We recently interviewed Nikki Wolf about her group The Bloomington Moms Meetup Group, aka Hoosier Mamas.

 

Hoosier Mamas is a network of moms in Bloomington who regularly meet to share experiences, find advice, give support and make new friends. We also provide friendship and interaction for our children. Our group is not just an online group, but an offline community of mothers and families.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

NW:  The group was formed in January 2007 and I joined in July 2007. In August the organizer was stepping down in preparation for an out of town move. I saw that no one was stepping up to take over the group, so even though I was a new member I did not want the group to disappear. Not having previously been to a meetup I became the organizer - it was the best decision I could have made.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

NW:  We have multiple events each month which may include playdates, park meetups, library events, storytime, classes (i.e. gymnastics, belly dancing, music, etc.), holiday parties, moms’ night out, book club, game nights, and much more. In addition to our many events, we are a caring group and believe in reaching out to provide support for those in need. This support comes from our Mom2Mom Connection, which provides meals when a baby is born, there is a death in the family, a family member has surgery, or other great needs.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

NW:  We all face trials, tribulations, and incredible joys through motherhood. Join the group, and find that there are many women who want to share it with you!

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

NW:  The Bloomington Moms Meetup Group believes that every mother deserves a support group through which she can connect with other women in a safe, fun, inclusive environment. Our group gives women a forum to discuss and organize events that suit our unique needs as mothers. We believe that arranging playdates and walks, fun activities for children, frequent Moms' Nights Out, and other programs specific to the needs of our group are essential to meeting our goal of creating a genuine community of mothers. We believe that being a woman doesn't stop when you become a mother. The Bloomington Moms Meetup Group gives women the ability to live their lives as women and mothers, not mothers alone.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

NW:  As I said before... Our group is not just an online group, but an offline community of mothers and families. To join this group and not participate is not what this group is here for. We are a group of moms that want to get to know our members!

 

DIIP: Describe the ideal attendee to your events.

NW:   The Bloomington Moms Meetup warmly welcomes any moms -- expecting, stay-at-home, or working... anyone who would like to actively participate in group events. You could be a SAHM who needs to get out during the day, or be away at work all day and need things to do (with or without the kids) in the evenings or on weekends.

DIIP: How has your group evolved since you started it?

NW: The Bloomington Moms Meetup Group was started in January 2007 by a previous member, and was taken over by Nikki Wolf in August 2007. As a mom of a toddler and an infant, Nikki wanted a moms group with the purpose of fostering friendships amongst members and their children. Since then the group has changed considerably, and is now known as the Hoosier Mamas. The small group started meeting twice a month and now our large group is managed by six organizers and has grown to over 140 members with a variety of member-hosted events!

DIIP: What other benefits, if any, do you offer outside of your events (i.e. discounts, mentoring, etc.)?

NW:   We are sponsored by Aegis Women's Healthcare, a group of OB/GYN's in town. They contribute money to the group, which pays for our meetup fees, as well as promotes our group to their patients. We are also sponsored by DTS, who provides the catered meal for our annual Halloween party. Our group also has many perks for the members: Discounts from Pip & Bean, Sittercity, Lynette Weber Photography, Grise Photography, Squeaky Shoes, and Theresa Sicinski of RE/MAX.

Our group has Mom2Mom Connection, as I previously mentioned. We have one mom who coordinates meals when a mom in the group has a baby, or if there is family hospitalization, moves, or other needs.

We will be participating in a local Baby Fair to help promote our group. We feel it is very important to be a part of our community and to reach out to all our potential members.

 

DIIP: What tip or tips would you give to an attendee of your event on how to make it successful for them?

NW:   Make it a priority. Don't let anything, except illness, interfere with going to an event. Participate in as many activities as possible. Sign up for playdates, go on the moms' nights out, host an upcoming playdate. When there is a group effort to help someone out, such as taking meals to a new mom, sign up even if you do not know the person. Active participation will establish you and your family not only as part of the group but also as part of the community.

 

DIIP: What do you look for when choosing a venue?

NW:   The possibilities are endless - we use public venues such as parks, library, museums; private homes for playdates. As long as it's a safe environment for children.

 

DIIP: How do you judge the success of an event?

NW:   We rely on the ratings and feedback from the attendees.

 

DIIP: If you could pick one person that you would want to speak at/attend your event, who would it be and why?

NW:   Hmmm, I'm not sure I could pick one particular person, but I'd love to start a series of speakers that would benefit our group - educators, dietitians, librarians, etc.

 

If you're a mom in the Bloomington, Indiana, area, check us out at http://www.meetup.com/hoosier-mamas/.

 

To learn more about Hoosier Mamas, please email Nikki Wolf at hoosier.nik@gmail.com. You can also follow Hoosier Mamas on twitter: @btownmamas or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoosier-Mamas-Bloomington-Moms-Meetup-Group/404094135567.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email info@doitinperson.com