Issue 6, June 2013
MOTHERMATTERS
Mom to Mom of Maine is an organization of diverse mothers devoted to helping each other and the community by sharing support, knowledge, and activities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Board Notes M2M Summit Things to do with Kids M2M News RMH Meal Activities & Events Calendar Member Contacts
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Board Notes By Melanie Bond
Even though it is only half over, 2013 has already been a particularly challenging year for me. Adjusting to life with two energetic toddlers and a husband whose job responsibilities multiply on a daily basis—in addition to attempting to maintain a personhood for myself beyond Wife/Mommy—hasn’t been easy. Thus, in the moments when domestic harmony goes AWOL, I’ve had to say more than a few prayers for grace. But, I keep moving forward. Life keeps moving forward. And I continue to add to my already heaping plate of responsibilities and commitments. Not because I feel like I should, or because people tell
me to. Because I WANT to. I like to be busy and to have a purpose; things to work toward and strive for. That’s just who I am. I like to work hard because it makes me feel accomplished and fulfilled. That explains why I recently volunteered to be Co-Leader of Mom to Mom. It’s a labor of love. Now, I certainly don’t expect everyone to be as zealous as I am about M2M. But I love this organization, and I’m passionate about what we do. Maybe we’re not curing cancer or saving baby pandas, but M2M provides a resource for moms that can be nearly as important to their survival as the World Wildlife Fund is to
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those pandas. Humans are social animals (even the introverts like me), and they need connection with other humans in order to thrive. Moms are among the hardestworking yet least-appreciated humans, and we need to connect with each other because no one else on earth can truly understand the exquisite joy and the intense anxiety that comes with being a mother. So you are an M2M member because you need (and hopefully enjoy!) what it provides. And now, M2M needs you. We are short-staffed in a big way. Membership is up, but volunteerism is down. We have many vacant coordinator positions, and after several recent long-term director retirements, the Board has become a skeleton crew. Without volunteers to plan them, all those fun M2M events and activities you and your kids have come to expect and appreciate simply won’t happen. We were really hoping to resume the Annual M2M Yard Sale this year, but there’s still no Fundraising Coordinator to assemble a committee and plan it. Our next big event, the beloved Annual Halloween Party in October, may be in danger as well. So I, my Co-Leader Alysia, and the rest of the M2M Board are asking you, the dynamic, talented and altruistic
M2M members, for help. Please consider volunteering within in the organization. There are many open positions to choose from, and they generally require a very minimal time commitment. We don’t want to monopolize what little free time you have, we’re just asking you to share a tiny bit of your talents and enthusiasm so we can keep this living, breathing organism called Mom to Mom alive and thriving. Below is a list of all the open volunteer positions you can choose from. If one of them speaks to you, please get in touch with me (mbond487@gmail.com) or Alysia (alysiam@gmail.com) and let us know that you’re interested. We can give you more details on the position responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. And we are here for you to bounce ideas off of as well. Think M2M needs something else? Maybe you are just the person to implement that, and you can create your own position. Ooh, possibilities! (And don’t worry, we won’t just hand you the reins and say “good luck”! The M2M Board and Co-Leaders will be there to support and guide you, answer questions, cheer you on...and join you for a glass of wine to celebrate!)
