Operating+Agreement+Rough+Draft

To: Professor Barksdale From: Grade A Gals - Claire Duff - Krystle Owen - Meghan Martin - Virginia Fritz Date: April 1, 2011 Subject: Collaborative Memo   **Introduction (This won't be stated in the paper, but just included for outline purposes)** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Note: We will work on this as a team once we get the other sections done. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">--> Primary purpose is to inform the reader. <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Should identify: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Audience (Dr. Barksdale) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Purpose (a written agreement that outlines how the group will work, the expectations of each individual group memebers and the sanctions) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Message (Rules and set schedules have to be followed inorder for the group to work efficiently and in a timely manner) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Persons <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">- “Eliminate passages of obvious rhetorical objectivity”. (Group Work and Collaborative Writing, pg. 16) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Coordination **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The following group members have been assigned to specific roles to aide in our group’s communication: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The Group Leader will be responsible for: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The Recorder will be responsible for: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Meetings **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Group meetings are used primarily to define, initiate, and control the tasks that members will undertake between meetings. Members will define problems, set objectives, and evaluate ending goals throughout each meeting. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Communication **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Communication is more essential for virtual teams then on campus classes in order to work efficiently and in a timely manner. Communication is one of the primary responsibilities for each individual group member and each will be held accountable for. Good communication practices will allow each individual member know the progress of the assignment because the entire group’s work reflects on them. Since a designated class time is not assigned to distance education class, we must set aside an ideal time range of when we are available to be contacted and discuss the progress of the assignment. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> In our group, our best means of communication are by email, phone, wikispace and chatting. Most of us have different schedules so it is very difficult to meet in-person for every meeting. Email seems to be the communication channel of choice for everyone; however, cell phones should be the choice in situations that require an immediate response. For example, if a group member is unable to submit their part of the project on time, or if they will have to miss a meeting, etc. Each group member is responsible for checking in frequently with other group members. Email will also be used to give ideas and help other members with their part of the assignment if needed. We are a team and if a group member has a question or problem, they should not feel like they are working on an issue alone. They should contact their other teammates immediately when a problem arises. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Also, group members are responsible for responding to emails within 24 hours even if just to let the sender know that they got their message. Assignments are due in a specified amount of time so each group member has a tight schedule to keep. If emails are responded to on a timely basis, the assignments will be finished without confusion and in a timely manner. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Decision Making **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Grade A Gals //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> will use a consensus decision making process throughout the duration of the project. Consensus means that following discussion, all four team members are in support of the agreement. Decisions will be made while respecting the feelings and opinions of all other team members. Each team member is required to participate in matters presented for group discussion in the Moodle TRIO folder. Team members will post feedback to recognized problem and suggest ideas for solution. The best solution should present itself during thorough and detailed discussion of the problem. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Should the team be unable to work within a consensus, voting may be necessary. Each team member will privately email vote of “yes” or “no” to the team leader. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">If all votes received are “yes”, the decision has been made and will be documented by the recorder in the project notes. If any vote(s) received is “no”, a decision has not been reached. In this case the solution will be discarded and the issue will be put up for further discussion. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sanctions ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">We as a team need to be understanding of our group members, and there different schedules. However, there needs to be a point where turning in late work and being late to group meetings is not tolerated. In order to create a stable, consistent environment for the team as a whole, we have set a few rules in place in the case of a group member not following our Operating Agreement. In many of the instances below, and as stated in "Group Work and Collaborative Writing", we will "write a collective letter to the instructor reporting the non-contributions of individual members" if the problem gets to the point where we need to contact Professor Barksdale. Professor Barksdale will be contacted as a last resort if any of these instances occur: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">In the instance of any of the above three problems, the group member will be confronted with the issue the rest of the group is having. The group member has 24 hours to respond to the group with the reason why they are having trouble following the Operating Agreement. The group member then has time to improve on their performance. As stated above, Professor Barksdale will then be contacted if the problem happens 2 more times. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Closing **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">We will work on this as a team once we have the other sections done. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Have a good closing that summarizes the entirety and purpose of the memo.
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Meghan Martin—Group Leader
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Claire Duff—Recorder
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Coordinating appropriate group meetings in correspondence with the “Meetings” sections of this agreement.
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Making final group decisions also in correspondence with the “Decisions” section of this agreement and properly informing all group members of the decision at hand.
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Be available for any questions group members may have regarding assignments or any other aspects of working in the group.
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Contacting Professor Barksdale if necessary for any reason.
 * <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Submitting all final assignments to the appropriate website.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Monitoring the progress of all group members to assure we are all progressing towards our group goals.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Documenting all key discussions and decisions made on the Wikispace page.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Organizing the Wikispace page in the manner she feels is most effective.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Answering any questions regarding confusion using and navigating the Wikispace page, email, and/or the Moodle website.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Assuring each member updates the Moodle group discussion page with any email messages she has created.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At least one meeting per week until our assignment is due will be scheduled by our Group Leader. More meetings may be scheduled if necessary.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Meetings will be held either in person in the NCSU library or online through Google chat and will last approximately 20-40 minutes.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">All members should come to meetings fully prepared.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">If for any reason a member cannot attend a scheduled meeting, she should give a notice through email to all group members 1-2 days beforehand explaining the reason why she cannot attend. In addition, after the scheduled group meeting, she is responsible for contacting the necessary members to receive any information she has missed.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Yes meaning, “I agree and support the identified solution”.
 * <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">No meaning “I do not agree and support the identified solution”.
 * 1) <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Group member is late to a meeting or doesn't show up at all
 * 2) <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Group member doesn't turn in their work on the dates and times specified
 * 3) <span style="0in line-height: normal; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Group member does not respond to emails/phone calls within 24 hours