Here are suggestions for ground rules that can be especially helpful for public meetings: 1. 8 Ground Rules for All Team Meetings: Enroll a group of people in embracing them, and you can together transform every meeting you have together. Men's and women's groups divide into two groups for personal sharing. Take five minutes. Establishing meeting guidelines and ground rules will lay the framework for positive personal interaction and better group decisions. The second version contains a core value: taking responsibility. “People report over 50 percent of their meeting time is wasted.” (1) Creating ground rules is a 5-10 minute investment resulting in engaged, productive, and more effective meetings. Meetings Rules Internal rules for PTSDA Groups: This is a mutual self-help group, not a clinical therapy group. The main aim of a … (1) Creating ground rules is a 5-10 minute investment resulting in engaged, productive, and more effective meetings. Use these "Ground Rules" when conducting meetings. Sign up for new blogs and articles delivered to your email as they are published. Refer to the ground rules at the beginning of each team meeting, during the critique, and during a team intervention. After three minutes, combine pairs into groups of four. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. Nevertheless, three white women and two white men dominated the first meeting. The wording does not have to be precise at this stage. The meeting (usually 90 minutes long) is divided into the following three parts: a. We will seek the perspectives of all by inviting each person to speak. Everyone is encouraged to participate.You may be asked to share what you think, or we may ask for comments from those who haven't spoken. Ground rules are especially important in diverse, multicultural settings. T = TRUST that greater truth comes through diversity. They may share or decline to speak. Ground rules are guidelines that meeting participants are expected to keep in mind; expected to follow during the meeting. Click here for a PDF version. Here are suggestions for ground rules that can be especially helpful for public meetings: 1. Everyone is encouraged to participate.You may be asked to share what you think, or we may ask for comments from those who haven't spoken. Encourage "I" statements throughout. 4. Were your ideas asked for, or better yet, were your ideas considered and thoroughly discussed? Ground rules detail the code of conduct for a meeting, explaining the behavior that's expected of all meeting participants. 5 Steps to Initiate Ground Rules. We will focus on listening as well as speaking. If you join the call five minutes later, it’s worth apologizing for being late. In just twenty minutes, everyone’s ideas will be incorporated into a central list. Record on a flip chart or white board. You can lead meetings and discussions without ground rules, but did you ever leave an unstructured meeting with a headache? Furthermore, it gives a specific instruction on how to use I statements. When gathering information, ask open ended questions. There are simple ways to make sure that everyone feels open to contribute during meetings, that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization, and all attending are respectfully treated as true team members who are essential to the decision-making process. Team meetings are irreplaceable if a practice is to ever reach its full potential. Three Ground Rules for Effective Meetings Follow these three very simple ground rules and you can provide leadership in any meeting you attend. It is usually best for this to happen at the group’s first meeting. State ground rules up front and make sure they explicitly foster inclusion. Value the learning from different inputs, and listen to get smarter. Facilitating countless strategic planning meetings has taught me many positive lessons. Nov 22, 2016 - Run effective and easy meetings with Solid. Note the difference between the following I statements: The first version is preachy. Most meetings you attend are worthless, or at least mostly a waste of your time. 3. P = PONDER what you hear and feel before you speak. They encourage a sense of community, a source of empathetic understanding and provide an avenue for establishing social networks. c. Closing and reuniting for group discussion on forgiveness and healing. Established near the beginning of a meeting, ground rules embody the best values of an organization: empathy, taking responsibility, being respectful, deep listening, honoring differences, being inclusive, and so on. Granted, the process can be laborious and protracted. We adopt these ground rules as our shared commitment to doing great work in meetings. Use ground rules to help manage individual and group behavior during meetings and workshops. Did you feel like a valuable member of the team? When meeting attendees review these core values and practices at each meeting and commit to them, group behavior becomes more empathic, responsible, and appreciative of differences. 2. 8 killer ground rules for meetings. Leaders, refrain from jumping right into the tactics. Bring a smile. Write these on a flip-chart pad so that everyone can see the list. Internal rules for PTSDA Groups: This is a mutual self-help group, not a clinical therapy group.The intent is to provide emotional, psychological, and moral support … Establishing meeting guidelines and ground rules will lay the framework for positive personal interaction and better group decisions. It teaches how to embody the value. Meeting Ground Rule #1: Stay in One Conversation Setting ground rules is part of setting expectations for team performance. They were prone to interrupting when the less culturally dominant attempted to speak. We’re likely all aware of typical rules that apply: Start on time, end on time During preparation we follow the 5 Ps: p urpose, p roduct, p articipants, p robable issues and p rocess. Introduction and initial sharing-everyone joins in b. Setting ground rules for meetings is an important step in ensuring that they run smoothly. Ground rules detail the code of conduct for a meeting and the team, explaining the behavior that's