Club Policies and Guidelines
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The purpose of these guidelines is to establish procedures for all Moms Club functions (including but not limited to playgroups, general meetings, club activities, park days, calendar events, etc) or when interacting with other MOMS Club members. It will allow for reprimand and possible removal, of a member, from the MOMS Club roster if they violate the guidelines established and set forth herein. The final decision for membership termination will rest with the Executive Board. Any member who wishes to report a violation of the Guidelines can do so by contacting any Executive Board member. This will be held in the strictest of confidences. The board will then address the violation and report back to the member who reported the violation with the action(s) they took. All MOMS Club activities are for members ONLY. However, dads and grandparents may attend the following club activities with the member present: park day, tours, field trips, hiking with tots and family events. Members are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in as many of the general meetings as possible to contribute their ideas and suggestions. Members are strongly encouraged to contribute time and services for the benefit of the group, including seeking Board positions when available, hosting or organizing an event, serving on committees or as coordinators. Members are strongly encouraged to volunteer for at least one charitable activity during the fiscal year (July 1-June 30th) by means of time, service or goods. Members may not attend meetings or activities if they or their child (ren) have or have had any of the following symptoms in the preceding 24 hours Oral temperature of 100+ degrees Extreme lethargy Rash Vomiting or diarrhea Severe cough or pain Discharge from eyes Green mucous Runny nose: clear is OK, any other color is not Any sign of infection Illness requiring an antibiotic that has not yet been administered for 3 days. Any communicable disease (chicken pox, etc.) Members should always stop unsafe behavior. Members allow each mom to discipline her own children. Members shall act in an ethical and moral manner. Members should not be deceitful, cheat, lie, steal, gossip, or falsify information. If you need to leave the area, ask someone to watch your child (ren). Let your child (ren) know you are leaving and that you will return soon. Members need to be respectful of any other parents' opinions. All members shall be considerate and respectful of the property of other members. Members shall not misuse the MOMS Club roster or its content. Members must adhere to the MOMS Club Roster and E-mail Policy. Members shall not send out unsolicited information, in any fashion, pertaining to business, political ethical or religious purposes. If an activity is at a member's home, the hostess shall make sure her home is child-proofed to the best of her ability. Members must continue to respect the privacy of members who open their homes for MOMS Club purposes. Members may not smoke at any function. If a member's child cannot share his/her toys, member may not bring the toy(s) to a function. Members need to be mindful of the immature immune symptoms of infants by restraining their child (ren) from handling babies' toys or invading their personal space. Members may not use foul or 'colorful' language at any function. Members with behavior problems that are disruptive or detrimental to children can be barred from participating in chapter activities until those behavior problems are corrected. MOMS Club of Sierra Vista, AZ has a NO PEANUT rule due to the rising number of allergies and the severity of symptoms. We ask that you refrain from bringing any snacks made with peanuts or peanut oil. This includes snacks intended for your child only. Members must RSVP to an event in a timely manner. If a member finds that she cannot attend an event for which she has previously RSVP'd, she must contact the hostess ASAP to notify her. Conversely, a hostess must notify all RSVP'd members ASAP should she need to cancel her event. Any member who does not participate in at least one event in a four-month period (without notifying an Executive Board member) shall be considered Inactive. Inactive members are not eligible to serve on committees, any MOMS Club activity or receive Helping Hands benefits until she is deemed active. To be returned to active status, the member must notify an Executive Board member and participate in two events within a six-week period. Membership dues must be submitted by the last day of the month in which the member's renewal is due. The Membership VP will contact the members whose dues are up for renewal via e-mail the month prior to renewal and the month of renewal. If a member does not have e-mail the Membership VP will contact her in another fashion. Example: Molly Member's membership is up for renewal in April. The Membership VP will list her name in the March and April newsletters and e-mail Molly at the end of March. Molly will have until April 30th to get her dues to the Membership VP or Treasurer. Breastfeeding will be supported at every MOMS Club function. No member may sell at any group function. Members are welcome to make a one-time announcement in our newsletter of any home-based business. Playgroup Guidelines These guidelines have been established to allow our children to play, learn, and grow in a healthy and safe environment. We ask that you take these guidelines to heart. Most of the following is common sense, however, it is written here to avoid any later confusion. Playgroups are divided by age and ability for the safety of the children. This also serves to help moms forge a bond with other moms of similar-aged children. Playgroups usually consist of 4-8 members and their children, and meet once a week on a rotation basis at each member's home or public location. The following are some general guidelines for all playgroups. Participation in a playgroup is available to all MOMS Club members who are current on their dues and have a signed Member Information and Liability Release form on file. New members will be placed in an existing playgroup when at all possible. If there is no playgroup currently active for the particular age bracket, then a list will be created until a spot becomes available. If the appropriate playgroup is at capacity, the new member will be considered a 'temporary Mom'. When three temporary moms are assigned to a group, the group will split into two playgroups. Playgroups may choose the day & time of their playgroup meetings for their convenience, to be limited by (1) Playgroups must be held during the day, and (2) Playgroups should not meet at the same time as a Club-wide activity (business meeting, park days, etc.) Each playgroup will have a Playgroup Leader, who will maintain periodic contact with the Playgroup Coordinator. Each member is required to host a play date by rotation and she may pick the desired location, whether it's at her home, park, or some other safe place for moms and children to meet. If you cannot host on your assigned day, please contact your Playgroup Leader.� Playgroup participation is not mandatory, however, please remember to let the playgroup host know BEFORE playgroup if you will not be attending playgroup that week. Playgroups will last no more than an hour when being held at a member's home. Two hours (maximum) if being held at a public facility, i.e. park. Members must continue to respect the privacy of members who open their homes for MOMS Club purposes. It is up to the members of the playgroup to decide if and when snacks will be served. MOMS Club of Sierra Vista, AZ has a NO PEANUT rule due to the rising number of allergies and the severity of symptoms. We ask that you refrain from bringing any snacks made with peanuts or peanut oil, this includes snacks intended for your child only. All playgroups must follow the MOMS Club of Sierra Vista, AZ sick policy. Siblings of children in the playgroups are welcome and cannot be excluded or denied. Moms are expected to supervise their own children adequately through the duration of the play date. It is the responsibility of the parent to discipline their child. Behavior that is threatening to the other children (hitting, kicking, biting, verbally abusive) will not be allowed. If children are continually disruptive, they may not attend any playgroup meetings until the disruptive behavior has ceased. Also, children may not be allowed to stand, climb, or jump from any furniture, stairs, or railings. The indoor area in which the children play must be structurally safe (free from remolding, lead paint, etc.). The indoor must be sanitary (free from dirt, clutter, odors, etc.). If the children play outdoors, all play equipment must be age appropriate and in good working order. A pool must be fenced or supervised at all times. There should be no pet feces in children's play areas. Pets should be kept away from children during playgroup time. If there are firearms in the house, they must be locked and away from children's play area. Playgroups will not permit alcohol or smoking (either indoors or outdoors). If any participant notices an unsafe condition, it is their duty and responsibility to alert the hostess and/or the Playgroup Leader immediately. Parents and their children (if old enough) are expected to help pick up toys, etc. before they leave. If your child damages something, it is your responsibility to offer to repair it or replace it. Breastfeeding will be supported at playgroups. Any playgroup member not comfortable with their playgroup may request a change of playgroup (if available) by contacting the Playgroup Coordinator. No reason need be given. Above all else COMMUNICATION is key to a successful playgroup. If at anytime there is a question or problem with your playgroup, please contact the Playgroup Coordinator. No playgroup is permanent; changes can and will be made if necessary.