ATTENDANCE:

• Members agree to arrive on time.
  • If unable to attend, members will notify the chair, and forward any input or documents. (Chair may postpone 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. Alternates will be identified as follows:
    • Administrative members: Chair will choose an alternate from the WG;
    • Elected members: Chair will choose someone from the appropriate constituency;
    • Selected members: Person designated as "official" alternate by the respective bargaining unit.
  • Members assume responsibility for informing themselves of what occurred at missed meetings.
  • If the chair or recorder is going to miss one meeting, s/he will choose a replacement for that meeting.

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.

• The HSWG provides and encourages equal opportunities for participation and members assume individual responsibility to participate fully.
• Members interact in a collegial manner.
• Members respect everyone’s right to speak and to 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.

• 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 to obstruct its implementation.

• 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 groups should establish new points of reference.
• At the end of each meeting:
• Members set a tentative agenda for the next meeting, which is emailed 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 review the "Working Agreements for HSWG" each fall.