Scarytown Meeting and up-coming changes

The weather outside was pretty frightful (and so were the zombies on parade!) but we had a great meeting last Saturday. We had a lot of new faces, which was wonderful! We met upstairs at Franklin Goose and squeezed a good amount of people into that tiny space! We had wrapping dads, littles in a back carry, and some AWESOME halloween costumes, including a surprise visit from one of Glee's Warblers!

We are closing in on the final steps of becoming a BWI chapter, which is going to open up some awesome doors for us. We are also looking for members to step up and start filling some leadership positions for the end of this year and then starting the next calendar year if that is something you would be interested in. We will have slots for president, VP (possibly two!), Treasurer, Secretary, and Historian. The plan is to have these positions filled by VBE's (co-leaders) until the end of the year, but since we will be down a VBE after next week, we welcome any and all volunteers. If you would like more details on any of these positions, please let us know!
 For those of you that don't know, we will be down a VBE after next week because Kit's family is moving to NoVA. She would like to still come down for meetings occasionally, but will remain a member of the facebook group and will always be available for questions, comments, skype consultations, or anything else. She is thrilled to have been part of starting this group and is so impressed with you ladies (and dads!) and how you are bringing in new people to RCBW.
  Speaking of next week, we have a weekday meeting at Cartwheel and Coffee at 10am on Friday, November 11th. This is veterans day, so some of our mom's who usually are at work will be able to join us! Older kids are welcome if they are off of school, as are your spouses or anyone else. The cost for our group will be $3 a kid, so be sure to tell them that you are with River City Babywearers or else they will charge you $4 for the first kid. Also be sure to bring money for beverages or snacks, because they have a wonderful selection! We hope to see you there!
  We have also scheduled our weekday meeting for the saturday after thanksgiving at the Tuckahoe Library from 10-12:30, and we hope that you'll be able to join us, even with the holiday.

Cartwheels and Coffee Week Day Meeting!

Last week we decided to have our first non-IBW weekday meeting and playdate at Cartwheels and Coffee. This was intended to be mostly a playdate while allowing moms with specific questions or carrier curiosities to work one on one with some of our VBEs. It went fantastically! The kids had a blast, there was a sectioned off area with a play structure, as well as couches, books, tables, a kitchen, and all kinds of fun things. We even had a mirror to practice carries, and of course, sustenance. There was coffee, tea, yummy snacks, baked goods, and  even kids potties in the bathrooms for our little ones trying to make the leap :) We loved that some of our moms who can't make it to weekend meetings were able to venture out and join us!
    

This weekend two of our VBE's went to Maryland to take a class from the Babywearing Institute about how to best match carriers with individuals and families, as well as a more in depth study of the physical and emotional benefits of babywearing for both caregiver and child. After their test is complete they will be certified Babywearing consultants, the only two in Virginia! Next month they go back to get their advanced certification to work with special needs parents and children. This is so exciting for our babywearing group to have such great resources!
Just as a reminder, we have our SCarytown meeting and playdate this coming Saturday, starting at 2:30pm at Franklin Goose, and then they have trick or treating all through Carytown. Bring the whole family, bring costumes, and lets celebrate Halloween together!
We are in the works of putting together our November meetings, both weekday and weekend. It looks like our weekday meeting, will be Friday, November 11th (Veterans Day!) from 10-12, but we haven't decided on a location yet. Stay tuned for that and we hope to see you soon!

Shout-it-Saturday and a Playdate!

   All in all, IBW2011 was a success for us! We were at the Brandermill Farmer's Market, showing by example and meeting new people to introduce the wonders of babywearing!
 
Our table, and of course some adorable shots of our little helpers.
   

  

Planning Out Marketing Strategy

While our next regular meeting isn't until October 29th and is in conjunction with SCarytown 2011, if you'd like to check us out in a playdate type setting, we have set up a last minute playdate/weekday meeting on October 21st at 9am at Cartwheels and Coffee in Carytown (I see a theme here, I know.. we're actually pretty good at spreading our events out I promise!). We'll meeting new members, talking carriers, and troubleshooting any issues you might have, but won't be doing a full demo. If you'd like to join us, bring your favorite carrier, your questions, and $3 for the door fee (which is a discounted rate they gave us! Thanks guys!) and come play with us!

Leading By Example!

Breakfast Tester Extraordinaire!