GROUND RULES

Each of the participants to these discussions agrees to the following ground rules:

1.      Bring legitimate purposes and goals.  Recognize the legitimacy of the goals of others.  Attempt to maximize all the goals of all the parties.

2.      Coalition initiatives will receive priority attention, staffing, and time commitments.

3.      Give the same priority to solving the problems of others, as your own.

4.      Creatively search for opportunities and solutions.

5.      Listen carefully; ask questions to understand; make statements to explain or educate.

6.      Issues identified by any party must be addressed.

7.      State interests, problems, and opportunities, not positions - positive candor is an effective tool.

8.      Attempt to reach consensus on all issues.

9.      Advocate for the agreed plan.

10.  Attempt to protect each other and the process.

11.  Challenge ideas, not people.

12.  Be mindful of the impacts public and private statements may have.

13.  Treat everyone with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

14.  Respect confidentiality. Ask for permission before quoting someone officially or unofficially.

Anyone may leave the process and these ground rules, but only after addressing the problem with the entire group to find a solution.

These Ground Rules were approved by the NEWFC Board on January 21, 2021 and may be reviewed and amended at any time.