Getting to Convention!!!

Summit this past Saturday was just amazing. We had over 80 MOPS leaders at our event in Windermere! Now for many groups it's time to focus on convention and getting there.

With less than 4 months to go, what is your strategy to fund convention?
Does your group fundraise together? Is it an individual effort?

Here are some fundraising ideas to help you:

• Host a class to teach something you are great at doing. Ashley from MOPS Murray Hill in Jacksonville taught a cake pop making class and had more than 30 moms show up!
• A spaghetti dinner, BBQ chicken dinner, etc. Make sure you offer "take-out" options.
• Another North Florida group does a Bunco night, combined with a silent and live auction. 
• Make and sell a specialty food item, such as preserves, cookie mixes or dip mixes.
• Prepare frozen meals to sell to your MOPS moms and members of your host church.
• Offer a babysitting service. Can be a morning out for moms or even a date night for couples. Those working the fundraiser can even bring their own kids.
• Do a yard sale.

What are some of the best (or easiest) fundraisers your group has done?

Save the Date! Saturday- January 21, 2012- MOPS Tent at the Gasparilla Children's Parade!

Yes, you heard right! This was a hit last year and they want us back for 2012 to host not one but TWO Diaper changing stations for the Gasparilla Children's Parade in Tampa!!! Whoohoo!

http://gasparillaextravaganza.com/extravaganza2/childrens_parade.html

This is a GREAT way to get the word out about MOPS. We had such fun last year! Plus it is a great way to spend the day as a family. There are no cannons or alcohol at this parade, just a good ol' fashioned parade with lots of music, vendors, plus the most incredible fireworks show at the end!

But we need YOUR help all ye local groups!

1. First of all, we need MOPS moms and leaders to volunteer (in shifts) to 'man' the diaper changing stations.
2. Secondly, we would love it if your groups would take up any donations for supplies for the tents. They are 3 sided tents (for privacy and heat), that have 3- 6 ft tables each in them. We bought used curved pads last year as well as wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and a few diapers of each size in case a parent ran out or forgot.
The third table is out front with all kinds of info on MOPS groups as well as the Military MOPS group since we are so close to the base.

Pass the word and start a sign up sheet at your next group meeting or on your Facebook page so we can represent well! Please contact either myself, Emily Hestorff (emhestorff@aol.com or 813.230.1107) or Michelle Pietanza (michellesavon@earthlink.net), if you are interested in helping further!~

October Training Webinar- Conflict Resolution

Hey MOPS Leaders-

Join us for our monthly webinar this coming Thursday night, Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. to discuss 'Conflict Resolution' within our groups! An important topic to know about even if you haven't experienced it.
Here is the evite:

http://new.evite.com/services/links/LRAMFRHKUQ