This workshop takes place over 4 and ½ days beginning on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 1 p.m. and ending on September 28, 2018 at 5 p.m. Trainees are expected to be present the entire event.
Class size is limited to 6 couples.
The workshop fee of $475 per couple includes a one-year membership in Better Marriages and training materials. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required by August 24, 2018.
Please contact the Better Marriages office at 800-634-8325 to register. To request more information contact
Description of Better Marriages and Marriage Enrichment
Over its 44-year history, Better Marriages has trained thousands of couples to lead marriage enrichment and marriage education events. Comprehensive training (40 contact hours) equips couples to lead as a team. They are trained in the methods of group process and experiential, hands-on learning. Couples are prepared to lead retreats, small groups, workshops, and couple classes. Though couples receive pages upon pages of resources, they are not limited to any specific curriculum. This broad-based training empowers couples to lead any program, class, or event and to do so more effectively. Leadership Training is highly recommended for lay couples in organizations that want to develop programs to effectively reach couples.
Goals of Leader Couple Training
To assess, develop and increase individual and couple leader skills through a combination of participation and observation, mini-lectures, reading, interaction, couple dialogue, and leadership skill practice
Learning Objectives:
Leader Couple Trainees will:
1. Discuss the scope and requirements for several kinds of CE events,
2. Agree on their goals and objectives for the event they will plan,
3. Develop a complete outline for a CE event using all the components of a CE event, and
4. Present the outline to the group
Demonstrate ability to plan and present a Marriage Enrichment segment to other Leader Couple Trainees and Trainer Couple
5. Explore the growing edges of their relationship and leadership style through an in-depth couple dialogue in a small group with a Trainer Couple for approximately 45 minutes
6. Complete a self-evaluation and discuss privately with a Trainer Couple; identify areas of strength and improvement and develop a plan for post-event training
Trainer Couples
Chosen from among the best of certified leader couples throughout the world, Better Marriages Trainer Couples have a wide variety of leadership experience. The trainer/couple ratio is low, with events having no more than eight couples per Trainer Couple (this Portland training is limited to six couples). This allows for plenty of one-on-one time with the Trainer Couple to benefit from their encouragement, wisdom, and insight.
Phyllis and Rand are seasoned and experienced Trainers who continue to work on growing their own marriage. They have facilitated marriage enrichment experiences and leader couple training events in numerous locations in the US and internationally. They had the privilege of being trained by David and Vera Mace, the founders of the marriage enrichment movement and continue to stay fresh in their learning and growing, including the application of brain research to marriage enrichment and in their own marriage.
Meals and Lodging
Numerous options for meals and lodging are near the training location. Participants can Google Tigard and look for options near the Hi217 and I-5 interchange. If you need further assistance you can email Phyllis and Rand: and/or
Pre- or Post-Training Relaxation Opportunities in Portland and Beyond
After a few days of intense-enriching-inspiring-equipping days, you may want to plan on tarrying in the lovely Portland and Pacific Northwest (PNW) area for relaxing, renewing, and recharging. August is a lovely time of year here, so you may want to plan some vacation time after the LTW. Portland and the surrounding area provide many places of interest and recreation—both indoor and outdoor. In addition, there are the nearby mountains as well as the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast. Many places and paths for walking, jogging, biking. Waterways for canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking. If you want to sit and read a hardcopy of a book in a Pacific Northwest coffee shop, then you can visit Powell’s Book store…a full city block and multiple stories high. A traditional Chinese or Japanese Garden is to your liking? Ours are world famous. Want to watch people? Hang out at Pioneer Court House Square. Walk among trees towering well over 100 feet…we gottem’ all over the place!
