Frequently Asked Questions
MOMS CLUB® BASICS
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MOMS CLUB?
The purpose of MOMS Club® as stated in our international by-laws is to support all at-home mothers; to provide a forum for discussion around motherhood, children, and family; to enrich the lives of children in the community; and to undertake at least one service project per year.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT MOMS CLUB® INTERNATIONAL?
Go to https://momsclub.org.
DO I HAVE TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME MOM TO JOIN?
No. Many of our members work part-time, have flexible work schedules, or work from home. If you spend time with your kids during the day, then we have a lot of activities for you to participate in.
WHAT ARE THE MOMS IN YOUR CLUB LIKE?
Meeting new people can be intimidating – but not us, we promise! We are a very down-to-earth, caring, and welcoming group of moms. We range in age from our mid-20’s to mid-40’s. Some of us have just had our first baby and others have children ranging from preschool to teenagers. One thing we all have in common is a strong commitment to raising our kids the very best way we can and supporting each other through the process.
ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED TO ATTEND EVENTS?
Children may attend almost all of our events, and we even gear most activities toward them. The only exception is to the monthly MNO (Moms' Night Out) and Book Club events which is a chance for us to have some time away from the kids. Of course, newborns and nursing babies are welcome to accompany mom in these instances.
DO YOU HAVE A RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION?
No, we are not affiliated with any religion or church.
WHO LEADS YOUR CLUB?
We are led by a Board of five volunteer members who are elected by the club. The Board includes the President, Administrative Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Vice President, and Secretary. We also have coordinator positions, each responsible for leading a specific activity. This club exists because of all the women who have volunteered their time and efforts along the way. If you and your children benefit from the MOMS Club and would like to continue seeing it grow, email a board member to see how you can become more involved.
WHY IS THE ‘MOMS’ IN MOMS CLUB CAPITALIZED?
MOMS stands for Moms Offering Moms Support.
HOW OLD ARE THE CHILDREN?
Moms in our group have children ranging in age from newborn to teenagers. However, many activities are geared toward preschool age children. Kids of all ages are always welcome at every event.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY KIDS GROW UP OR GO TO SCHOOL?
There is no age limit for our club. We are MOMS Club®, not a kids’ club! We welcome mothers with kids of any age, and you are not required to leave the club when your children enter school. We believe that mothers need support at all stages of motherhood, and we offer activities for a variety of age groups.
WHAT ARE THE BOUNDARIES AND WHY DO THEY EXIST?
Membership in the group is open to all mothers within our regional area as designated by International. Our members can be from the following areas: Covington, Madisonville, and Abita Springs. Regional boundaries are set to ensure members do not have to travel too far to participate in activities and can form relationships with all other moms in the group. If clubs become overextended, members tend to only go to activities closest to them resulting in poor participation. No mom will ever be turned away from MOMS Club®. Any mom outside of our designated area can form a sister chapter, and we will help them!
HOW MANY MEMBERS DOES THE GROUP HAVE?
The recommended quota set forth by MOMS Club® International is 60 members. Some members are more active than others, and some members opt not to renew when the club no longer meets the needs of their life stage. So, please don’t let this discourage you from joining if you’re interested! MOMS Club® is great for any mom looking to get out of the house and meet other moms!
Chapters work best when membership stays between 30-60 members. This size allows groups to plan a variety of activities and have a large enough pool for leadership, while still allowing members to get to know one another. If chapters grow too large, MOMS Club® International recommends that sister chapters be formed.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Please contact us and our Membership Vice President will reach out to you with more information.
DUES
HOW MUCH ARE DUES AND HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO PAY?
Dues are $26 collected yearly on the month you joined. Any member who is unable to meet this financial obligation may have the fee reduced or waived with the consent of the board.
WHAT DO THE DUES PAY FOR?
Dues pay for things like our philanthropic donations and projects, MOMS Club International registration, administrative costs, snacks, and craft supplies. We are an IRS-registered, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so any money collected is used exclusively for our programs, projects, and charitable activities.
WHY ARE THERE MEMBERSHIP DUES?
A minimum of 85% of the membership dues we collect go toward our fundraising efforts and service projects for local charities as well as operating costs. No more than 15% is used to support the group's parties and services for members. Because we are a non-profit charity, membership dues are tax-deductible.
NONPROFIT AND PHILANTHROPY
IS YOUR CHAPTER A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT?
Yes! Our local support group is a 501(c)(3) and a chapter of MOMS Club® International. Our Administrative Vice President coordinates service projects with the approval of the group. We strive to complete at least 2 service projects a year.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE CHARITIES YOU SUPPORT?
