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The MOMS Club began in 1983 when Mary, an at-home mother in California, decided she was tired of being alone at home. She wanted to meet other at-home mothers and she wanted to find other at-home children for her children to play with. When she discovered there were no other organizations that met during the day and allowed her to come with her baby and preschooler, she decided to start a brand new organization and the MOMS Club was born.
The chapter she started was so successful, she knew mothers in other areas must be needing the MOMS Club, too. Soon she and other volunteers were helping mothers start MOMS Clubs across the country and around the world. We now have over 1,500 chapters with more than 75,000 members across the United States. We even have International MOMS Club chapters.
Visit the International MOMS Club Web Site for more information.
Our chapter began in April of 2000 as a sister chapter to the MOMS Club of Mechanicsville-North. Currently, we have nearly 50 members. We provide support for mothers who stay home, work from home, or have reduced their working hours to raise their children. We do this through the friendships we form, the activities we do, the special interest groups we serve and the educational venues we provide. MOMS Club of Mechanicsville-South provides many activities for MOMS and children, age designated playgroups, a babysitting co-op, and Nights Out for MOMS only. We also have speakers at our meetings and we perform community service projects.
Chapter Meetings: Once a month, we get together as a chapter. Our monthly chapter meetings are a great way to stay involved in what's going on with our members, as well as to be a part of the group by voting on any issues or suggestions that come up. We provide two nurseries that are available for the children while we are in the meeting and ask that each member volunteer in the nursery at least once per year. Once the "business" portion of our meeting is over, we often have a speaker address the group. This year, we look forward to adding activities for the MOMS during this time as well. Previous speakers have inlcuded: Child Nutritionist, Discipline Expert, Financial Advisor, Fire Chief, Police Officer, and many more.
Activities: Our activity coordinator works tirelessly to plan activities for our children each month. Recent activities include: park playdates, lunch and playtime at restaurants with playgyms for children, Children's Museum, Firehouse tour, Roller Skating, Krispy Kreme tour, Windy Oaks Farm visit, Maymont, and much more. Please visit our Activities & Calendar Page for our current activities.
Playgroups: By far, our most popular program is the Playgroup! Our playgroup coordinator works hard to get everyone into a playgroup with a few other members whose children are around the same age. Each playgroup decides when, where, and how often to meet.
Clubs: Last year, we had a Cooking Club, Walking Club, and Babysitting Co-op. In the Fall, we hope to resurrect the previous clubs and add some new ones! Any member is welcome to start up a new club that interests them. Some other club choices are: Coupon Club, Scrapbooking Club, Craft Club, etc. Get creative and get a group of members and kids out of the house!
MOMS Night Out: Once a month, we get our members together for a night out and a break from the everyday. Previous Nights Out have included: out to dinner, going to see a movie, bowling, pool party, self-defense class, and many more. It's a great opportunity for some grown-up conversation and company. A fun time is always had by all!
Each MOMS Club chapter has an Executive Board. The Executive Board is comprised of the group's officers: President, Administrative Vice President, Membership Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer. The executive board are fellow members just like you who help keep the club running. The board uses member input to plan our overall calendar and service projects. If you have feedback about our club, please feel free to contact the board members. They want to hear from you!
The Executive Board is not the only group of leaders who volunteer their time to make our club so fabulous. We have many members who hold positions which are vital to our chapter. These positions and programs within our chapter are the very core of group and what makes us so unique. They include:
Playgroup Coordinator: The coordinator organizes small playgroups of up to 6 MOMS and their children by matching up MOMS with similar schedules and children close in age. The playgroups can set their own meeting schedules, but most groups meet twice a month at each other’s homes. Each playgroup chooses a captain to take responsibility for letting playgroup members know the group’s meeting plans.
MOMS Night Out Coordinator: Plans one activity a month for MOMS to attend without the kids.
Helping Hands Coordinator: Arranges for club members to take meals to MOMS who have had new babies or had a serious illness in the family. Sends cards and special notes in case of a crisis or death in the family.
Newsletter Editor: A monthly or bimonthly newsletter is sent to all active members by e-mail or mail. It details upcoming club activities, club business, and member’s news. Submissions of important information, stories, advice are always welcome! Please visit our Activities & Calendar Page for a copy of our newsletter.
Speakers Forum Coordinator: We invite a guest speaker to our monthly chapter meetings. Any suggestion on speakers and topics of interest to all of us is always needed and welcomed.
Children's Room Coordinator: At our monthly business meeting, children have the option of staying in the church nursery. We ask that each member volunteer at least one meeting per year in the nursery. It is an important responsibility, and is key to having a successful chapter meeting.
Activities Coordinator: Plans one or more activities each month for the children. Please visit our Activities & Calendar Page for our current activites.
Public Relations: Advertises our Club and its functions in the local newspaper and other news sources.
Every member is of great value in our club; we are all equally important. We encourage all our members to be a part of a committee, a program, or coordinate activities. It is a great way to get to know people and meet all our newest members. If there is any activity group you would be interested in heading (book club, recipe/cooking group, discussion group, coupon exchange, exercise, etc.) please let a board member know so we can get it started! MOMS Club offers us so much and we are lucky to have so many members who give back for all of our benefit! THANK YOU!