Updating MIM and Group Leadership info

Hi Ladies,

It's that time of year when you need to update your MIM memberships and your Steering Team Leaders on the MOPS International database. This information is invaluable to your Field Leaders in our quest to assist you meet the needs of moms in your group. Please take time to update all your leadership info.
How do you update? Go to the MOPS Leaders website http://www.mops.org/leaders/page.php?pageid=700&srctype=menu If the managing your group pages doesn't come up you can click it in the left hand side bar. Click on register and you should get a page that asks for your username and password. That is a password that was set up when your group was first chartered. If you are a renewing group could ask the past Coordinator. Your charter # is the username, but your original steering made up the group password. It would probably be a good idea to put this info in a binder with the MOPS Handbook to pass to new Steering Team Coordinators and Finance each year.

Blessings,
Barb

MOPS Group Temporary Nametag Template

Permanent nametags will come with the MOPS International Membership Calendar after your members have been registered. This nametag template is formatted for the Avery Standard 5395 Name Badge (without a border).
Create nametags for all the moms in your group, as well as the MOPPETS Leaders and children. As moms are registered, they will receive their permanent nametags in the mail from MOPS International with the Membership Calendar.

Click Here to Download the Nametag Template

Charter Renewal Questions and Answers

Charter Renewal Questions and Answers

It's spring and that means Charter Renewal time. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please leave a comment or contact your Council Coordinator.

Who Needs To Renew?

• All MOPS groups chartered before December 1st, 2006 need to renew in order to continue their MOPS Charter.
• Groups chartered after December 1st, 2006 do not need to renew. They will still receive the Charter Renewal form with a letter explaining that they do not need to renew. They will need to order their FREE copy of the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD and downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit. They are still eligible for the discount on the Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum and the new MOPPETS Curriculum.

Renewal Fee

• The MOPS Group Renewal fee is $125 USD if the Agreement is postmarked by May 31, 2007. The fee is $155 for Charter Renewals postmarked after May 31, 2007.
• The MOPS@ Group Renewal fee is $75 USD if the Agreement is postmarked by May 31, 2007. The fee is $105 for MOPS@ Charter Renewals postmarked after May 31, 2007.
• The Renewal fee can be paid by check or credit card, but credit card is preferred.

the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD

• All groups, including International MOPS groups, renewing before May 31, 2007 will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD. Groups that renew early (by April 30, 2007) will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD in a special May mailing. Groups renewing in May will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD in a June mailing. The DVD will be sent to your Chartering Ministry, to the attention of the MOPS Coordinator. After the May 31st deadline, the Theme DVD can be purchased in the MOPShop.

Downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit

• The Charter Renewal confirmation e-mail will contain a link to the downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit .
• Groups that Chartered after July 1, 2006 have received the information in the Ready, Set, Go! Kit.

Do I have to renew on-line?

• On-line renewal is fast and simple, but your group may wish to renew by mail if sending a check for the Charter Renewal fee. You may use the paper form that was sent to your Chartering Ministry. If you need another Charter Renewal form, you can Download a form now.
• Mail the Charter Renewal form with your check to MOPS International, 2370 S. Trenton Way, Denver, CO 80231-3822.
• Call your MOPS Service Representative to renew your group over the phone. 888-910-6677

Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum

• The Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum is offered at a great discount to renewing groups. The discount is only good until May 31, 2007 and only applies to curriculum orders that are made in conjunction with Charter Renewal.
• All curriculum orders will be sent to the Chartering Ministry in July. Please inform your Chartering Ministry.

Lively Bible Lessons for MOPPETS Curriculum

• The MOPPETS Curriculum is offered at a great discount to renewing groups. The discount is only good until May 31, 2007 and only applies to curriculum orders that are made in conjunction with Charter Renewal.
• All curriculum orders will be sent to the Chartering Ministry in July. Please inform your Chartering Ministry.

To Drop or Go Inactive

• Inactive Status - Sometimes circumstances make it necessary for a group to take one year off to regroup, refocus vision and/or rebuild the Steering Team. If a group finds itself in this situation, they can renew as "INACTIVE" for the 2007-2008 MOPS year. When a group is "INACTIVE," the Chartering Ministry will continue to receive regular mailings and ministry support from MOPS International. To request Inactive status, a group must still fill out the Charter Renewal form and submit it with the Charter Renewal fee. On the form, they will need to check the box indicating "Inactive." We will change their status to Inactive when the form is received. Please contact your MOPS Service Representative for more information.
  
• Dropping a MOPS Charter - If the Chartering Ministry decides to discontinue having a MOPS group, they must send MOPS International notification of their intent to drop by letter on the Chartering Ministry's letterhead, with a signature from a Pastor or Church Officer. All Chartering materials provided in the Charter Box need to be returned to MOPS International. Please contact your MOPS Service Representative for more information.

MOPS International Membership

• MOPS groups are required to register all moms for MOPS International Membership. This membership is optional for International and Military MOPS groups only. While MOPS International covers the cost for teen mom membership, they must be registered.
• The MOPS Membership Instruction is coming soon. On-line registration for 2007-08 will be available mid May at www.MOPS.org/registration.

What Every Mom Needs: Mother’s Day Broadcast
Saturday, May 12, 2007
90 minutes of top quality programming for women of all ages Elisa Morgan encourages mothers of all ages to take a breath of fresh air and teaches moms how to live their lives to the fullest.
Ken Davis’ humor keeps moms laughing through stories that emphasize the importance of relating to your children and to God.
Kim Hill refreshes women through uplifting and heartfelt worship.



Hello Ladies,

We will be hosting the Mother’s Day Simulcast on Saturday May 12th. We will be serving a full breakfast from 8:30am to 9:30am and the simulcast runs from 9:30am to 11:00am when the event ends. The simulcast includes speaker Elisa Morgan - CEO of MOPS Int., humorist Ken Davis, and music by Kim Hill. The topic is “What every mom needs.” It would be great to have you and all your MOPS moms come!

