How to have a Family Meeting

Another handout from BCC:

1)    Welcome and Introductions

2)    Ground Rules: confidentiality/no judgment/right to pass/stay with the program/push yourself

3)    Goals exercise: family "wish list" portrait now and after change

4)    Why have a family meeting

5)    How to establish a family mission statement

6)    Keys to success:

a)     Right time/right place/right level of comfort

b)    Agenda building prior to meeting

c)     Ground rules

d)    Talking stick

e)    Rotate who is in charge

7)    Tools for Success:

a)     Teach each person how to run a family meeting

b)    Sandwich technique: praise/critique/hope

c)     Attack the problem not the person

d)    Brainstorm

e)    Work for consensus

8)    Comfort and Caring: talking about real issues in our families that might be solved through a family meeting

9)    Closure

Parenting is the hardest job many of us will ever do, yet it can also be the most important and the most rewarding...It is my privilege to work with you.