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MommyD
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:58am | IP Logged
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I don't know that much about the club but it looks great from the web-site so I think I'm going to try and start one this year. Would it work to charge $50 at the beginning of the year to cover the cost of a member guide, a sash, the badges and any craft materials through the year? Would the cost turn you off to joining the group? Any suggestions for a newbie?
Melissa
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Rachel May
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Last year we paid $5 for craft supplies for the year. Possibly the woman used from her own stash or spent her own money too.
We had to buy the book ourselves and everything else was optional. The leader ordered it all and we paid her, but even that isn't necessary (and would be a headache) because people can buy it themselves through Emmanuel Books and other places.
Just my thoughts. I'm looking forward to people sharing the acutal prep time, ease etc. I've thought of hosting the group this year, but I have this other project going at the moment....
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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MarieC
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 1:00pm | IP Logged
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I think we paid about $20-$30 last year. That covered the book (1 per family) and a sash for each of my girls(2) and the badges.
A different mom was scheduled each month to lead and she paid the craft cost that month. Another mom was scheduled to be the snack mom each month and she paid for that expense.
I highly recommend having one mom be the organizer but have all the moms pitch in to run a meeting.
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Marie
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dds-98, 00, 02 and 09 & dss-03 and 06
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MommyD
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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MarieC wrote:
| I highly recommend having one mom be the organizer but have all the moms pitch in to run a meeting. |
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I don't think I'd have any members! I sent out an email to our group to see if there was any interest and only had one response but when I have run into anyone in the group they have said, "Oh yes, we're interested, I just didn't get around to emailing you back". That is pretty typical with our group  .
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5athome
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| Posted: July 14 2007 at 9:02pm | IP Logged
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We are just starting a LF club. We are going to structure it for 2 meetings per month. Each mom must volunteer to run a month (we are splitting the girls into 2 age groups). After much discussion, we decided to have the families buy the book & sash on their own rather than try to collect money, etc. Each mom is responsible for their month and will absorb the costs for that month so there are no dues per se. If you open it up to your parish you might get a nice response.
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
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Lorri
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 8:40am | IP Logged
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MommyD wrote:
MarieC wrote:
| I highly recommend having one mom be the organizer but have all the moms pitch in to run a meeting. |
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I don't think I'd have any members! I sent out an email to our group to see if there was any interest and only had one response but when I have run into anyone in the group they have said, "Oh yes, we're interested, I just didn't get around to emailing you back". That is pretty typical with our group . |
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I would recommend having an information/planning/registration meeting. Invite everyone you think would be interested. Have hand-outs explaining what you will do as the organizer and what you expect the other moms to do. Another hand-out should have expenses, like a breakdown of uniform, book and badges costs, plus whatever you choose to charge for craft supplies. Explain what is due up front, what they are expected to buy on their own, what is payable month to month. Also, if possible, have a calendar of your tentative meeting dates and their topic. Send around a sign up sheet for crafts and snacks. Try to be flexible to the other moms ideas, like maybe they just want one craft lady and the rest will rotate bringing snacks. When the meeting is over, you should have a good idea of how the rest of the year will go and have your list of volunteers.
If no one comes to the planning meeting, then clearly no one is interested. In my experience, people really want to be told where to be and when and what to do. Even something simple like answering an email will slip through the cracks. Good luck and have fun!
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Lorri
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The Mac and Cheese Chronicles
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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We also are responsible for our own books, sashes, badges. Each mom does a month and is responsible for the cost of the craft and snack. We tried it with dues and one person buying what was needed, but money collection became an issue.
Good luck!
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Molly Smith
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 2:41pm | IP Logged
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We've been involved with several Little Flowers groups over the years, and the problem has been consistency. A different mom taught at a different location each month and each time it was sort of a mess.
I am starting a club this fall with one of my friends. At our parish, we have a noon mass on Fridays that is very well attended by homeschoolers, so our club will meet in the church hall following the noon mass on the third Friday. My friend and I are going to do all of the teaching (amazing how quickly the moms signed their girls up!) with the other moms providing drinks and snacks on a rotating basis. I'd be happy to share more details about our plans if you're interested.
