Training Guides
for the Head Start Learning Community:
Community Partnerships:
Working Together
Module 2
|
| Contents | Preface
| Introduction
| Module 1
| Module 2
| Module 3
| Module 4 | |
Elements of Success
Handout 6: Setting Ground Rules2
Overview
A successful collaboration requires that all partners contribute to and have a stake in the process. Ground rules can help partners use time wisely, share leadership, and head in the same direction. Ground rules cover planning and conducting meetings, resolving conflicts, making decisions, and maintaining ongoing communication among partners. Ground rules are set by partners as they address the following questions:
- Where, when, and how often will we meet?
- What will be our time frame for working together?
- How will we share responsibility for organizing and conducting the meetings?
- Who will prepare and contribute to the meeting agenda?
- What rules will guide discussion during meetings? Guard confidentiality?
- How will we handle information needs, data gathering, and record keeping?
- How will we make decisions? By majority rule or consensus?
- What steps will we take to make sure decisions are not made behind the scenes?
- What will happen when there is a conflict?
- Under what circumstances will we seek a third-party facilitator?
- How will we evaluate the progress of our work?
2Adapted from Atelia Melaville and Martin Blank with Gelareh Asayesh, Together We Can: A Guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Services (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Education and U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1993).
Copyright © 1999 Head Start Publications Management Center. All rights reserved.
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