Mom to Mom of Maine Open Volunteer Positions (as of 5/21/2013) Fundraising Coordinator(s) (this position may be held by one or more volunteers) The Fundraising Coordinator(s) plan and conduct fundraising events in support of Mom to Mom's financial goals. Responsibilities include: coordinating regular fundraising activities and events, managing the fundraising budget, working with fundraising volunteers and the community at large, and working in collaboration with the M2M Board of Directors to create and implement annual and long-term fundraising strategies. Approximate monthly time commitment: 2-3 hours; varies depending on events planned and level of activity Advertising Coordinator The Advertising Coordinator sells ad space in M2M’s newsletter, submits the ads to the editor by the monthly deadline, confirms the receipt of payment with the Treasurer, and annually updates the Advertising Rate Sheet for current rates and other information. She may offer discounts of up to 15% off the one-month ad rate without Board approval. It is also acceptable to offer complimentary ads to individuals or businesses who provide discounted goods or services to Mom to Mom (this would be done in collaboration with the Fundraising Coordinator or the Co-Leaders). Approximate monthly time commitment: 1-2 hours; varies depending on level of activity Publicity Coordinator The Publicity Coordinator works to spread the word about M2M by distributing press releases, paid advertisements (in newspapers, magazines, and resource guides), free online and in-print calendar placements, M2M brochures, and posters. She also coordinates the distribution of posters and brochures to members for placement within their communities. The Publicity Coordinator is responsible for arranging M2M’s presence at the Portland Farmers’ Market during the summer months. Approximate monthly time commitment: 1-2 hours; varies depending on level of activity Calendar & Member Coffee Coordinator The Calendar & Member Coffee Coordinator oversees the scheduling of M2M events on the BigTent calendar, ensuring that the events have been entered in the calendar by their respective coordinators, and communicates the event details to the newsletter editor for inclusion in the monthly newsletter. The coordinator also sends out the “This Week’s Events” weekly email (posted as a news piece on BigTent News and then sent out as an email “blast.”) She includes any reminder information (e.g., survey, open positions, etc.) and highlights an upcoming event, especially if it requires an early RSVP or needs publicizing. The coordinator must also actively seek hostesses for the monthly member coffee through Big Tent forums or through in-person contact, and schedule the gatherings on the BigTent calendar. Approximate monthly time commitment: 1 hour or less
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Playgroup Coordinator The Playgroup Coordinator is responsible for scheduling and hosting M2M Open Playgroups twice per month. From October to May, the playgroup may be hosted indoors (M2M currently rents space at Riverton Community Center in Portland) and the coordinator may elect to present a special activity during the playgroup in addition to the toys provided by Riverton. There is an annual budget allowance for the space rental and a separate budget allowance for the activities. Playgroups during the summer months should be held at an outdoor location, such as a beach or playground. Approximate monthly time commitment: 1-2 hours, not including time attending the playgroups Happy, Healthy Family Series Coordinator The Happy, Healthy Family Series Coordinator generates ideas for workshop/seminar topics and books the speakers for them. The coordinator schedules the meeting space (usually a room at the MMC Dana Center), adds event and RSVP details to the M2M calendar on BigTent, promotes the meeting on the main M2M forum, arranges for required equipment or photocopies as necessary, purchases snacks and beverages for each meeting if needed, greets and introduces speakers at the meeting, facilitates panel discussions, sends a thank you note to each speaker, and arranges payment as necessary. She also maintains a list of events and how well they were attended for future planning purposes. Approximate monthly time commitment: 3-4 hours, not including time attending the meetings Website & BigTent Coordinator The Website & BigTent Coordinator manages the content of Mom to Mom’s public website and is the administrator of the members-only BigTent site. Specific details on the responsibilities of this position are available upon request. Approximate monthly time commitment: 2-3 hours Directors The Board of Directors manages the affairs of M2M and assists the Co-Leaders in carrying out our mission and goals. Directors serve for a one year term and may serve unlimited successive terms if duly elected. Directors are expected to regularly attend M2M events, and rotate writing the “Board Notes” article for the monthly newsletter. Directors are required to serve on at least one event planning committee per year, and to assist in the planning of M2M events throughout the year. Directors should hold an additional volunteer position within the organization, if any positions are vacant. Though not a requirement, Directors are encouraged to hold Officer positions. Approximate monthly time commitment: 2-3 hours, not including time attending board meetings
