National Association of Mothers' Centers

This year the National Association of Mothers’ Centers (NAMC) will join with other members of the global Mothers Center International Network for Empowerment (MINE) in promoting and sponsoring “Mile for Mothers” events in the USA.  

We are also encouraging Mothers Centers across the USA to create Mile for Mothers Events in their own community.  This  will be a fun activity, one that won’t add lots of extra work but will generate goodwill, publicity and maybe even members for the centers. The slogan for the walks in the USA will be “Value Children?... Cherish Mothers!”.  We all know how important our mothering work is.  Here at the NAMC we are working very hard to have policy makers acknowledge the value of that work by making the needs of mothers and families a real priority.  

Create Your Own Mile for Mothers – May 2009

Who?:      

Mothers' Center members (and their friends & families) from countries across the globe including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Spain, Jamaica and the USA.

What?       

A walk in the park, 4 laps around the track, a march down main street, a stroll through the ‘hood ... just make it a mile (or more).  Walk with wagons and strollers, toddlers and teens - get Dads to join in too.  {Carry a banner or sign to make your group more visible and don't forget to take lots of pictures!}

When?

Mothers' Day or any day in May 2009

Where?   

Somewhere visible in your community - a local park, downtown shopping district, the mall, a local gym, an outdoor track - anywhere where you can meet and walk together.

Why:   

• Solidarity: Join mothers across the globe for a public celebration of motherhood and a public declaration of what mothers need in order to do their best to care for their families. 

• Support: Get the word out and raise awareness of the fact that your center is an important community resource for local mothers and families.  Maybe even turn it into a fundraiser. (See attached  "Mile for Mothers" PR & Fundraising Tips)

•  Have some fun!  Get together with friends, get some exercise, enjoy!   

PR & Fundraising Tips

Once You Plan it ...Publicize, publicize, publicize!
Send press releases before and after the event to local and regional newspapers and other free publications in your area. If possible send an eye catching picture to go with it. (i.e. Mom & Child with "Mile for Moms" T-Shirt or banner (available at NAMC online store or well send the artwork and you can create your own).  Customize the press releases to fit your event and be sure to include a photo or two.

Sample Pre-Event Press Release:

                                                                     For Immediate Release

COME WALK A MILE IN OUR SHOES!

CONTACT:

Name _____________  Phone: ______________ Email: _______________

City, ST  Date - Area moms from the Mothers‘ Center of ____________________  will join mothers from across the globe to walk a Mile for Mothers on (date) at (location).  The Mile for Mothers‘ is intended as a public celebration of motherhood and a public declaration of what mothers need in order to do their best to care for their families.  Mothers need their caregiving work to be valued and supported and for that work to be a priorty in public policy.  The Mothers‘ Center of ____________, part of the National Association of Mothers‘ Centers, provides a place where mothers can meet other mothers, share the joys and challenges of parenting, find support and friendship and get involved in their community. These local women will be joined by women from Mothers‘ Centers across the USA as well as cities and towns in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and Jamaica.  For more information about this event or the Mothers‘ Center of _______  contact ____________.

Sample Post-Event Press Release:

For Immediate Release

THEY CAME, THEY WALKED, THEY CELEBRATED!

CONTACT:

Name _____________  Phone: ______________ Email: _______________

City, ST  Date - They came pushing strollers, toting newborns and with toddlers in tow. Joined by friends and family, on (date) some (#) moms from the Mothers‘ Center of ______________  joined mothers from across the globe in a Mile for Mothers walk at ___________.  The Mile for Mothers‘ conceived by the Mothers‘ Centers International Network for Empowerment (MINE) as a public celebration of motherhood and a public declaration of what mothers need in order to do their best to care for their families.  Mothers need their caregiving work to be valued and supported and for that work to be a priorty in public policy.  The Mothers‘ Center of ____________, part of the National Association of Mothers‘ Centers, provides a place where mothers can meet other mothers, share the joys and challenges of parenting, find support and friendship and get involved in their community. These local women will be joined by women from Mothers‘ Centers across the USA as well as cities and towns in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and Jamaica.  For more information about this event or the Mothers‘ Center of _______  contact ___________.

POSTERS/FLYERS

• Print flyers and post them at your center, the local library and any other places where moms and children are in your community. 
• Customize the flyer to fit your event. Be sure to include information about your event on your website, Big Tent account, email loop, etc.

Make it a Fundraiser!

• Have baked goods/snacks/drinks available for purschase at the end of the walk.  Goods can be donated by members or local businesses.  It's pure profit.

• Print up t-shirts with the Mile for Mothers Logo and sell them (artwork available on the NAMC website or by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or (877) 939-MOMS X107).

• Create a sponsorship stucture where people agree to sponsor you for your mile at a certain rate.

• Get items donated for raffle prizes and raffle them off at the end of the event

These are just a few ideas - if you have others please share them with us so we can pass them along to other centers.