Meet the Steering Team!

Our MOPS group is organized by a group of volunteers called the "Steering Team." If there is anything we can do to make your MOPS experience more beneficial, please let us know. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question, comment, concern, or prayer request. We strongly desire your experience at MOPS to help you in the awesome God-given task of mothering!

---Your Steering Team

Coordinator: Lisa Holstad has been with this MOPS group since its inception and returns this year to lead our steering team. She sets the tone for the MOPS meetings and effectively directs the steering team in planning and implementing the schedule for the year, as well as handling organizational needs such as confirming speakers. She also serves as the liaison between MOPS International, the Chartering Ministry (FUMER), and our MOPS group. Email Lisa with any questions about MOPS.

Hospitality: Jennifer Briggs returns as our Hospitality Chair. Her job, with the help of some volunteers, is to make each mom feel welcome, answer questions, organize refreshments and tables at each MOPS meeting, and delegate responsibilities to our Greeters and MOPS members as needed. She also helps plan and implement special events outside of MOPS such as Meals for Moms, Mother/Child outings, Mom’s Night Out, and Couple’s Events. Look for "Secret Sisters" and "Hostess Hurrah" events planned for this year. Email Jennifer with any questions about events and other hospitality ideas.

Finance Chair: Jackie Ricketts has been a long-standing member of steering team also, handling all of our financial transactions. She reports regularly to the Steering Team on the financial status of the MOPS group. Jackie also handles the registration process for all MOPS members, as well as providing assistance with scholarships if needed. She must also meet all financial obligations to MOPS International, including Charter Renewal and MOPS International Membership registrations. Email Jackie with any financial concerns you may have.

Mentor Moms: Most MOPS groups have more than one Mentor Mom, and we are blessed that we have three this year: Marie Florian (left) returns to nurture the group by encouraging each member to grow in her relationship with Christ and with other team members. She spends time every other meeting sharing a story or personal experience that is meaningful to the group. She also writes a column “Marie’s Moments” in the monthly MOPS Minute newsletter. Ruby Graham (middle) also returns this year, having been a big supporter of our MOPS program. She brings a different perspective to the group, sharing her experiences as a woman and mother. Look for her section in the newsletter, “Ruby’s Gem.” Barbara Streed (right), after graduating as a MOPS Mom comes back to us as a Mentor! She will be a wonderful asset to our growing group of Mentors. Send an email to Marie, Ruby, or Barbara.

Discussion Group: In her fourth year in this position, Steffany Maher lends her creativity to formatting our discussion sessions; choosing articles, books, video clips, or other topics for Round Table Discussion. Steffany also organizes our monthly Book Club, facilitating the book choices and scheduling the dates and places for meeting. If you have a book idea or discussion topic for Steffany, send your email to Discussion.

Secretary: Anne Carlson continues with taking the minutes at MOPS and Steering Team meetings and distributing them to the group, as well as creating and updating the roster, and MOPS calendar. Anne also works with the coordinators to disseminate any information to the group. Anne will quickly update the MOPS Directory with any address, phone, email, or other updates you may have by sending them to Secretary.

Creative Activities: Leigh Cooper and Melissa Maher team up to plan for all our craft sessions during MOPS meetings. They coordinate with Jackie Ricketts over the finances for budgeting and buying craft supplies, plan and organize a creative activity for each month and expertly explain each fabulous craft to the group. Email Leigh and Melissa, at "Crafts are Cool", with any ideas or questions you have.

Fundraising Chair: Melissa Bird has been on steering team (and worn many hats) for a number of years now. She is in charge of fundraising for the group. Fundraising is an integral part of our group’s workings, as it is the primary means by which we are able pay our MOPPET workers, keeping our dues lower. She works with the Steering Team to plan when and where our fundraising events will occur, then organizes the members of our group to volunteer in various capacities to help ensure the fundraisers go smoothly. Send your emails to Melissa at Fundraising.

Publicity: Kim Estes also continues with steering team. She is responsible for putting together the display boards, soliciting and finding items for the monthly newsletter, as well as creating, printing, and distributing the newsletter to the members of the group. Also on her agenda is submitting articles to the local papers about various MOPS events, and supplying information and pictures about MOPS to the MOPS website. Email any ideas or information you want the group to know about to Publicity.

Periodically, as our MOPS group grows and changes,

steering positions may become open. If you have a desire to fill an open

position or just want to help out a current steering team member, please feel free

to contact them or our coordinator, Lisa Holstad.