We would love to give you all the opportunity to sell tickets to your MOPS groups. I can mail you a packet with flyers and tickets for you to sell to your groups. If you are interested, please email me your address where I can mail you the flyers and tickets. Each packet will include 20 tickets. If you think you will need more than that, let me know how many you would like in your email. Tickets cost $10.00 each.

This event is open to mothers of all ages. Feel free to invite mothers, friends, relatives, and neighbors. We would like to make this as easy as possible for you. You won’t be responsible for returning any unused tickets. You can email me with the final count of tickets you have sold by May 8th, so we can let our caterers know how many people to prepare for. Checks can be made payable to First Baptist Church of Doylestown. You can either mail money you have collected to First Baptist Church, or bring it with you when you come to the event.

Thank you for your support; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

In Christ,


Marion Turner
MOPS II Coordinator
First Baptist Church of Doylestown
215-397-7417
Turner4367@verizon.net

Following the Father's Commands

It's that time of year when we are bombarded with things that need to be done. At MOPS we're getting ready for the Leadership For Life Summit, nominating and interviewing new Steering Team members, planning Tea and Testimonies and seeking to end well. Some of us are involved in end of the year school activities, spring sports, recitals, spring musicals, and field trips. At church we're planning VBS, summer events, teaching Sunday school, on the praise team, women's bible study and more.

How do you know what you should be doing? There are so many opportunities for ministry and service. The following article from Prime Time With God was really helpful in pointing me in the right direction....


Following Only the Father's Commands
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." - John 5:19Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.

How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"

To read the rest of the article go to.....
http://www.churchgrowthmail.org/web/pageid/30781/pages.asp

Getting Donations and Sponsors for Your MOPS group

Hi Ladies,

I got this great information from a CC in Atlanta. If you are not pursuing donations and sponsors for your group is can greatly help your budget. If you are getting some donations here are a few great ideas to help you get more. Get a donations committee going under your Finance Team Leader and reap the benefits for your moms.

Get Donations & Sponsors
(For all MOPS Groups & Leaders)


1. Donation/Sponsorship Letter


Living Hope Church
3450 Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-425-6726 www.livinghopevision.com

Dear Manager :
I am writing to you on behalf of the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at the
Living Hope Church. MOPS is a non-prof i t organization designed to encourage
mothers with children under school age through relationships and resources. These
women come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, yet have similar needs and a
desire to be the best mothers they can be! As well, I feel our group is unique to the
area because we will be meeting in the evenings twice a month, which will reach out
to all moms (stay-at-home, working, single, and even teen moms).

A MOPS group provides a caring, accepting atmosphere for today’s mother of
preschoolers. Here she has an opportunity to share concerns, explore areas of
creativity, and hear instruction that equips her for the responsibilities of family and
community while her children are being cared for in a pre-school like sett ing.

On behalf of the MOPS group, we are requesting:

Sponsorship for dinner for our meetings.
Gift certificate for a “Date Night Out ” Dinner . . . many of our Moms do not have it in their budget to go out, especially when babysitting costs as much as dinner, so itis our goal to give each mom a free dinner out.

Gift certificates or store items which our MOPS Moms can use around theirhomes, for/with their families or to relax and enjoy for themselves.


We have a small budget and a big mission of providing mothers of preschoolers the
opportunity to grow and gain confidence in their abilities. Any assistance would be
greatly appreciated.

As a “Thank You” for your donations & sponsorship your business will receive a year
(or more) publicity on our Partners/Sponsors section of our website. We encourage
all of our moms to help support these businesses because you are a vital part in us
supporting our moms.

Sincerely,
Bobbie Jo Ryan
Finace Steering Team Leader

Living Hope MOPS

770 332-4242

mops_coordinator@bellsouth.net

Kim Ruch
Donations/Sponsorship
(770) 332-4242
ruchk@bellsouth.net




2. Brainstorming Form for Donations/Sponsors

Prepare a donations/sponsorship letter.
Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group.
Think outside the box.
Know who can fill those needs.
Don’t give up when you hear “No”… it doesn’t always mean Never!

Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group…

List the needs of your group below.

Needs of MOPS Moms:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPS Families:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPS Group:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPPETS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Other needs you can think of.







Think outside the box!

Here are some examples of the items my group received as donations.

Things for MOPS Moms & Families:

Gutter Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning (for whole house)
Car Wash Gift Cards
Oil Changes
Grocery Store Vouchers
Gift Baskets for businesses
Christian CDs, DVDs, & Books (for Moms & Kids!)
Tickets for Family Outings: Zoo & Museum Tickets
Gift Cards for Mom: Pottery, Massage, Tanning, Haircut, Manicure/Pedicure
Date Nights: gift cards
Things for MOPS Group:
Office Supplies: Paper, Ink, Pens, Binders, Dividers, etc.
Hospitality Supplies: Table Cloth, Plates, Plasticware, Cups, Decorations, Food, etc
Creative Activities Supplies: Craft Items or Ready-to-Complete Crafts, Prizes for Games
MOPPETS: Resurrection Eggs, Christian DVDs, Food for MOPPETS Program

Know who can fill the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group:
The first place I start is by going to www.local.yahoo.com this will help me search out businesses that are nearest me (or my group). You can also narrow your search by clicking on specific choices on the left side.

You have to think outside the box with this too… example:

If you want someone to donate t-shirts to your MOPS group.
You can ask someone who does screen printing or embroidering and ask if they can supply the shirts as well.
If they are not able to supply the shirts… go the next step, ask if they have any vendors you may contact to see about a donation… if they don’t search out places that supply t-shirts (Michael’s Craft Store has a variety as well as Wal-Mart). Another idea is to have those who want t-shirts to supply their own, that way you know everyone will be happy with the fit.

