Establishing

Norms
Used with permission from:
Dean Gilbert, Science Consultant
Los Angeles County Office of Education
(562) 922-6896
Gilbert_Dean@lacoe.edu
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Developing Norms
Effective groups generally have a set of
norms that govern individual behavior,
facilitate the work of the group, and
enable the group to accomplish its task.

Establishing Norms
To ensure that all individuals have the
opportunity to contribute in the
meeting;
To increase productivity and
effectiveness; and
To facilitate the achievement of its
goals.

Sample of Norms
1. We will work together as a community that
values consensus rather than majority rule.
2. We will be fully present at the meeting by
becoming familiar with materials before we
arrive and be being attentive to behaviors which
affect physical and mental engagement.
3. We will invite and welcome the contributions
of every member and listen to each other.
4. We will be involved to our individual level of
comfort. Each of us is responsible for airing
disagreements during the meeting rather than
carrying those disagreements outside the board
meeting.
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Sample of Norms
(continued)

5. We will operate in a collegial and friendly

atmosphere.
6. We will use humor as appropriate to help us
work better together.
7. We will keep confidential our discussions,
comments and deliberations.
8. We will be responsible for examining all points
of view before a consensus is accepted.
9. We will be guided by our mission statement,
which focuses on organization and professional
development, to enhance success for all
students.
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The Seven Norms of

Collaboration
1.

Paraphrasing- Using a paraphrase starter that is comfortable for

you: So or As you are.. or Youre thinking and following
the started with a paraphrase assists members of the group to
hear and understand each other as they formulate decisions.

2.

Pausing- Pausing before responding or asking a question allows

time for thinking and enhances dialogue, discussion and decisionmaking.

3.

Probing- Using gentle open-ended probes or inquires such as

Please say more or Can you tell me more about or Then,
are you saying? increases clarity and precision of the groups
thinking.

The Seven Norms of

Collaboration
4.

Putting ideas on the table- Ideas are the heart of

meaningful dialogue. Label the intention of your
comments. For example, you might say, Here is one
idea or One thought I have is or Here is a possible
approachor Im just thinking out loud

5.

Paying attention to self and others- Meaningful

dialogue is facilitated when each group member is
conscious of self and others and is aware of not only what
he/she is saying, but also how it is said and how others are
responding. This includes paying attention to learning style
when planning for, facilitating and participating in group
meetings. Responding to others in their own language
forms is one manifestation of this norm.
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The Seven Norms of

Collaboration
6.

Presuming positive intentions- Assuming that others

intentions are positive promotes and facilitates
meaningful dialogue and eliminates
unintentional putdowns. Using positive intentions in your speech is one
manifestation of this norm.

7.

Pursuing a balance between advocacy and inquiryPursuing and maintaining a balance between advocating
for a position and inquiring about ones own and others
positions assists the group to become a learning
organization.

Re-examine Norms from

Orientation
Norms of
Meeting Norms
Collaboration

Pausing
Paraphrasing
Probing
Putting out ideas
Paying attention to
self & others
Presuming positive
intent
Pursuing a balance
between advocacy &
inquiry

Start & end on time

Cell phones on
vibrate
No texting
Contribute to
discussions
Side conversations at
a minimum
Respect others
comments
Challenge your belief