The first (and biggest!) change concerns our meetups. I know how hard it is for everyone to travel to meetups each month. The main purpose of this group is to help you meet other local like-minded families, while learning about cloth diapers. In order to help you be able to attend more meetups, we will create 3-5 areas for regular meetups! Each meetup will be on the same set day, at the same set location, each month. In addition to the regular meetups, there will also be an opportunity for casual playdates and diaper swaps! What areas will meetups be in? I have a general idea, but the exact location will be TBD as we find mom's in each area to help lead each monthly meetup. Once I return from our next trip (the 4th in a 6 week period), we will start accepting and reviewing applications for area leaders. The areas were chosen based on the MAP we have on our website to determine where everyone is located:
Plano/Frisco/N Dallas
Garland/Mesquite/Dallas
Arlington/Euless
Burleson/Cleburne/S. Ft Worth
Lewisville/Grapevine (maybe)
Garland/Mesquite/Dallas
Arlington/Euless
Burleson/Cleburne/S. Ft Worth
Lewisville/Grapevine (maybe)
North Denton/Decatur (maybe)
If you are in these areas and would like to help lead meetups, check back for details on how to apply. We will do training and work together on monthly topics.
Another change has already been implemented. Since Facebook has changed to the Timeline format, interaction has greatly decreased on our Facebook page. Online interaction is a very helpful way to learn about cloth diapers, learn about sales, specials, ask/answer questions, and get to know each other! While we want to expand our in-person meetups, we want to keep a centralized online community. We have joined up with the DFW Cloth Diapering Moms group on Facebook. Here, we are able to chat, share, and learn in a private setting. The main Facebook page WILL still be active.The way Timeline is set up is more about the "business" and less about the "fans", so the page will be mostly for us sharing links, articles, and information. We will continue to ask our daily questions there, too. In order for us to stay in your newsfeed, go to our page, hover your mouse over the "liked" button, and choose "show in newsfeed". This way you can stay up to date with all of our local (and non-local) news!
One more change I would love to make is getting our blog up and running! I simply don't have time to blog as much as I would like. I will be looking for regular and special contributers. Essentially, someone to just take it over. In the survey I put out a couple months ago, several said they are interested in helping with this. I will be contacting them over the next month or so to get it going! If we need more contributers, then I will ask for applications at a future date.
I would also like to address one other area at this time.... We will no longer be supporting any local swap groups. Unfortunately, where there is an online swap, there is drama. Those who know me know I can't stand drama. I will not tolerate drama in our Group, nor will I tolerate gossip. I am proud of the fact that we have stayed (relatively) drama free for over 2 years! I want to keep our Group as drama-free as possible. I will not answer any questions about this, unless it is with those directly involved (and then, only through private emails or messages), so please don't ask. We are deeply sorry for this, since we love swapping locally, but we feel this is the best thing for our Group. The DFW Cloth Diaper Group always supports swapping locally at our monthly meetups! We also have 2 in-person swaps a year. In the future, we will have them better organized since we have grown so much. If you are looking for an online swap, we recommend you try CraigsList or DiaperSwappers.
I ask that you be patient with me in the timing of these upcoming changes, especially the meetups. Like I said, things have been insanely busy recently. And we may have some big changes coming soon in our family (and before anyone asks... NO, that does not include a new baby!). I feel like I am neglecting my 3rd child this summer, and I apologize. Fortunately, you mama's (and daddy's!) are so awesome you help each other out!
I have to give a HUGE THANKS to our other online admins, Elise and Alece! I know they have had things under control on Facebook, and I love knowing I can rely on them! I really couldn't ask for better co-admins!!