Tips:

It’s okay to contact businesses that are not local.
You should always have a “sales pitch” ready for the potential Sponsor.
Mine is that we will publicize for one year on our website that they have sponsored our group, that we will let our MOPS Moms know so we can promote their business and that we will use word of mouth advertising when the opportunity presents itself!
Think positive and don’t give up when you hear “No”.
Sometimes “No” really means “Not Right Now”, so be sure to ask if there is a better time you could contact them. If they give you a time, make sure to follow up!
As a MOPS group… you have the added benefit of letting the businesses know that you have Moms who are new to the area joining your group, they like having contacts who are reaching out to their “new neighbors”.
If the company doesn’t have a way to do a gift card/certificate offer to make one for them so they have not hassle! But be sure to get all the contact info and the name of the person who approved it.
Be sure the offer doesn’t expire before the MOPS Moms have time to get and use it!
When I get someone as a food sponsor I always ask if they could also donate a gift card for a MOPS Mom to have a Date Night Out (and I explain a little of the financial woes of having small children.)
If the company says NO to everything… ask if they wouldn’t mind donating a coupon (free kids meal with any adults meal, 15% off any service, buy one get one free)… some companies just want to be sure they are getting customers out of it!
It’s very, very important to have something to give them in return… the website advertising is what I have found works the best… it is something they can view themselves, check our MOPS website out (click on Sponsors & Partners)

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!

Tea and Testimony

Does your MOPS group have a tea and testimony. These are great MOPS events to really give your moms an opportunity to know Christ. . . which is why we do MOPS. If you've never done one or are looking for some Fresh ideas read on. This article was on the MOPS forums and written by a Council Coordinator.

Tea & Testimony
Compiled by
Ann Goade, North Texas CC

Why should we do this?

† MOPS International suggests sharing the gospel twice a year, usually around Christmas and Easter (MOPS Handbook, page 69).
† In today’s society, stories are an effective way to share a personal message. Testimony is a person’s story with the added elements of how they accepted Jesus and informs the listener of how they can do the same (MOPS Handbook, pages 66-68).
† One of the goals of a local MOPS group is to bring each mom one step closer to Jesus. For some moms, that one step may be making the decision to ask Jesus into her life. If she isn’t given the opportunity or shown how this can be done, she may not move a step closer.
† As MOPS leaders, it’s always nice to be reminded that what we do and the sacrifices we make really do make a difference in the lives of moms. Sharing stories of how lives have been changed through Jesus and seeing moms come to Jesus because of those stories is a reminder of the importance of our work.

Do we have to serve tea?

† The reference to “Tea and Testimony” simply means a time to share personal stories of individuals’ relationships with Jesus and presenting the way a mom can have that same relationship. Although many groups do serve tea, it can take on many alternative themes. In fact, using the word “testimony” is discouraged, as it is one of those “Christianese” words that may not be understood by a non-believer.
† Below are several ways to incorporate the sharing of stories in meetings.

Tea & Treasures

Make the moms feel special and have them hear how Jesus values each of them. Two moms share from their lives.

Traditional tea party décor (i.e. china, teapot, fancy dress, etc.).

Treasures of the Heart

Focus on the relationship we treasure most, Jesus. Two moms share how they came into a relationship with Jesus and what that relationship has meant to them in their life.

Normal meeting décor. Treasure candies for favors with Matthew 6:21 attached.

The Amazing Race

Testimony based on “Who’s Your Partner?” and “What’s in Your Backpack?”

Travel décor including maps, backpacks, globes, Amazing Race signs (i.e. Fast Forward, Detour, Roadblock). Around the World Buffet for food.


Bloom Where You’re Planted

Focus on the growing relationship with Jesus

Mary Engelbreit décor.

Coffee Talk

Share testimony.

Less formal than traditional tea. Several flavors of coffee offered.


Sisters & Smoothies

Focus on friendship.
Fruit Smoothies
You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Testimony of two members who spoke of the unlikely friendship they developed through MOPS. They talked about how the friendship helped them through crisis and led them to a better friendship with Jesus.

Toy Story décor

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Focus on ways to share Jesus with your children and how to know when they are ready to make a commitment. Ended with that last way to share Jesus being by example and plan of salvation is presented.

We used normal meeting décor, but added lots of candlelight.

Extreme Makeover:MOPS Edition

To proclaim the life-changing power of Jesus through stories told by peers in an effort to help moms see their need for Jesus’ forgiveness, restoration, hope, & peace. God is the ultimate designer of Extreme Makeovers. Three testimonies expressing the need for a strong foundation, building up during stormy times, & the continual need to repair & renovate.

Favors were tape measures with a sticker attached reading, “Your worth is beyond measure.” Table decorations of toy dump trucks filled with candy. Centerpieces were metal paint cans with an arrangement of flowers & tools in them. Caution tape tied in bow around the chairs. Plastic spackle tools were serving utensils. Sawhorses, pink hard hats, orange cones, etc.


Breathe Deeply: Live Fully

Focus on “Live, Laugh, Love.”
Red Hat Society décor.

This sounds great, but where do I begin?

† Pray. Pray. Pray. Enlist others to begin praying about this day and during the event.

† Establish when the special event will take place. While the meeting can be anytime, an optimal time is usually in April. Easter offers a great opportunity to easily transition into spiritual matters. It is also far enough into the year for moms to have built relationships and trust with the Steering Team and Discussion Group Leaders. April meetings allow time for follow-up with the moms before the MOPS year is over.

† Choose a theme and focus for your day. Make decisions regarding food, decorations, etc.

† Create special invitations to send to each mom and have them RSVP to their Discussion Group Leader. This extra touch helps them know what a special day this will be.

† Choose two MOPS moms to share their testimony. It’s good to have two diverse stories to show how God wants a relationship with everyone, no matter where they are in life. Having more than two may take up more time than you have for a meeting. Give the moms information about “Preparing Their Testimony” (see attachment) and have them write it out. Plan a meeting for the moms to practice in front of the Steering Team.

