Nanny Groups

2012 International Nanny Association Conference

2012-01-02T10:19:00.001-05:00

Webinars are back!

2011-12-26T10:10:00.001-05:00

This information is provided by Nannypalooza.com. Any questions about the webinars should be directed to Nannypalooza.com.

Nannypalooza Webinars

We will offer periodic webinars for free! All you have to do is sign up for our mailing list.

OUR EMAIL LIST

Winter Webinars are being co sponsored by www.nannybizreviews.com

Please join us for our upcoming series of webinars. All live webinars are FREE with a quick registration. Can’t make the date? You can get the replay for only five bucks.

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR EACH WEBINAR YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND

Sunday, January 15th @ 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Creating a Home Learning Environment with Sue Downey

Here are some good ideas about how to approach your day to create a true learning environment in the home. There will be some theory and talk of approach but also a bunch of great, inexpensive or free ideas for activities that can be adapted to work with all ages. If you have specific needs or questions please let me know prior to the workshop so I can address them! Suedowney@nannypalooza.com

Sunday, February 12th @ 6:00 PM Pacific Time

Agency Panel with Lora Brawley

In this Q and A session, some of the top agency owners in the country will candidly answer your questions. Want to know how they really choose the candidates they invest their time and energy into? Or why what you think you should make and what they think you should make are often miles apart? Or how they choose which families to present you to? Or why they accept jobs from employers that don’t pay taxes? Don’t miss this opportunity to get the information you need to effectively use placement agencies in your next job search. You can help me plan this session by emailing your questions to info@nannybizreviews.com.

Sunday, March 11th @ 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Infant to Toddler- the Incredible Journey with Deborah Brown, hosted by Sue Downey

In this webinar we will discuss and offer solutions and ideas for that tough period of 10-15 months as babies become walkers. This part of life is full of transitions including changes in feeding, sleeping, communicating and more. As toddlers require a different approach than infants, it is important to address these changes and be armed with ideas to make the transitions as seamless as possible.

Sunday, April 15th @ 6:00 PM Pacific Time

Let’s Talk About Money: How to Negotiate a Great Salary, Ask for a Raise and Other Tough Money Conversations with Lora Brawley

It’s scary to talk about money with employers. Especially when you’re trying to get them to hire you or give you a raise. But if you don’t talk about it, you’ll end up kicking yourself every payday because you’re earning less money than you need. Or than you’re worth. If you want to make more money in your next job, or the one you have now, it’s time to learn how to talk about it. This webinar will teach you how to…

•push through your fear and bring up the subject in an interview or during a performance review
•confidently ask for what you want
•use a proven selling technique to show parents why you’re worth every penny
•overcome the “everyone else is cheaper” and “we can’t afford it” arguments

Sunday, May 13th @ 7:00 PM Eastern Time

The Toughest Challenges of Ages and Stages with Sue Downey and Lora Brawley

Join us for this unique resource packed webinar. We’ll tackle the top challenges for each age group and offer a variety of approaches and follow-up resources.

infants (birth to twelve months)

toddlers (two and three years)

preschoolers (four and five years)

young school-age (six to eleven)

tweens and teens (twelve and up)

National Nanny Training Day

2011-12-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

National Nanny Training Day

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Nanny Biz Reviews is excited to sponsor National Nanny Training Day. (Check out the post that started it all.) This event will bring together nanny-related businesses and organizations in cities across the country to provide quality nanny training opportunities to local nannies. Why is this so important? Because training and education of caregivers is one of the most important factors associated with the quality of the child care they provide.

What to help plan a training in your community? Check out the details here.

For a listing of events, check out Nanny Biz Reviews.

NNRW Celebrations Across the Country

2011-09-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

Special Thanks to our Friends at Regarding Nannies for featuring these NNRW events across the country ....

Nannies, Agencies and Nanny Groups across the country are gearing up for NNRW next week. For many this means events to celebrate this wonderful profession we all share.

Here are a few of the events we are aware of. Additional events may be planned in your area. We suggest you ‘like’ your favorite agencies and nanny groups on Facebook, as many are utilizing this avenue of social networking to get the word out about events in their area.

ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies is hosting a NNRW Celebration / 26^th Anniversary Brunch. ADCAN is the longest running nanny support group in the country! Congratulations on 26 years.

Michigan Professional Nanny Association will be hosting a bowling outing for area nannies on Saturday, Sept 17 @ 3 pm at the Star Lanes at Emagine Theatre Royal Oak Michigan. The address is 200 N. Main St. Royal Oak, Mi 48067. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, contact info@michiganpronannies.org.

North Shore Nannies is kicking off NNRW with the 2^nd AnnualMilwaukee, which will be held in the Lower Level Conference Room at the Urban Ecology Center on Saturday, September 17th from 10am-4pm!!

Just like last year, the conference will serve as a kick off to National Nanny Recognition Week and there will be incredible speakers, food and prizes awaiting attendees! Unlike last year, there will be a small conference fee of $15, which, although not as good as free, is still an incredible bargain.

Orlando Nannies! Kick off NNRW on Sunday, September 18 at P.F. Chang’s. Check Central Florida Nannies Facebook page for all the details.

Again, these are just a few of the events, which have informed us what’s happening. Check with your local group or agency to see what they may have planned in your area to celebrate NNRW 2011!

Nanny Groups in the New Year

2011-01-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

The new year is almost into February already. Time flies.

There are so many wonderful nanny groups out there, be it ones that meet in person, or those that connect online. Nanny Groups are a vital necessity in our industry. Check one out in your area or, if there is not one available, consider starting your own. You know you're not the only one in your neighborhood, so others feel the same way you do. Nanny Groups allow for networking, learning, making friendships not only for yourself, but the children in your care.

Give a shout out to your favorite Nanny Group!

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level

2010-06-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

Check out my six part series on Taking Your Nanny Group to the Next Level.

Part One - What type group is best for you, targeting nannies and reaching out in your community.

Part Two - Websites

Part Three - Newsletters

Part Four - Fundraising

Part Five - Membership Dues and Business Members

Part Six - Promoting Your Group and Ways to Cut Costs

Nanny Support Groups Give Back - Community Service Update

2010-06-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

Nanny Support Groups across the country came together these past few months and held community service projects. Read about how this effort came about and below is an update of what some of the groups accomplished.

Association of DC Area Nannies ~ ADCAN
Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington DC

ADCAN participated in the Unity Community Service by hosting a series of collections for the National Center for Children &Families which serves families in need who reside in the greater Washington, DC area. Some of the services they offer are: foster care, transitional housing, shelter for the homeless, battered women services, summer camp programs,…. just to name the top few.

Collections were donated at their nanny support group meetings and included: summer camp items such as bathing suites, flip flops and sunscreen, as well as, art and baby supplies.

BANSG Boston Area Nanny Support Group
Boston and surrounding suburbs

On May 1st, BANSG provided childcare for pre-schoolers who attend the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA during their yearly regional conference. Members of the BANSG Nanny Support group acted as counselors for the day in a well-organized “camp” for the impaired children and their sighted siblings.

Their participation allowed parents of an impaired child to learn hope and strategies for raising and educating a blind or visually impaired (often multi-impaired) child, and to meet and talk with other parents who are experiencing similar challenges. Jan St Clair, leader of the BANG support group said, “It was not unusual that we were the first people these parents have ever been able to trust to care for their handicapped child, and that this conference marked their first hours away from focusing on the direct care of their child!”

Denver Area Nanny Association
Denver Area

The Denver Area Nanny Association held a book drive for Children's Hospital of Denver in March and April 2010 and hopes to continue collecting books throughout the summer. The group held two Nanny Brunches, at the homes of Christy Ochs and Melissa Lawson where 8 nannies brought new and gently used books.

After the books were collected Christy Ochs and Cindy Wilkinson took them to donate to Children's Hospital. They also have additional new books that will be donated to "Brett's Place" which is a Ronald McDonald type house for families of transplant patients.

Nanny Alliance of NY &NJ
Tri-stat: NY/NJ/CT Area

Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ participated in March of Dimes Walk on April 25th in Mahwah, NJ. The walk gives hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money raised supports programs in the community that help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies. As well as, funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies.

The group’s efforts raised over $800, and we greatly appreciate all the support we received from our families, employers, friends and the nanny community.

Northshore Professional Nanny Alliance
Southeastern Wisconsin

NPNA collected books and volunteered to read to children at Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee, MI, an organization that helps bring books and early learning skills to inner city children.

The group hosted this event during the Week of the Young Child (April 11-17).

Several nannies volunteered to read on April 13th to groups of 3, 4 and 5 year old children. The event was a great success and the group proudly collected over 200 books for The Next Door Foundation. .

The Nanny Support Groups were proud to show their communities that nannies care for ALL children.

Coming Soon!

2010-05-02T18:29:00.000-04:00

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level. This six part series will begin June 7 and help nanny group leaders or those interested in starting a group, learn ways to get noticed, fundraisers available to nanny groups, attracting sponsors and ways to cut costs.

Something particular you would like addressed? Email me nannygroups ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com with your idea or concern.

