Monthly Family Meeting

Use this brief (60 minutes or less) process at least once a month to ensure the Thread Family is clearing a path for a young person to thrive. 

While this process is meant for a Family of volunteers working together, it’s possible that you are alone. You may be working with young person who only has 1-2 volunteers, or other volunteers may have had a meeting conflict.  If you are alone, gather up with at least one other volunteer who is also alone - and follow the process as outlined.

1. Honoring Time - How are you all doing?  (5 minutes)

Allow everyone in the Family to share an update on how they are doing outside of Thread.  

2. Where are we heading?  By When?  (5 minutes)

• Review the latest Touchpoints on the Thread App.  If you have some to log, do them now!
• Remind yourselves of the young person's long-term goals in life.  (ie: What do they want to do?  Where do they want to go?  Who do they want to be?  When can this become a reality for them?)  

3. What barriers are in our way?  (15 minutes)

Barriers, unforeseen circumstances, and challenges often threaten long-term goals.  Our work as volunteers is to be there to help strategize ways over, around, or under those barriers!  Openly discuss and list the barriers you each think are in the student’s way.  

4. What solutions can we do in the next month? (20 minutes)

Based on that list of barriers, openly brainstorm a set of solutions that you all can do over the next month.  If you need help, bring in your GrandParent, check out the resources available for specific barriers, check with another Thread Family within or outside of your thread, and/or call over Thread Staff or Alumni in the room.

5. What steps are we taking next?  Who?  By When? (10 minutes)

As a group, commit to one or more of the solution(s) from the brainstorm.  Specifically note who will do what and by when.