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The Mother of All “Mom’s Night Outs” By: Erica Sabatino
If you’re anything like me, you love a night out with the girls. Well, the Mom to Mom Summit is the ultimate night out! For seven years in a row, Mom to Mom has hosted one of the best parties in town and this year was no different. This year’s theme was ‘Celebrate Spring’ and celebrate we did. Over 70 moms and their guests came out to celebrate being a part of this supportive and fun-loving community. The room was filled with beautiful flowers, music, laughter and the most relaxed group of mothers you’ve ever seen! While some moms were busy channeling their inner ‘om’ with a guided meditation workshop by John Charlebois of Jade Integrated Health, others were learning how to shimmy and shake their hips with belly dancing guru Morgyn Danae of SHINE! Fitness and Massage. Both groups emerged from their workshops feeling energized and recharged! The pampering part of the evening is always a favorite of mine. This year the highlight was seeing everyone all dolled up in their braided up-dos and minimakeovers. Co-chair Melanie Bond created a gorgeous photo booth of paper flowers and ribbons where members posed for glamour shots taken by professional photographer and long-time M2Mer Natalie Haskell. Natalie, the stylists from Bei Capelli, the team from Origins and the rest of our pampering
M2M Board of Directors volunteers did an amazing job of making M2Mers feel like royalty for an evening. From facials to massages to minimanicures and hand/arm treatments, what more could a girl ask for, right? Thank you to the following ladies for sharing their enthusiasm, time and talents with M2M members! Hairstyling and makeup application by: Bei Capelli Salon Facial treatments by Origins Massage by Nancy Charlebois of Jade Integrated Health and Sunshine Jelly of the Portland Regency Spa Hand scrub and lotion treatment by M2Mer Marla Crossetti of ARBONNE Hand and arm massage by M2Mer Michelle Polizzi of doTerra Essential Oils and Nourished in Wellness Satin Hands treatment by Marie Zinck of Mary Kay Mini-manicures by Jessica Richardson of A Handful Salon and Christine Haeger of Big Day Beauty Photography by M2Mer Natalie Haskell of Natalie Kuhtmann Haskell Photography
“It was great for me b/c I finally got to put faces to names and meet all these people that I had been talking with for months on the forum. It’s nice to be able to connect with so many women who’ve been where I am…especially being a transplant with a new a baby. Oh, and I loved the mentalist!” --Jenique Tairne, mom to Penny, age 14 months
“The Summit was fantastic once again this year! My kids are older and I don't make it to as many monthly events, but it is so nice to know I can show up after being a semi-absent Mom to Mom member and still enjoy the event. It was great to see old friends and I especially enjoyed the entertainer. Thanks to all involved! “ --Lisa Pelton, mom to Alexis, age 7, and Jake, age 4
For those of you who have never attended a Mom to Mom Summit, this one-of-a-kind event always ends with a bang and lots of laughs. From Maine’s Funniest Mom Karen Morgan in 2012 to a theatrical performance of the Passion of the Hausfrau in 2010, the entertainment at the Summit is topnotch. This year’s performer did not disappoint. Chris Bolter, magician and mentalist extraordinaire, wowed M2Mers From goody bags to auction and with his mind-reading abilities and brainraffle prizes galore, no M2M Summit is teasing talents. complete without a fantastic potluck meal All in all it was an epic evening, and shared with both new and old friends. we hope you came away from it feeling The best part of the evening was seeing rejuvenated, relaxed, and re-charged! so many wonderful connections being made. Jennifer Hibbard
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Photobooth Photos by: Natalie Kuhtmann Haskell Photography http://nataliekuhtmannhaskell.zenfolio.com
Emily Murray & Sarah MacLaughlin
Jessica Anderson, Jenique Tairne & Bethany Avery
Laura Rancourt & Cheryl Denis
Bei Capelli Stylists Adeline, Deirdre & Jaelynn
Anita Liou & Andrea Cole
Karen Richards, Kim Gambardella & Cathy Jackson
Lindsay Anderson & Bobbi-Lyn Feathler
