Guidelines for Transition Teams - The United Church of Canada

First Meeting
Introduction
Explain the purpose of the meeting: to describe and document the team’s working principles with
respect to: i) the task, ii) the working climate the team wishes to have, and iii) the team’s desired
relationship with the congregation. Clear working principles will
• set mutual expectations among team members and with the Interim Minister regarding
interpersonal conduct and the work of the interim period
• create guidelines, to be checked periodically throughout the interim period, to keep the work
on track
• provide reference points for evaluating the team’s effectiveness at the end of the interim period
Agenda
The facilitator sets the following guidelines for the discussion:
• each person to speak in the first person: I like…; I value…; I want…
• respond for clarification as needed, but no rebuttal is allowed
• all responses will be transcribed on flip chart in front of the group
The facilitator asks three questions:
• What is important to me about the work this team produces?
• What do I need from others to help me fully participate in this group?
• What is important to me about how the congregation relates to our work?
The facilitator asks team members each question in turn, and ensures that each has the opportunity
to respond. (If the facilitator is also a participant, include the facilitator’s responses.) The facilitator
ensures respect for all contributions.
The recorder writes each individual’s response to each question on flip chart sheets.
The facilitator makes sure the responses are recorded succinctly, but reflecting the words of the
speaker as accurately as possible.
Closing
The group may notice themes emerging from the individual responses; if so, those themes may be
listed on a separate flip chart page. The facilitator explains that the flip chart notes will be clarified
and edited to eliminate redundancy, and a final summary will be brought back to the group’s next
meeting for review.
46 Guidelines for Transition Teams