MOMS
Club® of Roanoke-North, VA
MOMS
Club® of Roanoke-North, VA
Frequently
Asked Questions
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? What Is Expected of Me When I Join? 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. Why Should I Attend the Monthly Meeting?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. How Do Playgroups Work? What’s Involved?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. What Are the Age Requirements for Playgroups?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. Do I Have to Host a Playgroup?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. How Do I Host a Playgroup?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. What do the Club Officers do? President:
presides at meetings; acts as liaisons with other organizations and
the community; organizes the local group’s activities with the help of the Administrative
VP and the Executive Board; and acts as liaison between the local support
group and the MOMS Club corporation and is responsible for preparing and
presenting any reports on the local group’s activities as may be required by
the corporation.
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. What does the Playgroup Coordinator do?
She finds moms
to host playgroups. She will usually
pass sign-up sheet around at the monthly meeting and then call or e-mail other
moms who did not make it to the meeting.
Also, any problems with playgroups should be brought to her attention.
What Does the Moms on the Mend Committee Do?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. What Does the Sunshine Committee Do?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. What About Other Club Events?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. I Have A Question I Don’t See Answered Here. Whom Should I Call?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. |