Monday's Internet Edition, September 08, 2008.
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Rice’s advice was really helpful because she had the advantage of living in Jupiter, Fla., where there was a local MOMS Club. (MOMS stands for Moms Offering Moms Support.) In fact she constantly suggested that her kid sister find such an organization up here.
“Kathy said for me to check with momsclub.org to see if there was a chapter in High Point,” Jenkins recalled. “There wasn’t, but there was one in Greensboro.”
Jenkins checked out the MOMS club in Greensboro, but didn’t feel she fit in up there. The members of the Gate City chapter, at the time, were natives of England and all had a professional past, which Jenkins didn’t have. Later, she joined TriadMommies, also out of Greensboro, but felt that organization was too Internet-based and didn’t offer enough in-person inter-action for its members.
“When we moved to Thomasville in 2003, Kathy said, ‘Maybe Thomasville has a MOMS Club,’” Jenkins remembered.
Thomasville didn’t, but eventually Jenkins decided to do something about that. Last March, she shelled out $30 for a MOMS Club franchise and started MOMS Club of Thomasville, N.C. Three former members of TriadMommies joined here and the local MOMS Club is up and running and looking for other stay-at-home mothers in this area to join their support group.
“Networking can be very helpful for us because it confirms that what we’re doing is worthwhile,” Jenkins said. “You’re building another mother up when she realizes that what she’s doing is good for her child. This is also a good way to find kids for your own kids to bond with.”
The local MOMS Club plans its activities during normal business hours.
“Nights and weekends are family time,” Jenkins explained.
The group often meets at the Thomasville Branch of the Davidson County Library. On June 28, a member of the Thomasville Fire Department will talk to the club about fire prevention and what to do in case of fire. Future meetings will include talks on library resources for children and car-seat safety trips from a state highway patrolman.
Another prominent meeting place for MOMS Club members and their children is Doak Park, just west of downtown. In fact, such a gathering there is scheduled for 10 a.m. today.
“Mothers can come to two activities without becoming a member, and see what they think,” Jenkins said, “Then we ask that they join for the growth of the club and the security of the kids.”
Dues are $24 per year. According to the nonprofit organization’s by-laws all officers, including Jenkins, who is serving as the club’s president, are replaced by other members after a one-year term. When the club grows in size, there will be five officers.
The original MOMS Club was founded in California in 1983. Currently, the organization boasts over 2,000 chapters and over 100,000 nationwide.
“I was a little selfish when I decided to start this chapter,” Jenkins said.
“I figured that if I wanted it my way, then I would have to head it up. But after I got the manual, I realized that this is a very democratic organization. The moms vote on anything. If anyone has a suggestion, we bring it up to the whole group and vote on it. That way, I don’t have to make every decision.”
Stay-at-home mothers interested in joining MOMS Club of Thomasville can contact Jenkins at 476-0900. Better yet, just show up with your children this morning at Doak Park.
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or reid@tvilletimes.com.