Group Rules

One question that a lot of newbie organizers ask is what 'rules' they should use for their group. I can tell you right now, I don't know. Every group is different. Ultimately, it depends on you and what you want out of your group. So here are the questions you need to ask yourself;

Are you going to organize on or offline?

If your organize offline, you'll need to have a regular meeting day, time, and place. You'll have to print out schedules, and a phone list for your members.

Online groups tend to have members that fall off the map or slack in parcipation. Some online groups have rules regarding consistant activity in playgroups, online activity, or RSVPs.

Do you have a set time and day or do you want diversity?

If you are planning on having multiple days, times, and places, you may want to also insure your attendance follows through. Many groups, esp. online groups may have an attendance requirement of attending so many playgroups in a certain time frame (for example, once every month.)

Do want a large group, or small group?

Some leaders want to inlcude everyone that would like to join. Some want to ensure they are really going to get to know all the members. To do so, organizers will limit the memberships and require their attendance to be frequent. The downside to this that members do grow out or graduate out of groups and finding new members might be harder than anticipated.

Is your group diverse in religious beliefs, race, culture, ethinicity?

Unfortnetly diversity can also bring about conflict. It can be toxic and may need to be controlled.  I am not saying groups should divide into pregigious arch-rivals. Sometimes diversity promotes growth and understanding; which is a good thing. If I remember correctly, the phrase from A Day No Pigs Will Die; "Fences bring men together". If your purpose for joining or running a playgroup is to connect with individual families who carry a specific simiularity like religion or race, by all means; state this in your group rules.


How should allergies, sicknesses,  and chronic diesases be handled?

Sometimes children can be deathly allergic to foods, such as peanuts, where even the smell can hurt them. When it comes to sickness, some families are very concerned about exposure, while others do not even shudder at continuious coughing and running noses. The question organizers should consider is how to handle allergies should the issue come up. Should all members be unable to bring certain foods? Is there a process in place for emergencies? Should members with specific allergies be excluded from certain activities?

Is solitation allowed in the group?

Many moms try to supplement income by running businesses out of their home. On occasion, you will find a mom joining seemingly only interested in promoting their business. If this is a concern for your group, you may want to develop rules for this, and the concequences for violation.

In the beginings of my adventures in organizing, I believed that rules were needed. Two years ago, I had enough of rules, and tried to organize as rule-free as possible. I'm still trying to find a happy medium. I can say this--if you choose to implement rules, you MUST apply them to everyone in the group; You must have consquences and you must follow through them as well. Otherwise you'll end up with a half-baked group and two eggs short of a waffle.

Stay tuned for more on advice on groups guidelines in the weeks to come!!! Happy Organizing!!

Attendance Policy

Today we are talking about rules! More specifically Attendance Policies.

Who needs an attendance policy:

• a group with low attendance or
• a group with limited space or
• a group that provides childcare and number of caregivers are limited
• a group looking to 'sell' their group for sponsors or
• a group looking for committed members

What is it:

Basically it is a group rule that stipulates a member attend a certain number of events in a certain time period. Some groups have a 'attend once a month policy', and others have a "miss three events and you're out". There is no perfect amount because it depends on your groups dynamics.

How it works:

This the way I worked my attendance policy (I don't use one anymore): My group meets every weekday, so I used to require that members attend once a month. At the beginning of the month I would pull out my member roster and star everyone's name who has RSVPd for the month. Those that have no stars I would write an email reminding them to find an event to come to.

Mid week, I would once again, pull out my roster. This time, I would cross out any names who have already attended an event. and I would bullet anyones name who is RSVPd for the upcoming events this month. I then write another email to those who have not RSVPd to anything, and to those who have not come to anything yet; even if they are RSVPd.

At the end of the month, I cross off all members who have attended an event and email the rest, asking if they are well, and if they need any help, because they have not attended an event and we are worried about them. I also let them know that we've sent out emails this month to them, and haven't heard back, so if we do not hear back within three days, we will excuse them from membership.

Note, I do not like removing members, but it may be a necessary action if you want to meet your group goals. Decide with your leadership team what actions you wish take at each situation.

Attendance policies help foster stronger friendships, and make the group come together. Once you decide what you want for your group, you can decide if an attendance policy is the right way to go.