Our members vote for the charities we support. We do service projects throughout the year, and we support MOMS Club International’s Mother-to-Mother Fund, which helps members in crisis situations and in need of financial assistance.
EVENTS
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED EACH MONTH?
We email a calendar to all members and create events on our private Facebook page. Members can RSVP on Facebook or directly to the host.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BUSINESS MEETINGS?
The monthly Business Meeting is not required, but participation is strongly encouraged. We discuss and vote on important Club matters. Usually, these meetings are informal and paired with an activity or playdate. From time to time, we will host a speaker or special guest on a relevant topic. In the past, we’ve had a parenting coach and a nutritionist speak to our moms.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND A MINIMUM NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES EVERY MONTH?
No. You can participate in as many or as few activities as you like - none of our events are mandatory. Of course, we want to see as many members as possible at all of our activities, but we understand that life happens! Changing schedules, work and family commitments, illness, etc. can affect availability at any given time. We do encourage active participation to develop meaningful relationships among our moms and our kids. Our club works when members are active in supporting other moms!
DO I HAVE TO RSVP TO EVERY ACTIVITY?
We ask you to RSVP if you plan to attend an event, so the event coordinator knows to expect you and keeps an eye out for you. Also, some of our events include crafts or food so RSVP-ing allows the event host to prepare the correct amount of supplies.
DO YOU PROVIDE BABYSITTERS AT YOUR ACTIVITIES?
Not typically. You are responsible for your children at all events, and we try to have an activity to keep children engaged. We believe that spending time with other mothers and children helps to grow our community.
DO YOUR ACTIVITIES COST MONEY?
The majority of our monthly activities are free. Occasionally we will have an activity on the calendar that costs money, such as field trips, Moms' Night Out, etc., but we understand the financial sacrifice that being an at-home mom can mean for your family, so we try to keep activities that cost money to a minimum.
WHO ORGANIZES AND HOSTS YOUR ACTIVITIES?
Our moms do! All members are allowed and encouraged to host events. Additionally, we have assigned coordinator positions, each run by a member of our club.
HOW DO I HOST AN EVENT?
Hosting is easy. All you have to do is pick a time, date, and location that works best for you. You can plan something simple like a park date or something elaborate like a themed party. Depending on the event, there are typically between 2 to 10 members in attendance at one time. If you're hesitant to host on your own, we encourage asking a friend to co-host with you! It is not required for members to host events, but encouraged!
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MOMS CLUB?
The purpose of MOMS Club® as stated in our international by-laws is to support all at-home mothers; to provide a forum for discussion around motherhood, children, and family; to enrich the lives of children in the community; and to undertake at least one service project per year.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT MOMS CLUB® INTERNATIONAL?
Go to https://momsclub.org.
DO I HAVE TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME MOM TO JOIN?
No. Many of our members work part-time, have flexible work schedules, or work from home. If you spend time with your kids during the day, then we have a lot of activities for you to participate in.
WHAT ARE THE MOMS IN YOUR CLUB LIKE?
Meeting new people can be intimidating – but not us, we promise! We are a very down-to-earth, caring, and welcoming group of moms. We range in age from our mid-20’s to mid-40’s. Some of us have just had our first baby and others have children ranging from preschool to teenagers. One thing we all have in common is a strong commitment to raising our kids the very best way we can and supporting each other through the process.
ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED TO ATTEND EVENTS?
Children may attend almost all of our events, and we even gear most activities toward them. The only exception is to the monthly MNO (Moms' Night Out) and Book Club events which is a chance for us to have some time away from the kids. Of course, newborns and nursing babies are welcome to accompany mom in these instances.
DO YOU HAVE A RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION?
No, we are not affiliated with any religion or church.
WHO LEADS YOUR CLUB?
We are led by a Board of five volunteer members who are elected by the club. The Board includes the President, Administrative Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Vice President, and Secretary. We also have coordinator positions, each responsible for leading a specific activity. This club exists because of all the women who have volunteered their time and efforts along the way. If you and your children benefit from the MOMS Club and would like to continue seeing it grow, email a board member to see how you can become more involved.
WHY IS THE ‘MOMS’ IN MOMS CLUB CAPITALIZED?
MOMS stands for Moms Offering Moms Support.
HOW OLD ARE THE CHILDREN?
Moms in our group have children ranging in age from newborn to teenagers. However, many activities are geared toward preschool age children. Kids of all ages are always welcome at every event.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY KIDS GROW UP OR GO TO SCHOOL?
There is no age limit for our club. We are MOMS Club®, not a kids’ club! We welcome mothers with kids of any age, and you are not required to leave the club when your children enter school. We believe that mothers need support at all stages of motherhood, and we offer activities for a variety of age groups.