We strongly felt that a second meeting during the month was necessary for fellowship only. We have adoration after first Friday each month, and many families stay for lunch afterwards, so immediately after first Friday mass, the Little Flowers will meet briefly in the narthex, spend 5-10 minutes together in adoration and then go down with their families for lunch and fellowship.
Regarding the costs, my friend and I are going to donate the basic supplies--the member guides and craft costs. We are still figuring out what to do about sashes and badges. In general, we're asking for very little and I don't think parents would mind spending $10-$20 per child for a year of Little Flowers.
Now, $50 is another story and here's why I think you might want to reconsider that amount--the parents' expections will be very high if they're spending that kind of money. And, I think $50 is really high anyway. If you're concerned about the craft costs, then consider having the families rotate through organizing and providing the craft--that would also be a load off the "teaching mom's" planning.
Gotta run...hope some of this helps!
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Molly Smith in VA
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MommyD
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| Posted: July 15 2007 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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Okay, what am I missing? The guide is $4.50, the sash is $5 and the weaths are $10 (not including shipping). That leaves $30 for 9 monthly crafts. What kind of crafts do your groups do that are cheaper then that? I'd like to do "real" crafts, not just quick foamie type things.
I really think that for this first year, only one person should be "leader". I know our group and I truly don't think anyone will sign up if they have to be in charge. Plus, I have the least number of kids in the group and so I don't want to start something that is going to burden anyone. I thought it would be nice for the other, busier Moms to have something that they could just drop their kids off at and not worry about anything.
I'd love to hear more thoughts  !!
Molly, I sent you a PM.
Melissa
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Martha
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MommyD wrote:
I don't know that much about the club but it looks great from the web-site so I think I'm going to try and start one this year. Would it work to charge $50 at the beginning of the year to cover the cost of a member guide, a sash, the badges and any craft materials through the year? Would the cost turn you off to joining the group? Any suggestions for a newbie?
Melissa |
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I agree with you $30 for 9 months worth of crafts is pretty cheap, imho.
If the $50 was truely for everything - I'd be thrilled to be done with it. One of my HUGE turn offs and why we eventually stopped boy scouts was because it seemed like every single time I turned around there was an additional expense. And it was always, "It's only $5 or $10" or whatever, but I felt nickle and dimed to death so to speak.
Sometimes having a leader kick things off is really nice. Once people see how great it can be - they are more willing to work to keep it going. If not, well you gave your best shot and can move on to other things, kwim?
Personally, I can no longer commit my personal time to these things very often. There's only so much of me to go around. I might be willing to have my dd do such a thing if it fits in our schedule, but I can't commit myself at all right now.
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Martha
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Matilda
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| Posted: July 30 2007 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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There is a BK/LF group just starting up in our area so I am re-reading this thread to get a better understanding of it. Someone suggested sewing the badges onto tote bags and/or backpacks so as to eliminate the possibility of having to transfer them once a child outgrows the sash. (We have a lot of little ones in this group!)
Have any of you had this problem or attempted this "solution"?
Also, could someone give me an idea of what kind of craft ideas your group did?
Thanks so much ladies!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
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wifemommy
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I always bought the bigger sash and the girls grew into them. The small sash will not fit all the wreathes. I like the tote bag idea though because honestly they are more practical and will get more use. Annie
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Molly Smith
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Yes, we're going to do either tote bags or messenger bags ("the" thing these days ). They are definitely more practical and also the girls will be "in the world" with them, and hopefully equipped to proudly and confidently tell any inquisitors about the virtues they have studied.
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Molly Smith in VA
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MommyD
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| Posted: July 31 2007 at 8:17am | IP Logged
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Are the badges iron-on or do they need to be sewn on?
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Molly Smith
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They need to be sewn on, but I just use Patch Attach--you can buy it at Michael's or any fabric or craft store. It's a glue that you trace around the edges of the back side of the patch, wait 10 minutes or so, then iron onto the item. I'm hopeless at sewing on badges--I can never get them straight!
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Molly Smith in VA
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folklaur
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I know for my son's scout uniform we use a product called, um, "Patch Magic," I think. It is really easy, and there is no ironing involved. We get it from the local scout shop, but I would guess craft stores would have it too?
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Little Flowers Girls Club