† You may also want to have Discussion Group Leaders (DGLS) share their mini-testimony (5 minutes or so) to their group once the two main speakers are done. If so, have the DGLs attend the meeting mentioned above to practice their testimony as well.

† If you have regular meeting items to do such as icebreakers, doorprizes, creative activities, & announcements, do those at the beginning of the meeting so the reverent atmosphere will not be disturbed later.

† When introducing the topic, mention how MOPS focuses on all relationships. We seek to help moms improve relationships with their spouse, children, friends, and family. Today we would like to focus on a relationship that is important to many of us. We have two moms who will be sharing about their relationship with Jesus.

† After the testimonies are given, have the DGLs give their mini-testimonies to their group.
† Once the DGLs are finished, have someone share the plan of salvation. Those who may be a good choice for this might be a mentor mom, a steering team member, or the church pastor.

† Have everyone complete a response card and then seal it in an envelope. This way, everyone is writing something and a person making a decision wouldn’t be singled out or made to feel uncomfortable. While everyone is completing their card a nice touch is to have someone sing a song or play an instrument. One group had someone sing, “I Can Only Imagine” while a dance trio performed ballet. Have the DGLs collect all the cards and turn them in to the Coordinator, Discussion Group Team Leader, or Prayer & Care Leader.

† If you choose to have discussion time, the following questions may be helpful: 1) With which speaker did you most identify? Why? 2) What does the phrase, “a relationship with Jesus” suggest to you? 3) Compare your life to driving a car. As you drive down the road of life, where is Jesus?

What do we do after the meeting?

† The person who collected all the cards after the meeting should go through them as soon as possible. She should contact all those indicating they made a decision to ask Jesus into their life that day as well as those who indicated they still have questions or reservations. Offer encouragement. If your church or MOPS group has new believer resources available, put together a packet and deliver it to them. Go over all the things you included in the packet. Ask permission to pass this information to their DGL and mentor mom, so they can also follow-up and encourage them in the coming weeks.

† Disseminate all prayer requests to the Steering Team and Prayer Team.

† DGLs should follow-up with every mom no matter her response on the card. A personal call by the DGL gives each mom a chance to express her thoughts. Use open-ended questions, but do not pressure. Suggested questions include: 1) What did you think about what Jane shared yesterday? Do you have any questions about what you heard?

† Continue to pray for the moms. Just because a mom has not responded visibly or verbally, doesn’t mean God isn’t working in her heart.

† Let the Steering Team and church leaders no of the outcome of that meeting. For a steering team to know a mom came to know Jesus for the first time because of their efforts is encouraging. Sharing the information with church leaders helps establish MOPS as a worthwhile ministry of the church.


So what are you waiting for? Getting busy planning the next special day in your MOPS group!

More ideas for getting MOPS members more involved

A group in Maryland has had a lot of success with this idea.....

Our group started the GROWTH program back in 2000. Our coordinator at the time was trying to come up with a way to get the moms involved and take some of the burden off of the Steering. She asked me to come up with a catchy name for the program. After some prayer, God gave me the acronym GROWTH (God Rewards Our Willingness To Help). The program is based on 1 Corinthians 9:17 "for if I do so willingly, I will receive a reward".

We have a GROWTH Team Leader on our Steering Team. She acts as a liason between the moms and the rest of the steering. She puts out sign-up sheets at each meeting for the moms. Each sign-up sheet is for a different area of need and has the specific dates of the job. For instance, there is a Steering Meeting Child Care sign-up sheet with all the dates of the Steering meetings listed so moms can sign up to give child care while the steering meets. The mom signs up for a particular job and when she has completed the job, she gets a job credit.

The GROWTH Team Leader keeps track of each mom's credits. At the end of the year, we put the mom's names in a "hat" one time for each credit she has earned. So if she has successully completed 5 jobs over the year, she gets her name in the "hat" 5 times. We pull one name out of the "hat" for a Grand Prize. We usually have businesses donate gift certificates and whatever is the biggest and best prize ends up being the Grand Prize. We then have smaller drawings for all the other donated prizes we received.

It is a win-win-win situation. 1. The Steering team gets help with their jobs. 2. The moms gain a sense of ownership and purpose. and 3. Propective leaders have opportunity to shine. Some opportunities we've offered the moms: Child care during Steering meeting MOPPETS help during MOPS meeting Set up MOPS room the day before our meeting Assist with Creative Activities Wrap Birthday/Baby/Speaker gifts The moms could also earn credit by helping with big projects such as the MOPPETS Appreciation Brunch, MOPS and POPS Dinner, Christmas Brunch, Steering Retreat, etc. Just be sure to keep track of each mom's credits. How we keep track of credits: The GROWTH Team Leader has a 3 by 5 card for each mom and she records the date and the job completed on each mom's card as she completes said job. The other Steering members let her know if they actually got the help they needed, or if there is another job they need help with.

GROWTH is an incredible program that will only enhance your group.

Hugs, Irene

MOPS Theme for 2007/2008

Mothers of Preschoolers
the HOME factor BEGIN HERE...GO THERE

In our homes of origin many of us learned the deepest lessons about relationship, developed life routines and acquired our tastes and preferences. And now, as moms, we long to create homes where our families can thrive and grow — and we can too.
Our homes must be safe places – physically and also emotionally safe. In them we bond, we eat and play and rest together, we decorate and provision our special home spaces. The theme the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE enriches our perspective and hones our abilities to create a cocoon of home.
But at its healthiest, our home experience should fill us and launch us into wider circles of investment and influence where we interact with our world. We return HOME to reconnect and refuel — but we’ll move from the HOME outwards to make a difference.
The heart of the HOME is also a picture of God’s desire to interact with us and deeply love us where we really live. He desires to make his home in our hearts. He expresses it this way in the theme verse: "...he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:17
Three key elements of this theme to explore throughout the year:
Our homes are where we bond, cocoon, build inwardly.
Our homes are where we refuel so that we can live fully in the world beyond.
Our homes are a picture of Jesus' dwelling within us.

