SUGGESTED RULES FOR FAMILY COUNCIL MANAGEMENT Every family will establish its own governing rules for the operation of the Family Council. In some families there will be very detailed procedures; in other families these will be less formal. But the council members need to review the rules for the conduct of the Family Council. A Family Council Workbook is a good place to keep them.
Below are some family council administrative rules that may be desirable.
1. When a person has the floor he cannot be interrupted. No family member can complain about a person's behavior or ideas while he has the floor. 2. All members of the family should be strongly encouraged to attend. However, decisions can be made without a member present. All family members need to realize that they abide by family council decisions, even if they chose not to attend. (Note: We have found the children enjoy attending and only missed on rare occasions.) 3. All decisions can be changed at any other council meeting if discussed and agreed upon by the family members. 4. Emergency Family Council meetings or cancellation of meetings require notice of family members. 5. Only make decisions after hearing discussion by all family members on the matter. Consensus rather than majority should be the rule on the issues under this model. 6. Some decisions may have to be tabled until a meeting of the executive council--Father, Mother, and God. (Note: Father and Mother may want to have a sign to know when to move discussion to the executive council.) 7. Write down the Rules of Family Council for future reference as necessary. You can use a family council workbook.