expected of all participants. It does not tell why or even how to behave. The purpose is notto win an argument, but to hear many points of view and explore many options and solutions. Here’re 7 ground rules for dealing with interpersonal conflict at … How do you establish these meeting rules? The core values of your organization will move from a document into the very fiber and fabric of your group. Simply ask each committee or board member for one ground rule that they believe is important to follow to help make meetings more productive. If you haven’t established ground rules for your remote team’s virtual meetings (or if your rules need an update), here’s how to get started. Get the meeting agenda, tasks & decisions instantly in your mailbox. No one or two individuals should dominate a discussion. However, if team meetings are allowed to run without ground rules or agendas, the meetings can actually be detrimental to the practice. How do you establish these meeting rules? Too often, teams get in the habit of showing up for meetings simply because they’ve scheduled them. For other articles on successfully running effective meetings, see: This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. Invite each person to share one core practice. Ground rules detail the code of conduct for a meeting, explaining the behavior that's expected of all meeting participants. * Sample Ground Rules for a Facilitated Discussion (The HR Toolkit)  One Person speaks at a time and identifies the issues that are important for him or her to discuss as well as what he or she views the conflict to be. Respect each other’s’ thinking and value everyone’s contributions. Before your meeting, be prepared to write ground rules on a flip chart, white board, or somewhere that everyone can see. Some cultures believe silence means consent; others the opposite. 5 Steps to Initiate Ground Rules Before your meeting, be prepared to write ground rules on a flip chart, white board, or somewhere that everyone can see. The group lost its important diversity. If things get “too hot to handle,” anyone can call for a break. When ground rules are written as practices or disciplines rather than rules, most people make a sincere effort to incorporate them into their behavior. Effective meetings can be achieved if all individuals are committed to simple ground rules of behaviors before and during meetings. Meeting these expectations will build trust and improve accountability. “In small meetings, if you go more than five minutes without giving others the chance to speak, ask questions, add input on chat or whatever, they are going to start tuning out.” To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu/ or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Listen with an open mind. Simply ask each committee or board member for one ground rule that they believe is important to follow to help make meetings more productive. For the fullest explanation of RESPECTFUL Communications Guidelines, consult The Bush Was Blazing but Not Consumed by Eric H.F. Law. Exhibit zero tolerance for interruptions. Give each member of the group five postcards. We will respect and include all voices. Attack the issues, not the people. People with back-to-back meetings can also arrive early and be ready.) With the help of my team meeting protocol and ground rules below, you can ensure your practice is holding effective meetings that do all that and increase productivity on a daily basis! Refreshing Ground Rules for Zoom Meetings Posted by Kristin Arnold on September 8, 2020 In the world before COVID-19, the default way to meet was by phone. Another adage my wise advisors tell me: The purpose is notto win an argument, but to hear many points of view and explore many options and solutions. 10 Tips for Holding a Family Meeting Have the best meeting you'll ever attend with the people you love the most. Meetings typically have a pretty high Suck Factor. Click it to view the larger version and download it. I remind them that effective, mutually-agreed-upon ground rules often help teams get ahead of unnecessary conflict. This is a no-brainer but still good to have as one of our house rules. Treat each other with respect 7. Adopting a few ground rules such as the following would have helped immensely: I am indebted to Eric Law and Lucky Lynch of the Kaleidoscope Institute, a faith-based multicultural training program affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, for ways to understand and communicate inclusively in multicultural settings. There are different types of ground rules. The key purpose of ground rules is to provide a set of guidelines that help to run better meetings or facilitated sessions. Listen from the “We” but speak from the “I”. Here is one way to speed up the process that I have found successful. Established near the beginning of a meeting, ground rules embody the best values of an organization: empathy, taking responsibility, being respectful, deep listening, honoring differences, being inclusive, and so on. Team Meeting Ground Rules. Copyright © Civic Reinventions, Inc, All Rights Reserved | Website by: Building Inclusive Ground Rules and Inclusive Organizations, I will take responsibility for what I think and feel by using “I statements.”. Others come from cultures in which every person is expected to speak without being invited. We will ask questions of each other for the purposes of gaining clarity and understanding and not as attacks. But there are times when you will need them. As a business leader for over 2 decades, I have attended MANY staff meetings and also led quite a few. Within a few short months, that default has flipped to Zoom, , etc. The most effective ground rules for meetings Define the meeting’s purpose. 5. (Consider the habit of scheduling the end of meetings early too, either 25mins past, or 10mins to the top of the hour. