Sample Constitutions

Example A: The One-Page Constitution

Purpose

We are a group of 8-12 peers -- with no professional conflicts of interest -- committed to personal and professional growth. We help each other navigate life's hardest challenges in a safe and supportive environment. We bring the totality of our experience to every conversation, sharing stories and perspectives that offer emotional support, fresh thinking, and relevant know-how. We are each 100% responsible for our own decisions, actions, and outcomes.

Confidentiality

Everything said in forum is confidential. Nothing, no one, never. Discussions among members outside the meeting must be declared as confidential, otherwise they can be shared. A member who deliberately breaches confidentiality is asked to resign from the group, with reinstatement only by unanimous consent.

Commitment

• We meet monthly and strive for 100% attendance. Two absences within a calendar year trigger a commitment review by the forum.
• Attendance at the annual retreat is mandatory.
• We will advise the moderator prior to an absence.
• Meetings start and end on time. We turn off electronics during the meeting except during breaks.
• We come to forum meetings prepared.
• We commit on an annual basis and review our constitution each year.

Membership

• 8-12 members with no conflicts of interest. If a conflict develops, the member whose actions created the conflict will resign.
• New members require unanimous consent of the group.
• Members who resign make an exit presentation.

Principles

• We speak from our own experience rather than give advice.
• We are present in the moment.
• We listen with empathy and offer feedback in a non-judgmental manner.
• We deal with issues as they arise, encouraging direct resolution.
• We assume the best in each other at all times.
• Each member of forum is responsible for their own forum experience.

Roles

The moderator serves a one-year term (elected). An assistant moderator is chosen and serves as the moderator's successor. Presenter, coach, timer, language observer, and scribe rotate each meeting. We share responsibility for managing the forum experience equally.

Example B: The Detailed Constitution

Our Purpose

We are a diverse group of business leaders, thinkers, and contributors who are deeply committed to a path of personal and professional growth. We value forum as a vital part of our individual learning and development, and are personally accountable for the quality of our experience.

The success of forum depends on our willingness to trust each other with our most vulnerable experiences, our deepest desires, and our middle-of-the-night worries -- without fear of judgment or ridicule. We listen actively, and we contribute with objectivity and empathy to create the safe space we all need to be open and real. What we share in forum is personal and sacred, and we vow to keep it that way. Everything we say here stays here.

What Success Looks Like

• Our forum becomes our personal "board of directors" -- our primary go-to place for feedback, perspective, and guidance on our most difficult challenges and promising opportunities.
• We are sharing meaningful challenges, and there is evidence that the feedback is helping us navigate.
• We've developed enough trust that we've shared at least one deeply personal story or challenge we didn't think we would.
• We enjoy each other socially.
• We've each experienced enough value that we choose to renew our commitment for another year.

Confidentiality

Everything said in forum is confidential. No pillow talk -- nothing shared with spouses or partners, even partially. No dissension -- members do not discuss another member's situation in their absence. No insider trading -- information disclosed in forum cannot be used for financial gain. Walls have ears -- members exercise caution in all settings, recognizing that partial information can be pieced together.

For accidental breach: brought to the attention of the moderator and the affected person. Assessed on a case-by-case basis. For deliberate breach: brought to the entire group. The member who breached is asked to resign. Reinstatement requires unanimous consent.

Commitment

Forum is a priority in our lives. We meet 11 times a year plus a retreat. We will not go more than one month between meetings.

• We strive for 100% attendance. Two absences per year are allowed. The third absence triggers a commitment review by the forum. Attendance at the retreat is mandatory.
• Late arrivals of less than 15 minutes count as a quarter absence. Late arrivals of more than 15 minutes count as a half absence.
• We show up fully prepared and fully engaged, leaving worries and distractions outside -- or taking the opportunity to clear the air to increase presence.
• We minimize outside disruptions during meetings, using breaks to resume outside communications.
• We encourage social engagement outside of forum to deepen our bonds.

Membership

• 8-12 members with no conflicts of interest.
• New members must meet unanimous consent of the group.
• Members resigning make an exit presentation.
• We commit on an annual basis. We review and refine our constitution and guiding principles annually.

Governance

A quorum is 80% of members. Decisions are made when a quorum is present and 75% of attending members agree.

• Moderator: one-year term, elected. Prepares and distributes agenda, facilitates meetings, leads by example.
• Assistant Moderator / Secretary / Treasurer: one-year term, elected. Handles attendance records, finances, logistics, minutes of housekeeping. Serves as moderator's successor.
• Presenter: prepares by meeting with coach in advance. One meeting term. Selected from parking lot.
• Coach: meets with presenter before the meeting, leads communication starter. One meeting term. Typically the previous meeting's presenter.
• Timer: gives warnings and notices as time elapses. Volunteer, one meeting term.
• Language Observer: notices when the language protocol is violated and offers gentle correction. Volunteer, one meeting term.
• Scribe: takes notes during experience sharing and provides them to the presenter. One meeting term.

Additional shared roles: retreat coordinator (content and logistics), constitution reviewer, day chair for exercises or icebreakers.

Language Protocol

• Speak from your own experience rather than give advice.
• Use "I" statements, not "you" or "one."
• During experience sharing: first person, past tense.
• Do not ask leading or attacking questions.
• Ask permission before offering feedback or advice outside of structured sharing.

Our Values, as Personal Commitments

I will respect confidentiality. I will be present in the moment. I will stay around when times get tough. I will be on time and stay until the end. I will speak my truth. I will ask for what I want. I will take care of myself. I am willing to make mistakes. I am willing to laugh at myself. I will own my feelings. I will own my judgments. I will not blame, shame, or fix others.