Do/have any of you belonged to this group in your area? I recently got a flyer about MOPS here and read through it. I was surprised that there is a membership fee for this?! Am I the only one thinking this? When I heard of MOPS several years ago for the first time, I assumed it was just a group that meets, not a membership thing.

What did you think of it? Things you liked or didn't like? What was the format of the meetings? Any info is appreciated.

By Kate on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:09 pm:

As far as I know, MOPS is a church based group and I think the fee goes toward the speakers they have come in. I could be totally wrong though...but that's how it is here I think.

By Zoie on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:35 pm:

The national organization charges each group an annual charter fee as well as a fee for each member. It's up to each particular MOPS group how to fund that. Sometimes the church or faith-based organization that hosts the MOPS program foots the bill; others do fundraising activities to raise the money; others just charge a membership fee.

I'm not a member but have several friends who are VERY active in MOPS and think it's the most wonderful thing ever. It gives the kids a fun social activity, and the moms a chance to make friends with other moms. Our local MOPS does some really fun field trips together and they bring in speakers on topics of interest to moms of young kids regularly too as Kate mentioned.

I think that although some things are consistent, most of the format and what exactly a group does varies depending on the group itself so it's hard to really hear from others that MOPS is or isn't a great thing unless you're hearing from moms who attend your local MOPS.

By Enchens on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 11:35 am:

I joined a MOPS group last year about midway through, and I ended up renewing for this year. It is Christian based, but anyone can join. You don't even have to be a member of their particular church. (I'm not a member of the church where the MOPS is held here.)

We have a different topic at each meeting and a different creative activity. Also, each term, we focus on community giving, so we do an activity that will help others. And there is also time for socializing and discussing kid stuff, house stuff, etc.

Babysitting is provided. At our particular place, there is a classroom for each of the different ages.

Our group does charge a membership fee and does about two fundraisers a year.

What I really like about this group is how we meet. We meet every other week so it does't make it seem like it's too much. And I really like meeting all the moms and talking with them. And having some time without kids with knowing they are not too far away if they need me.

If you were interested, I would say contact your local group and see if you could attend a meeting to see what it's like.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 11:47 am:

I attended a MOPS meeting when DS was little. That particular chapter was too churchy for my taste so I didn't join. Instead, I joined Mothers and More and had a lot of fun with that.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 03:01 pm:

I joined the internation moms club and there was a $20 fee for the whole year. It's non profit and it helps supply stamps, paper for newsletters, crafts for groups, etc.

By Reds9298 on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 05:31 pm:

Thanks for the info. I guess I was surprised at the fee of $45/year. If we're actually DOING something fun with that money (going toward supplies for activities), that's cool by me. But to pay for speakers isn't up my ally. There's a very nice FREE mom's group at a church just up the road from me. I might check into that instead. I'll also look into the 2 that you mentioned Trina and Heidi. Thanks!

By Pamt on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 08:03 pm:

No, no. The MOPS money does NOT go toward speakers. The speakers are all volunteers. The money goes to pay for supplies (you usually have some sort of craft and really nice decorations for the meal) and it pays for snacks and juice for the kids as well as arts and crafts supplies for them. The children are not just "babysat" (is that a word?), but they have organized fun activities. The moms have some guided discussion in small group time, a fingerfood type meal, a craft activity, and a speaker. I really enjoyed MOPS when I went.