The Source Water Assessment Program is a unique opportunity to establish partnerships among groups that often sit on opposite sides of a table. Constructive challenges to proposed ideas help to build trust among members and foster commitment. Nevertheless, meeting rules provide order to the process and set expectations for committee performance and behavior. The person running the meeting, or the facilitator, presents the agenda and adds to or deletes from it based on group feedback. Agendas that include desired results, or expectations, for the meeting are very effective.
All participants listen actively.
Brainstorming sessions are used to develop ideas. Participants make and follow through on commitments. Participants provide honest and consistent messages. Interest group representatives take committee-formulated alternatives to their constituencies for consideration and feedback. Participants keep their constituencies informed of progress.