Theme Resources and Graphic Elements
Key elements in the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE include simple houses representing HOME in all its diversity of size, shape and location. The butterfly represents the heart of the home, touching rooms with its glow and leaving the cocoon to soar. The earth represents our home planet, where we live in community.

Theme DVD

A 2007-08 MOPS International Theme DVD comes free to each MOPS group as a benefit of on-time Charter Renewal. This DVD will provide inspirational and practical tools to equip MOPS leaders to carry out the theme in their group. Use the Theme DVD at a Steering Team planning retreat. The Theme DVD will help your team understand the theme, simplifying theme-related planning so you can concentrate on relationships rather than details. Renew by April 30th and receive your Theme DVD in mid-May!

Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home Book and Curriculum

Anchoring the theme is a new MOPS book and curriculum titled Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg, author and Director of Media for MOPS International. At the heart of Dwelling is the quest by the author to find the foundational principles for building the type of home we all crave – no matter what the home we grew up in is like, no matter what our current income or address. Through interviews, excerpts from literature, and her own experiences shaping a dwelling place for her family, Mary Beth helps us craft a home where we can live fully from our own private spaces. She then compels us to take all we gain into life in the larger world. Dwelling is warm, hopeful and practical.
The companion curriculum for use in MOPS groups will provide six video Home Tours plus additional resources for Discussion Group Leaders. Each tour will feature topics such as understanding and making room for different personalities, dining in, home as a safe place to make mistakes, comparing your home with others’, feeling trapped at home, decorating and organizing, having company and being involved in community.

Deeper Theme for Convention

The MOPS International Convention takes the annual theme a bit deeper for leadership training and spiritual enrichment of leaders. This year the convention theme is Dwell Well: Heart — Home — Planet, also based on John 14:17.

Getting more MOPS moms to help at meetings....

How do you encourage your MOPS members to take ownership of your group? Is your Steering getting burnt out because they do everything? How can you find new leaders if no one is stepping up to help?

MOPS is a place for moms to be nutured but it is also a place for them to use their gifts and skills and grow. The Steering Team is not hosting a party but providing opportunities.

Here's how a group in Texas tackled the problem...by having every mom assigned to a committee when she joins. Below is what they include with every registration. Interesting idea to try ....

Volunteer Sign-Up

In order for all aspects of MOPS to run smoothly and efficiently, we are asking EVERY member to serve in some capacity. If you are serving as a steering team member, discussion group leader, or mentor mom, you are not required to serve on a team.

We will strive to place you in your top choice. However, in order for all teams to be equal, please rank your top three choices by placing a “1” in the blank beside your first choice, a “2” beside your second choice, and a “3” beside your third choice.

*Prayer & Care Team: Assist Prayer & Care leader in her responsibilities which may include praying for specific prayer requests of the MOPS group, preparing for birthday, anniversary, & pregnancy recognitions, and reaching out to moms in need.

*Hospitality Team: Assist Hospitality leader in her responsibilities which may include decorating for MOPS meetings, greeting moms at meetings, welcoming visitors, & planning icebreakers.

*Creative Activities Team: Assist Creative Activities leader in her responsibilities which may include assisting MOPS members with their craft and assembling craft kits.

*Service Project Team: Assist Steering Team by delivering donated items to the Mid-Cities Crisis Pregnancy Center each month and/or helping with large annual service project.

*Finance Team: Assist Finance leader in her responsibilities which may include collecting meeting fees from members, registering new members, and taking attendance.
_________________

Planning New MOPS Year and New Steering Team Members

As we look at our Steering Teams for next year here is one group's guide-lines for helping them stay on course the entire year. It also helps new Steering Team Member see the time committment that will be expected of them. Each group is individual but sharing ideas always helps. Why reinvent the wheel?

Don't Lose Your Course
Planning a Great MOPS Year

Jan./Feb. - Begin recruiting Steering Members
· Hold an open house for prospective leaders
· Begin talking with prospects
· MOPS should be #1 priority with husband's support
· Prospects should be presented with expectations of responsibilities
· Coordinator must state ahead of time the dates of retreats and Steering meetings
· Steering members must agree to attend all events

March - Have Steering team set so all can attend Spring Council or Leadership for Life Summit and new leaders can “shadow” and train with current leaders.

May - Open Registration for general members
· Hold this at your church on a first come basis
· Let existing members, church members, and waiting list know of the time and date, then open to the public over the summer.
· Pass the torch meeting. Members rolling off pass their stuff to new members coming on.
· Convention Meeting. Hold a meeting to see who can attend convention and how to raise the money to go.

June - Planning Retreat
· Book a hotel or open your home up for the night
· Evaluate the evaluations
· Coordinator comes with a blank outline of the year and some kind of Steering Development Training (Nine needs, goals,etc.)
· Speaker person comes with a list of ideas
1. Brainstorm ideas keeping in mind your topics should start out light at the beginning of the year and get heavier as the year goes on.
· Craft person comes with craft examples/ideas including pictures
· Hospitality person comes with ideas on theme days, brunch ideas, decorations for the tables, etc.
· Finance person comes with a list of the moms who have already registered.
1. Might have a few ideas for fundraisers
2. Might have an idea on creative ways to collect money
· Mentor moms come with devotionals for Friday night and Saturday morning
· Moppets person comes with info regarding childcare needs or issues. Also brings ideas for any extra events or special celebrations for the kids.
· DG person comes with ideas for names of the groups, special events, etc.
· Publicity person comes with ideas for notebooks for the moms, ways to advertise to the public, and ideas for newsletters.