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2013 Summit Contributors Mom to Mom is incredibly grateful to the businesses and individuals who donated so many fantastic items and services for our Raffle and Silent Auction, and to those who generously contributed their time and talents for the incredible Pampering Stations and Workshops at the Summit! (* indicates Pampering Station/ Workshop Volunteers) *A Handful Salon (Jessica Richardson) Acupuncture by Meret Allagash Brewery Anne Riggs Design AP Floorcloth Design Artascope Studios As You Wish Salon (Anita Richards) Bagel Guy *Bei Capelli Salon (Adeline, Deirdre, and Jaelynn) Bejewel Me bg2770 Design *Big Day Beauty (Christine Haeger) Birth Roots Broadway Gardens Buck’s Naked BBQ Cara and Co. Salon Casco Bay Movers Children’s Museum of Maine Cinemagic Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Company C Cumberland County YMCA d. cole jewelers Dahlia’s World Danielle Gorman Kid Yoga Down East Magazine Drouin Dance Center Edible Arrangements Envious Bronze Sunless Tanning Eventide Oyster Co. Estabrook’s Fabu Salon & Day Spa Fiddlehead Art & Science Center Fore Street Good Theater Greater Portland School of Jukado Green Clean Maine Greener Postures Yoga Greenlight Studio Gritty McDuff ’s Handwoven Home Hannaford Happy Wheels Skate Center Hara Holistic Bodycenter Head Games Salon
Hippy Sticks Holistic Pathways, LLC *Jade Integrated Health (John Charlebois and Nancy Charlebois) Joni Kay Jewelry Designs Knaughty Hair Salon Little Music Maker Maine Academy of Gymnastics Maine Audubon Maine Indoor Karting Maine Wildlife Park Martini Jewels *Mary Kay (Marie Zinck) My Maine Muse New Beginnings Consignment Ocean House Massage O'Hearn Insurance Agency Olive Garden On the Border One Longfellow Square *Origins (Hope Gonzales, Heather Anderson, and Caitlin Green) Pampered Chef (Julie Sherman) Party Palooga Pineland Farms Planet Dog Portland Ice Arena Portland Ovations Portland Schooner Company Portland Sea Dogs Portland Stage Portland Symphony Orchestra Rainbow Toys Rose Filter Photography Sebago Brewing Company Shaw’s *SHINE! Fitness and Massage (Morgyn Danae) Skillins Greenhouses Smuggler’s Den Campground Springboard Pilates Standard Baking Company Stella & Dot Street & Co. *Sunshine Jelly Sweet Mojo Apothecary The Body Shop The Bounce Zone The Fresh Batch The Frog and Turtle The Local Press The Wellness Solution Tots to Teens Kings & Queens Treehouse Toys Trimmings Salon True North Health Center Tumbletikes Children’s Fitness Center Whole Foods Market WholeHeart Yoga Center
Mom to Mom Member Donors: Amie Moore Elissa Nauman, Silpada Elizabeth Tedford, Portland Nannies Emily Wright Lisa Pelton, SimplyFun Marina Waisman, Peek-a-Boo Children’s Center *Marla Crossetti, Arbonne *Michelle Polizzi, DoTerra Essential Oils and Nourished in Wellness Nancy Keast, Keller Williams Realty *Natalie Haskell, Natalie Kuhtmann Haskell Photography Prudence Jones Sarah MacLaughlin Uschi Carhart, Yellow House Knits
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CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS We are always looking for editorial contributions for the Mother Matters newsletter. Our members are what make this organization so wonderful, and we want to hear your stories! We are also seeking feature articles on general topics. You don’t have to commit to writing a monthly column; you could do one-off short story (fiction or nonfiction), a quarterly book/ movie/concert review, a travel piece inspired by your last vacation... whatever you’re interested in, please share it! The deadline for newsletter submissions is the 21st of the month. Please contact the Newsletter Editor [erin@falkhoneyco.com] for more information or to volunteer.
ADVERTISING Advertising is available in this newsletter with rates starting at $25 for members and non-profits, $35 for non-members. Quarter-page, half-page and full-page ad space is available. Please contact the Newsletter Editor [erin@falkhoneyco.com] with advertising requests, or for more information.
Summer Camps for Kids! Discover
a
world
of
art,
science
&
culture A variety of programs offered for children ages 3 through 14 interested in arts, theater, languages and sciences. 25 Shaker Road • Gray, Maine • 207-657-2244
www.fiddleheadcenter.org
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Fun Things to Do With Kids Camping By Laura Rancourt
I LOVE going camping with my family! My kids love nature, it's great to get away from the hustle bustle of email, laundry, and PTA meetings, and I've always had it easy with camping. Until now. My husband was a Maine Guide and my son is an experienced Cub Scout who makes a great assistant to my husband when setting up camp.
This time, I was on my own! My daughter and I went camping for a Girl Scout event, all on our own! To say I was apprehensive at first would have been a grand understatement. I felt that I needed to do things "the Girl Scout way" with egg carton fire starters, dunk bags for dishes, and all of those things that should make camping life easy. But I had never tried any of those things or even set up a tent or started my own fire before. Despite my lack of skills and lack of knowledge in the field, I did it anyway. And it was actually empowering!! There were many "I am woman, hear me roar" moments!