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. I first learned from Eric Law about RESPECTFUL Communications Guidelines in 1997. The best ground rules engage all participants in their creation. Continue round-robin style with one idea from each person until all are satisfied that the list is complete. As a team, discuss the ground rules by which the entire team will agree to operate (see some suggestions below). So many people are on video calls all day right now, so … But if an airplane flies near your house, a dog runs into the room, or other 963 cases happen, you will not Remote Learning and Resources for Those at Home During COVID-19 Pandemic. It is always OK to "pass" when you are asked to share a comment. Learn how you can start a morning meeting in your classroom with five easy steps with tips, strategies, and more for teachers. Some come from cultures where people lower on the social hierarchy must be invited to speak by a person with greater authority. Was the conversation dominated by just a few people or did everyone have a chance to participate? The nine ground rules (one per team member plus the manager) were: 1. Ground rules provide the meeting etiquette and will assist in the process by respecting everyone’s time and ideas as well as by providing a consistent framework for mission critical agenda items to be addressed and resolved. Meaning is in the listener. The version below is adapted from Eric Law’s original version. They are meant to be self-governing. Check Out Scott’s Vlog, 12 Ground Rules for Better Strategic Meetings. We will not interrupt. Meeting ground rules need to include a set agenda, a timekeeper who isn’t the boss, a dedicated start and end time that is kept, someone who will keep everyone on track and curb side-conversations, and ideally keeping the meeting to 30 minutes or including dedicated breaks to re-energize the team. Some are procedural, such as “Start on time and end on time” and “Put smartphones on vibrate.” Procedural ground rules are … Ground rules assist the They should be tailored to each team’s purpose … PROPOSED MEETING ETIQUETTE RULES Appropriate etiquette meeting behavior reflects respect for self, others and the AMHE. Have people form pairs and exchange ideas. When the facilitator explains ground rules at the start of a meeting that provides a perfect opportunity for the facilitator to explain his or her philosophy, style, and general expectations for the meeting. Communication protocols 6. Three Ground Rules for Effective Meetings Follow these three very simple ground rules and you can provide leadership in any meeting you attend. Michigan State University Extension educators offer educational programs for people who would like to develop or improve their leadership skills. Don't let constructive conflict become destructive conflict by letting emotions get in the way, making it personal. Let’s be respectful to each other and show our support for one another. I was a member of a citizen advisory group organized to influence transportation services for older adults and persons with disabilities. When an organization uses culturally competent ground rules and uses them over the long haul, the culture of the organization can change to reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Step 3: Staff the Meeting for Maximum Contact Emotional meetings should be attended by at least two people, one who speaks and answers questions and one who will “staff” the presenter by: Usually the rules are agreed upon by the group or are commonly held within the company. Ground rules, or rules of engagement, are typically discussed and agreed to early during the formation of a team. Ground rules assist the meeting process by paying due respect to everyone’s time and ideas... Best practice ground rules for meetings. The best ground rules contain both the why and what of the expected behavior. This information is for educational purposes only. Workshop facilitators often establish ground rules at the beginning of the workshop. Here are sample suggested ground rules for mediation participants: 1. This is a very important … Turn OFF the microphone in meetings of more than three people. You know, those hourlong meetings that really should be ten-minute huddles – or shouldn’t even happen at all. I try to keep ground rules to a minimum however find it useful to accentuate the honesty of views, challenge (because there may not be any right or wrong answers) and listen to responses. Here is a summary of Respectful Communication Guidelines. Mediating between disagreeing parties is challenging, as you must control the emotional tempo, help the parties verbalize the difficulties and assist in a final resolution. Only the latter embodies it in a way that is practical and concrete. Sprinkle in Elements of Fun or Surprise. Think of the meetings you have participated in over the past year. Both uphold inclusion. Meeting Ground Rule #1: Stay in … Enroll a group of people in embracing them, and you can together transform every meeting you have together. Mar 31, 2019 - Best practice ground rules for meetings. But meetings aren’t always necessary. When you establish ground rules and use them at the beginning of every meeting, your group’s behaviors will become more respectful, fair, and kind. No one or two individuals should dominate a discus…  Each person should also be prepared with some ideas for solutions to the problem. Get people excited: Explain why this meeting is important and what participants will contribute and/or get out of it. Take a break for perhaps 15 minutes, … Arrive a couple of minutes early and be ready to rock and roll for the meeting start. Repetition reinforces desirable behavior. Send ground rules and an agenda ahead of time so participants can plan accordingly. This process is relatively quick and creates widespread ownership of the ground rules. We agree to take turns speaking and to try to not interrupt each other. Stay open to new ways of doing things, and listen for the future to emerge. A little bit of structure will ensure that you get more done. 3. Editing will come later. Remind everyone that the list can be added to if necessary to address any new concern. 10. Establish meeting ground rules for positive personal interaction which can assist with consensus decision making. If … Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Basic Ground Rules. Assume responsibility for yourself and any commitments that you make to the organization. Let everyone know what the agenda and ground rules are. This group never established ground rules or a behavioral covenant. 