SH - Meeting Rules of Engagement

Meeting participants will:

• Honour the speakers’ list
• Allow each person to speak before speaking a second time on an issue
• Actively listen when someone is speaking, focussing on the discussion
• Turn off blackberries / cell phones
• Stay in the room while the meeting is in session
• Respect all communication styles and personalities
• Be aware of your body language when others speak
• Keep comments brief, to the point and prepare arguments appropriately
• Be hard on issues and soft on people
• Submit agenda items in a timely manner, including supporting documentation or briefing note
• Produce written motions and remit a copy to the Group president and one copy to the
• Secretary, prior to issue being addressed
• Have last minute agenda items placed at the end of the agenda, to be heard only if time
• permits, unless otherwise considered to be an emergency
• Refrain from sidebar discussions

All concerns and opinions of participants should be shared without getting personal, even when not in agreement with the direction taken. The SH Group should be a united body, working as a team, in a respectful and civil manner, for the better of the Institute. This type of conduct should be expected at all Institute meetings.