Nannies Giving Back to Local and National Causes

2010-03-21T13:20:00.005-04:00

Nanny Support Groups~ Community Unity Service ~Spring 2010

by Andrea Flagg
Facilitator Nanny Alliance of New York and New Jersey

In Fall of 2007 I met with several of the leaders from Nanny Support Groups across the US while attending NannyPalooza. I admired all the group leaders and how each and every group supported the nannies who were their members.

As we were discussing the types of events our nanny groups hosted, a few mentioned that they participated in community service. This was one area my group, Nanny Alliance of New York and New Jersey was lacking in. Hearing the other groups experience with volunteering inspired me.

At my group’s next meeting I brought up the idea and was pleased to hear the response of suggestions and ideas our members shared. That winter we helped two organizations by collecting items for the local food bank, and then hats, gloves, and scarf’s for the homeless. In April of 2008 my group banned together with NANC (National Association for Nanny Care) and NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) for Week of the Young Child where Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ’s efforts collected over 750 books for two community centers in the Tri-state NJ/NY/CT area.

It felt great participating in these events and helping our community! It was wonderful to spend time with the ladies and demonstrate that nannies are caring individuals who are responsible and community-oriented. Having such a positive experience left me wanting to do even more!

In March of 2010, I presented an idea to the Nanny Support Group Leaders for us all to ban together where each of our groups chose a form of community service to represent. My goal was to keep it simple and let the groups decide on who, where and what type of event they wanted to partake in.

Nannies are such loving, giving souls and the response was excellent!

So, Nanny Support Group Community Unity Spring 2010 was created!

Here’s what we have planned:

Association of DC Area Nannies ~ ADCANMaryland, Northern Virginia, Washington DC
http://www.dcareanannies.com/

National Center for Children & FamiliesWashington DC/Maryland Boarder
Entire Spring Season

ADCAN will participate in the Unity Community Service by hosting a series of collections for the National Center for Children & Families. Collections will include a Summer Camp supply collection, Art Supply Collection and Baby Supplies Collection. Collections will be at our March, April and May meetings, the third Sunday of each month.

ADCAN president Kellie Geres says "Our group has done work with them this past year and they have been wonderful and appreciative. They do so much - foster care, transitional housing, homeless shelter, battered women services, summer camp programs, and the list goes on."
To learn more about this organization please visit their website at: http://www.nccf-cares.org/.

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BANSG Boston Area Nanny Support GroupBoston and surrounding suburbs
http://bansg.info/

Perkins School for the Blind
Watertown, MA
May 1st

BANSG will provide childcare during the yearly regional conference held at the Perkins School for the Blind for parents of visually impaired preschoolers. We are counselors for the day in a well-organized “camp” for the impaired children and their sighted siblings.

Our participation allows parents of an impaired child to learn hope and strategies for raising and educating a blind or visually impaired (often multi-impaired) child, and to meet and talk with other parents who are meeting the same challenges. It is not unusual that we are the first people these parents have ever been able to trust to care for their handicapped child, and that this conference marks their first hours away from focusing on the direct care of their child!

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Central Florida NanniesOrlando and surrounding areas
http://www.centralfloridanannies.wordpress.com/

March of Dimes
April 24th
Orlando, FL
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CincyNanny Community
Greater Cincinnati Area
http://www.cincynanny.com/

Go Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
May 15th

The nannies from our group will participate in "Go Cincinnati" one of the largest serve projects in our cities' history. We will be assigned to a project that directly influences children.

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Denver Area Nanny Association
Denver Area
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DenverAreaNannyAssociation/

Children's book drive.
Month of April
Denver, Co Area

The group will deliver new and gently used children's books to lower income area Pediatric clinics, and a women's shelter (The Gathering Place), as well as, Brett's Place which is a Ronald McDonald type home for families and their children who have cancer.

We are going to encourage our group to try and involve their charges in selecting some of their books to donate.

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Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ
Tri-state NY/NJ/CT Area
http://www.nannyalliancenyandnj.com/

March of Dimes Walk for Babies
Mahwah, NJ
April 25th

The walk gives hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year.
The money raised supports programs in the community that help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies. As well as, funds research to find answers to the problems
that threaten babies.
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Northshore Professional Nanny Alliance
www.nannyalliance. blogspot. com

Next Door FoundationMilwaukee, WI
April 2010

Northshore Professional Nanny Alliance will host a book drive for Next Door Foundation - an organization that provides books to inner-city children in our area. We will also be volunteering in their Read to Me program - nannies will read to small groups of 3, 4 and 5 year olds at Next Door Foundation on Tuesday, April 13th.

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Northwest Nanny AssociationGreater Seattle area
http://www.northwestnanny.com/

ChildrenshavenWashington State
April 2010

The Northwest Nanny Association will be collecting new and gently used books, as well as, other infant/child related items. We will be donating all items to Childhaven in Washington State.

Childhaven's four Western Washington branch centers provide therapeutic child care and early childhood education to babies, toddlers and preschoolers who have suffered from or are at risk of abuse and neglect. We are encouraging all nanny members to have the children and the families they work for get involved. Several nanny members from our group will personally be delivering the items at the end of April.

Andrea Flagg
Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ

Spotlight on Nanny Network of Richmond

2010-01-27T16:05:00.003-05:00

Nanny Network of Richmond

Angela Jackson

804-314-7958
nanniesinrichmond@yahoo.com

The Nanny Network of Richmond
The Nanny Network is an association dedicated to the support and education of professional nannies. It is a non-profit organization made up of nannies in the Richmond , Virginia area. By joining our organization, you will become part of a network that will provide you with information pertinent to the nanny profession. You will also gain new friends with which to share ideas and spend time. Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month.Please call or email for the location. You are invited to participate as little or as much as you wish. There are many activities in which to take part. For you and your charges there are playgroups and holiday activities. For you, the nanny, there are Nanny Nights Out, meetings, parties, CPR classes, conferences, and plenty of other social activities and educational opportunities.

Be a part of this wonderful group serving Richmond and the surrounding areas. No dues are required of members, and membership is very diverse in ages of the nannies.

Spotlight on Boston Area Nanny Support Group

2009-11-24T13:05:00.003-05:00

Boston Area Nanny Support Group
Janice St. Clair
janstclair@aol.com
phone: 617-491-2541

Do you charge dues? No, we never want financial concerns to be a barrier from nannies connecting with other nannies, or with our events or resources.

What is unique about your group? BANSG provides something for everyone, with no pressure to be more involved than the individuals comfort level. "Membership" is very loose...any nanny can join the email list for announcements and tips and networking, whether they ever attend an event or not. There are free educational events, an annual volunteer project, coffee/ice cream/restaurant outings, Game Nights, "Relaxathons" and pot-luck parties, and people can come to as many or as few as they like. We also do "nanny networking" via our email newsletters, so nannies can find other individual nannies in their own community within the Greater Boston area for playdates and after-work get-togethers.

What membership benefits do you provide? See above, plus twice monthly email newsletters about upcoming local events of interest to nannies, tips, and resources. We also have a yahoogroup, and a website with information for local nannies and parents.

What would you like others to know about your group? Now that I'm the only one left running the group (as others have moved away or taken on greater work commitments), I've shifted BANSG's emphasis from running monthly events to encouraging and empowering other nannies on the email list to host events in their communities. Any nanny or agency on the email list can organize and host a free nanny event, and it can be as simple as meeting one day at a playground (or coffee shop or restaurant), or as complex as a potluck Game Night or educational event. I'm glad to help a first-time organizer with planning tips, and I'll post the info and contact email in the nanny newsletter. Several nannies have responded, one even organizing a white water rafting trip! There is now an ongoing weekly nanny dinner outing, in a different Boston suburb each time, run by 4 nannies who recently decided to take this on.

I'll continue to run the annual volunteer project, the January post-holiday Yankee Swap party, the Anniversary celebration, annual CPR renewal class, and possibly other events as time permits. The email Nanny News for Boston and Suburbs comes out faithfully twice a month!

Can businesses / industry services support your group? Yes, by forwarding the newsletter to the nannies they place and by making information on BANSG available to nannies who interview with them. Businesses can also donate goody bag and raffle items to our annual Anniversary Party, in exchange for thanks being announced during the raffle, on a donor list in the goodie bags, and on our website. Businesses are also encouraged to host free events open to all nannies, and I will gladly post the information to the BANSG email list.

Wishing you well,
Janice St.Clair

Career Nanny
Founder and Facilitator of
Boston Area Nanny Support Group (BANSG)
An independent group of nannies helping each other, since 2000

Spotlight on Central Florida Nannies

2009-09-20T20:31:00.003-04:00

Central Florida Nannies is run by Marica Van de Kieft and Sherri Askew.
email centralfloridanannies (at) yahoo.com
phone 407-221-9769

Do you charge dues?
No, it is "FREE" to join our group. We feel that every nanny in the Central Florida area should have access to a support group. We do have a 'donation jar' at every meeting for those that feel inclined to donate. These funds help to purchase items for the group, events and rental space.

