Family meetings tend to balloon: long, emotional, and unresolved. The antidote is structure: a clear agenda, short timeboxes, decisions you can actually record, and named owners for follow-ups.
The 45-minute formula
- 5 min: Check-in & previous action review
- 25 min: One or two priority topics (max)
- 10 min: Decisions (vote, document, assign owners)
- 5 min: Next steps & confirm the next meeting
If a topic needs more time, schedule a separate deep-dive. Protect the formula.
Agenda & timeboxing
Use a one-page agenda with:
- Objectives in one sentence
- Time limits per item
- Owner/facilitator for each section
- A “parking lot” for off-agenda items
Timebox strictly. Ending on time builds trust.
Decisions, voting, and follow-ups
Pick a default voting model (consensus, consent, or majority). Record:
- The decision and rationale
- Who’s accountable (single owner)
- Due dates and any budgets required
- What success looks like (simple acceptance criteria)
Common pitfalls & fixes
- Too many topics: Limit to two.
- Unclear ownership: Always assign one accountable owner.
- Vague outcomes: Write decisions in action language (“Approve X up to $Y”).
- No follow-through: Use reminders and review actions first next time.
Run it in Reluna
Reluna provides a 45-minute family council template, live timers, decision logging, voting, and automatic reminders tied to owners and due dates. The result: short, calm meetings that lead to visible progress.
Try Reluna’s “45-Minute Family Council” template for your next meeting.
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