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30 <br /> 1 performing if they spent more time discussing topics at a work session and then voted on them <br /> 2 at a business meeting. <br /> 3 Lydian Altman said she is trying to think of how to capture this in a higher level phrase <br /> 4 for next steps. <br /> 5 Commissioner Richards said this makes her think of the quote "culture eats strategy for <br /> 6 breakfast". She said some of what they are talking about is really the higher level around culture <br /> 7 and expectations. She said if operation is centered around culture then strategy and the <br /> 8 business plan then supports that. <br /> 9 Lydian Altman said the higher level is not only the strategies they hope to get from this <br /> 10 conversation around planning but also execution. She said a key word might be integration. <br /> 11 Commissioner Fowler said she thinks the Board would like to be better informed before <br /> 12 making a decision. She said if the Board has the opportunity to see an item more times, like at a <br /> 13 work session and then at a business meeting, they can be better informed and also think about <br /> 14 it more. She said people have different styles of thinking. <br /> 15 Commissioner Bedford said she agrees with that. She said on big decisions she needs <br /> 16 to have a couple of days to consider and think about it. <br /> 17 Commissioner Greene said there was a similar practice when she was on the Chapel <br /> 18 Hill Town Council. <br /> 19 Commissioner Bedford said when an item comes up they need more time on they can <br /> 20 ask to delay it in the meeting. <br /> 21 Chair Price said it's interesting to hear this because the Board has been accused of <br /> 22 taking too long to make a decision. She said it gets back to how each Board wants to operate. <br /> 23 She said the Board can delay something at any time unless it is something that is time sensitive. <br /> 24 She said maybe that needs to be a reminder to them. She said there is also the issue of just <br /> 25 familiarity with the issues, because some items are repeats but a newer commissioner will not <br /> 26 be as familiar. <br /> 27 Commissioner Hamilton said the issue of delaying an item is more about culture than <br /> 28 rules. She said knowing they can be comfortable asking to delay is important. She said <br /> 29 determining which topics and issues to discuss and when can be driven by a strategic plan, so <br /> 30 that's another benefit. <br /> 31 Chair Price said part of the culture is communication between them all and being <br /> 32 comfortable bringing a topic forward for discussion. She added that she and Commissioner <br /> 33 Bedford set the agenda with staff and have to weigh priority items with the amount of time <br /> 34 meetings will take. <br /> 35 Commissioner Bedford said another positive on this Board is that no one uses Robert's <br /> 36 Rules of Order to shut anyone down. <br /> 37 Lydian Altman summarized the discussion the Board had above based on her notes <br /> 38 including: <br /> 39 <br /> 40 • Following good board management practices during meetings <br /> 41 • Timing and content of retreat to determine board culture, expectations, and operating <br /> 42 principles <br /> 43 • Planning for the work ahead and what needs to happen to accomplish <br /> 44 • Look ahead. What's coming in the next few months? (Rolling calendar) <br /> 45 • Time for more interaction between us <br /> 46 • Training <br /> 47 • Calendar of work sessions. Regular updates on activities <br /> 48 • INFORM ==m=' THINK TIME ----+ DECIDE <br /> 49 o Amount of`think time depends on familiarity with the issues, can vote be delayed, <br /> 50 Board-specific expectations and culture <br />