What is unique about your group?
Our group has been around since 2001, but became PUBLIC in 2006. Since then, we have grown to 15 active members and counting. This year has been our biggest year in membership growth. Our group is getting read to hold our Second Annual Nanny Recognition Day event. During this event, nannies receive goodie bags stuffed with freebies from national and local companies/businesses. In addition, we have several local vendors on hand to 'pamper' the nannies during the two hour event. It's a wonderful time to be had by all. Additionally, we have placed an interest in the well-being of our community and have started a 'volunteering committee'. We plan to donate a few more hours of our time one weekend a month to several different organizations.

What membership benefits to you provide?
Nannies who join our group receive a new member packet with coupons pertaining to 'nanny related' services, a 'certificate of membership' to place in their portfolio, access to our member tree which allows them to support and network with others in the group, referrals for jobs through local agencies, workshops/seminars that are held 2/3 times per year and much, much more!

What would you like others to know about your group?
Central Florida Nannies (CFN) is a Orlando based nanny support group serving Orlando & the surrounding area's. CFN is dedicated to improving and promoting the in-home childcare profession by providing continuing support, education and networking opportunities for nannies throughout Central Florida. CFN understands the unique relationship between families and nannies, and appreciates the need for both respect and recognition for the in-home childcare profession. The members of CFN meet monthly for Playdates, Social Events, Community Volunteering, Workshops and more. This is a perfect opportunity to meet other local in-home child care providers. Increase your potential by socializing, networking and learning with others in your profession!

Can businesses / industry services support your group? Absolutely!! We would LOVE any help we can get. :)

Marcia Van de Kieft
Founder/President of CFN
www.meetup.com/centralfloridanannies
www.centralfloridanannies.blogspot.com
centralfloridanannies@yahoo.com

Spotlight on CincyNanny

2009-09-13T19:03:00.005-04:00

CincyNanny is a very new Nanny Community. Our first gathering will be Sat., Sept 26, 7:00 - 9:00, for a free National Nanny Recognition Week Dinner at Red Tree Gallery in Oakley. Red Tree is a privately owned Art gallery/Coffee Shop that has amazing ambiance and will provide a private, comfortable atmosphere. We have been able to reserve the whole location. The goal of the meeting is to meet all the Nannies in the city and allow them to meet each other. I will share professional resources and connect them to the national "Nanny World".

I will be encouraging membership to INA, the credential exam, and share other association opportunities. I will also give a detailed survey to find out what the group, as a whole, is looking for - education, resources, play dates, online forum, nanny nights out, etc. From the answers to the survey, the CincyNanny Community will be created in the order of priority decided by the group. We are absolutely brand new! There is so much to be determined.

Do you charge dues?
2009 membership will be promoted at the NNRW dinners a free to all members. Dues will begin in January of 2010. Price of dues to be determined.

What is unique about your group?
We are brand new - under construction! This group has been started out of the desire and the need for families and nannies to find each other for positions. As a Nanny, I constantly have families looking for nannies and nannies looking for the families. I began advertising short posts on my blog, cincynanny.blogspot.com. From there I was constantly talking to nannies, encouraging them in their profession and found I was answering the same questions over and over. (Same thing for the families). I was trying to influence our community in a professional way. I was realizing that there are far more Nannies in Cincinnati than anyone could know. There is no "water cooler" for them, no place to gather and be challenged, connect , and vent. I hope to set a standard for Professional Nannies in Cincinnati, through the standards International Nanny Association has set for me. The ultimate goal is to influence the future children in our city.

What membership benefits you provide?
Currently we have a website where nannies and families can post their needs for each other. I have been able to mentor many Nannies, through this service. It is a safe place with no contact information and resumes are forwarded upon interest. There is no charge. After our NNRW dinner, we will establish education, resources, play dates, online forum, nanny nights out, as desired in the priority determined by the community.

Possibilities in the future: Affiliation process, online references, tools for hiring, consulting, help with contract negotiation, help to other communities in other cities as they start their own groups.

What would you like others to know about your group?
Mission: Advocate for Nannies. Provider for Families. Connecting, to enrich the lives of Children. We are passionate about the children we care for. We are professional, quality caregivers and we want to set the standard for others in the city. (see my first paragraph :)

Can/business/industry support your group?
We are open to this, but again just starting and unsure of the specific need.

Greta Schraer
Professional Nanny
Director of CincyNanny
gretaschraer@mac.com

How to Start a Nanny Support Group

2009-09-08T02:54:00.002-04:00

This information is provided with permission by NAN - National Association of Nannies. This information was prepared a few years ago, so the approximate costs and some of the details may seem dated, however the material is useful for anyone wishing to start a nanny support group or help existing groups expand their services and membership benefits.

Compiled by Joyce Farmer with help from nanny support groups from across the country.

Each Nanny Support Group must vote their preferences and build the group that their members want and need. The suggestions in this guide are merely ideas of things from existing support groups across the USA.

This guide was prepared BY nannies FOR nannies that want to start a Nanny Support Group or who are currently running a support group for nannies. No part of it should be reproduced without the permission of the National Association of Nannies.

Group Types: Social, Educational, or Playgroup
A nanny support group's main purpose is to provide whatever support nannies need. It is implied that each group would provide peer support for their members, and provide a place where a nanny can vent about common problems, or discuss and get advice about specific problems. This is a very important service of a nanny support group: see section on Guidelines.

There are three basic types of nanny support groups, and infinitesimal versions and blends of each, according to the needs of the members. Questionnaires can be used to determine what individual members are expecting, or what they would like to see. The members of a group should vote in the beginning, and periodically, to make sure that the group is currently meeting the needs of its members, and make changes if necessary.

Social
This group does not offer speakers or educational opportunities. It is mainly a local social gathering of nannies. Their meeting is comprised of less business or agenda structure, and more conversation and visiting. Nannies can get more feedback in a social situation, than from a structured or lecture situation.

Educational
This group usually has a time/content structure, an agenda, and a time set aside for a speaker or presentation, thus providing an educational opportunity at each meeting. There can still be time left for social purposes, or a social event is set up for another time each month.

Playgroup
This is a small group, meeting once a week, including charges. There can be organized activities or just free play for the children, and nannies can get a chance to network and talk while their charges gain the social contact of playmates.

A note about online support groups: A new trend in nanny support groups is the online discussion group. These can be started and accessed from the nanny's work/home, in the nanny's spare time, and do not require that the nanny travel to a specific site for meetings. Chats can be set up for group discussions, or the discussions can be introduced to the list. This is a great way for nannies to get advice about specific problems or general problems, and to get many different viewpoints.

At times, these groups are specific to certain areas. Certainly, there are opportunities for an online support group to become a physical support group, or to meet socially in person for events. There are also opportunities for physical support groups to start the online list in order to be able to communicate inexpensively with other members of the group. It is a resource that has many uses, and should be explored to see how it may meet your needs.

When using the Internet, you need to use caution in the beginning. Nannies know their jobs, though, and it is tough for a person to fake this knowledge. Relationships are formed in online support groups that are every bit as real as friendships with a nanny on your street. Online nanny support groups learn that privacy and confidentiality issues apply to them also, and groups frequently come up with guidelines that help control issues as they come up.

Officers
Any or all of these officers/positions may be appropriate for your new group. You may also create other elected or appointed positions as needed. Sharing leadership among co-presidents or co-moderators keeps one person from being totally responsible for the welfare of the group, and makes it possible for more people to be involved in any decision-making process that cannot wait until the next monthly meeting.

The founders of a group can become its executive board; they can make decisions together through discussion, logic and a sense of what is best for the group.

President, or Moderator, or Chairman
Co-Moderators
Co-Presidents
Executive Board Members
Co-Founders
Secretary
Treasurer
Playgroup Director
Agency Liaison
NAN Liaison
Public Relations Director
Membership Chairman
Educational Liaison
Contact Person
Newsletter Editor
Playgroup Director

If you are starting a new group in a large city, you may want to designate one of your officers to be a Playgroup Director. While offering to set up playgroups initially inside the nanny group, it may then develop into a convenient service to the community. This lets mothers and caregivers know of new opportunities to meet with children of the same age group as their own. There are some areas where nanny/charge playgroups are needed, and others where nanny/charges may intermingle with mothers/children in playgroups. It is a decision that the participants will need to make before signing up, according to what each feels comfortable with.

If you are starting a group to specialize in a small area of a large city, this may still be a valuable service to your local area.

An annual nanny/charge picnic is a wonderful way to kick off your playgroup, celebrate it, advertise it, and to recruit new members for the nanny group.

Playgroups can meet at homes, churches, libraries, community centers, and indoor play spaces for children. You may choose to meet only during the school year.

Liaison/Contact Person
Because of a need in your community, or a project that your group would like to do, you may need to elect or appoint a liaison from your group. This person is the contact person for the group when it needs to communicate with another group or business. There may be a NAN Member among your support group, and they may report news from NAN to the group, and make NAN Newsletters available for reading. You may want to enlist your local Nanny Agencies to participate with you in a community event; an Agency Liaison is a person who will contact and be contacted by agencies, in regards to the project, or even as a general contact for your group if the agencies want to communicate something to your members. NAN requires that your group have a working method of contact for your support group’s listing, so that nannies can find your group when they need it: a Contact Person. A contact person could also be the only needed leader for an informal group like a playgroup. An Educational Liaison may be in charge of contacting schools or educators, to obtain speakers for your meeting or a CPR instructor for a yearly class for members.

