Group Contract

Group Name: Fruit loops group

Ground Rules:

• Communication will be done over Whatsapp, the group may consider using Slack if needed. Communication with the client & the Supervisor will be done by email, all group members should be Cc-d.
• Issues should be first discussed among the group members, consolidated & carefully put in words before addressing them to the client / supervisor.
  *Default meeting location is EBC & participation via Zoom will be considered after careful scrutiny by the group. The group will strive to meet every alternating day. Extra meetings will be scheduled before presentations for dry runs as well as after for reflection. * A meeting is between 45 min - 1.5 hours (may be extended through a vote). Food is allowed at all meetings.
• It's expected that group members will wait until a break to check their email, although exceptions may be made if a group member expects an urgent message. In this case the group member should warn the other group members beforehand if possible. Being on time is defined by the group as no more than 15 minutes late (from the appointed time), although a meeting must start no more than 5 minutes after the appointed time. The time being late may be considered lower depending on the urgency of the meeting.
• A meeting may be missed due to illness or due to unavoidable appointments (doctor visits, job/education related meetings). The group member is responsible for warning the group beforehand as soon as possible before the meeting. Decisions will be made through group consensus. If a disagreement occurs it needs to be discussed until a common conclusion has been reached.
• If a group member is deemed by the other group members (through a vote) to have been chronically late they are required to bring “fika” to the rest of the group as compensation.
• If a group member does not participate in enough of the work or distract other group members they may be reprimanded by the other group members. If a problem persists a vote needs to be held over what action shall be taken.
• If a group member's work is deemed to not fulfil the standard of the group constructive criticism and help will be offered by the other group members.

Group Goals:

The goal of the group is to complete the client’s request. The group will also strive to have a great time while doing so.

Charter Contract (Part B)

We, the team named Fruit loops agree with the information documented in our team charter, and will try our best to uphold this charter. By signing below, we indicate our commitment to our team. The group is expected to demonstrate positive cohesive teamwork while developing and presenting this assignment. All members of the group are to make equal efforts for the success of the group presentation. All group members are to fulfill the responsibilities of completing the assignment and making strong efforts for success related to group role expectations.

For the next several weeks, I will participate effectively in this group and strive to do the following;

• Come to class or group meetings on time (If I miss a group meeting, I will inform the group members ahead of time).
• Come prepared to share with my group (If I am unable to prepare for the meeting or a portion of the assignment, I will make up additional work according to the group needs).
• Keep track of the progress of the meeting & the group actively - be aware of what's going on.
• Be supportive of the efforts and initiatives of others (If I am too critical, my group peers can point this out and ask me to soften my approach).
• Be respectful at all times (If I demonstrate disrespectful behaviour, my group members have the right to ask me to stop).

Do not dare forget Fika if late!

Group behaviours expected of each member:

Temporal

• All group members will be punctual. Meetings will start five minutes after the agreed start time and everyone should be there and ready by then.
• All group members should turn up to all meetings unless it has been agreed beforehand or unless there are unavoidable events such as illness. Last minute delays are ok but the group member is responsible to the best of their ability inform the rest of the group about the delay.
• All group members will remain in the meeting until (a) all tasks for that meeting are completed, or (b) there is unanimous adjournment. (c) emergency take-offs are accepted if unanimous agreed upon by everyone. Breaks will be decided by unanimous consent.

Procedural

All group members will come to the meetings prepared by (a) reading the assigned material (as much as possible), and (b) be ready for discussions.

• Tasks that group members agree to undertake should be completed to the agreed deadline. If it looks as though there will be a problem meeting a deadline, the person concerned should seek help from other members of the team in time to avoid a delay.
• There will be an assimilation period at the end of the session to evaluate group mechanics and ensure that all tasks have been completed adequately.
• Each group member has the right to point out whether any of these rules are being broken.

Behavioral

• The group will actively seek a consensus of opinion based on the opinions of every member.
• Each member will take turns listening as well as talking, and active listening will be a strategy for all group discussions.
• Sexist and racist remarks are not acceptable.
• Aggressive and dominating behaviour is not acceptable.

Roles

Roles will be assigned prior to a meeting or, if this is not possible, at the beginning of a meeting. Some roles may rotate. The secretary role is semi permanent to give uniform documentation.

• The meating leader will, at the beginning of a meeting, set sub-goals. These sub-goals will be presented to the group for a consensus of approval. The leader is also responsible for the presentation of the group material to the rest of the class.
• The secretary is responsible for taking in-session notes and preparing presentation materials from these notes.
• The timekeeper is responsible for keeping track of the time allotted to each discussion, and keeping the group aware of time remaining. Every member is responsible for being devil's advocate, keeping their minds open to problems, possibilities, and divergent or opposing ideas.

Methods for resolving an impasse:

Step 1: The group members will isolate areas of disagreement, and the group will come to a consensus. If no consensus is reached, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: The group will decide the relevance or importance of the dispute and may postpone the conflict if its relevance or importance is deemed questionable or minimal.

Step 3: The group will attempt to solve the disagreement through discussion or arbitration before calling a vote.

Step 4: If the group can’t come to a conclusion a vote will be held.

Rational:

Teams work better when members have a common understanding of the group goals and ground rules for group member behaviour. The purpose of this activity is to facilitate your group in setting ground rules and goals. Each group member will have some idea how a group should operate. These ideas may be very different. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas to promote optimal group function and prevent misunderstandings in the future.

Directions:

As a group, please complete the charter categories on this page (you may want to use another piece of paper). When finished, have each group member sign the charter. Distribute copies of the charter to all group members.