Summer - Everyone takes time to complete tasks
· You may want to hold one meeting in July just to touch base
· Meet together for play time with kids and take time to form some bonds

August - Mini Retreat 6pm - 12pm on a Fri. night
· Everyone gives an individual report on the work they did over the summer
· Take time to tweak or change any ideas
· Year is planned written and confirmed.
· Time is spent in prayer for the moms and goals for the year.
· Coordinator conducts a mini training time using the video provided by home office.

Your year should now be set and you should be ready to put all your plans into action preparing decorations, craft examples, notebooks, etc.

1 or 2 times a month - your General MOPS Meetings then:

Every other week or once a month - Steering Meetings
· One and one half hour in duration
· Prayer and devotional time or mini bible study (Since plans have already been made ahead of time, most of your meeting can be spent in prayer needs of your moms and spiritual development. Then you can spend a little time making sure plans are good for the next meeting.)
· Try to arrange childcare during Steering meetings. This should be a priority!!!Your meeting time and place should be consistent all year

Have started Recruiting for next year's Steering?

The best way to assure the future of your MOPS group is to always be in prayer for new leaders. Any time of year is a good time to be asking God to show you who will be the future leaders of your group. Now is an especially good time because you can bring your next year's Steering Team members to the MOPS Leadership for Life Summit on March 24th 2007. Let your Field Leadership Team and MOPS International help train the ladies God is calling to lead your MOPS group next year.

Here are some interesting and helpful articles on recruiting Steering Team Members. Please take the time to contact your CC or leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns when it comes to leadership recruitment. We'd also love to hear how you find new leaders and your praises of how God is working things out in your group.

Steering Team Selection Tips

Here are some suggestions:

The coordinator asks the present steering team to pray as to whether they sense God’s calling them to continue in their present position for another year (MOPS International encourages two-year commitments). She needs to give them a deadline of one to two weeks away.

During this same time the Coordinator gathers together her Steering Selection Committee. This committee is made up of the Coordinator, Mentor, Discussion Group team Leader and two to four (depending on the size of your group) other women NOT on the present steering team. These non=steering women will provide the needed objective view; they can be MOPS moms, church members, or recent MOPS alum. These women should be prayer warriors, submitted to the Lord, and know most of the women in the group. If a Coordinator decides not to use a specific Steering Selection committee, the current steering team can assume this role.

When the Coordinator has her list of steering positions open for next year, she then will let the Steering Team and Discussion Group Team Leader know what positions need to be filled for the next year. The Discussion Group Team Leader (DGTL) then lets the Group Leaders know the openings. The Steering Team and DGTL then pray, and confidentially and anonymously turn in to the Coordinator their nominations for each position. The nominations should be anonymous, on a sheet of paper with the following; Name of the nominee, positions she is being nominated for and why this individual is being nominated (gifts, walk with Christ, etc.) A steering member or group leader may nominate herself for a position.

The Steering Selection Committee then begins a series of meetings to go over the names and positions. They will pray over each nominee and each position. There is no one way this is to be done; however, you want to keep this process as much in God’s hands and as little in your hands as possible! Perhaps during the first meeting the committee can go over all the names and positions, then break for a week or so to pray over them. Then, when they come back together, they can see where they are. This may take several meetings. The Coordinator should spell out the way the committee will approach the selection process during the first meeting.

Unanimous agreement on a nominee is very important. If one person is in disagreement, it is worth revisiting, or moving on to another person. His is why prayer is so important. A unanimous decision is the best way we know how to trust that God is making the choice, not us. Even if the position is not filled right away, it is better not to fill it, then to fill it with the wrong person.

Once the Committee has come to a unanimous decision on an individual for a certain position, then the Coordinator calls her, and gives her the job responsibilities, Leadership questionnaire, and anything else she might need in order to make the decision. The Coordinator should ask the woman not to answer right away, but spend some time in prayer, and talk to her husband, getting back to the Coordinator by a certain date. Stress the importance of confidentiality while she considers this. That is to avoid hurt feelings if the woman says no and someone else is asked next.

Some additional pointers:

Ø The method described is not the only way steering selection is to be accomplished, it is recommended because it has worked. The whole object of this process is to give God the greatest opportunity to guide the choices. It is important that everyone involved desire God’s choice above all.

Ø If necessary, have a Steering Open House or a Steering Information Tea that will give all MOPS women a chance to see and hear what positions are available. Provide written job descriptions. In your final selection, remember how important it is that the woman you ask to fill Leadership positions have a personal, active relationship with Christ.

Ø We need to be careful not to make the decision for someone else. We pray for God to guide us to the best possible choice for a position; without looking at how busy she is, how quiet she is, etc. We don’t know what God’s plan is. Sometimes He is working to accomplish purposes higher than we can see.

Ø Do not just get a “warm body” to fill the position. That is a huge mistake! If God does not provide someone right away, keep working on it. He may wait and bring someone after you start the year, or He may not. Yes, it can be difficult. Yes, we must be creative.

Ø The Groups Leaders and Steering Team should be trained in August to be on the lookout for potential leadership starting with the first meeting, and going on all first semester. They should know each woman very well by January.

Ø If your group is very small, you may have to be creative with steering positions. You may have to go “beyond the box” and create your morning around the gifts and talents of your leadership making sure to fulfill the mops purpose statement, of course!

Ø This steering selection process can, and should be used for choosing Group Leaders, too. The Group Leaders are so important to your ministry. Make sure that you have God’s best!

Ø Confidentiality is stressed in this process for several reasons:
o To avoid hurt feelings
o To reduce “human” involvement and increase God’s involvement
o It is more “professional”
o It allows for the woman being chosen to the position to sense the importance and the privilege of serving God in this ministry. It allows her to sense that God is involved in her being asked – she is not just being asked on her merit or popularity, but by God’s guidance.

Ø Most of these ideas have come straight from the MOPS Handbook (page 33) and the Coordinator’s Handbook (page 16).

Fw: Planning a Great MOPS Year

Here's are some other things to think about ....