Public Relations Director
Your Public Relations Director may handle all group contact with the public; they may establish and maintain contact with your local newspapers and television stations, in order to pass on information about your group and/or your events. They may prepare and keep current your group’s brochure, newsletter, member resource guide, flyer, or other printed vehicles that advertise your group.

Membership Chairman
Your Membership Chairman may handle all membership duties: signing up new members and distributing New Member packets, implementing membership drives and keeping a current roster of all members. They may be responsible for making sure dues are paid and keeping memberships current. They provide the newsletter editor with current mailing lists.

Newsletter Editor
Your Newsletter Editor types, prints, and distributes your group’s Newsletter as often as your members have voted to have it published and distributed. They maintain a relationship with group leaders and members, discerning what is appropriate, needed, or wanted in the newsletter content, and they seek to provide articles that will benefit nannies and their charges. They may seek advertisers to pay for the newsletter. You may want to hand it out at meetings rather than mail it according to your budget. There is the opportunity to have an email newsletter if all members have email.

Mission Statement
A mission statement is always a good way to start a group off on the right foot. Questionnaires to each nanny can help determine what nannies expect from the group, and your mission statement should reflect your immediate goals and future goals.

The National Association of Nannies: "Our mission is to promote the nanny as not only an occupation but as a career choice. We will establish for ourselves areas of expertise necessary for professional competence and we will educate the American public about the quality issues of in-home childcare. We need to help the public understand high quality professional nannies are indeed deserving of professional pay and professional respect."

Bylaws
Your group may vote to write bylaws as a structure for the group. For more information, you may wish to contact the National Association of Nannies, The Association of DC Area Nannies, Boston Area Nannies or Nanny Circle; these groups have bylaws in existence.

Meetings
Set definite times and places for your regular monthly meetings. Socials or other seasonal events will need to be advertised well in advance, so that it may make it more possible that nannies can arrange their schedules to attend.

Place
You can find a place to meet within your community. Some groups meet in the community rooms at local hospitals, libraries, churches, or community centers. A Community Room is usually a room within a business or building which has been built with public money, and part of the agreement in obtaining the money was that the space be made available free or at a nominal charge to groups within the local community. This usually requires that a resident of the town arrange for the use of the room. Having a set place for meetings makes it easier for new people to find your group, and makes it easier for you to advertise it.

Structure
Using Robert’s Rules of Order can work for a professional meeting; it keeps your meeting from becoming unruly or unproductive. An agenda can help the leader to stay on time and on topic, and accomplish what needs to be done each meeting. Voting on issues and proposals helps the group decide what needs to be done, without any one person choosing personal preferences that affect the whole group.

Guidelines: Dealing with Behavior, Gossip, and Complaints
Establish rules about respect and confidentiality and gossiping from the start before it becomes a problem. Each nanny support group would provide peer support for their members, and provide a place where a nanny can vent about common problems, or discuss and get advice about specific problems, but steps should be taken to ensure that the meetings do not turn into a gripe session. Constructive solutions should be obtained by nannies that present problems, rather than falling into a habit of complaining about a poor circumstance. Privacy of employers, nannies and families should be maintained where appropriate.

Agencies fear that nanny support groups will be big gossip spreaders, badmouth agencies, compare salaries, violate the confidentiality of our employers, and exhibit other forms of unprofessional behavior. A good mission statement and behavior guidelines can reassure agencies and employers that the nanny support group has positive impact on their nannies, so they will be supportive and encourage their nannies to participate. Board members can set a good example, and use these written policies to guide meetings.

These can include guidelines about salary comparisons, privacy and confidentiality issues. It would be good to have a complaint policy/procedure in place; this can ensure that complaints do not become chronic. If your complaints seem to be coming from one person or a few persons, they should be encouraged to suggest solutions to the problems they have presented, which would encourage the complainer not to hold outside influences responsible for the decisions a nanny must make for herself. Having the guidelines in place to handle problems can keep any single problem from having adverse effects on the group and individual members.

Nannies often ask each other for recommendations. A support group can give out a list of the agencies that support them. The individual nanny gives out the ones she recommends. Care should be taken to answer professionally: no negativity, except "I have had a negative experience with X agency, in the category of X (miscommunication, didn’t return calls, mismatch of family expectations, etc.)

Chicago’s Nanny Circle has instituted a forum for general or professional questions/problems, with a structure that limits the time spent on any one issue, but still providing sound mature professional advice from nannies that have been in the business for many years, for those nannies that need it.

Attendance
Attendance at monthly meetings can fluctuate. Nannies work long hours, and even with the best planning, their schedules can change due to their jobs or other factors. They are also accustomed to providing a life for themselves, sometimes outside of their work as live-in nannies. They can have individual interests and commitments, as well as emotional and physical demands on their time, which can have more immediate precedence over their ability to attend nanny meetings. This does not mean they do not need support from their peers, or that they do not want to belong to a nanny community or network. It is good to offer as many advantages as you can, outside of the monthly meeting opportunity. This will provide support for those nannies that cannot attend regularly. (See Membership Benefits/Advantages.)

It is difficult to adjust to the schedules of everyone; you can do the best you can to meet the scheduling needs of your members. Then, you must set definite meeting times and places, and they must be regular and dependable.

Membership
Quality is more important in a support group than quantity, but you should always make room for your group to grow. Having Membership Drives can help increase your membership, and many of the events or activities that your group sponsors or participates in can also help you to gain members. Glenda Propst of Show-Me Nannies says, "It is not about numbers, it is about offering support and meeting the needs of nannies who are looking for friends, information, advice and a friendly face."

You may find that your group will contain career nannies and beginner one-year nannies; their needs vary widely from each other. Short-term younger nannies may be looking for more social activities while the career nannies prefer professional development. It is hard to balance the two and make sure that there is something for everyone. There also needs to be respect between members, even with the differences in age or dedication. Short-term nannies would occasionally need industry advice from a career professional, and career professionals should acknowledge their responsibility to do what they can to help individual nannies and to further their industry.
Offering special short-term workshops or nanny education days can attract many nannies to your group, especially if you receive help from local businesses and agencies to help finance it so that nannies can attend free or for a nominal fee.

Dues
Dues for most support groups are generally $20-$25 per member for the year. These dues can cover newsletter costs, membership directory, refreshments, rental space for the meeting, maintenance of a post office box, and other costs incurred.

Membership Cards
Many groups do not offer membership cards. Your members may need proof of membership if you have agreements with local advertisers or supporters. You can buy a small laminator at a local office supply store for about $40, and personal computers now offer a lot in the way of graphics and typesetting.

Membership Benefits/Advantages
Emotional, physical, and peer support/advice at monthly meetings.
Networking with other nannies to meet needs and gain information. (Membership directory)
Playgroups
Newsletter 4-12 times a year
Membership cards & local business discounts (Blockbuster, etc.)
Event and Activity Opportunities
Community Service Opportunities
Exposure to wider nanny community through the group's contact with national and regional nanny support groups
Professional Validation: Membership in Professional organizations looks good on a nanny resume
Welcome Packet or Member Resource Guide, information about the area
Cookbook, or another group-produced publication
Membership Directory

You may choose the option of publishing a membership directory once or twice a year, depending on growth of your group. This directory would include the year's officers, and is very useful for nannies to keep in contact with each other. However, privacy issues must be discussed and a policy should be in effect, voted upon by members. Sometimes, live-in nannies need to protect their families' privacy where appropriate. Other times, nannies feel the need to protect their own privacy. Membership directories should not be used by agencies or other nannies for inappropriate contact purposes, such as solicitation or other unwelcome unasked-for mail, email or phone calls.

It could include your constitution/bylaws, mission statement and behavior guidelines, if your distribution policy makes it private only to members.

It could also include your group’s contact information, current list of officers, and a list of supporting agencies in your area.

Member Resource Guide/New Member Packets
These would include group contact information: constitution/bylaws, mission statements, behavior guidelines, officers, membership directory, current newsletter, group brochure, and it would also include the items that are in a local welcome packet. A Nanny Resource Guide does not have to be just a local guide, though; it could include industry information such as national organizations, online support groups opportunities as well as online agencies and job boards. You could also list industry business professionals who handle nanny payroll, nanny retirement/financial planners, nanny schools and other related businesses.

Jan St. Clair of the Boston Area Nanny Support Group says that BANSG does "have a local resource guide handout in the process of updating. Mostly what I do is collect information and organize it into labeled folders and resource books that nannies can browse through at the meetings, add to and copy what they want. That keeps the info available, but cuts down on my out-of-pocket expenses. It also gives the individual responsibility for copying what they want. And our newsletter goes out via email."

Welcome Packet
This is a local guide prepared with the nanny in mind. It can include places and resources within the local community that a nanny would need. Parks, Community Services, Schools, Play places, Children’s clothing stores, Toy Stores, Local Nanny Agencies, and anything else a nanny could need or want, can be organized into a single guide and offered to new members. As an ongoing project for the group, it can be updated frequently, making sure that admission fees and other information is current and practical, as well as appropriate.

