Thank you to our members for telling us what THEIR Questions were before they joined us!
MOMS Club® FAQS
Q: What is MOMS Club?
A: MOMS Club is a group dedicated to supporting at-home moms. We meet during daylight hours during the week, when at-home moms need the support the most.
Q: Why are you a “support group?” What does that mean?
A: If the word “support group” makes you think of people crying in a dark church basement while drinking coffee and eating stale donuts, push that picture right out of your head! MOMS Club provides the kind of support at-home moms need, primarily in the form of our calendar of activities: park days, business tours, lunches, playgroups, crafts, and fun they can attend with their children. We also have a private forum, where members can ask each other questions ranging from parenting issues to what dentist in town takes their insurance. Furthermore, we complete at least one service project per year that benefits mothers and/or children, either in our local area or around the world. However, if coffee and donuts are your thing, don’t worry: we like those, too.
Q: Who runs the club?
A: The club is led by an elected board that steers the club. Each officer is in charge of different areas (for exmaple, our Administrative VP handles service projects, our Membership VP handles new members and renewals, etc). We also receive suport from the International MOMS Club, our parent organization, and abide by the same bylaws as every MOMS Club chapter in the world. However, our group is strongly member-driven. Each of our members is welcomed and encouraged to hostess or coordinate our monthly activities and other programs. It’s only by working together that a bunch of stay-at-home-moms can accomplish all that we do!
Q: How often would I be required to attend?
A: You may attend as often or as little as you like depending on your needs, your kids’ desires, and your schedule. We have events nearly every weekday; you can attend one activity a day or one activity a month, whatever fits your life at that time.
Q: Are the events geared for moms or for kids?
A: First things first: MOMS Club is for moms. That said, moms hang out with their kids all the time, so it would be silly not to account for them at our activities. We do many activities that kids enjoy, such as going to local parks, bounce house busineses, mall play time, playgroups, crafts, etc. While those things are our bread and butter, we also try to strike a balance between things kids enjoy and things that keep moms engaged, too. That said, we have MOMS-focused activities, such as magnet making, gift crafts, bow making, speakers, walk n’ talks, brunches, book club, seed swaps, and more. We’ve even done glass etching while our kids played with the hostesses' toys (no blowtorches necessary).
Q: Can my kids come to all the events, even MOM focused events or business meetings?
A: Yes, children are welcome at ALL events. We expect children to be there and provide entertainment for them even if we’re doing a mom activity (usually in the form of toys and the other children!). The only exception is our monthly MOMS Night Out; children do not normally attend these events, though nursing mothers sometimes bring their babies to this event, as well. Don't worry: we don't ever expect children to sit quietly while we have a meeting! Remember, we are MOMS, too!
Q: Are there babysitters at MOMS Club events?
A: Normally, no. Our events are structured for moms to attend while also caring for their children. Events with a babysitter are incredibly rare.
Q: Are there activities geared toward children the ages of my children?
A: The lovely thing about our chapter is that all our members are encouraged to hostess events that interest her and her kids. So, if you have one tiny newborn and you’d like to sit at Panera Bread and sip coffee, you can schedule it; someone will want to do that with you! If you have a bunch of rowdy older kids who want to run through an obastacle course to burn off energy, you can set that up, too! Our group provides a lot of flexibility so that every mom can get what she needs from our activities. Since our membership includes moms of varied ages of children, the activities on our calendar are as diverse as our membership.
Q: What ages of children do you all have?
A: Our membership is open to any mom in our area. Since membership is a fluid thing, at any time we have members with kids ranging from newborns to high school and beyond. With almost 40 members, we cover the gamut.
Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: Our dues are $20/year. However, we never turn away a mom because of financial hardship.
Q: What are dues used for?
A: Since we are a non-profit, we follow very specific guidelines from the International MOMS Club and the IRS regarding what our money can be used for. Our dues pay for the expenses of operating our club, help support the International MOMS Club, cover our outreach costs, and help support our service projects.
Q: Are there any other costs?
A: Some of our activities are free and some have a cost associated with them. For example, if we meet at a local bounce facility or restaurant, each mom pays for herself and her children. We try to keep a good balance of free and low-cost events, because moms often make considerable financial sacrifices when they stay home. Since we are a group, we often get group rates to things that do cost money, such as Steed’s Dairy, the YMCA’s Camp Lakeside, and other local or seasonal attractions.
Q: Why must I attend an event before joining? Why don’t you post your prospective member events publicly?
A: Because the safety of our members and our children is our number one concern. We need to know that you’re a real mom with kids, not a creepy child snatcher. Once you’re a member, you will know that we’ve confirmed that every person in the group is a real mom. We also don’t publicly post our prospective member events because we try to make it difficult for the creepy people to find us when we’re out in public. Safety first!
Q: Can I attend events even if my kids are in school?
A: Absolutely. MOMS Club is for MOMS!
Q: What is your membership area?
A: We cover the areas zoned for Grovetown and Harlem High Schools in Columbia County, GA as well as the communities on Fort Gordon, GA.
Q: If I’m not zoned for your club, are there other clubs in town?
A: Yes, there are several other wonderful groups in the CSRA: MOMS Club of Aiken, MOMS Club of Augusta, and MOMS Club of Evans. The best way to find your chapter is by contacting the International MOMS Club and giving them your address. Visit them on the web at www.momsclub.org
Q: Is the group only open to stay-at-home moms?
A: No, as per our bylaws, our membership is open at any mom in our chapter’s area. However, our activities are during the week, during daylight hours, the times that stay at home moms are traditionally on their own. We have mothers who stay home full time, mothers who work part time, from home, or full time, and we have mothers who are full time students.
Q: Do you only meet during the day?
A: Primarily, yes. We do have one monthly MOMS Night Out. Otherwise, our activities are during the day, when at-home moms need the support the most.
Q: How is MOMS Club different from other moms’ groups?
A: MOMS Club is similar to and different from other mother’s groups in a variety of ways. Our primary mission is to support at-home mothers. We are not affliated with any religion, lifestyle choices, race, or parenting philosophy. We have oversight and support from our mother organization, the International MOMS Club, which ensures that our mission remains focused on supporting at-home moms. We do not meet on any one particular day or time. While child care has been known to be provided at the rare event we have, members are never required to use it; we expect mothers to have their children in tow. We do not meet in any particular place; our activities cover all the possible venues in our town. Additionally, as a non-profit organization, we are lead by an elected board and complete at least one service project yearly that benefits mothers and/or children.
Q: What will I get out of this? What will my child get out of this?
A: Two words: Social Interaction. You’ll get to speak with other adults; your child will get to play with other kids. Beyond that, it’s really up to you. Since how much you participate is up to you, the experience will largely be what you make of it. Whether you attend a few activities a year or come regularly and develop lasting friendships, every mom has the right to take what she wants from her MOMS Club membership. For those that participate, there are lots of fun times and socialization to be experienced!
Q: How do I join?
A: Email our Membership VP at [email protected] for information on joining our group.