How we work
As a group, we have signed up to the Ways of Working below and they guide our decisions and decision making processes – something we intend to bring to Marlow Town Council meetings.
Trust and have confidence and optimism in other people’s expertise, knowledge and intentions. Be transparent in our approach to issues and exercise respect. Talk to each other not about each other.
Avoid identifying ourselves so personally with a position that this in itself excludes constructive debate. Be prepared to evaluate how a particular position relates to the founding values of the group, and consider what flexibility we need to move forward in our decision-making and actions.
Be confident and clear in our own positions, but be prepared to be swayed by the arguments of others.
Understand the value of constructive debate, whether in informal dialogue or more formal discussion.
Sustain an intention to involve each other and others rather than working in isolation, supporting those who might not usually feel confident in speaking or taking unfamiliar actions. Prioritize listening amongst ourselves and when engaging with those outside our group.
Be conscious of how we interact with each other. Try not to have any dominating voices in debates. Keep open minds and try not to have any one of us steer or overly influence discussions: enable all the group to speak up and inspire our thinking and decision making.
Be willing and able to participate in rational debate leading to a democratic conclusion.
Have confidence in, and adhere to, the mechanisms and processes of decision-making that we establish (adapting our types of conversations and voting to best suit a particular purpose), accepting that the decisions of the majority are paramount.
Accept that your views will sometimes be taken forward by the group, but that at other times the voices of others will take us in a different direction. There’s no right or wrong, we are learning from each other and accepting that we feel our way forward without competition.
Maintain confidentiality where requested and expected – it is healthy to disagree during group discussion, but we will trust each other not to betray confidentiality of debate beyond the group.
Support each other, share leadership and responsibility and take time to communicate the intentions of, and the approaches to, the work we undertake, so that all members also have confidence when following instructions that they have been agreed by the group.
Be prepared to admit and accept mistakes as we learn how to work together to move this project forward