Just 2 days before the trip, we found a tent on craigs list and I splurged and got a new sleeping bag too. I did a trial run with setting up the tent in the basement, but knew it would be quite different without fluorescent lights, with other experienced campers nearby who may roll their eyes and
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wonder if I had a clue what I was doing, and needing to actually stake it in the ground. Trial run was a piece of cake... and so was the real thing! Starting our fire was not quite as successful, but was good enough to keep us warm for a few hours and to cook way too many s'mores for just 2 people. The fire starters (made with dryer lint packed into an egg carton and hot wax poured on top) worked well and most of the wood we brought worked well (Girl Scouts have to "carry in and carry out" their wood too!). The larger wood never did really burn. Perhaps next time I'll sneak in a bit of lighter fluid and burn it
before the Girl Scout police notice??? All in all, it was an amazing experience and I don't regret a minute of it! The key for me in camping with kids is to truly EXPERIENCE it. I organize and prepare as much as I can before I go, but try to really be in the moment and relish every second while I'm there. This short camping experience was at Winslow Park in Freeport, but our family also enjoys camping at Bradbury Mountain State Park and my favorite is Camden Hills State Park.
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Maine Audubon offers Mom to Mom Discount Thinking about what to do with the kids this summer? Have you ever checked out the Maine Audubon Society? You may have heard about the Gilsland Farm Headquarters location when the M2M subgroup Exploring Nature with Kids met there to go “frogging.” Maine Audubon has programs all year long, including a wide variety of day camp and preschool programs over the summer. On the Maine Audubon website (www.maineaudubon.org), you will find programs with titles like “Nature Detectives” and “Awesome Adventures,” and opportunities for kids to explore with and without their parents.
And, they are offering Mom to Mom Members a discount on a household membership! Usually $45, if you mention you are a Mom to Mom of Maine Member, you can get the discounted rate of $25. Maine Audubon membership includes a one-year subscription to Habitat, their quarterly newsletter; discounts on day camps, programs, and field trips, and at their nature stores and many Audubon sanctuaries nationwide; substantial savings on award-winning Audubon magazine; and complimentary National Audubon membership. Keep an eye on their website for more information about the yearly “Peony Bloom and Ice Cream Social.” (Wednesday, June 19th, 2013). This free community event includes a kids’ craft, free (excellent) ice cream and music. FMI: Debbie Atwood Membership Manager Maine Audubon 207-781-2330 x232 www.maineaudubon.org
Ronald McDonald House Meal By Elise Richer
One of Mom to Mom’s ongoing community outreach projects is to provide dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on the third Wednesday of every month. Thank you so much to all of the members who donate their time and cooking talents for this great cause. The May meal was generously provided by Tracy Zager, Emily Wright, Gail Meyer, Karli Efron, and Elise Richer. If you would like to volunteer to help provide a meal please contact Elise Richer at harash@mac.com. To assist the Ronald McDonald House in other ways or for more information, please visit their website.
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Sand Scupting Contest
September 14, 2013 • 12-3pm Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, ME
The Sandsations Sand Sculpting Contest is a family-friendly event where sand sculptors of any skill level come together for casual competition and outdoor fun! This event is held annually at Pine Point Beach, where families can enjoy Maine’s natural beauty and connect with other families while supporting Birth Roots, a local non-profit, that positively impacts families in Southern Maine. This goal for this year’s Sandsations Contest is to raise $15,000 in donations and team pledges to support perinatal families.
Register your team at www.Sandsations.org
Who will benefit? Birth Roots Perinatal Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that focuses on building community from belly to baby by providing classes, groups, resources and information to Southern Maine families. Through years of crafting and honing we have created and implemented the Community Supported Parenting model that facilitates the formation of “flocks”, a diverse network of families sharing skills and resources throughout pregnancy and the first years of parenting.
Birth Roots has been an established presence in Southern Maine for seven years, offering free classes and all services on a sliding scale basis. Since 2004, Birth Roots has directly served more than 2,000 families and touched the lives of more than 25,000 parents in Southern Maine. Throughout our existence, Birth Roots has raised the bar for perinatal health on the local level and serves as an example, nationally, for how community- based, nonclinical support through the first 1000 days of the perinatal period can alter the health trajectory of a family for a lifetime.
How you can help Become a sponsor and help hundreds of perinatal families each year through Birth Roots programming.
