I. Agenda for Regular Couple’s Meetings
1. Share compliments and appreciations.
2. Review any unfinished business from past meeting/s.
3. Review calendar and do necessary scheduling, including planning a date for the two of you.
4. Discuss any financial issues, take care of paying bills, etc.
5. Agree on an agenda, then take one item or problem at a time, as follows:
    a. First discuss the issue in terms of each of your underlying interests (Why this is important?), rather than first stating your positions (This is what you/we should do).
    b. Throughout, always take turns being the speaker and the listener. When you are the listener, make sure you fully understand before you take your turn to speak.
    c. Take time to brainstorm ideas for possible solutions, generating as many new options as possible (no evaluating or critiquing during this part of the process).
    d. After discussing some of the more agreeable options you now have on the table, decide by consensus. If you can’t come up with a win-win solution, postpone the decision to a later time, agree on an interim solution, or see a mediator or counselor for help. Remember, no agreement needs to be set in stone for all time, but should be honored until it is reviewed and changed.
    e. Decide how and by whom a decision is to be carried out, and what will happen if it isn’t. To avoid misunderstandings, put both the agreement and any friendly, agreed on “consequence-for-not-following-through” in writing.
6. Decide on a time for your next couple’s meeting, and who will be responsible for making sure the session happens. Of course, either partner can respectfully ask for a special session at any time it is agreeable to the other.
7. Keep it under an hour, and end with some activity you both enjoy.