Healthy Relationship Initiative
"Achieving Balance in Relationships: Spirit, Mind, and Body"
Program
An outline of this year's program is available below.
Download Program
Call for
Presenters
“Believers, Friends of One Another: Cultivating the Environment for Successful Nation-Building.”
We are seeking FOI and MGT who are licensed in counseling/therapy, psychology and/or have skills in relevant fields who can provide best practice information in the areas of communication, personal finance, merging blended families and long-distance relationships. Prospective presenters must demonstrate a level of expertise and complete a Call for Presenters form. If you are experienced in facilitating meditation or yoga, please email us at SinglesRetreat@noi.org. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints this year, we will not be providing travel expenses or accommodations for presenters as we did in past years.
Call for Presenters: Please share information on specialty areas (350 word maximum). Please include your name, address, phone, email and please attach a resume, bio or vitae. Send all information to: SinglesRetreat@noi.org. Deadline: August 1, 2008 or when filled.
Thank you!
Criteria for Presenters
- Possess the skill and/or expertise in the area one is proposing to present. This can be a combination of skill, education and experience(s)
- Be an effective communicator
- Complete the Call for Presenters short outline of what will be presented
- Submit a bio, resume or vitae
- Read the Courtship Manual and information given by Min. Farrakhan, pioneers, etc.
Presentation must:
- Have opportunities for attendees to develop new skills
- Contain practical “how to” information
- Have interactive content
- Directly address the needs of participants
- Be rooted in Islamic principle and philosophy
- Tie into the theme of the conference
- Include handouts if possible
- Information must align with what Min. Farrakhan states in the Courtship Manual
TOPICS FOR 2008 RETREAT
After conducting a survey, the top 3 topics chosen by brothers and sisters are;
Communication, long-distance courtships, and merging blended families. Some sub-topics that will also be targeted are; finances, issues facing seniors and courtship basics.
Workshop Topic Objectives
All presenters must be on topic at all times and present on areas pre-discussed with conference planners. Workshops presentations should also include best practices and tried and true methods that serve to improve and/or strengthen marriage and family-life.
Communication as it relates to Managing Conflict
Focus: removing internal conflicts and managing conflict
Objectives to Present
§ They should be able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy communication methods
§ They should learn methods of speaking effectively and clearly getting ideas across to the other person so that it is received as was intended by the speaker
§ They should know the impact of how messages are conveyed (body language, tone, words used) is and how to listen
§ Describe barriers to communication
§ How to properly communicate across culture and age
§ How to handle conflict properly and use conflict to create win/win solutions
§ The 4 main goals of communication (to inform, to request, to persuade, to build relationships)
§ How to communicate about finances
§ How to resolve internal conflicts
Long Distance Relationships
Participants should come out of this workshop knowing;
- Being realistic about the challenges of long distance relationships
- How to set parameters and making sure both are on the same page in regards to courtship rules
- Determine how often both will see each other; plan it
- How to be creative in getting to know one another across the distance (for example, setting a date to rent a dvd to see at the same time, or going to dinner and utilizing the cell phone to communicate)
- How to re-create opportunities to see the person in “real life” situations. This means trying not to visit solely on a weekend when the person has the most free time for a nice getaway but also visiting on a weekday when everyday responsibilities come in to play—including a surprise visit (but don’t expect them to drop everything due to your unexpected visit—you are fact finding)
- Tending to the relationship; communicating daily, sending care packages, breaking down the barriers and sharing feelings as opposed to shallow conversation
Successfully Merging Blended Families
Objectives to Present
- Going into a blended marriage/family with a realistic perspective and how to set a common vision for the family
- How to set clear goals in regards to how the children will be raised and disciplined
- How to handle conflicts that will arise (“you’re not my mommy/daddy!”)
- Determining how the biological and step-parent will parent all of the children (functions and responsibilities)
- Discussion of family traditions (“we’ve always done it like this” or “mommy always let us go to X place for Christmas”) and cultures and merging (or getting rid of unhealthy cultural norms)
- Setting a family financial goal; allowances, savings for all including the children; crafting a plan so children will learn the value of money and be able to participate in setting their own financial goals, saving for college
- Planning for turf issues (“I always sat here for breakfast” or “this is my side of the room”)
- Helping the children navigate through all of the changes
- Ensuring the parents have healthy outlets to deal with stress