When a nanny moves to a new area to start a new job, she is often busy in the beginning with aspects of the job. She can be too busy to find the nanny groups and ask for help. Nannies who have lived in the area for a while know the area better, and can prepare a welcome packet, keeping the information current on a regular yearly or bi-yearly basis. This welcome packet can be offered free to new members, or for a small fee to anyone who would like to order one. This fee can cover the costs of copying and mailing.

The contents of a Welcome Packet do not include benefits of a New Member unless the person receiving the welcome packet actually joins the group. You can offer a welcome packet to nannies you meet in the community, and it can be a very powerful introduction to your group.

Costs: The nanny support group may provide welcome packets to the agency for distribution (group bears the costs, agency pays postage, nanny and family privacy is maintained), provide current copies for the agency to copy and distribute (agency bears the cost, postage, and privacy is maintained), or wait until the nanny contacts the group for distribution (nanny bears a small predetermined fee for copying and postage).

If you don't wish to fund the mailing of a welcome packet free to each new nanny contact, you may wish to advertise its availability in your group brochure. Nannies who feel the need can order one.

If nanny agencies are very careful about maintaining the privacy of their clients and nannies, you may provide stuffed envelopes, with or without postage, and the agency can address the envelope to the family or nanny and mail it.

Benefits to a Nanny Agency: A welcome packet can greatly enhance their standing with the new nannies and families, but they do not have time to prepare one and keep it current. Agencies are the first contact for nannies, but their follow-up support can sometimes leave something to be desired. Nanny groups can provide this support, but should not discount the value of the Agency as first contact for new nannies. Nannies would know better than anyone, what kind of information is most generally useful to a new nanny, and this is another reason why the welcome packet would be effectively prepared by a nanny support group.

Another point is that agencies are asked ALL THE TIME about nanny support. It would be easy for the agency to push the support group's brochure out there, and a support group should emphasize to the agency that nanny will feel better for having neutral peer support. Agencies are paid by the family, and most of their loyalties lie in that direction.

Content: to be determined by the members of the individual nanny support group
At times, you are not only reaching nannies new to the industry, you are also reaching families with their first child. It does promote nanny professionalism if you include contact information for national nanny groups and the folks who do taxes and payroll for nannies and their employers, along with any reputable nanny insurance companies that you know of from nannies within your group, or nannies that you trust.

COMMUNICATION
Contact information
Decide on your contact information: a phone number, address, and email. This may be one of your members, or it may be an independent contact set up especially for the group. One of your members may have an answering machine with separate voicemail boxes on it; this could be a good option to keep group phone messages separate from a member’s home life. It is helpful to have a post office box at a local post office or mail service. It can be arranged so that this can be accessed by more than one group member, in case of emergencies, extended vacations, travel, or other scheduling difficulties. You may choose a discreet method of letting the public get in touch with you, or you may have a member who is comfortable with being the public contact for your group.

There may be opportunities to get free or low-cost business cards for your group; these are helpful to members when they meet other nannies in the parks or public places. Check out the rates at your local office supply store.

Communication within your nanny group
Members can keep in contact with each other through the information provided in the membership directory, or by exchanging information amongst them. (See membership directory for discussion of some privacy issues)

The group can keep in regular contact with members by the regularly scheduled meetings and the newsletter, which is usually mailed out on a regular basis.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/ There is an online opportunity to keep in contact with nannies, too: by starting a list at yahoogroups especially for your members. You can send last-minute announcements and invitations through it, reminders about meetings and assignments, greetings, chats, discussions, or whatever else you deem it useful for. If most of your members have e-mail, this is an option you may consider, notifying the other members by phone of the important events. This is a free service, so there are no long distance phone charges, and it should explored to see how it may meet your needs.

When using the Internet, you need to use caution in the beginning to make sure that you have not admitted an Internet predator. Nannies know their jobs, though, and it is tough for a person to fake this knowledge. Relationships are formed in online support groups that are every bit as real as friendships with a nanny on your street. Online nanny support groups learn that privacy and confidentiality issues apply to them also, and groups frequently come up with guidelines that help control issues as they come up.

Communication within your community
Answering the phone, mail or e-mail for your group. If you are the contact person, it is important that you communicate with the public and with nannies in a professional manner. You represent your group, and you are going to form the first impression that anyone has of your group.

Answer messages promptly and as completely as you can!
It is not immediately apparent to the general public that a nanny support group consists of full-time working nannies with many demands on their time. You may have to be clear that your group is run by volunteers in their spare time, and that most phone calls or emails will be answered during the evenings or weekends, a time when the nanny is not working. Even though you may be a volunteer, you are still a caring professional who knows the nanny industry; your opinion is valuable and useful to members of the community.

Remember, you are not a professional licensed psychologist. You can advise in a general manner, but if there is a specific problem, you should refer them to someone who has the credentials and experience to help.

You will frequently get calls from families who are looking for a nanny. This is very common. You must make it clear with a simple statement that you are not a nanny agency and that you are not licensed to make placements. You can simply give them a copy of your list of supporting agencies, mention the options online that are more reasonably priced, tell them that you will ask around to your nanny friends and if you find someone interested, you will give them the family’s contact information. You can pass on the job’s information by word of mouth to your friends or members who might be seeking employment, but that nanny is responsible to contact the family and is also responsible to determine whether the job is a good match for her. You should not give any member contact information out to anyone without her permission; you should ask the family for an appropriate method of contact that a nanny should use to get in touch with them about the job.

Industry Questions. You may be called on to answer questions about the nanny industry. You can speak as an individual nanny from your experience, or you may be elected to speak on behalf of your group of nannies. You may choose to vote on the method of handling different types of calls. You may have a list of agencies that support your group, for those calling and needing nanny placement services. You may also wish to have a list on hand, of other industry professionals such as Nanny Payroll, Nanny Insurance, and Nanny Financial Planners, as a referral for specific questions.

Advertising your group/Getting the Word out/Ways for Growth
After you have decided on your groups’ contact information, you can then advertise with confidence in your local newspapers, community calendars, local cable channels that have free community channels, and possibly online community calendars and town websites. You can post flyers at the libraries, gyms, toy stores, video stores, and grocery stores. Anywhere you might find a nanny, this nanny can find you. Check to see that it is allowable to post the notice first.
Some of the best ways to spread the news about your group is to have your members tell other nannies that they meet in the community. Distributing your brochure to bulletin boards of community groups, leaving it with other community brochures, and passing information to people in music and Gymboree classes is also a great way to find nannies. Your groups’ participation in community events can also gain you a larger exposure as your members move among the community.

Other kinds of groups have membership drives that involve their members in contests for who can sign up the most new members during a period of time, offering premiums or prizes. One of the annual events of your group may be an activity where you renew your bulletin board flyers in the community.

CHECK your first and foremost first impression vehicles: phone, email, brochure, newsletter, and make sure they make a good impression. NO TYPOS!

Newsletters
You may wish to have a monthly newsletter; you can offer a quarterly or bi-monthly newsletter. You may be able to send out your newsletter by email, or post it on your groups’ website. Some of the content of your newsletter can come from your Member Resource Guide, or articles from the newsletter can slowly build up a Member Resource Guide for you. You should offer something in your newsletter for the new nanny, and something for the established career nanny, in order to have something for everyone. Advertising gets easier to sell if a newsletter has a large number of subscribers. See the separate guide on Nanny Support Group Newsletters. Offering support through a newsletter or advice/help line will support nannies that don’t or can’t attend meetings.

You can publish your membership directory in one issue. You should always publish officers and contact information to make it easy for your newsletter to be a good vehicle to advertise your group. Other things to include is your event planning news, and news from national nanny groups or the nanny industry.

Your newsletter is a strong public relations vehicle for your group.

Website
If you have a member who knows how to prepare web pages, you may take advantage of having a website for your group. Free websites are plentiful, but you must be careful about the sponsor's conditions for advertising or content. You should be especially careful about using a page on an agency's website, since it is important to maintain independence from any particular agency.

You may also use your Website to announce activities or events, although this is usually harder to keep current. Websites are most useful for new contacts and as a public relations tool between the group and the pubic.

Group Brochure
At some point in time, your group may decide to produce a brochure. This brochure could be distributed by members, mailings, through agencies, or by other methods. The group should decide on the content of the brochure: how much information and which type of information you would like to extend to a wide audience of readers. It is a very useful way to reach other nannies and expand your membership. You may wish to publish your mission in the brochure, or a list of membership benefits, plus an application form.

One of the statements on your brochure could be: We are NOT an agency that places nannies with families. Along with that statement, you could offer a free list of local agencies that support your group.

Microsoft Publisher has templates for brochures, that make it very easy to set up a quick brochure that can be self-published and copied at the local Copy Center.

Activities/Events for Nanny Groups
Having a large number of members means more opportunities for playgroups and varied activities.

