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Comments to the Facilitator: This activity will enable a group to develop a set of operating
norms or ground rules. In existing groups, anonymity will help ensure that everyone is able to
express their ideas freely. For this reason, it is essential to provide pens or pencils or to ask that
everyone use the same type of writing implement.
Supplies: Index cards, pens or pencils, poster paper, display board, tape, tacks
Time: Two hours
Directions
1. Explain to the group that effective groups generally have a set of norms that govern
individual behavior, facilitate the work of the group, and enable the group to accom-
plish its task.
2. Provide examples of norms.
3. Recommend to the group that it establish a set of 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.
4. Give ve index cards and the same kind of writing tool to each person in the group.
5. Ask each person to reect on and record behaviors they consider ideal behaviors for a
group. Ask them to write one idea on each of their cards. Time: 10 minutes.
6. Shufe all the cards together. Every effort should be made to provide anonymity for
individuals, especially if the group has worked together before.
7. Turn cards face up and read each card aloud. Allow time for the group members to
discuss each idea. Tape or tack each card to a display board so that all group mem-
bers can see it. As each card is read aloud, ask the group to determine if it is similar
to another idea that already has been expressed. Cards with similar ideas should be
grouped together.
8. When all of the cards have been sorted, ask the group to write the norm suggested
by each group of cards. Have one group member record these new norms on a large
sheet of paper.
9. Review the proposed norms with the group. Determine whether the group can sup-
port the norms before the group adopts them.
Used with permission of the National Staff Development Council, www.nsdc.org, 2006. All rights reserved. Adapted
from Tools for Change Workshops by Robby Champion. Oxford, OH: National Staff Development Council, 1993.
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Developing Norms
