Relationship-Help.com

General Information

Sponsor Chapter Agreement

Prior to becoming a Sponsor you must agree to the following standards. Please read through these standards and acknowlege your agreement to proceed to the next step. Thank you.

The purpose of this agreement is to clarify the standards for Couple's Garden™ Seminars. Sponsoring organizations and individuals agree to adhere carefully to these standards.

I. The Structure of the Couple's Garden

A. Bi-monthly (4-6 per year)

B. Length: 1-1 1/2 hours long

C. Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening

D. Preparation sheets sent two weeks prior to the meeting

E. Communication exercises given to couples at the seminar

F. Dinner for individual couples at a restaurant of their choice while they share the communication exercises

G. Fee Structure - Chapters are free to set their own fee structure for members. Policies about missed sessions may also be determined by the local chapter

H. Cooperation

1.Visitors from other chapters
Chapters agree to welcome members from other chapters in their general area who have scheduling problems and cannot attend their own chapter meeting. Visitors from other chapters may show their ticket and be freely admitted. If a special mailing is required for visitors, the local chapter may charge for this service.
2. Guest Memberships
Chapters are encouraged to offer a free Couple's Garden seminar to couples who finish one of Dr. Brainerd's workshops or seminars for couples or similar workshops in their area. Dr. Brainerd likes to give couples connections to gain further support after a workshop. Chapters who are willing to offer this guest seminar will be listed on a sheet that is passed out to workshop graduates.

3. Other
From time to time chapters may optionally cooperate if it seems desirable about joint marketing, sharing printing costs, annual area wide banquets.

4. WEB Site
A Couple's Garden WEB site is now up and running. Chapters will list their meetings on the WEB site and may have a WEB link to their own site if available. The WEB address is: www.relationship-help.com. Chapter members will ideally be given this WEB address to encourage friends and relatives in other areas to find a Couple's Garden Chapter near their home.

I. Speaker at each Seminar
Speakers are primarily either licensed mental health professionals with special expertise in relationship work, or other professionals (ministers, professors, etc.) Special concerts or plays may be occasionally presented, but the rest of the structure will remain.

J. Variations from this structure requires permission from Dr. Brainerd.
Usually this will be freely given.

II. Benefits and Permissions for Sponsoring Groups and Organizations

A. Participation in one of the first organizations in the country to provide support for the regular nurturing of couple's relationships by structuring "one-on-one" nurturing experiences.

B. Permission to use the Couple's Garden™ trade marked name
Chapters may use a different title for their chapter, but somewhere in the literature it should be clear that the organization is a chapter of the Couple's Garden.

C. Discounts on Getting the Love You Want Workshops or Incredible Power of Two Seminars
Couple's GardenTM members in need may attend this nationally known workshop for couples at a 10% discount. Chapters who wish to sponsor a workshop or seminar may be able to receive even greater discounts, depending on the number of couples involved. This only for Dr. Brainerd's workshops, not all the Getting the Love You Want Workshops around the country.

D. Support in organizing the Couple's Garden™ program

1.Organizational Packet ($15.00)
This packet will contain a summary of how we did the Couple's GardenTM seminars in Pasadena. It will include marketing suggestions, input on dealing with church boards, financial policies, examples of all forms, data base information etc. Eventually, this will all be available in a special section of the WEB site.
2. One hour free phone consultation ($35 p/hr. after that, if needed)

3. Seminar Packets
The packets will contain a complete program and will include the following:
a)Examples of Themes and Topics
b)Examples of "Preparation sheets"
c)Suggested form letter
d)Examples of "Communication Exercises"

E. Religious autonomy is assured
It is expected and encouraged that many seminar chapters will be sponsored by religious groups. All religious groups are assured of complete control over any religious content they wish to include in their chapter.

III. Obligations of Sponsoring Organization

A. Application fee
25.00 (one time only)

B. Annual licensing fee

1.$45.00 - Churches and other non-profits
2.$100.00 - For profit organizations or therapists.

C. Literature acknowledges Gary Brainerd, Ph.D. as founder
Example: "The Couple's Garden" was founded by Gary Brainerd, Ph.D. in Pasadena, California. Dr. Brainerd is a clinical psychologist with offices in Southern California who does workshops and seminars for couples in churches and around the country. The Couples' Garden was started to fill a need for couples to regular give themselves nurturing experiences. WEB site: www.relationship-help.com ."

D. Local seminars will have Dr. Brainerd as a speaker
If Dr. Brainerd is available he will be willing to speak at least one time per year.

E. To maintain the highest standards for the seminars
Eventually there will be many Couple's Garden™ seminars around the country. We want people who hear of and desire to attend any seminar to know what to expect in terms or structure and quality. A person from one Couple's Garden™ chapter should be able to attend another chapter and receive the same kind and quality of experience.

The only difference would be chapters that are formed by churches or synagogues. These differences would be related to the theological perspectives of the sponsoring groups. Sponsoring groups with a religious orientation have full control over the theological content of their meetings.