When working with a group to create guidelines, it is critical that all voices are heard and that everyone agrees with the framework.
Consider:
Meetings. Determine frequency and location. Meetings can be in-person or virtual based on project needs and group preferences.
Facilitation. Decide how to assign roles. Will roles rotate? Will there be an agenda and notes?
Responsibilities. Identify both individual responsibilities (i.e. arriving prepared, on-time, etc.) as well as project responsibilities (i.e. how are tasks assigned and progress tracked?). Also consider how will concerns about individual or group responsibilities be addressed.
Communication. Share contact information and determine how your group will communicate (email, text, Slack, etc.). Also establish expectations regarding frequency of communication or missing meetings or deadlines.
Decision-making. How do people tend to approach conflict and how are decisions made? Will you vote and majority rules, or do all members need to agree?
Assessment. Decide how frequently the group should review how well the team is functioning. Often times, a verbal 'how are we doing?' is not enough.
Tasks & Timelines. Determine project tasks, assignments, and timelines so that responsibilities are clear and work isn’t left until the last minute. Consider using a shared Google calendar and task list to stay organized.