If you have a small group of members, up to 15, you may feel that you are not important or that you are not accomplishing much with your effort. This is not true: you are providing support for the members that you have, whether you are growing in numbers or not. These core members who faithfully come to all meetings are the dedicated ones, and they are worth the effort. There are other career nannies out there that are looking for this kind of support. Having a small group means that you can tailor activities that please individuals, an opportunity that sometimes gets lost when your membership number grows. Meeting in other places like restaurants gets easier and more spontaneous events are possible since there are not a large number of people to call. Smaller groups are better for CPR classes.

If your members number 15 and above, you have these options:
Playgroups
Community service (many hands make light work)
Speaker opportunities (some speakers require 15 or more people before they will come)
Wide variety of activities proposed by members with different interests and connections (our bosses have free tickets, boxes at games, etc)
Larger budget for extras to offer to your members
Bigger and better parties with all participating

Monthly meetings Meeting regularly on pre-scheduled dates provides a strong foundation for all other activities or events that may occur. If a nanny knows that the group will always be meeting on a certain day in the month, she can plan ahead as best she can. If schedules interfere, sometimes for a few months in a row or over the summer, she knows she can catch up to the group at the regularly scheduled meeting, if not at any other event or activity. Your group may choose not to meet in the summer, to avoid vacation scheduling problems.

-Speaker If you have a large number of members, or excellent appropriate speaker opportunities in your area, you may opt to have a speaker or presentation at each meeting, setting aside a certain time in the meeting for this to occur. The topics need to be nanny-related or other lifestyle topics that may have been requested by members.

-Themes You may choose a different theme for each month, based on the month's holiday, or yearly seasons. These themes can be predetermined for the year, and advertised in advance in the newsletter, with reminders before each meeting.

Nanny Night Out Your members may choose to try to meet at another regularly scheduled event each month; an excellent idea is Nanny Night Out. You could meet at a restaurant, same or different each time. You could also plan special events, in which some factors may be dependent on commitment to purchase tickets in advance.

Nanny Dinner. One of the most popular and successful regular events outside of a monthly meeting is a monthly Nanny Dinner. You could meet at a restaurant, same or different place each time, but usually the same night: third Thursday of the month or another designated day. If you attract a larger crowd, more than 8, you need to call ahead to a restaurant just to make sure that you can get seating all together. Leaving this as flexible as you can also encourages nannies to drop in if it works out for them. There is no guilt associated with having to say you are coming, and then not being able to get off work in time. Dinners can also be followed by an optional karaoke bar visit by other nannies that do not need to retire at a reasonable hour.
Movie Matinees If you have a member who enjoys movies, they may choose to host a regular movie matinee each month. Members can RSVP by a certain time, and decide on the movie in advance.

Holiday Parties Christmas, Valentine's Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and any other holidays can be celebrated at the monthly meetings, as a Theme, or at a party arranged for a separate date.

Group Anniversary You may choose to celebrate the anniversary of your group's formation, either as one of the monthly themes at a regular meeting, or as an event arranged for a separate date.

Group Birthday Party You may choose to have a collective birthday party for your members. Everyone can bring a gift, and then receive one in turn. There are several ideas for birthday parties which may translate beautifully to your party, such as goodie bags: NJNN has each member bring 20 of a small carnival-type goodie, and a bag which starts with a few group-sponsored candies is quickly filled by imaginative gifts from each member.

NNRW Celebration Every year, your group could commemorate National Nanny Recognition Week with a picnic or a party. Families, agencies, nannies, charges alike can be included.
Community Service Nanny groups have the opportunity to serve their community in different ways. These can be suggested and chosen by different members; you can also meet a specific local need if you see fit. These activities may be done at a monthly meeting, or may need a commitment to attend another time and place. You may be inventive, and provide old-fashioned Tupperware party fun while raising money for an agreed-upon charity.
Wrap presents at Christmastime at Borders for NAN
Answer kids' letters to Santa, letters and response materials provided by the post office
Make handmade valentines for local disadvantaged children's organizations
Volunteer at your local PBS telethons. Or, everyone can contribute to the group being a supporter of your local PBS station, and have a drawing for the incentive prize.

Others:
Member-Hosted Events Members usually will have an event that they enjoy, that they would like to invite other nannies to. If it is appropriate for the whole group to go, a group-wide invitation may be extended. At other times, there may be limitations in group number or commitment needed to make reservations or purchase tickets. A Member can then become the Host for the event, make all arrangements necessary, extend the invitation, follow up on whatever needs to be done, and contact the members who are attending to make travel or other arrangements. If an event is proposed and no one can come, the event may be cancelled or the Host Member may attend alone, as they might have previously planned.

Playgroup Picnics An annual nanny/charge picnic is a wonderful way to kick off your playgroup, celebrate it, advertise it, and to recruit new members for the nanny group.

Providing Educational Opportunities
There are many topics that would be of interest to nannies; not all of them are job-related. As a nanny support group, you need to be flexible enough to give the kind of support that your particular members need. You can depend on your members to express interest in a speaker, and to propose what topic they would most like to hear.

If you have several first-year nannies as members, you could have workshops on general aspects of the job:
Communication Privacy Issues
Resumes Nanny Work Agreements (Contracts)
Nutrition Health
Book Discussion Groups Community Involvement Opportunities

CPR Every nanny needs to remain current on their CPR certification. Every two years, nannies need to take the class again and renew their cards. This is a perfect group activity, and it benefits nannies on the most basic level of job requirements.

Nanny Day Offering special short-term workshops or nanny education days can attract many nannies to your group, especially if you receive help from local businesses and agencies to help finance it so that nannies can attend free or for a nominal fee.

If you have seasoned professional nannies, you may branch out into having speakers for other topics:
Marketing Yourself as a Professional
Resume Portfolios
Job Searching for Long-Term Career Nannies

You may be in a location that offers you several opportunities for free speakers. There may be workshops or educational opportunities that agencies are prepared to offer, whenever nannies show an interest. Libraries may be able to provide you a list of speakers who speak to any group who asks, on a wide variety of subjects. There may be such a list on file at your local town hall or governmental center.

You could also designate a member in your group to be Educational Liaison. This person would contact several places in the local area where classes/workshops are available, that would be of interest to nannies in general and to your members in specific, as expressed in questionnaires.

Corporation and Tax-Exempt Status: Business Structure for the Group
You may choose to get an Employer Identification Number for your group, so you can open a checking account.

If you collect dues or hold fundraisers, you might need to pay taxes unless you have non-profit status. Some of the benefits of non-profit status are discounts on speakers, meeting locations, and events. If gross receipts are less than a certain amount, you automatically claim non-profit status. Without the letter from the government, you can't get the benefits.

You may choose to get a tax identification number; this can also help you open a checking account. You must research what your local, state, and federal tax responsibilities are in either of these two cases. It could be that you will have no tax liability if you use any money you collect from dues or fundraising, for your own group.

Contact these organizations and have them send non-profit packets:
Secretary of State (first time charity & registration packet)
IRS 1023 forms
Attorney General (articles of incorporation forms)
IRS for EIN number for SS4
Approximate Costs:
$250 for IRS
$35 for articles
$50 for Attorney General

With a non-profit letter from the Attorney General, you may be exempt from end-of-year state taxes. Apply for TA 1 form after you obtain your letter of exemption. If you are a non-profit group, you can be good for tax-deductible contributions. Gaining non-profit status will help you build for the future, laying a solid foundation for your organization that can help it survive for several years. You may also choose to incorporate; you may consult a local law firm or school, who might have a community service program in place to help you.

Non-profit links:
An internet company that will help you, for a fee :
www.bizfilings.com/pricing/index.html
www.nonprofits.org/

AFFILIATIONS: Dealing with Nanny Agencies and other organizations
Members in each nanny support group should vote on their policies for dealing with agencies. Many nannies feel that a nanny support group meeting cannot include agency personnel, because of the need for nannies to have a place to vent and speak freely about issues in their jobs or lives. A nanny support group meeting should be a SAFE place for nannies to come.
Other nannies feel that agencies are very important to the group. Some agencies are willing to promote or support the nanny group, providing a space for the meetings and spreading news to the newest nannies placed in the area. Agencies may feel they should receive something in return for this; it is important to determine with each agency how they feel about this issue, and make sure there are no misunderstandings.

If you decide that agency personnel can be welcome at one or more meetings, you should determine what you would allow. Some of the criteria could be:
Agencies should not be allowed to tell about jobs at the meetings.
They are not allowed to bring families who are looking for a nanny to the meetings.
They can be allowed to network with the nannies during the social time of the meetings.
They can leave literature on the table for people to pick up.

Compromises can be proposed: Agencies can be present at an event that they sponsor, and limited advertisement can be agreed upon for that instance. Agencies can buy ads in the newsletters, if the nanny group is willing to sell space, thereby providing a way for the newsletter to support itself.

Once you have established your regular meetings criteria, you may choose to write a professional letter to all local nanny agencies, introducing your group and asking for support. Agencies can be instrumental in distributing a local welcome packet to their new nannies or prospective nannies. You may wish for them to merely distribute a brochure about the group, that advertises this welcome packet, and the nanny can send for it if she chooses.

You could ask agencies for their support, but maybe not for their money. There are other things agencies can do, besides distribute support group literature to new and placed nannies. They can include information about the group in their newsletters, and they can sponsor educational events.

