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VI. Treat Everyone with Respect <br />Do not publicly embarrass or humiliate fellow commissioners, citizens, or staff. While <br />disagreements are expected and acceptable, always maintain an atmosphere of good will and <br />respect, no matter who is speaking. Focus on ideas and suggestions instead of questioning <br />people's motives, intelligence or integrity. Do not ask questions or make statements in a way <br />that will intimidate or judge others. <br />VII. Share Information <br />Always share relevant information with fellow commissioners and staff, so that <br />everyone has the same information. Staff members also must make certain that information is <br />shared with all commissioners in a timely manner. <br />VIII. Make Decisions in the Open <br />Create an environment in which the City's business is conducted in the open and in <br />which debate is encouraged and valued. Adhere not only to the letter, but also to the spirit of <br />the Open Meetings law. Avoid speaking for the Commission as a group outside of <br />Commission meetings. <br />IX. Nurture the Value of the Individual; Recognize the Strength of the Team <br />Individual commissioners have differing strengths, interests, and abilities. Take <br />• advantage of these differences when discussing issues-not everyone can be an expert on <br />every issue. Learn what perspectives individuals bring to discussions. However, never lose <br />sight of the fact that the Commission's legal and political strength comes from working as a <br />team. Constituents expect their elected and appointed officials to learn to work together and <br />with citizens to further the best interests of the City as a whole. <br />X. Trust Your Judgment; Make Tough Decisions <br />Commissioners are appointed to make informed decisions and recommendations. Seek <br />many opinions on an issue. Ten calls on a particular issue may not represent the feelings of <br />all residents. Find out who is impacted by decisions. Trust your judgments to decide what is <br />best for the City as a whole, while protecting the rights of individual citizens. <br />XI. Avoid "Meeting Night" Tunnel Vision <br />Resist the temptations to form a perception about how the City functions based on what <br />happens on Commission meeting evenings. Problems are resolved, projects are planned, <br />citizens receive service, and decisions are made throughout the week. Keep what happens at <br />Commission meetings within the context of the operation of the entire City. <br />• <br />48 <br />