Event Partner $1,000
Priority placement on all items below » Logo in participant brochure and flyers » Logo on event t-shirt » Logo and link on event website » Logo on event signage » Logo in the Birth Roots newsletter
Gold Sponsor $500
For more information contact:
Birth Roots (207) 772-4784 info@sandsations.org
Silver Sponsor +
» Logo listing in participant brochure and flyers » Logo listing on event t-shirt
Silver Sponsor $250 Bronze Sponsor +
» Logo listing on event signage » Logo listing on event website
Bronze Sponsor $100
» Name listed on event signage » Name listed in the Birth Roots Newsletter (distribution of 1,500) » Name on event website
Please make checks payable to: Birth Roots Perinatal Resource Center 101 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101
June 2013
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Mom to Mom Activities and Events Calendar Now it’s even easier to RSVP to Mom to Mom events! Just click on the event you want to attend in the calendar below, and you will be taken directly to the BigTent page for that event. Remember to RSVP to each event you plan to attend in order to get updates of possible event changes. Also, don’t forget to consult the Going On Around Town (“GOAT”) group calendar on BigTent for events happening all over Maine. If you know of any family-friendly events, please feel free to add them to the GOAT calendar.
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Plant & Seed Swap 2-4pm
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Board Meeting 7pm
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Field Trip: Smiling Hill Farm 9:30-11:30am
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6 Mom’s Night Out: Beauty Night at The Body Shop 7-9pm
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Parenting Book Club 6:30-9pm
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Open Playgroup 10am-12pm
15 Craft Night 6-8pm
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Ronald McDonald House Meal
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26 Happy Healthy Family Series: Floral Design 6:30-8:30pm
30 Moms and Babies Playgroup 11am-1pm
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OFFICERS Co-Leaders: Alysia Phillips, alysiam@gmail.com and Melanie Bond, mbond487@gmail.com Treasurer: Theresa Lacadie, theresalacadie@maine.rr.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Melanie Bond, Sarah Burt, Chenango Coutts, Prudence Jones, Theresa Lacadie, Alysia Phillips, Laura Rancourt, Elise Richer, Erica Sabatino, Catherine Stine We are always seeking board members; if you would like to join the M2M Board, please contact one of the Co-Leaders for an application. INFORMATION EXCHANGE New Member Coordinator: Prudence Jones, prudencexaaron@hotmail.com Publicity Coordinator: Prudence Jones, prudencexaaron@hotmail.com Website/BigTent Coordinator: Lisa Pelton, lisapelton@gmail.com Member Profiles: Catherine Stine, catherine1202@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Erin Falk, erin@falkhoneyco.com Advertising Coordinator: OPEN VOLUNTEERING/OUTREACH Community Outreach: Elise Richer, harash@mac.com Care Committee: Adria Horn, aofraser@gmail.com ACTIVITY & EVENT COORDINATORS Calendar: Melanie Bond, mbond487@gmail.com Field Trips/Weekend Family Outings: Chenango Coutts, crcoutts@gmail.com Fundraising: OPEN Going On Around Town (GOAT): Andrea Cole, andreagcole71@gmail.com Happy Healthy Family Workshop Series: Sarah Burt, sarahb79@gmail.com Playgroups: OPEN Mom’s Night Out: Elissa Nauman, violinist93@yahoo.com SUBGROUP MODERATORS Allergy/Asthma: Sara Yates, sarayates@gmail.com Connection Parenting: Sarah MacLaughlin, sarahmaclaughlin@yahoo.com Developmental Issues: Gail Meyer, meyer0528@aol.com Entrepreneurs: Lisa Pelton, lisapelton@gmail.com Exploring Nature with Kids: Tracy Zager, tracyzager@gmail.com and Renee Kramer, reneeskramer@gmail.com Green Living: Cheryl Denis, cheryl@fishnwater.com Health and Fitness: Alonna Pitreau, alonnapitreau@gmail.com In The Kitchen: Catherine Stine, catherine1202@aol.com K–12th Grade: Natalie Haskell, haskells@gwi.net Moms of Babies: Jenique Tairne, jenrentairne@gmail.com Older Moms: Cheryl Denis, cheryl@fishnwater.com Political Discussion: Cheryl Denis, cheryl@fishnwater.com Professionals: OPEN Newsletter Submissions: Mom to Mom encourages members to submit stories, personal experiences, and photos of M2M events. Submissions are subject to editorial approval and space limitations. Contact the Newsletter Editor, erin@falkhoneyco.com for more info. Member Coffee: The perfect opportunity for kids to play while moms socialize with other moms. Contact Melanie Bond at mbond487@gmail.com to volunteer as a host. Ronald McDonald House Meals: Share your cooking talents and spread good cheer with a meal for the guests at the Ronald McDonald House near Maine Medical Center in Portland. To volunteer, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Elise Richer at harash@mac.com. The views represented in the newsletter are not necessarily the views of Mom to Mom of Maine.
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