You can return a favor for an agency that is distributing your welcome packets by offering to yearly distribute their information packets to your members. The agencies may sometimes protect the privacy of their clients and nannies, and you can protect the privacy of your members if need be, by asking the agency to provide a certain number of packets, which you can then address and send to your members.

You may have a special membership to offer to agencies: You may offer them a mention on your website or small ad in every newsletter.

You may offer them a listing in a special supporter issue of the newsletter, or a special published directory of your sponsors, pointing out that you make this available to people who are calling for help and information. NAN offers a list of agencies in the area, but does not promote any specifically. If in the agency list, you can mention that an agency SUPPORTS your group, a family or nanny may choose them over the rest of the list. It is possible to win agency support by using peer pressure: i.e. "X" agency is already supporting us. When you have many agency sponsors, you can avoid having a too-close relationship with any one agency.

Agency Liaison You may find it necessary to appoint an officer from the group to be the liaison between the group and agencies. This person can handle all correspondence and contact with the agencies. It may be necessary to appoint seasoned nannies to an advisory board, and offer their extensive experience to agencies that might have questions for nannies.

Other affiliates may be payroll services, insurance companies, or other nanny industry professionals who offer a special service to nannies, or any other nanny or child-related business.

There may come a time when you want to work with an education-oriented organization such as the PTA or a Preschool Association from the local school.

Spotlight on Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ

2009-09-07T02:54:00.003-04:00

This week we introduce you to Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ. With many nannies in the Northern NJ and NY area, Nanny Alliance is a vital part of the nanny group community. Founder Andrea Flagg shares some details about her group, and invites any nanny in the area to contact them to find out more or join them at an event.

Contacts~Andrea Flagg/ Denise Blackford / Megan Taylor

info@nannyalliancenyandnj.com

Do you charge dues?

Yes, $15 per year. All dues collected go toward group expenses and enable us to donate to nanny organizations and charities. Group members can do certain things throughout the year to gain a FREE year's membership-or a few months additional membership. (i.e.- host or help out at an event, website design, newsletter, etc. We also offer a year's membership as a raffle prize.)

What is unique about your group?

We take pride in the accomplishments we have achieved no matter how big or small. For example:

*Empowering a nanny to speak up for herself

*Sharing resources to help a nanny in her job or to locate a new position

*Educating parents about hiring a qualified nanny

*Hosting CPR/1st Aid certification classes

*Helping nannies to find new friends in their area

*Collecting items for donations for charities

We don't have an "official board" or a “President/Vice President” that runs the group, as everyone seemed more comfortable having a laid back atmosphere without any "official/mandatory meetings". Therefore, all members have a say in the group. We do not have any set requirements or obligations; everyone can participate as little or as much as they desire, as we want the group to be one that all members can enjoy at their own pace.

We try to accommodate every one's interests and plan events throughout the year that will appeal to everyone, at one time or another. We understand some may prefer to gather for a meal, and chit-chat or a movie and some others would prefer to do an out-doorsy/physical day long activity. We realize the importance of planning events all over the Tri-State NY/NJ area so it's never too far for anyone to travel. We also have car-pools and pick up/drop off at train/bus stations so our events are accessible to everyone.

What membership benefits to you provide?

Group Message Board

• Connect w/ Nanny Member

• Advice/Support

• Network

• Q & A~Social Gatherings

• Dining

• Outdoor Activities

• Cultural Events

• Entertainment

~Newsletter

• Childcare Articles

• Group Updates

• Nanny Industry News

~Educational Opportunities

• Childcare Workshops

• CPR and 1st Aid Classes

• Conferences

~Job Search Recommendations

• Agencies

• Online Sources

~Portfolio Development

• Resume

• Personal Statement

• Essential Info

~Information

• Resources

• Links

What would you like others to know about your group?

Our group members are very diverse. All ages and stages in their nanny career. We get along well, as we all have the bond of being "nannies."

Can businesses / industry services support your group?

We truly appreciate anyone's offer to help our group.Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ's focus is to create a stronger nanny community. Therefore, we have four opportunities we make available:

1.) Invite Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ to attend any presentations, seminars or educational training classes an agency/business would like to host. We send an e-mail newsletter to all the nannies in our group and also have a Message Board and would be happy to list any events you would like to invite our group to take part in. (We kindly ask that we receive at least 2 months advance notice.)

2.) Sign up your nannies for membership with Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ. If you would like to sponsor any of the nannies you place in our area, we welcome you to sign them up as members of our group.

3.) Donate a Raffle Prize for one of our events.

4.) Sponsor one of our special events. We host several "special events" throughout the year, and appreciate the assistance of local nanny placement agencies and other businesses involved in the nanny industry who would like to sponsor a portion of the meal costs.

In return for sponsoring a "special event", Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ will:

*Distribute your agencies brochures and promotional items at the event.

*Welcome you to send in articles for our newsletters.

*Create a special THANK YOU page on our website and in our newsletter, listing your business information and logo.

*Pass on your job openings to the nannies in our group via our Message Board.

If we all unite we can create a stronger, more educated nanny community!

Spotlight on ADCAN - Association of DC Area Nannies

2009-08-30T20:25:00.008-04:00

In honor of National Nanny Recognition Week, I want to send a shout out to all of our amazing Nanny Groups. As Nanny Group leaders we struggle with finding the nannies, reaching out to the nanny community for speakers, funding, events and so much more.

With many different types of nanny groups – social, educational, online or a mixture of features – there are many groups across the country that serve the local nanny population by providing a resource and networking platform for nannies to come together.

This month and in the future, I will feature various nanny groups across the country, and I thought it was only fitting to start at the beginning.

ADCAN – Association of DC Area Nannies is the longest running nanny support group in the country, celebrating 24 years. Started by the late Harriette Grant, ADCAN serves the Washington DC metro area, along with MD and Northern VA, ADCAN is proud of its heritage and long-running traditions.

Each month, September – May, ADCAN holds monthly meetings at the McLean Community Center, bringing in educational speakers, industry leaders, roundtable discussion topics and community volunteering opportunities. Nanny members enjoy such benefits as a bi-monthly newsletter; members only access playgroup listing, interactive website, discounts to conferences, access to industry businesses, monthly Nanny Night Out and Social events, summer fun events with and without charges, NNRW brunch, Holiday party, a fall trip to the Orchard with the kids, and much more.

ADCAN gives back to the community as well. For 2009, ADCAN has ‘adopted’ a local children’s charity and this summer provided 13 complete Summer of Fun bags which included swimsuits, towels, flip flops, cameras, sunscreen, insect repellent, goggles, playing cards and much more. These bags went to supply kids at a local summer camp! In September ADCAN will collect school supplies and will do a gift drive for the holidays.

With a board of directors of seven amazing nannies, ADCAN strives to meet the needs of its members, recruit new members and businesses and create a positive image of nannies in the DC metro area and across the country.

ADCAN is looking forward to welcoming Nannypalooza attendees in October to the Washington, DC metro area. They will be hosting the Sunday breakfast, as well as assisting with travel to and from the hotel to the conference venue.

ADCAN also offers businesses an opportunity to get involved. Industry related businesses can advertise in the newsletter, and links appear on the website and blog, as well as other benefits.
As the current president of ADCAN, I am so proud of our nannies and the support they show to our organization. They continue to give of themselves to our charity, come to our meetings and events, help spread the word about our organization and are true professionals in the work they do with the children they care for.

Read about ADCAN Founder, Harriette Grant.

ADCAN – Association of DC Area Nannies

ADCAN Blog

Email info (at) dcareanannies (dot) com or adcan2000 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Phone 866-841-9139 Ext. 2176

Kellie Geres, President

ADCAN is open to all area nannies. We have various levels of membership to suit your needs. Monthly meetings are open for anyone to attend.

Win a 2010 INA Membership PLUS $35 INA Membership Rate Offer

2009-07-01T10:22:00.004-04:00

INA is offering a great opportunity to ANYONE who has never been an INA Member before.

Check out this amazing offer of reduced membership rates for 2009 and a chance to Win a Free 2010 INA Membership.

Great opportunity for nanny groups! Share this info with your members.

Nannypalooza Scholarships Available

2009-06-23T16:25:00.004-04:00

Nannies helping Nannies. That's how it all started. This year there are currently three scholarships available for Nannypalooza!

Don't miss out! Early bird registration ends July 10.

Nannypalooza Bounce Back Scholarship Opportunity

2009-06-17T10:35:00.001-04:00

It’s been a tough year for our industry. Many longtime nannies have lost their jobs and are finding it challenging to land a new position at a livable wage. One of the results is that some past Nannypalooza attendees won’t be able to join us this year because of their financial situation.
NANC, with the help of some generous nanny sponsors, is offering a scholarship to help those nannies make it to Nannypalooza 2009. The scholarship includes conference registration and Saturday night accommodations at the Doubletree Bethesda Hotel.
Eligibility Requirements
· Worked as a nanny for at least one year and lost her job due to economic reasons.
· Currently unemployed and actively looking for a permanent position OR currently working but were unemployed for 4 or more months between Nannypalooza 2008 and now.
· Attended a Nannypalooza in the past.
· Facing a financial situation that would making attending Nannypalooza 2009 a hardship.
To enter to win the Nannypalooza Bounce Back Scholarship, please send your full name, your city / state, and support group affiliation if you have one to info@nannycredential.org with Bounce Back in the subject line. On Friday, August, 14th, we’ll draw a name from random and notify the lucky winner.

