MEMBERSHIP
What are the criteria for membership?
What does it cost and how is the money spent?
Can I pay by check?
What are the benefits of joining GGMG?
Can I attend a General Meeting to see if I want to join?
What do I do if I want to end my membership?
I joined, but I'm moving out of San Francisco. Can I remain in GGMG?
Can I use my membership for professional purposes?

NEWSLETTER
When should I expect my newsletter?
How do I advertise in the newsletter?
Can I submit an article to the newsletter?

EVENTS
How do I register for a GGMG event?
How do I pay for a GGMG event that requires payment?
How do I find out about GGMG events?
I signed up for an event, but now I can't go. How do I cancel?
Can my caregiver bring my child to a GGMG Kids Activity?

MEMBERSHIP

1. What are the criteria for membership?
   You must be a woman who lives in San Francisco, and is expecting a child or has at least one child younger than 5 years old. Our organization is intended solely to support mothers and to explore the issues that arise in motherhood.
2. What does it cost and how is the money spent?
   Both our initial and renewal fees are $75 for membership for one year. This covers the administrative and operating expenses of our group. Over half of the fee is spent on the printing and mailing of our newsletter. Other monies are spent on hosting events for mothers, children, and families. We also pay a monthly fee per member to our online service provider, ClubExpress, who handles our roster, calendar, and event payments. Any credit card charges made to GGMG will be listed on your statement as "ClubExpress.com".
3. Can I pay by check?
   We STRONGLY urge our members to make payments with a credit card because we receive the contents of our mailbox every two weeks and your account may expire between visits. If you are renewing your membership and your account expires between visits to the mailbox, you could experience an interruption in your newsletter delivery and you will be removed from our online forum. If you wish to send a check, it should have the name that you joined GGMG with (if not, please write it on the check) so that we can easily update your account. Send the check to:
   Golden Gate Mothers Group
   PO Box 475866
   San Francisco CA 94147
4. What are the benefits of joining GGMG?
   We have so many! We host a general meeting once a month on a topic that is important to our members, and we publish a fantastic newsletter 10 times a year. We provide an opportunity for you to join a playgroup with your child and we have a Yahoo! online forum where you can communicate via email with other members about the joys and pains of motherhood in SF. We host several annual family events and many Moms-only events during the year. We schedule fun and entertaining events for members and their children in the city several times a month. But the most important benefit is we have nearly 3500 members who have pledged to support you and each other as mothers.
5. Can I attend a General Meeting to see if I want to join?
   Of course! Go to the Events page for all of the details on our upcoming General Meetings.
6. What do I do if I want to end my membership?
   Contact our Membership Committee chair so she can convince you to stay! If, however, you do wish to end your membership, you can contact our Membership Committee Chair at membership@ggmg.org and she will remove you from our roster. You will no longer receive our newsletter and all group benefits will be terminated. We do not refund any membership fees.
   
7. I joined, but I'm moving out of San Francisco. Can I remain in GGMG?
   Absolutely. While our meetings and almost all of our activities for children, mothers, and families are based in San Francisco, we do have members who continue their membership for our very informative online forum and newsletter. You will still continue to receive our newsletter only if you reside in the United States. If you should move outside of the United States, you may pay the additional shipping cost to continue to receive the newsletter.
8. Can I use my membership for professional purposes?
   We at GGMG take our members' privacy very seriously. As such, we currently do not allow members to have access to the personal information of other members. You must agree to a legally binding agreement when you apply that you will not use any member information you many gain through our forum or playgroups (names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc.) for commercial purposes, which means you cannot use member information to benefit your business, a family business, a friend's business, or ANY business you have a direct or indirect interest in. Further, ALL member information, both personal and anything posted on our forum, is confidential and legally owned by GGMG and for the personal use of members only. You may not solicit other GGMG members. GGMG reserves the right to suspend or terminate your membership for any violation of this policy.