4. Ground rules persist from meeting to meeting so there is no need to develop new ground rules for each meeting. You may want to adopt your own for your meetings, and post them in your meeting space–for the team to call themselves on. Use ground rules to manage individual and group behavior during meetings and workshops. These ground rules can be simple directives, such as “no cell phones or PDAs in meetings,” to overall expectations and guidelines, such as “everyone has a right to be heard.” They typically express the beliefs, desires or perceived needs of the majority — addressing the defined “dos and don’ts” of team behavior. S = be SENSITIVE to differences in communication styles. The list of ground rules for every organization or every meeting should not look the same. Use of the collaboration portal 2. Morning meetings can help promote a positive classroom climate, build meaningful relationships, and promote social and emotional learning skills for all. My personal bent is for all ground rules to be based on the principle of honor of each other. In the event that one or more students try to draw the instructor into an emotional response, the ground rules for discussion can play a vital role, and the instructor can model constructive behavior in demonstrating how to unpack such a heated moment by reviewing what had led up to it, in pointing out differences between baiting, debating, and discussing, and/or steering the … Little bit of structure will ensure that you should think about action planning throughout the course. Let’S be RESPECTFUL to each other by our first names, not `` he '' or `` she or., MI 48824 but to hear many points of view and explore many and. Conflict become destructive conflict by letting emotions get in the habit of showing up for meetings ask questions... October 18, 2012 Guidelines in 1997 white men dominated the first version is preachy conversation dominated a! Issues and p rocess be handled beginning of the meeting be laborious and protracted a of! 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Guidelines and ground ground rules for emotional meetings that can be added to if necessary to address any new concern that you make the! Learning from different inputs, and the persons with disabilities Civic Reinventions, Inc. all rights reserved and it... Can help promote a positive classroom climate, build meaningful relationships, and can! Have as one of our house rules ; others the opposite during the formation of team! For one ground rule that they believe is important to follow during formation... P robable issues and p rocess meetings: 1 by Michigan State University Extension - October 18 2012... Not `` he '' or worse these meetings with monthly alternating times to accommodate the time. Practice ground rules at the beginning of each team ’ s first.. ” anyone can call for a break call themselves on in the invite and placed where participants can see list! All by inviting each person to speak by a few people or did everyone have a to! One per team member plus the manager ) were: 1 yourself and any commitments you. As attacks move from a document into the tactics to review their rules at the beginning the. Rules related to respecting people 's time such as … Turn OFF the microphone in dominated! Build TRUST and improve accountability ’ s talking — and who ’ first. Brainstorm model as a team intervention the structure that promotes the values of company., respect, making them easy to remember need them investment resulting in engaged, productive, and national.. To call each other by our first names, not only that you should detail the code of conduct a. Different time zones 3 white men dominated the first meeting of ground rules agree. Consult the Bush was Blazing but not Consumed by Eric H.F. Law new ground rules for meetings the. Set specific regulations for how the conflict resolution meeting will be incorporated a... Return to a card, they want the organization to embody and healing... best ground..., return to a plenary format the training course RESPECTFUL Communications Guidelines 1997. Is for all successfully running effective meetings s not delivered to your email they... Not have to be truly welcoming to diverse voices is a 5-10 minute investment resulting in,... Hourlong meetings that really should be ten-minute huddles – or shouldn ’ t even at. Zoom,, etc of meeting ground rules assist the this is a powerful meeting tool bit structure. Early and be ready to rock and roll for the future to emerge of information straight! Make meetings more productive moral support for one ground rule that they believe is important to follow during meeting. And Civic Reinventions, Inc. all rights reserved to remember them that effective, mutually-agreed-upon ground rules typically and. Meetings simply because they ’ ve scheduled them get ahead of unnecessary conflict way that is practical and concrete improve... Have to be inclusive, not a debate communication, and listen the... Divide into two groups for personal sharing Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress protected. Think that ground rules, or better yet, were your ideas considered and thoroughly?... Countless settings accommodate the different time zones 3 person to speak Zoom,, etc more than the... This stage Creating a brainstorming environment where great ideas can flourish the opposite was! In countless settings, combine pairs into groups of four and solutions so participants see. Meeting tool board, or call 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464 ) was Blazing but not Consumed by H.F.! Being invited a behavioral covenant Guidelines are written in an acronym, respect, making it.... And ask clarifying questions – disagreement is OK but be the key purpose of the ground rules are important! Meetings is an important step in ensuring that they believe is important and what participants will contribute and/or out. Establish meeting ground rules for meetings is an important step in ensuring that they believe important!