What is the MOMS Club®?

MOMS Club® (Moms Offering Moms Support) is an international organization whose members are at-home moms or working part-time. Members support each other by planning activities, sharing advice, and introducing their children to others in their area. Learn more about the international MOMS Club at www.momsclub.org. It costs $30 per year annual dues to join the Morris Plains chapter of MOMS Club®.

What kind of activities do you plan?

MOMS Club® of Morris Plains plans monthly calendars of activities such as playgroups at members’ homes; outdoor activities at playgrounds, zoos and public parks; indoor activities at gyms and children’s museums; special interest groups such as scrapbooking club, book club, needle arts club; and annual parties for Spring, Summer, Halloween and the December holidays. Other advantages of the club are a babysitting co-op where members exchange babysitting hours for points; “Helping Hands” where members support other members in need (i.e. births, sickness, etc.) with weekly dinners; a monthly newsletter including interesting articles and news submitted by members; and a monthly Moms Night Out without the kids.

We also have a monthly business meeting that usually takes place on the first Thursday morning of each month. At these meetings, members share any news or questions they may have; the board members share news about the club’s activities and administration; and, sometimes, we have a featured speaker who focuses on a topic of interest to our members.

Children are invited to all activities except Moms Night Out. Members are always encouraged to offer new ideas for activities and special interest groups. The MOMS Club® activity calendars are a collaborative effort from all members.

It’s important to note that although the MOMS Club offers great opportunities for children’s activities, the MOMS Club is really about supporting mothers. When children get older and go off to school, mothers still need support and companionship during the day. Many chapters have started “Mommy Playgroups” where mothers of school-age children meet for coffee, shopping, a matinee, scrapbooking or other hobbies. MOMS Club isn’t just for mothers of babies and preschoolers—we are a club for all mothers.

How many activities must you participate in once you join?

There is no requirement for the number of activities you much participate in. You may participate in as little or as much as you’d like. Of course, the more you join in, the more fun the MOMS Club® is for both you and your children!

What do I receive when becoming a member?

Once you’ve submitted the new member form and the $30 annual dues to our treasurer, you will receive a full membership contact list, the most recent monthly calendar, a list of all board members and other coordinators, and the most recent newsletter. You will also be placed on our group e-mail distribution list so you will receive all e-mails pertaining to club business. The group e-mail address is only to be used for club business, so you won’t receive unnecessary communication.

How is the club managed and how do you communicate?

A volunteer board consisting of a President, Administrative Vice President, Membership Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer manage the club. Each board member performs specific duties necessary for the club to function properly. All board positions are up for election every June, and all members are welcome to run for any position.

How many members are in your chapter?

The MOMS Club® of Morris Plains, NJ is a newly formed chapter, “sistered” off of the Morristown, NJ area chapter. We have about 37 members. Once any club becomes larger than 50 members, the international MOMS Club® encourages chapters to split into smaller groups, making it easier to communicate and to plan activities.

How can I most get involved with the club?

You may get involved in several ways:

• Participate in scheduled monthly activities
• Volunteer for one of our committees such as hospitality or newsletter
• Host a playgroup at your home
• Recommend new ideas for the activity calendar
• Volunteer to be a coordinator for an activity on the calendar
• Participate in special interest clubs
• Start a new special interest club
• Suggest a fun idea for MOMS Night Out
• Recommend a speaker series topic
• Write an article for the quarterly newsletter

Where do playgroups and meetings take place?

Playgroups take place at members’ homes, at playgrounds, or sometimes at locations such as Chuck E. Cheese or other indoor play spaces. May anyone host a playgroup?

Yes, anyone may host a playgroup. We have two types of playgroups: one type is for all age kids to play and the other type is age-specific. The age group playgroups are separated by year of birth. At this time, we have playgroups for children born in 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001 and prior. Each playgroup has a coordinator who plans the date and locations each month. People within the playgroup usually volunteer to host on a particular date and the playgroup coordinator puts all the dates together each month and submits it for the calendar.