Chapter Launch Success!

We had a great group of folks turn out at our Chapter Launch and Open House -- around 70 of them! People said the gathering was energizing. Everyone enjoyed snacks, a information table and some great door prizes, and they left with goodie bags of even more information from local holistic and mom/baby/family-centered businesses.

We want to extend a big thanks to all the businesses, practitioners and individuals who donated their products, services, time, energy and support to our chapter launch party. And thank you to the Alexandria Library System's Burke Branch for hosting our group!

We were so full we had to move from a circle to rows, and the library parking lot was at capacity! The next three meetings will be 2/26, 3/26 and 4/23. We'll keep the Burke Branch Library (in Alexandria) location (and the 7:15 time) for our fourth-Thursday-of-the-month meetings as scheduled through April and will consider other locations/times/days depending on the needs of our members.

Don't forget that the $5 off HMN membership promotion lasts just until the end of January. Join online at http://membership.holisticmoms.org and use the coupon code NEWYEAR. Once you join, you'll get onto our local chapter email loop where we will talk about meeting topics, dates, times and locations as well as other chapter activities. The local loop is also a great place to ask for advice and share tips on holistic living. Hope to see you there soon!

Open House is here!

Our chapter is launching! At 7:15 p.m. January 22, we'll start forming our new community! Please join us for snacks, door prizes from local vendors, goodie bags with great info and deals (see our volunteers hard at work preparing to stuff those bags!) and the chance to make some great connections!

Chapter Launch Party is coming soon! January 22!

We've gotten a great response to our chapter launch party from holistic-minded businesses and will have some really fun door prizes to offer including gift certificates for massage and yoga classes, organic soaps and lotions and a pedometer. There will also be an opportunity for on-site yoga consultations, pause for breath and relaxation with guidance from Stair of Little River Yoga.

Anyone is welcome to attend the Chapter Launch Party and Open House -- that includes moms, dads, partners, grandparents, care providers and anyone interested in learning more about natural family living. Children are always welcome at HMN meetings. At most meetings, children will be able to play in the center of the circle or outside the circle. At the Open House, which we expect to be busy, we'll create a play corner with toys provided (and folks are welcome to bring their own, too). However, fair warning that this open house event is likely to be crowded and abuzz with activity!

Anyone wishing to help with set-up for the Open House is welcome to come at 7:00 or earlier -- just email Jessica at holisticmomsarlalex@gmail.com to let me know what you're up for. If you're not in volunteer mode, plan to arrive right at 7:15 to sign in, meet other like-minded mamas and friends, get a snack, peruse the door prize offerings, and, if you wish, strike a pose on a yoga mat or take a pause on a meditation cushion. We'll hope to settle by 7:30 or so into a seated circle. I'll welcome the group, share a bit about the history and vision of Holistic Moms Network and then begin a round of short introductions, which will always begin our meetings. There should be a little more time for snacks and milling after we close the intros with door prize giveaways!

A few giveaways will be held for future meetings for members only. Join now in the month of January and save $5! See the post below for more details or go directly to the national website: http://membership.holisticmoms.org/ and type in NEWYEAR for the coupon code.

Hope to see you on January 22!

Join in January and save $5!

Take advantage of the January national membership drive to join Holistic Moms Network!

Members can save $5 off our membership fee starting January 1, 2009
by using Coupon Code NEWYEAR on our online membership form at
http://membership.holisticmoms.org. Renewing members can also save by renewing early during the month of January (memberships will extend for 1 year past their original expiration date). Mailed
checks and money orders postmarked during the month of January for $5 off either individual or family memberships will also be honored.

Membership in HMN gives you access to all chapter events, the national membership email loop (in addition to the local chapter email loop), discounts from national sponsors and cooperating businesses, a quarterly Wise Mom newsletter and a discount to the national conference. Non-members are welcome to check out a meeting before joining (not including the Open House), but if you already know you want to support the group, join now and save!

February Meeting (2/26) to discuss immune system boosters

Thanks to the feedback we received from our Survey Monkey survey, we've decided to make February's meeting about natural ways to boost immunity in cold and flu season. We'll be posting more info later inviting folks to submit their favorite natural remedies ahead of time so we can make a collective "recipe" book for alternative approaches to immune system health. We'll also have a few health care folks to give short panel presentations, including one on chiropractic and nutrition. Recommendations for speakers to address herbalism, ayurveda and homeopathy can be sent to holisticmomsarlalex@gmail.com. Please put "February meeting" in the subject heading.