The MOMS Club® of Birmingham-East, AL 

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT is the purpose of Moms club?

The purpose of MOMS Club® as stated in our international by-laws is to support all at-home mothers; to provide a forum for discussion around motherhood, children, and family; to enrich the lives of children in the community; and to undertake at least one service project per year.

Do I have to be a stay at home mom to join?

You do not have to be a SAHM to join. We are open to supporting all mothers in all stages of motherhood who are interested in fostering new friendships while providing a safe and fun environment for children. We have many members who work part or full time. However, most meetings and group functions are held during daylight hours, and you may want to keep this in mind before joining. We have one Mom’s Night Out a month and occasional weekend events.

Are children allowed to attend events?

Children are welcome at all events with the exception of our monthly Mom’s Night Out.

how old are the children?

Moms in our group have children ranging in age from newborn to teenaged. However, most activities are geared toward younger children.

What are the boundaries and why do they exist?

Membership in the group is open to all mothers within our regional area as designated by International. Our members can be from the following zip codes: 35222, 35223, 35205, 35209, 35213, 35233, 35212, (35216 East of I-65), (35226 East of I-65), and (35242 & 35243 in Jefferson Co. only). Regional boundaries are set to ensure members do not have to travel too far to participate in activities and can form relationships with all other moms in the group. If clubs become overextended, members tend to only go to activities closest to them resulting in poor participation.

No mom will ever be turned away from MOMS Club®. Any mom outside of our designated area can form a sister chapter, and we will help them!

How many members does the group have?

We have about 55 total members. Some members are more active than others, and some members opt not to renew when the club no longer meets the needs of their life stage. So, please don’t let this discourage you from joining if you’re interested!

Chapters work best when membership stays between 30-60 members. This size allows groups to plan a variety of activities and have a large enough pool for leadership, while still allowing members to get to know one another. We would prefer a small, healthy chapter to a large, scattered one. If a chapters grow too large, MOMS Club® International recommends that sister chapters be formed.

is your chapter a registered non-profit?

Yes! Our local support group is a 501(c)(3) and a chapter of MOMS Club® International. Our Administrative Vice President coordinates service projects with the approval of the group. We strive to complete 3-4 service projects a year. Our only requirement per Article 2 Section 1.d. of the bylaws is "to complete at least one charitable, humanitarian, or social welfare project related to children each year.”

why are there MEMBERSHIP DUES?

A minimum of 85% of the membership dues we collect go toward our fundraising efforts and service projects for local charities as well as operating costs.  No more than 15% is used to support the group's parties and services for members. Because we are a non-profit charity, membership dues are tax-deductible.

HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO PAY DUES?

Dues are collected yearly on the month you joined.  Any member who is unable to meet this financial obligation may have the fee reduced or waived with the consent of the board.

How do I host an event?

Hosting is easy. All you have to do is pick a time, date, and location that works best for you. You can plan something simple like a park date or something elaborate like a themed party. Depending on the event, there are typically between 2 to 10 members in attendance at one time.  If you're hesitant to host on your own, we encourage asking a friend to co-host with you! It is not required for members to host events, but our goal is for each member to host at least two events per year. 

What happens at monthly meetings? 

The monthly “Social” is not required, but participation is strongly encouraged. The Board works hard to arrange relevant, interesting speakers and engaging activities. In addition, childcare is provided free of charge! Occasionally, we also discuss and vote on important Club matters..

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED FOR THE MONTH?

We email a calendar to all members and create events on our private Facebook page. Members can RSVP on Facebook or directly to the host.

How can I learn more about moms club® International?

Go to https://momsclub.org