WHAT ARE THE BOUNDARIES AND WHY DO THEY EXIST?
Membership in the group is open to all mothers within our regional area as designated by International. Our members can be from the following areas: Covington, Madisonville, and Abita Springs. Regional boundaries are set to ensure members do not have to travel too far to participate in activities and can form relationships with all other moms in the group. If clubs become overextended, members tend to only go to activities closest to them resulting in poor participation. No mom will ever be turned away from MOMS Club®. Any mom outside of our designated area can form a sister chapter, and we will help them!
HOW MANY MEMBERS DOES THE GROUP HAVE?
The recommended quota set forth by MOMS Club® International is 60 members. Some members are more active than others, and some members opt not to renew when the club no longer meets the needs of their life stage. So, please don’t let this discourage you from joining if you’re interested! MOMS Club® is great for any mom looking to get out of the house and meet other moms!
Chapters work best when membership stays between 30-60 members. This size allows groups to plan a variety of activities and have a large enough pool for leadership, while still allowing members to get to know one another. If chapters grow too large, MOMS Club® International recommends that sister chapters be formed.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Please contact us and our Membership Vice President will reach out to you with more information.
DUES
HOW MUCH ARE DUES AND HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO PAY?
Dues are $26 collected yearly on the month you joined. Any member who is unable to meet this financial obligation may have the fee reduced or waived with the consent of the board.
WHAT DO THE DUES PAY FOR?
Dues pay for things like our philanthropic donations and projects, MOMS Club International registration, administrative costs, snacks, and craft supplies. We are an IRS-registered, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so any money collected is used exclusively for our programs, projects, and charitable activities.
WHY ARE THERE MEMBERSHIP DUES?
A minimum of 85% of the membership dues we collect go toward our fundraising efforts and service projects for local charities as well as operating costs. No more than 15% is used to support the group's parties and services for members. Because we are a non-profit charity, membership dues are tax-deductible.
NONPROFIT AND PHILANTHROPY
IS YOUR CHAPTER A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT?
Yes! Our local support group is a 501(c)(3) and a chapter of MOMS Club® International. Our Administrative Vice President coordinates service projects with the approval of the group. We strive to complete at least 2 service projects a year.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE CHARITIES YOU SUPPORT?
Our members vote for the charities we support. We do service projects throughout the year, and we support MOMS Club International’s Mother-to-Mother Fund, which helps members in crisis situations and in need of financial assistance.
EVENTS
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED EACH MONTH?
We email a calendar to all members and create events on our private Facebook page. Members can RSVP on Facebook or directly to the host.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BUSINESS MEETINGS?
The monthly Business Meeting is not required, but participation is strongly encouraged. We discuss and vote on important Club matters. Usually, these meetings are informal and paired with an activity or playdate. From time to time, we will host a speaker or special guest on a relevant topic. In the past, we’ve had a parenting coach and a nutritionist speak to our moms.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND A MINIMUM NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES EVERY MONTH?
No. You can participate in as many or as few activities as you like - none of our events are mandatory. Of course, we want to see as many members as possible at all of our activities, but we understand that life happens! Changing schedules, work and family commitments, illness, etc. can affect availability at any given time. We do encourage active participation to develop meaningful relationships among our moms and our kids. Our club works when members are active in supporting other moms!
DO I HAVE TO RSVP TO EVERY ACTIVITY?
We ask you to RSVP if you plan to attend an event, so the event coordinator knows to expect you and keeps an eye out for you. Also, some of our events include crafts or food so RSVP-ing allows the event host to prepare the correct amount of supplies.
DO YOU PROVIDE BABYSITTERS AT YOUR ACTIVITIES?
Not typically. You are responsible for your children at all events, and we try to have an activity to keep children engaged. We believe that spending time with other mothers and children helps to grow our community.
DO YOUR ACTIVITIES COST MONEY?
The majority of our monthly activities are free. Occasionally we will have an activity on the calendar that costs money, such as field trips, Moms' Night Out, etc., but we understand the financial sacrifice that being an at-home mom can mean for your family, so we try to keep activities that cost money to a minimum.
WHO ORGANIZES AND HOSTS YOUR ACTIVITIES?
Our moms do! All members are allowed and encouraged to host events. Additionally, we have assigned coordinator positions, each run by a member of our club.
HOW DO I HOST AN EVENT?
Hosting is easy. All you have to do is pick a time, date, and location that works best for you. You can plan something simple like a park date or something elaborate like a themed party. Depending on the event, there are typically between 2 to 10 members in attendance at one time. If you're hesitant to host on your own, we encourage asking a friend to co-host with you! It is not required for members to host events, but encouraged!