MOPSTalk Zone 22 ~ Eastern PA and NJ: Some great publicity ideas

CONVENTION UPDATE

Ta da! A Convention announcement!
We just signed the papers and we thank you for your prayers as we worked on moving, well, a whole lotta details in just a few days.

Drum roll #1: The Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area) was able to welcome us (in the midst of many conventions needing to move).

Drum roll #2: We're able to keep the registration fees the same, so some of you might decide to come early or stay late, and enjoy the Orlando amenities with your friends (or family).

And thanks for all the great ideas of cities! You helped our future dreaming. 'Twould be fun!
And again, it will be great because of Who we'll be with: "Where(ver) two or three (thousand) are gathered in my name, there am I with them." (Mt. 18:20, our year's theme verse with my additions).

Naomi Cramer Overton

Convention Details:
The MOPS International Convention will be at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area). Dates will be the same, August 5-7, 2010. Speakers and artists will be the same great lineup — Julie Barnhill, Margaret Feinberg, Donald Miller, Naomi Cramer Overton, Shelly Radic, Go Fish, Mandisa, The Katinas and Richie McDonald.

Convention registration will re-open on Monday, May 17.
The early bird registration deadline will be extended to June 7.
We are working with the Gaylord Opryland for an official letter we can provide to anyone who has already purchased airline tickets to use with airlines to avoid rebooking fees. This letter should assist you in rebooking airline tickets — it will be posted online at www.MOPS.org/convention.
We continue to pray for families and businesses affected by the flooding and we have sent MOPS materials to local MOPS leaders who are distributing supplies in the Nashville area.

MOPS International Convention 2010

August 5-7, 2010
Gaylord Palms, Orlando FL

Check back often for more information!

Your MOPS International Convention Checklist:

Register for Convention (re-opens May 17)
Reserve a room at the hotel (register first!)
Schedule shuttle transportation

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Some great publicity ideas

Want to get the word out about your MOPS group? Here are some tried and true ideas from MOPS groups around the country.

Growth Ideas

Our local hospital lets us put fliers about our MOPS group in the bag of freebies that they give to new moms.
MOPS of Spotswood Baptist Church, Fredricksburg, VA

We put “Please Join Us” signs in fast food restaurants with indoor play areas.
Our nearby grocery store let us tape our MOPS fliers on diaper packages.
Nearby churches without a group have our fliers available to their moms.

MOPS of Eastpointe Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL

Our local real estate agents have included a flier about MOPS in their relocation packets.

MOPS of First Baptist Church, DeRidder, LA

Open House to Promote Group
We hosted a Mommy and Me Open House for moms to find out about MOPS and what it has to offer them and their children. We had simple activities (coloring, play dough) for the children while the moms mingled, talked and had snacks. Our childcare area was open for them to see where the children would be also. It was a great time for moms to come and meet other moms. The event was also a wonderful opportunity for MOPS members to invite friends without the commitment of attending a MOPS meeting.

MOPS of N. Phoenix Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ

TEAM = Tell Everyone About MOPS
We encourage all Steering Team members and MOPS moms to be constantly publicizing our activities and promoting MOPS. We all carry business cards with meeting dates and telephone numbers for contact information.
We watch the newspaper for “new arrivals” and add the moms to our newsletter mailing list for the year.
We put a Mommy Dreams book and MOPS brochure in the hospital goodie bags.

MOPS of First Baptist Church, Athens, TN

Community Fairs

The MOPS group in Harlingen, TX (St. Albans Episcopal) met moms in their community by providing a Diaper Changing Station at a local festival. Volunteers worked a two-hour shift to distribute information to interested moms and keep the area clean. I would suggest having a rocking chair, some water bottles in a screened in area for nursing moms. Don't let any moms leave your booth with a MOPS flyer or card.

The MOPS group in Sonoma Valley, CA, (St. Andrew’s Presbyterian) had an “Old Woman and the Shoe” float to promote their MOPS group in the local parade!

Share what's worked for your group.