Ground Rules/Team Expectations

  All teams should establish ground rules or team expectations to encourage positive team behaviours to make the most out of every meeting. 
  The following would be suggestions I would recommend having in the ground rules:
  
     1.    Attendance:

• Not all members have to be present, however there has to be at least half plus 1 to constitute enough to conduct a meeting
• The absent member(s) will be brought up to date by the facilitator. 

    2.   Promptness:

• On time is the start of the meeting
• The meeting will start even if all members are not present.
• If a short period of the meeting is missed by a member, they will be caught up briefly when they come in. 
• If a person missed a long period of the meting, that person will be brought up to date on a break or immediately if the discussion will continue during the rest of the meeting.
• Members are to let another member know when they will be late. 

    3.  Equal Opportunity:

• If a person is repeating, monopolizing, interrupting, engaging in side conversations, or offending, it is up to the facilitator to intervene.  Each member will respect the views and sensitivities of others. 

    4.  Interruptions:

• Members can leave a meeting in a situation of importance. 

    5.  Assignments/Tasks:

• Members should notify the Facilitator as soon as possible if they are aware they will not be able to complete their assignments/tasks. 

    6.  Meeting Role Assignments:

• Roles will be rotated on a volunteer basis.  At the end of each meeting volunteers will be solicited for roles at the next meeting. 

    7.  Decision Making:

• Consensus by all members and if unable to obtain consensus then majority rules. 

    8.  Confidentiality:

• Depending on the problems or issues, the team may decide that anything said or done during a team meeting is strictly confidential. 

    9.  Minutes:

• Should be distributed to the members 2-3 days after the meeting. 

  10.  Agenda Process:

• Submit requests for agenda topics or additions at least 5 days prior to a meeting. 
• Agenda will be distributed at least 3 days prior to a meeting. 

  11.  Review of Ground Rules:

• At the beginning of a meeting whenever:

        ~ A new member joins the team;
        ~ A guest is participating in the meeting;
        ~ After every 5 meetings as a quick overview.
 
  So, what do you think about my ground rules recommendations?  Have I missed anything?  Should I change anything?  Of course, ground rules does depend on the team and it's purpose, however I feel mine cover all teams universally.