NEWSLETTER

1. When should I expect my newsletter?
   Our very popular newsletter contains articles, advice, events, and other club news. We print ten newsletters a year; July/August and December/January are double-issues. We print the newsletter at the end of the month so it is ready to mail in the beginning of the next month. Depending on when you paid your dues, you will receive the next or following month's newsletter.  Past issues of newsletters are available online.  To change your delivery address, go to ggmg.clubexpress.com.  For other delivery problems, please email membership@GGMG.org.
2. How do I advertise in the newsletter?
   Members are permitted free classified advertising for such things as inquiring about a nanny or selling an item with a small monetary value (like a stroller). The newsletter accepts advertising from outside sources, and you can view our ad rates here. (Members do not receive discounts on our advertising rates.)
3. Can I submit an article to the newsletter?
   Absolutely! Our Newsletter Committee is always looking for members to participate in writing articles for the newsletter. Please read our newsletter article guidelines and let the committee know you are interested!

EVENTS

1. How do I register for a GGMG event?
   Registration is required for all GGMG Kids Activities; register at Club Express: http://ggmg.clubexpress.com. Enter your GGMG user name and password, select your interested event, and follow the directions listed on the specific event page. Please note that if the Registration button does not appear, the event is FULL.
   
   • Open (unpaid) registrations will be canceled within 24 hours.
   • GGMG does not process refunds for Kids Activities.
   • If you're unable to attend, you may sell your space using the GGMG listserv.
   • For free events, please fill your space if you're unable to attend as a courtesy to fellow members and the participating venues.
2. How do I pay for a GGMG event that requires payment?
   Because our events tend to fill up quickly, we STRONGLY urge our members to make payments with a credit card as this guarantees your spot. As a courtesy to fellow members, any open (unpaid) registrations over 24 hours are canceled so that other interested members can participate in the events.
3. How do I find out about GGMG events?
   GGMG sponsors many activities each month that that are advertised in a variety of ways: listed on the Events Calendar, posted to our members' online forum, printed in the newsletter and promoted during general meetings. Refer to our Events page for more details on types of events.
4. How do I find out which events I've successfully registered for?
   Check your transaction history by logging on to ClubExpress, click on "Profile" then click on "Transaction History," located under "Financial Info." You'll see your entire Club Express transaction history, including event and membership fee payments.
5. I signed up for an event, but now I can't go. How do I cancel?
   Members register for events via the Events Calendar. However, only the event organizers can cancel a registration, so contact the event organizer if you can't go. (You'll find that information in the event description on the Events Calendar.) We do not provide refunds, but feel free to find another member who is willing to take your place and pay you for your spot -- you can do this by posting to the online forum.  Please inform the event organizer of any of these cancellations or swaps so they know whom to expect at the event.
6. Can my caregiver bring my child to a GGMG Kids Activity?
   In general, caregivers including fathers, nannies and grandparents, are invited to bring members' children to GGMG Kids Activities events. Each caregiver may bring up to two children. The exceptions are New Moms events, which are limited to GGMG members and their very young infants.
   However, attendance at GGMG Social Events (the large weekend events including the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Party and Summer Fair) is limited to members and their immediate families.

PLAYGROUPS
My baby is too little to play. Why should I join a playgroup?
I only want to join a playgroup. Do I have to be a member?
How do I join a playgroup?
What if I want a playgroup based on something other than age?

WEBSITE & ONLINE FORUM
I joined, but where's my Yahoo! Group invitation?
How do I post messages?
What can I post to the online forum?
How do I stop the emails or change the frequency of emails?
I am not receiving some emails. Why?
How do I change my email address for the online forum?
HELP! I forgot my login!
How do I join the Yahoo! Group?
My invitation to join the Yahoo! Group expired. What should I do?
How do I search the message archive?

