What Is Expected of Me When I Join?
Why
Should I Attend the Monthly Meeting?
How Do Playgroups Work? What’s Involved?
What
Are the Age Requirements for Playgroups?
Do I
Have to Host a Playgroup?
What
does the Playgroup Coordinator do?
What
Does the Moms on the Mend Committee Do?
What
Does the Sunshine Committee Do?
I
Have A Question I Don’t See Answered Here.
Whom Should I Call?
Very little, really! The only official requirements of a MOMS Club member are that you
sign a libility release, abide by the behavior guidelines, and pay your annual
dues. We hope that you will be an
active member and participate in club events on a regular basis. We encourage you to attend monthly meetings
when possible, and to volunteer for duties and/or activities when you can. This can be as simple as bringing snacks to
a monthly meeting, hosting an event, or signing up for one of the club’s
several committees.
As a MOMS Club member you may participate in club
activities as much or as little as you wish.
Attendance for all events is optional.
Your children are welcome at all MOMS Club events. During any MOMS Club event, you are
responsible for your child’s safety and actions; children displaying aggressive
behavior (hitting, kicking, etc.) will be asked to leave the event. Please see the Behavior Guidelines sheet for
further information.
You do not have to attend the monthly meetings, but many members
do. Meetings are the best way to get the latest news and connect with the other
moms. Often there will be a guest
speaker or discussion.
Members often hold playdates in their homes or
backyards, or host events at local destinations. Each activity has an RSVP person that you will contact if you will
be joining them. If you see an event on
the calendar that interests you, simply call the RSVP person listed and tell them
you would like to attend. The host will
answer any questions you have and give you directions to the event. If you are not sure what an activity
entails, call the host and ask! Usually
you won’t need to bring anything except you, your child, and your diaper
bag. Snacks are generally provided.
Some activities may be geared towards children of a
particular age (such as crafts) but unless a playdate specifies a certain age
range (like “Under 2”) all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Regardless of whether or not children
participate in the planned activity, both moms and children will enjoy the
outing and companionship. We encourage
you to come to ANY event that is convenient and not worry about whether or not
your child can participate in the scheduled activity.
You do not have to host any events, though at some
point many members have ideas they’d like to try. If you would like to host something but feel your home cannot
accommodate a group or is not conveniently located, you can sign up to host a
playdate at a park or other local destination.
Call the playgroup coordinator to get ideas or to suggest your own.
If you would like to host an event, you can either sign up on the
calendar at the monthly meeting or get in touch with the Playgroup
Coordinator. Playgroups can be held at
your home, the park, the mall or even McDonald’s! You may schedule your playgroup for whatever time of day suits
you and your child. Many playdates are
held at 10am, as this is generally a good time for most children. If you host a playgroup, moms will call you
to RSVP that they are coming (by the day before the playgroup). You may decide how many moms/children are
enough and close your playgroup when a certain number calls to RSVP. Feel free to say your playgroup is
full! Most moms serve some type of
snack during a playgroup, but it is not required (especially if your playgroup
does not fall into a “snacking time” or is at a public place.) If you are interested in trying a particular
activity you can ask members to each bring something appropriate. For example, you could host a “Tea Party”
playgroup and ask attendees to dress up.
Or bring towels and bathing suits for a water playdate. If you’re not sure, just host an “Open
Playdate” where anyone can come, and the children will play together while the
moms chat.
Administrative Vice President: assists the
President in fulfilling her duties of office; assumes the duties of President
when she is not available; and coordinates the service project. Coordinates kids korner and hospitality at
meetings.
Membership Vice President: promotes membership in the group; publicizing the
group in the community, and coordinates such publicity with the President who
is the group’s liaison with the community; assists the Treasurer in the
collecting of dues.
Secretary: compiles a roster of all members to be
distributed at least once a year; coordinates or prepares any correspondence
necessary for the support group in cooperation with the President; and takes
minutes of business, special and Executive Board meetings, and keeps those
minutes in a notebook available for review by members and the Executive Board.
Treasurer: is responsible
for all funds of the group, and to deposit all such funds in the name of the
group in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected
by the Executive Board; maintains financial records of the group and to keep
those records available for review by the President, the Executive Board, the
local group members and the MOMS Club corporation; receives and legally
disperses any funds as directed by the Executive Board, and gives proper
vouchers and receipts for any transactions; and prepares and presents a
financial report to the Executive Board and members of the group at least once
a year, and prepares any other financial reports as may be required by the
Executive Board or the MOMS Club corporation.
The Moms on the Mend Committee provides assistance to ill or post-partum
member mothers. This may include
cooking meals, running errands, driving to doctor appointments, and childcare
assistance. If you need assistance,
please call the committee chairperson (listed on the Contact Sheet), who will
discuss your needs with you. She will
then contact committee members and arrange for assistance. The Moms on the Mend committee is always
seeking volunteers for this important job.
If you would be willing to cook an occasional meal, make a market run,
or anything else that would be of help, please contact the chairperson.
PLEASE NOTE: The Moms on the Mend Committee does not
handle general babysitting requests.
If you are in good health and are seeking childcare arrangements from
other members, please contact them directly.
If you are new to the club and do not know whom to ask, please contact
any board member for suggestions. You
should also make an announcement at the monthly meeting that you are looking to
swap childcare duties with another member.
The Sunshine Committee
works to make new members feel welcome and old members feel appreciated. Sending birthday cards, get well cards and
new baby cards falls under this committee.
Sunshine Committee members also act as “meeting buddies”, welcoming new
and prospective members and showing them around.
The MOMS Club organizes parties and community service projects
throughout the year. At meetings we
will circulate sign-up sheets for upcoming events such as a Christmas Party,
Easter Egg Hunt, or Spring Party. Please sign up as you wish or contact the president with
We also organize several charitable efforts during the year. If you are interested in participating,
please call the Administrative Vice President.
In your New Member Packet there is a contact sheet listing the Club
Officers and topics that you might want to speak to them about. If you have a playdate-related question,
please call the RSVP person for that event.
If you are not sure where to start, call the club president who will
direct you to the right person if she cannot answer your question.