Couples Workshop set for Oct. 20 – register early | Command and General Staff College Foundation, Inc.

The CGSC Foundation is hosting a workshop in October that answers the question – What are the habits of effective military families? The workshop will be taught in two sessions from 6-8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 20 and concluding Oct. 22. Couples must attend both evenings to complete the workshop.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Military Families” Couples Workshop will be conducted in room 125 of the Resiliency Center (Building 198, 600 Thomas Ave., Fort Leavenworth, Kan.). Interested couples should contact Ann Soby at the CGSC Foundation, phone 913-651-0624 or email: ann@cgscf.org, to register or get more information.

According to Ann Soby, the Foundation director of business operations and one of the workshop facilitators, this is the sixth time the Foundation has hosted the workshop as part of its mission to support the College’s Soldiers and families. Support for the workshop is provided by Kansas City’s Dunn Family Foundation whose generous support has made it possible.

“Attendance to the workshop is free,” Soby said, “and we spend time covering the seven habits in fun and interesting ways that can make a big difference in families whose lifestyles can be very stressful.”

The seven habits are:

Be Proactive—React less, take responsibility for actions and make better choices based on values.
Begin with the End in Mind – set family standards and establish a family mission statement.
Put First Things First – Identify family priorities and honor commitments made to family members.
Think Win-Win – Think in terms of mutual benefit and think “we” not “me.”
Listen First, Talk Second – Seek to first listen and effectively communicate.
Synergize – Appreciate and celebrate differences in family members.
Sharpen the Saw – Build traditions that nurture the family.

Soby says all the facilitators are military spouses that have backgrounds in the Army Family Team Building program as master trainers and instructors. All the facilitators were trained in August 2012, which was the first year the workshop was conducted.

Feedback from workshop attendees has been very positive over the years.

“It’s a good opportunity to learn and see how other couples relate,” said one spouse from a previous workshop. “It helps to learn from your spouse and gives you a common language for discussion.”

To register contact Ann Soby at the CGSC Foundation, phone 913-651-0624 or email: ann@cgscf.org. Spaces are limited so register early.