BC 2005 01 22 RETREAT - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 22, 2005 (Retreat) Page 55 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Helms Dining Hall at Camp T. N. Spencer Park, 3155 Rimer Road, Concord, North Carolina, on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. Present - Chairman: Carolyn B. Carpenter Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth Commissioners: Robert M. Freeman Joni D. Juba Coy C. Privette Also present were John D. Day, County Manager; Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board; and Facilitators Philip Boyle and Donna Warner of Leading and Governing Associates. Reporters Ronnie Glassberg of THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (Cabarrus Neighbors) and Michael Roessler of THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE also attended the meeting. Following breakfast, Chairman Carpenter called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Boyle presented a brief overview of the issues. discussed by the Board on Friday. He reviewed the purpose and goals of the retreat, how to work together as a group and govern as a board and the four core values in resolving public problems. Mr. Boyle led the Board in an exercise concerning relationships and the level of trust between Board members and the County Manager. During the exercise, the Board discussed the events leading to the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Concord, the rebuilding of trust, communications with each other and the need for a commitment by Board members to work together. The Board had lunch at 12:30 p.m. and resumed discussions at 1:00 p.m. Board members identified a number of items that would help to improve the Board's working relationship and effectiveness. Mr. Boyle and Ms. Warner summarized those items into 14 points for review by the Board. After discussion, the Board by consensus agreed to the following items, which they labeled as the Cabarrus Compact. It was agreed that the Board and Mr. Day will sign the prepared document during the regular meeting on January 24. 1. Develop major issues. 2 . Give ourselves work session emergency) . 3. Use different ways of looking at and solving problems before we vote. 4. Board Members and Manager keep every member informed on upcoming issues and items. 5. Respect each other by listening when others speak not talking when others talk - give every member sufficient time to speak. 6. Support each other by not taking cheap shots, calling each other names, labeling someone or their behavior, attacking each other or using hurtful language. 7. No campaign speeches during Board,meetings. 8. Disagree with members but acknowledge their positions as valid and their right to take their position. 9. Don't lend our names to groups that personally target or attack fellow Board Members. 10. We will debate decisions as much as we need to, but we will accept the decision once it is made. 11. Treat others' perceptions and feelings as facts. 12. Share our feelings, -positions and convictions with each other and explain the reasons behind them. 13. Create ways for members to talk and meet more often - one to one. 14. Treat each other the way we want to be treated. CABARRUS COMPACT themes and goals to help us organize smaller enough time to discuss important issues in before meeting (unless we agree it's an The Board discussed their expectations for the County Manager. These included the following: continue to let Board members know what is going on with particular issues and keep all members informed; provide a weekly summary of activities; develop alternate means of communicating with Board members; present several options .on initiatives; continue to be honest with