PLAYGROUPS

1. My baby is too little to play. Why should I join a playgroup?
   Playgroups are designed with the mother in mind, so that she has her own small support system and resource within our large club. And they are organized according to the child's birthday so the mothers are experiencing the same thing at about the same time. Our playgroups are a wonderful way to establish yourself with a small group of women whose primary goal is to support one another through the challenges of motherhood. We currently only organize playgroups for newborns up to 18 month-olds. Our Committee does not organize playgroups for children older than 18 months. If your child is older than 18 months, you are welcome to contact our Committee and request a spot in an existing playgroup, and you can post on our forum asking our members if anyone has an available opening in an already existing playgroup. Email playgroups@GGMG.org.
2. I only want to join a playgroup. Do I have to be a member?
   Yes. Organizing playgroups for our members is one of the many benefits of our organization and you must become a member to receive any and all benefits.
3. How do I join a playgroup?
   New playgroups are formed every other month: January, March, May, July, September, and November. We also can  help members join existing playgroups (for those with older children) or form new playgroups based on criteria different from age of children.  More information on joining a playgroup can be found on our Playgroups page.
4. What if I want a playgroup based on something other than age?
   If you are interested in, or would like to facilitate a playgroup based upon criteria other than the age of your child (e.g. ethnicity, religion, neighborhood, single moms, first time moms over 40, adoptive moms, etc.), email us at playgroups@ggmg.org with your specific request and your contact information and we would be happy to add you to our Specialized Playgroup list, send appropriate candidates your way, and offer suggestions as to how to find other like-minded moms for your playgroup.

WEBSITE & ONLINE FORUM

1. I joined, but where's my Yahoo! Group Invitation?
   Access isn't instantaneous.  Yahoo! group invitations are sent once a week, so depending on when your membership was approved and payment received, you may have to wait a week or more.  Please check your SPAM or bulk mail folder--invitations often end up there. If you renewed after your expiration date, you will probably be removed from our Yahoo! group and may miss a newsletter, too.
2. How do I post messages?
   Compose an email to ggmgmembersarea@yahoogroups.com and it will go to the Yahoo! Group. If you have a Yahoo! ID, you can also go to the GGMGMembersArea and select Post.
3. What can I post to the online forum?
   Our online forum is an excellent way to communicate with other members, but we do have strict rules governing our online forum because of the high number of messages.  A full list of the policies, which you agreed to when you accepted the invitation, are here.  Also, you cannot give any GGMG usernames and passwords to a friend or an outside source. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your participation in the online forum, or your membership with GGMG, due to violations of these policies. We reserve the right to change our policies at any time.
4. How do I stop the emails or change the frequency of emails?
   Each member can select the volume of messages they want to receive. The options are to receive all messages, a daily digest, a weekly digest, special notices, or no messages. To change to one of these options, go to the GGMGMembersArea and select "Edit Membership" from the top center, above the teal-colored bar. "Message Delivery" is the third option.
5. I am not receiving some emails. Why?
   Emails may end up in your SPAM folder. You might want to modify your SPAM filter to accept any email with GGMG in the sender name. Also, the online forum is currently moderated; the message you were looking for may not have been approved because it did not adhere to the forum's policies. Occasionally there are also the usual delivery problems associated with email.
6. How do I change my email address for the online forum?
   Log into Yahoo!, go to GGMGMembersArea and select "Edit Membership" from the top center. There you can change the email address to which the Yahoo! group emails are sent. If your preferred email address is not displayed, click "Add new email address".
7. HELP! I forgot my login!
   ClubExpress and the Yahoo! group have different logins, so please keep track of them because we don't! If you know your Yahoo! username and can't log into the Yahoo! group, go to http://login.yahoo.com. If you can't remember your Yahoo! username, email webmaster@ggmg.org. If you have any problems logging into ggmg.clubexpress.com, call 1-866-HLP-CLUB (457-2582) or e-mail support@clubexpress.com.
8. How do I join the Yahoo! Group?
   You MUST be a member of GGMG, and once your membership is approved and your dues payment received, you will receive an emailed invitation within two (2) weeks to join our GGMG members-only Yahoo! forum.  It is sent to the email address you entered into your enrollment form, and may end up in your SPAM or bulk folder, so be sure to check there.
9. My invitation to join the Yahoo! Group expired. What should I do?
   Yahoo! group invitations expire after 30 days.  If your invitation expired before you activated your membership, or you need help joining, please email webmaster@ggmg.org.
10. How do I search the message archive?
    In order to search the archive, you will need a Yahoo! ID. Use your Yahoo! ID to log into GGMGMembersArea; scroll down until you see the Search box, type your search terms, and click Search.