Family Meetings

PURPOSE:The family comes together to discuss and plan the variety of events in their lives

BENEFITS of Family Meetings:

• Gives everyone an opportunity to have their voice heard;
• Let’s everyone feel part of the decision making;
• Helps members in the family work together;
• Builds cooperation;
• Teaches responsibility;
• Let’s each member know:
  • That their ideas and opinions matter
  • That they are important
  • Teaches members that it is important to say what they feel and think and that they will be listened to
  • Teaches children how to be in the world, class meetings, staff meetings, professional meetings, etc.
• Helps parents stay out of the arguments between siblings;

For Family Meeings to be SUCCESSFUL:

• They need to be held regularly: Sunday evening, etc.
• They need to be consistent so that members can count on them and know that they will happen
• They need to be held in a comfortable place where all can be seen
• Everyone needs to attend - some might be reluctant; best not to force participation but to show the advantages of participating:
  • voice in decision making:
    • how they will spend Spring Break,
    • how they will celebrate Easter,
    • etc...
• They need to be short – 10-15 minutes for 5 to 7 year olds; 15-30 minutes for 7 and up.

AGENDA:

• Needs to be posted prior to the meeting, a special white board works well, paper on refrigerator, etc.
• Should be up all week so that members can add to it.
• Everyone needs access so they can add items;
  • Examples:
    • Vacation – dad
    • Wanting to stay up later – child
    • Help with chores – mom
    • Family outing – mom and dad
    • Sister keeps coming into my room without knocking - child

ROTATING ROLES: There are two leadership roles at family meetings:

1. Chairperson – who keeps the discussion on track and sees that everyone’s opinion is heard.
2. Secretary – who takes notes during the meeting, writes the minutes after the meeting, reads the minutes
   at the next meeting.

Roles need to rotate!

OUTLINE OF FAMILY MEETINGS:

• Compliments: Chairperson asks if any member wants to compliment another member; say thank you about
  something; offer encouragement
• Reading the Minutes: reminds everyone what happened at the last meeting.
• Old business: Is there an agenda item that didn’t get discussed at the last meeting or one that was postponed
• New Business: the agenda list
• Family Activity or Treat: game, outing, dessert. (This is an opportunity to have fun together and to end on a positive note. If a member chooses not to attend the family meeting, they don’t get to participate in the activity or treat.)

GROUND RULES:

• Each Person has an equal voice.
• Each person has to listen to the others.
• Each person may say what he or she feels and thinks.
• Decisions are made by consensus, it is discussed until all agree or agree to disagree.
• Some decisions are reserved for parents.