Planning a Great MOPS Year

Jan./Feb. - Begin recruiting Steering Members

• Hold an open house
• Begin talking with prospects
• MOPS should be #1 priority with husband's support
• Prospects should be presented with expectations of responsibilities
• Coordinator must state ahead of time the dates of retreats and Steering meetings
• Steering members must agree to attend all events

April - Have Steering team set so all can attend Spring Council

May - Open Registration for general members

• Hold this at your church on a first come basis
• Let existing members, church members, and waiting list know of the time and date, then open to the public over the summer.
• Pass the torch meeting. Members rolling off pass their stuff to new members coming on.
• Convention Meeting. Hold a meeting to see who can attend convention and how to raise the money to go.

June - Planning Retreat

• Book a hotel or open your home up for the night
• Evaluate the evaluations
• Coordinator comes with a blank outline of the year and some kind of Steering Development Training (Nine needs, goals,etc.)
• Speaker person comes with a list of ideas

1. Brainstorm ideas keeping in mind your topics should start out light at the beginning of the year and get heavier as the year goes on.

• Craft person comes with craft examples/ideas including pictures
• Hospitality person comes with ideas on theme days, brunch ideas, decorations for the tables, etc.
• Finance person comes with a list of the moms who have already registered.
  1. Might have a few ideas for fundraisers
  2. Might have an idea on creative ways to collect money
  • Mentor moms come with devotionals for Friday night and Saturday morning
  • Moppets person comes with info regarding childcare needs or issues. Also brings ideas for any extra events or special celebrations for the kids.
  • DG person comes with ideas for names of the groups, special events, etc.
  • Publicity person comes with ideas for notebooks for the moms, ways to advertise to the public, and ideas for newsletters.

  Summer - Everyone takes time to complete tasks

  • You may want to hold one meeting in July just to touch base
  • Meet together for play time with kids and take time to form some bonds

  August - Mini Retreat 6pm - 12pm on a Fri. night

  • Everyone gives an individual report on the work they did over the summer
  • Take time to tweak or change any ideas
  • Year is planned written and confirmed.
  • Time is spent in prayer for the moms and goals for the year.
  • Coordinator conducts a mini training time using the video provided by MOPS International.

  Your year should now be set and you should be ready to put all your plans into action preparing decorations, craft examples, notebooks, etc.

  1 or 2 times a month - your General MOPS Meetings then:

  Every other week or once a month - Steering Meetings

  • One and one half hour in duration
  • Prayer and devotional time or mini bible study (Since plans have already been made ahead of time, most of your meeting can be spent in prayer needs of your moms and spiritual development. Then you can spend a little time making sure plans are good for the next meeting.)
  • Try to arrange childcare during Steering meetings. This should be a priority!!!
  • Your meeting time and place should be consistent all year

Fw: Preparing for the coming MOPS years

Hi Steering Team Leaders,

I received an email today from a brand coordinator in DE. She was wondering if there was a checklist for new groups or a calendar for a MOPS year. I thought there might be more of you how would benefit from this so I am posting my findings here.

Please feel free to share how you prepare for the new MOPS year.
Blessings,
Barb Vogelgesang
Area Coordinator Zone 22

Getting Started:

MOPPETS

1. Determine how much space you have at the church
2. What will the child to teacher ratios have to be?
3. Begin recruiting workers
   1. Background check—if so, who pays?
   2. Member of church?
4. What curriculum will you use?
5. At what age do you want the children to be a part of MOPPETS? i.e. children under 5 months stay with mom, allowing more spaces in MOPPETS?
6. Do you want to have a room for homeschooled children?

MENTOR MOM

1. How much will she want to speak?
2. Her role is vital at the Steering meetings
3. What do you want her role to be with the moms?

COORDINATOR

1. Do you want everyone to sign the faith statement?
2. Determine how you will split responsibilities
   1. Registration
   2. Steering Team
   3. Upfront in meeting
   4. MOPS 2 MOM registrations—to MI, online (Finance TL?)
3. Finding speakers
4. Do you want to use the MOPS theme?
5. Budget issues—how to handle the money
6. What day of the week do you want—i.e. first and third Mondays? When do you want to start the first meeting?

FINANCE

1. How to handle the money you need?
2. Get a proposed budget together
3. Should Finance TL do registration?

CREATIVE ACTIVITES

1. What will you do for that part of the meeting?
2. Should the activities follow the MOPS theme?
3. Who will get them together?

DISCUSSION GROUP TEAM LEADER

1. How many discussion groups will we need? (6-8 moms in a group)
2. Discussion Group Leaders (DGLs)--who?
3. DGTL should meet with them to train them.
4. How do you want me to divide the moms by zip code or random?

PUBLICITY

1. Do you want a newsletter right away?
2. Can you get MOPS on the church website or better yet, get a link off the site? Do you want that?

HOSPITALITY

1. Sit at tables or chairs?
2. How elaborate do you want the decorations for the room? With what money is the Hosp. TL buying things?
3. Where can she store things?

How many social events outside of the MOPS meeting do you want? Or do you want each DGL to plan that for her group?

Planning Calendar - by Stacey Maslyn

JUNE
Social event with new Steering Teams

JULY
First Steering Team meeting (individual)
First Shepherd (Discussion Group) Leader Meeting

AUGUST
Steering Team meeting (individual)
Begin booking speakers
Begin planning crafts
Choose MOPS theme for year
Begin purchasing supplies
Leadership Training Retreat
Pre-register leadership
Mail-in registration from moms

EARLY SEPTEMBER
Finalize speakers and crafts
Make calendar for semester
Get MOPPETS numbers and worker ratios
Turn calendar into church
Put Discussion Groups together
Welcome letter mailing to moms
All leadership 'Kick-off' party
Steering meeting (all groups)
Plan first day - intro skit, theme, décor, balloons, nametags, new mom recognition
Shepherd (Discussion Group) Leader meeting
DGLs call moms to welcome
Leadership training (if no retreat)

