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MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> Michael Talbert, Interim County Manager <br /> FROM:Qj Rod Visser, Facilitator <br /> SUBJECT: Proposed Ground Rules for January 31, 2014 Retreat <br /> DATE: January 23, 2014 <br /> 1 recommend that the Board of Commissioners plan to conduct its January 31, 2014 <br /> retreat while observing a set of"Ground Rules for Effective Groups" developed and <br /> articulated by Roger Schwarz. I was first exposed to this systemic approach to <br /> improved group process in 1994 while attending a course at the Institute of Government <br /> taught by Roger and a number of his colleagues on the faculty at the Institute. I have <br /> found these ground rules to be highly useful throughout both my professional and <br /> personal life. <br /> The following ground rules (which Roger has revised and consolidated over the years), <br /> and the core values underlying those ground rules, are adapted from: The Skilled <br /> Facilitator. A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, <br /> Trainers, and Coaches, New and Revised Edition by Roger Schwarz, Jossey-Bass <br /> Publishers, 2002. <br /> Core Values Underlying Ground Rules <br /> • valid information <br /> • free and informed choice <br /> • internal commitment <br /> • compassion <br /> Ground Rules for Effective Groups <br /> 1. Test assumptions and inferences. <br /> 2. Share all relevant information. <br /> 3. Use specific examples, and agree on what important words mean. <br /> 4. Explain your reasoning and intent. <br /> 5. Focus on interests, not positions. <br /> 6. Combine advocacy and inquiry. <br /> 7. Jointly design steps and ways to test disagreements. <br /> 8. Discuss undiscussable issues. <br /> 9. Use a decision-making rule that generates the level of commitment needed. <br /> For those with the time and inclination, you can learn more about the core values, <br /> ground rules, and the general facilitation approach I try to use at the following website: <br /> �IW@i,zassociatespjKt��,,Eg�!L)y .1 ,�LL.g,rn/f'�ies/106/8403,.Pfll.lf <br /> cc: Donna Baker, Greg Wilder <br />