Plan the Work: Work the Plan
Review ground rules. If your committee doesn't have ground rules, make sure it develops them. Typically ground rules address procedural and behavioral do's and don'ts. Procedural ground rules usually include:
- Time lines for the length of the meeting.
- Time lines for individual presentations.
- Meeting will start and end on time.
- The flow of business will follow the agenda.
- Focus on meeting safety-related agenda items only.
- Every member has an opportunity to speak.
- Decisions will be based on consensus agreement.
Behavioral ground rules clarify what is acceptable behavior during the meeting. Here are some examples:
- Arrive on time.
- Don't interrupt while another person is speaking.
- Raise your hand to be recognized.
- Don't make negative comments about another person or their ideas.
- Focus on what you think works or does not work, and why.
- Ask questions. There are no stupid questions.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-3. Typically, ground rules cover _____.
You forgot to answer the question!