GOVERNMENT INFORMATION WORKING GROUP (GIWG)
WORKING AGREEMENT

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

• GIWG 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 or 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.

CONSENSUS

• Members make decisions by consensus.
• Definition: 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.
• No action will be taken until other affected units or working groups have been consulted.

OPERATING PROCEDURES

• Members take a system-wide perspective when problem-solving.
• Members are free to try new things that may deviate from current or past procedures.
• At the end of each meeting:

• Members set a tentative agenda for the next meeting, which is e-mailed in advance of the next meeting.
• Members confirm decisions made and how best to communicate them to everyone.
• Members review and confirm assigned tasks.

• Members will review the "Working Agreement" for GIWG each Fall.
• In the Fall, two chairs will be selected to divide the coming year.
• Recorder duties will be rotated alphabetically among members unless there is a volunteer.
• Within 7 days the minutes will be sent via email to GIWG members for editing and approval. Within 10 days the approved minutes will be added to the Decision Digest.

Rev. 9/5/01; Rev. 9/14/09