New Affiliate Programs

2009-03-30T11:13:00.002-04:00

Affiliate programs are an easy way for Nanny Groups to earn money - and they're Free! Here are some new ones that I've found that may interest you ...

Crayola Store - Everything Crayola - One Stop Shopping.

Indie Bound - IndieBound is a community-oriented movement begun by the independent bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association. It brings together booksellers, readers, indie retailers, local business alliances, and anyone else with a passionate belief that healthy local economies help communities thrive. Supporting local, indie businesses means that dollars, jobs, diversity, choice, and taxes stay local, creating strong, unique communities and happy citizens.

Oriental Trading - Millions of happy customers turn to Oriental Trading Company every day for low prices on a huge variety of party products to make their lives more fun!
Our huge selection of must-have party supplies, birthday party and wedding favors, decorations, toys, novelties, beads, crafts and scrapbook supplies add smiles to every occasion or holiday. Whether you need a dozen duckies or a theme party pack for 50 guests, you'll get more fun for your dollar every day at OrientalTrading.com.

A.D.D. Warehouse - Since 1990, we have built the world's largest collection of ADHD-related books, videos, training programs, games, professional texts and assessment products. Because of it's tremendous depth, and the quality of the products we carry, our catalog is a recommended source of help in practically every book written on ADHD... and is provided to patients by hundreds of health professionals across the country.

Label-Land - Label Land sells Iron-On Labels and Sew-On Labels for clothing, and Permanent Stickers for everything else.

Earn Money for your Group using Affiliate Programs

2008-11-25T11:39:00.005-05:00

Nanny Groups often struggle for funds to meet the needs of their membership and operating funds. I've found some great ways that NG's can earn money by simply placing a link on their website. If you don't have a website, this is the perfect time and reason to do one. There are many programs out there, you just have to be observant and diligent in applying. ADCAN participates in the some of these, and the revenue generated helps offset the monthly cost of our website, printing of the newsletter, and treating our membership at special events.

Check out these programs ...

Amazon
Providing a link to amazon.com on your site, shoppers enter Amazon, and a portion of each eligible purchase price is credited to your group. Money is direct deposited into your account each month.

EFundraising.com
Purchase New and Renew magazine subscriptions through this service. A whopping 40% of the purchase price is sent to your group via check.

VistaPrint
Order business or personal business cards, Nanny Group promotional materials, postcards, magnets, pens and much more and earn funds for your group with each purchase.

MindWare
MindWare is the newest one I've discovered. It markets itself as Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages. A perfect fit for nannies and Nanny Groups.

CafePress
With hundreds of items to choose from, put your logo or message on these items, and earn money from each order.

Just in time for the holidays. Apply for these, and let your membership know they can use your links provided to do their holiday shopping, and anytime shopping and support your nanny group. ADCAN has printed special business cards to hand out and mail to our friends and family to remind them to use these sites when doing their online shopping. You can do the same. Good Luck and Happy Shopping!

Know of other affiliate programs? Share them with us so we can all benefit.

See What's Happening at ...

2008-10-31T09:10:00.003-04:00

Nanny Giveaways
I thought I'd start to introduce you to some of my favorite blogs and sites on the Internet. First up is Nanny Giveaways. This is a fun place that shares where to get some great bargains and free stuff. Share this everyone you know!
Know of some other bargains? Share them here!
Enjoy!

Free Surveys for Nanny Groups

2008-10-21T13:26:00.007-04:00

There is a great tool available for anyone to use, especially Nanny Support Groups, to provide surveys to your membership. SurveyMonkey is a free (up to 100 responses) service. I just did my first one for ADCAN and is was so simple. Easy to navigate, lots of color themes to choose from, and I can write the questions and get the feedback I want from members. Try it, and let me know what you think.

Win a FREE INA Conference Registration ...

2008-10-15T11:32:00.005-04:00

INA is currently running a membership drive and you could win a FREE 2009 INA Conference Registration. This would be a great incentive for Nanny Groups to refer new members to INA, and then award the free registration to a lucky nanny group member. Or raffle off the free registration within your membership. Be creative!

Some things to know ...

You must be a current INA Member to participate
Members must refer three or more new members to qualify for the contest
Any member referring five or more new members will receive a free conference registration for the 2009 INA Conference, April 23-26 in Dallas, TX.
The member with the highest number of new referrals will win an ipod.
You have until March 1, 2009, to spread the word and invite your friends to join the INA.

Questions? Contact Cortney Gibson, INA Membership Committee Chair.

Working With Agencies ... Getting Noticed

2008-10-10T09:00:00.004-04:00

One way to get your group information to nannies in your area is to make contact with the nanny placement services in your area. Once they know you're available to the nannies they place, this will make you an asset to their business.
One way you can reach the nannies within the agency is if the agency is providing training sessions, find out when those are. Most agencies post this information on their website, but if not, call or email and ask. Once you have that information, contact the agency owner or staff in charge of the event if you can come for about 10 minutes and introduce your group to the nannies at the training. This is a great way for you to meet face-to-face the nannies and agency and get to know them. Introduce your group, letting them know what you are, the benefits to being a member, the services you offer and some of your upcoming events. Bring your promotional materials - brochure, business cards, postcards, newsletter - whatever you have!
I recently did this with an agency here in the DC area and was able to meet and introduce ADCAN to six nannies and meet the newest agency in the DC metro area.
Good luck!

INA Conference 2009

2008-10-06T10:30:00.003-04:00

The International Nanny Association (INA) will host their 2009 Conference April 23-26, 2009 in Dallas, TX.

Watch for more details as they become available.

Off to Nannypalooza!

2008-10-02T14:07:00.002-04:00

I'll be in Philadelphia this weekend for the third annual Nannypalooza. I look forward to connecting with many familiar faces and meeting new friends. Upon returning, I'll have pages and pages of information to share with you ... so keep coming back for more!

What is a Nanny Support Group?

2008-09-29T22:39:00.004-04:00

NSG's can be anything from an online message board of nannies with common interests to full-fledged small businesses. NSG's are not gripe sessions about our boss, our kids, and airing the dirty laundry of the people we work for. These groups are established for the advancement, education, networking and friendship of its members. NSG leaders are amongst the most knowledgeable in this industry, knowing the go-to places for job, industry services, conferences, and area information. A nanny new to any area needs to connect with the nanny group in her area - provided there is one - as soon as possible so that she can meet new people, attend events and become a part of the nanny community. NSG's have enabled me to meet lifelong friends, become more savvy and smart in this industry, know what to look for in a job, what to ask for in a work agreement and I know that at any given time, I have available a group of phenomenal women - and men - who know the trials and tribulations I go through and will offer the congratulations when deserved or the shoulder to cry on when needed.

Social Networking - Island Style

2008-09-24T13:29:00.001-04:00

Join me on Nanny Island!

Visit Nanny Island

NNRW 2008

2008-09-18T09:37:00.004-04:00

National Nanny Recognition Week kicks off this Sunday, September 21. What are your plans? Post them on Facebook!

Check out ideas of what you can do to celebrate the 10th Anniversary with nannies in your area.

Download the official NNRW brochure to give to nannies and families in your area.

Good luck with your events and Happy NNRW!

NANC Discounted Memberships for NSG's

2008-09-13T22:09:00.001-04:00

NANC now offers support groups the opportunity to purchase memberships for its nanny members at only $10 per nanny. This offer applies to FIRST TIME NANC members only. Visit NANC for all the details.

Educational Training Opportunities for NSG's

2008-09-13T13:55:00.003-04:00

Specialty Niche for NANNY GROUPS and ORGANIZATIONS
The Academy for Coaching Parents International is pleased to announce the availability of training and parent coach certification for nannies and other in-home childcare providers. By partnering with nanny placement agencies and nanny organizations, ACPI is able to bring this specialized training to nannies across the US.

Read more ....

Join Me at Nannypalooza!

2008-09-12T13:22:00.001-04:00

Nannypalooza is just a few weeks away! I'm busy preparing my workshop on How To Take Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level. If you're attending Nannypalooza, I look forward to seeing you there! If you haven't heard about Nannypalooza, what are you waiting for? This is the not-to-be-missed nanny event of the year!

My workshop will be packed with information, helpful tips, fundraising ideas, website options plus much, much more. Bring your questions, and an extra pen or two, as you'll be sure to leave with plenty of notes and ideas on how to make your group succeed!

Welcome to Nanny Groups

2008-09-12T13:13:00.000-04:00

As a Professional Nanny of 20+ years, the one constant in my career has been my involvement with Nanny Groups (NG). I have been just a member and have held leadership positions. With this blog site, I will share my expertise and knowledge of NG's with you all. If you have any questions about NG's or want some advice, please email me at nannygroups@gmail.com.

As this site develops, I will be adding many features and much more information about current NG's for you to connect with.