meetings.
• Members assume responsibility for informing themselves of what occurred at missed meetings.

Preparation

• Members are prepared for every meeting.
• Members read all agenda-related materials sent ahead of time.
• Members bring necessary handouts.
• Members are ready to lead discussions of assigned agenda items.

Participation

• The Working Group provides and encourages equal opportunities for participation, and members assume individual responsibility to participate fully.
• Members act collegially.
• Members respect everyone’s right to speak and be listened to without interruption.
• Members are free to ask for clarification and restatement.
• Members allow constructive criticism of their ideas or proposals as part of the group process.
• Members are free to express their feelings and are sensitive to the feelings of other members.
• Members are free to suggest a break, as needed.
• Members are expected to express any doubts, concerns or reservations they have concerning the topic under discussion and should ask for additional time to think about the matter if needed.

Consensus

• Members strive to make decisions by consensus. Consensus means that each member has an opportunity to participate in the development of the decision, and that all members are willing to "live with' the decision. It does not mean that the decision is necessarily everyone’s first choice, but that all members commit to working toward the implementation of the decision and not obstruct its implementation.

Operating Procedures

• Chair rotates on a semester basis
• Recorder rotates for each meeting based on the alphabet
• Members take a system-wide perspective when problem solving.
• Members are free to try new things that may deviate from current or past procedures; new points of reference can be developed.
• Members respect the commitment and values of workers in all units potentially affected by Working Group recommendations.
• At the end of each meeting:
• Members set a tentative agenda for the next meeting, which is part of the minutes posted in the minutes archive.
• Members confirm decisions made and how best to communicate them to everyone.
• Members review and confirm assigned tasks.
• Members review the Working Agreement every fall.
• Meeting minutes are distributed in draft form no later than 3 days after the meeting. Comments by group members are sent quickly. Minutes should be distributed via the Decision Digest no later than one week after the meeting.