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