As a member of the Family Advisory Council (FAC), we expect you to know this information and follow these ground rules.
Membership expectations
- Please keep current with email correspondence.
- Contact the FAC chair or phone Brian West at 651-220-6402 if you are unable to attend a meeting.
- After an absence without notification, the FAC chair will follow up, after two your membership status will be reviewed.
Meeting times and locations
- Meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month (except September and November, when the meeting is held on the second Tuesday). There are no meetings in July or August.
- We rotate campuses. Meetings held during odd-numbered months are in St. Paul, and meetings in even-numbered months are in Minneapolis.
- The December meeting includes a year-end celebration.
- During each meeting, dinner/social time is 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meeting logistics
- An agenda and any materials that require review prior to an upcoming meeting will be sent via email (or hard copy, if you prefer).
- Meeting protocol begins with announcements and committee updates.
- Parking vouchers, an attendance sheet and a tally for all volunteer hours for the prior month will be circulated.
- If there is a project that is soliciting family participation, a signup sheet will be circulated that will allow members to express an interest in participating.
- The meeting minutes will be sent via email after the meeting.
- Communication between meetings will be sent via email or phone call.
Meeting protocol
- Turn cell phones off/to vibrate. Step out if you need to take a phone call.
- Wear an ID badge whenever you are on council business.
- Raise hand to share comments, avoid interrupting others and keep comments/suggestions brief. Avoid repetition.
- Stay focused on the topic and avoid personal agendas. We represent all families.
- Avoid medical jargon and acronyms without offering an explanation. You are encouraged to ask when clarification is needed.
- Advocate for the core of patient- and family-centered care.
- If you give negative feedback, it will be more productive if you can give a positive suggestion or a partial solution.
- Honor confidentiality. Avoid using names of staff, patients and families. Use departments and titles instead of names when possible.