LATE SEPTEMBER
First Day!!!
Put together directories
MOPS International Convention

OCTOBER
Steering Team Meetings (individual)
Start booking spring speakers

NOVEMBER
Pre-register moms for spring - collect 50% payment
Create evaluations
Steering Team Meeting (all together)
Sell tickets for Brunch and Boutique
Book caterer
Book boutiques
Hand out explanations and expectations of Silent Auction & Gift Baskets
Book spring MOPS & POPS on church calendar

DECEMBER
Steering Team meetings (individual)
Buy 'thank you' gifts for leadership
Plan Leadership Couples' Christmas Party
Evaluations
Teacher, Staff, and Facility appreciation
Decorations for brunch/Boutique/Silent Auction
Couples' Leadership Christmas party

LATE DECEMBER/EARLY JANUARY
Review evaluations
Finalize speakers for spring
Finalize crafts for spring
Put Discussion Groups together
Welcome letter to moms
Send donation letters to businesses
Make calendar
Plan first day - décor, intro skit etc.
DGLs call to welcome moms

JANUARY
First Day
Steering Team Meeting (all together)
Put together directory
Start planning MOPS & POPS (caterer, theme, invitations etc.)

FEBRUARY
Mail MOPS & POPS invitations
Steering Team Meetings (individual)
Special Valentine's morning
Hand out 'how to give testimony' article to Table Shepherds (DGLs)
Have Table Shepherds (DGLs) give testimonies at meeting
Find moms to give testimonies at spring brunch
Get handouts for Tea & Testimony (invitation to Easter service, commitment cards, etc.)
Plan MOPS & POPS
Book Leadership Reception on church calendar

MARCH
Buy gifts for Tea & Testimony
Steering Team Meeting (all together)
MOPS & POPS
Hand out and collect 'Potential Leader Recommendation'
Book boutiques and caterer for Brunch
Tea & Testimony (depending on Easter)
Begin to have Steering think about next year

APRIL
Steering Team Meetings (individual)
Plan Leadership reception (theme, invitations etc.)
Tea & Testimony (depending on Easter)
Compile evaluations
Buy leadership thank you's
Pass out Silent Auction letters and explanation/expectation
Hand out explanation of gift baskets etc.
Sell brunch tickets
Complete MOPS International Charter Renewal for each group

MAY
Evaluations during meeting
Steering Team Meeting (all together)
Brunch/Silent Auction/Boutique
"Releasing" party for leadership teams
Confirm continuing Steering commitment for next year
Lovely Leadership Reception
Steering Selection (send Steering Roster to MOPS International)
Notify new Steering members
Review evaluations and report
Mail 'Year-end Assessment' to all leadership
Plan next year's dates
Decide next year's fees
Review registration information
End-of-year parties

Originally printed in Connections Leadership Magazine, March 2000.

End of the MOPS Year

Dear MOPS Moms,

I can’t believe that MOPS is over for the year! On Tuesday I had my last MOPS meeting; it was a great meeting. We had three women share their testimony. They were so good! We laughed and cried; I was inspired. It made me think about my own testimony and walk with the Lord. With the summer coming, I know that my walk will be hard. I won’t have my regular Bible study or MOPS group helping me and supporting me during those tough times, I kind of have to do it on my own. Not really; I do have the Lord by my side, but I don’t have the reminders that He is by my side supporting me and being there for me. So this summer I am going to try and not do it alone but with the Lord by my side. I am going to try and read my Bible every day (or once a week will be good too) and just be in the word as much as possible and just pray a little every day. I do wish that I could attend a Bible study this summer or maybe the Lord is calling me to start one. Is there a summer Bible study that you can get involved with or is the Lord calling you to start one? I need to pray about it and so should you.
I hope that your final meetings are going well and that you all think about maybe trying to get together with your moms over the summer for a play date or maybe just a night out with the girls, a play date just for mom. I know those are my favorite type of play dates. With so much gong on I hope that you were all able to renew your charter and update your steering rosters. I also hope that you had some time to visit the MOPS website and think about maybe coming to convention in September. I know that it is hard to get a way even for an evening with your husband. To try and get away for a few days and nights is impossible you say. But it is well worth it! I have been to the convention twice and have had a wonderful time and gotten some great ideas to bring back to my MOPS group and have come home well rested and ready to be a mom again. I know you are saying "but who will watch my children and won’t everything fall apart if I am not there?" No, everything will be fine, but yes they may not be as clean as you would like them and the house isn’t going to be as neat as you would have it. I feel as long as my children are happy and safe, I am ok. It is also a time for your children to be with their father and spend a little one on one time with them and for him to live in your shoes. Think and pray about maybe coming. If not, don’t worry. I am planning on holding a council meeting on October 14 so we can all try to get together and meet each other face to face. More info will follow at the end of the summer.
Well, that is all for now. I hope you all have a great summer and stay safe. Enjoy some time with your family and try to enjoy your children and this time of innocence and care free days. I will continue to pray for all of you, and if you need anything, just drop me a line. I will be checking my email regularly. Don’t forget to mark October 14 on your calendar. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Blessings Denise Kother
Council coordinator NE New Jersey
Zone 22

What's happening at your MOPS Group this year?

Ah, the start of a new MOPS year...or is it really? As Steering Team Leaders you've probably been doing MOPS or at least thinking about MOPS all summer. Here's a partial new year prep checklist....

Be sure to register all your moms for the MOPS to MOM connection
Update your Steering Team with MOPS International
Create a schedule of meeting for the year
Have some great girlfriend time
Pack for Convention


What would you add to my list? Can you share your favorite twinkle ideas with other Steering Teams by clicking on comments? You don't have to register, but I would appreciate knowing which group you are with. What topics, speakers, crafts, special MOPS/POPS, MOPPETS crafts, hospitality gifts etc. can you brag about or suggest?

Let's help out our new groups by spreading the creativity around.

Love ya,
Barb