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162 <br /> DISCUSSION GUIDELINES FOR BOOC EAG MEETINGS (Attribution to Roger <br /> Schwarz) <br /> • TEST ASSUMPTIONS AND INFERENCES. By verifying assumptions or inferences, <br /> members can make informed decisions and nurture understanding. <br /> • SHARE ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION. This ensures that the group has a common <br /> base of information upon which to solve problems and achieve general commitment. <br /> • USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES AND AGREE ON WHAT IMPORTANT WORDS <br /> MEAN. This guideline generates observable data—people,places, things or events -that <br /> allows group members to determine independently whether the examples are valid and to <br /> agree on the meaning of words. <br /> • EXPLAIN REASONING AND INTENT. Members explain what leads them to make a <br /> comment, ask a question, or take an action so that listeners can respond, and both <br /> speakers and listeners can learn from each other. <br /> • FOCUS ON INTERESTS,NOT POSITIONS. Interests—needs, desires, and concerns - <br /> are criteria that may need to be met in order to solve a problem in a way that others can <br /> support. <br /> • COMBINE ADVOCACY AND CUROSITY. In curious inquiry, a question, often open- <br /> ended, is asked with the intent on learning, rather than conveying a point of view. <br /> • JOINTLY DESIGN NEXT STEPS AND WAYS TO TEST DISAGREEMENTS. Joint <br /> design takes into account the members' interests,relevant information, reasoning, and <br /> intent. Testing disagreements is seeing if there is a disagreement, and if so, discussing <br /> possible joint resolutions. <br /> • DISCUSS UNDISCUSSABLE ISSUES. Applying these ground rules, difficult issues, <br /> which are relevant but are perceived to possibly have negative consequences if raised, <br /> can be addressed. <br /> • USE DECISION-MAKING THAT GENERATES THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT <br /> NEEDED. The more members are able to make an informed choice, the more they are <br /> likely to be internally committed to a decision. <br /> • APPRECIATE AND TREAT ONE OTHER WITH COMPASSION <br />