Full-value contract

From WildWiki

Return to AW Expectations Talks

Educational Objectives:

1.Participants have opportunity to discuss expectations and goals for trip or experience

2.Group reaches clarity on mutual goals and expectations for group behavior

3.Instructors have opportunity to frame behavior standards and parameters

Key Points

This talk should occur very early in the program if not the very first time you meet with your group. This talk/conversation is critical to establishing “tone” and a framework to hold everyone accountable to. Contrary to popular belief, your students WANT boundaries. They are far more comfortable knowing the specific expectations for them then if they have to find them out on their own.

The group goals and expectations talk should be framed clearly for students and the results documented. Here are a few frames you can use:

Full Value Contract—have students consider what it would take to get the full value out of their experience—both for themselves and for their team. What specific things have to happen for that to take place? What specific things should we avoid? How are you (the individual) and we (the team) going to make the most of our time together?

Team Recipe for Success—if your team is a meal-to-be, what are the ingredients needed for success? Create a list, make it a recipe, add lots of flavor, and get them thinking about the specific behaviors that will make this team tasty! What Works—have the team discuss times when they have been in a great, fun, supportive team. What did that team do? What will work with this team? You can also use this frame to talk about what works for you as a co-instructor.

Be careful to make these LIVING documents and not just words. Be sure to re-visit your contract throughout the program to reinforce—remember to catch them doing things right as well as give feedback on things that could be improved upon.