Once agreements have been reached, it is important to record them. Recording them in a governance handbook provides a valuable tool for creating a framework within which the governance team can operate effectively. A governance governance handbook must become a living document that is team’s reviewed and updated by the school district governance team in an ongoing manner, annually, or certainly when new members join the governance team. It is also important to ensure the team is committed to upholding the agreements. Some governance teams recommit to updated agreements at their annual organizational meeting. Others have their superintendent distribute their norms and protocols to district administrators so the management team is aware how the governance team is committed to acting and operating. A governance handbook will provide a framework for the governance efforts, team’s just as the district policy book provides a framework for the staff’s efforts. Collective commitments must be made and documented. Format for a Conversation Meeting Dialogue A Definition – A dialogue is any conversation that is animated by a search for understanding rather than for agreements or solutions. Dialogue differs from both mediation and debate. A good dialogue offers those who participate the opportunity to: Listen and be listened to so that all speakers can be heard; Speak and be spoken to in a respectful manner; Develop or deepen mutual understanding; and Learn about the perspectives of others and reflect on own views. one’s Participants in successful dialogues usually agree to follow communication guidelines that support these purposes. The more fundamental and passionate the differences among those involved, the more important it is to clearly articulate and commit to such agreements and to have a facilitator present who can remind participants to observe them. Below are some guidelines for dialogue in its most basic form: We talk about what is really important to us. We genuinely listen to each other. We see how thoroughly we can understand each other's views and experience. We say what's true for us without making each other wrong. We see what we can learn together by exploring things together. We avoid monopolizing the conversation. We make sure everyone has a chance to speak.
Once agreements have been reached, it is important to record them. Recording them in a governance handbook provides a valuable tool for creating a framework within which the governance team can operate effectively. A governance team’s governance handbook must become a living document that is reviewed and updated by the school district governance team in an ongoing manner, annually, or certainly when new members join the governance team. It is also important to ensure the team is committed to upholding the agreements. Some governance teams recommit to updated agreements at their annual organizational meeting. Others have their superintendent distribute their norms and protocols to district administrators so the management team is aware how the governance team is committed to acting and operating. A governance handbook will provide a framework for the governance team’s efforts, just as the district policy book provides a framework for the staff’s efforts. Collective commitments must be made and documented. Format for a Conversation Meeting Dialogue – A Definition A dialogue is any conversation that is animated by a search for understanding rather than for agreements or solutions. Dialogue differs from both mediation and debate. A good dialogue offers those who participate the opportunity to: Listen and be listened to so that all speakers can be heard; Speak and be spoken to in a respectful manner; Develop or deepen mutual understanding; and Learn about the perspectives of others and reflect on one’s own views. Participants in successful dialogues usually agree to follow communication guidelines that support these purposes. The more fundamental and passionate the differences among those involved, the more important it is to clearly articulate and commit to such agreements and to have a facilitator present who can remind participants to observe them. Below are some guidelines for dialogue in its most basic form: We talk about what is really important to us. We genuinely listen to each other. We see how thoroughly we can understand each other's views and experience. We say what's true for us without making each other wrong. We see what we can learn together by exploring things together. We avoid monopolizing the conversation. We make sure everyone has a chance to speak.
GB_EG_WrkbkMarch%202015%20_%20S%20SF%20USD.docx