Thanks so much to all you guys for volunteering so much time and effort to revamping our co-op. I'm really excited because it seems like this is going to work really well!

I read through all your emails, and there were some overlaps in what each of you was proposing to do, so I've sort of arbitrarily divided things up. PLEASE tell me if the role I've assigned you isn't what you intended. It was kind of hard to keep track of everything. There are some questions interspersed below, so please read.

Kari - Maintain membership records. Maintain member directory containing the following information: First/last names of family members (mother, father, kids), birthdates of kids (at least birth year), home address, phone number, email address. Verify that ongoing members meet minimum participation requirements, which are still to be decided. Kari, is this going to be too difficult? Notes: Before adding a member to our rolls, Kari checks that the person has (1) attended a co-op activity and met other members, (2) understands our rules for membership (minimum participation requirements). If Kari receives inquiries about joining the group from totally new, she directs them to Amy or Angelica.

Amy and Angelica - Answer email (Amy) and phone (Angelica) inquiries from prospective members. Direct them to web site information about the co-op. Coordinate first meetings with prospective members by finding an event on the calendar that they can attend, then notifying the sponsor of the event that a prospective member may be attending. I'd suggest park days, moms night out, craft group or something else where we can actually talk to one another -- not a tour. Follow up with the prospective member after the meeting to determine if they want to join. If so, direct them to Kari, or Kari to them. Amy and Angelica could also possibly maintain a contact list of people who, after speaking to us or meeting us, were not ready to commit, but might be worth contacting again in a few months? Amy and Angelica: May I include your contact info (email for Amy, phone for Angelica) on the web site and in the New Mexico Kids magazine?

Kari, Angelica, Shannon, and Lisa - Sponsor Mom's night out events every once in a while (either at a restaurant or at someone's house or ...?). We'll invite prospective members to these, too. To be decided: How often? With four people willing to host these, how does every other month sound, with each person sponsoring one every 8 months? Or even every month, with each person sponsoring one every 4 months -- depends on attendance/interest level, I guess.

Elizabeth - Receive notice of new members from Kari and register them on the web site. Email them with instructions on using the message boards. Write the weekly newsletter. Answer questions about the use of the message board.

Lisa and Elizabeth - Serve as calendar editors. Add events that are scheduled by ourselves or by other people. Notify Kari that a person is sponsoring an event.

Elizabeth, Shannon, Katie - Sponsor the monthly craft group. Elizabeth and Shannon have volunteered to host craft days. Katie has volunteered to host and plan crafts for August. Maybe Shannon can host and Elizabeth can supply crafts for July?

Not yet assigned - a message board moderator who attempts to verify that private information is kept off the public boards (users can be encouraged to use email or private messages), messages are posted under the correct category (we can move them if necessary), removes offensive posts, and so on. I can continue to do this if no one else wants to. Were there any other jobs that I've overlooked? Let me know if you can think of any.

If I've forgotten anyone who volunteered to help, or if you're inspired by reading this to volunteer, please let me know!

Note: I modified this message later after taking into account emails and replies I got with more people volunteering.

Elizabeth,
I would like to volunteer for hosting craft days at my home as well as planning Mom's Night Out.
ShannonD

Sounds good to me!!


Lisa

Oh.  This message came into my inbox as I was sending the post to the other chain.  This answered some of my questions.  It all sounds good.  Let's roll.

-Kari

It sounds fine to me. You can put my info in the NM Kids and website.
I think every couple of months for the mom's night out sounds good.

Hi Elizabeth!  I can host the July Craft day at my home.  I will be OOT June 23-July 5 and again July 25 -July 31.  I also have the Tuesday playgroup at my home.  I know that really limits dates for you so I hope we can still work it out.  If not, I understand.  The dates I am OOT also conflict with the Bound to be Read Chef Series for a Mom's Night Out.  The Chef Series is the last Wednesday of each month.  I am willing to organize the one for August 25.  However, if you think one before that date would be better (it looks like, from all the posts, we could use a get together) I would be willing to host a dinner at my home.  I'll make the main course (Italian)  if others would be willing to bring salad, dessert, and bread.  Would one of these dates work; June 21, July 8, or July 12? Just let me know!
Shannon D.

Are those dates being suggested for the dinner or the craft day?  I will not be available for any of them, except possibly July 12.  I will be taking the kids to CA sometime around the 21st of this month, in hopes of keeping the house clean here well we put it on the market.  We plan to stay with my parents until we have a buyer.  (My husband will still be here.)  

I will still be able to access the email and maintain membership while gone.

-Kari

For me the dates of June 21st or July 8t will work for the dinner. I will be OOT July 13th thru July 25th. Italian sounds great and I could bring a salad and dessert. But let me know what you want to do and when.

The August date for Bound to be Read is okay too. But that gives you two mom's nights in a row to deal with, are you okay with that?

Lisa

Wow!  I have been gone for about a week, and I am way behind.  I am willing to help out any way I can, but during the summer I am teaching until noon, M-F.  I can help with anything that happens in the afternoon, though.  And I will be more available in August.  So if you still need volunteers for anything. let me know.  (I am still trying to swim through all of the posts, so I don't know what we might need done!).

Alexis

Hi Elizabeth,

I would be quite happy to act as message board moderator for the purposes you describe, providing, of course, that I'm not about to be excluded from membership in the co-op.

Kind regards,
Kristin