Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level - Part 4

by Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team
President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies.

Fundraising!

Your group cannot survive on membership fees alone, and if you don’t charge membership fees you’ll be paying out your own pocket.

At some point you will want to consider a fundraiser. These can be large or small, one-time or ongoing. Discuss with your members what they are interested in participating in, what they are willing to spend, how often they want to be solicited for funds and if they have any special interests in certain products that you could sell.

There are pluses and minuses to all fundraisers. Be in tune with your membership as to their commitment level. Make sure to have one person who will oversee the event and be prepared for limited involvement from members.

Fundraising Options
One-Time / Periodic
Bake Sale
Garage Sale
Pampered Chef, Usborne Books or other direct sales

Ongoing – all of the options listed below are free to sign up and simple to implement. These are just a few of the nanny group friendly sites that have affiliate programs.

• Amazon.com Affiliate Program – one of my favorite and most convenient. Sign up for their affiliate/associate program and funds are directly deposited into your account. ADCAN had special business cards made up via VistaPrint reminding members to utilize Amazon when shopping. This offer can be shared with general public and on your website. Portion of purchase proceeds go directly back to your group.
• EFundraising.com – another favorite. Simply place the link on your site and members and visitors can buy new or renew magazine subscriptions and portion of proceeds go directly back to your group.
• Commission Junction.com – for this site, you sign up for an account, and then sign up for vendor opportunities that you want to participate in. Examples are VistaPrint, and Crayola. These companies then provide you with your own personalized link and when orders are made through your site/link, you get a portion of the purchase price.
• CafePress.com offers you the opportunity to market your group on merchandise and earn money when sales are made from that site. From t-shirts to bumper stickers, buttons and mugs the possibilities are endless.
• I See Me offer personalized books and children’s products and gives nanny groups an opportunity to earn funds with their affiliate program.

The ongoing options above allow for easy accessibility, no organizing or overhead and ongoing promotion of your fundraiser.

Many of these programs require an EIN number and a website to participate and a checking account for funds to be deposited into.

Next up in part 5 – Membership Dues and Business Sponsorships.

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level - part 3

by Kellie Geres

Regarding Nannies Development Team
President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies

Newsletters!

A great tool for any group or business to serve its members or customers. It can consist of a simple one page, double sided mailed out version to multiple pages sent online via PDF. You might even consider an electronic version using a service like Constant Contact.

Keep in mind …
If doing a print version, you will have printing, postage, envelope, label costs.

An email version can be done using a free PDF converter which you can Google and find online, or you can purchase one. You can use a word document format or publisher format and these programs have easy templates for you to choose from.

Constant Contact offers numerous templates, minimal costs but is limited to those with email. Sending to a list of 500 emails can cost $15 a month.

A successful newsletter should include:
President / Vice President / Owner message. Greet your members or clients. Keep them up to date on what you are doing, something meaningful going on in your group and plans for the coming months.

Main Article(s) – something timely or professionally related. There are many resources available out there on the internet, find them and make sure to get permission to reprint anything you copy from another source. Have members write articles, guest contributors, industry professional and more. Connect with other nanny groups, newsletters, and bloggers and ask them for permission to reprint. I’ve yet to have someone say no to a request. Always provide a link to their site and give full credit to the author and website.

A Calendar of Events can include birthdays, groups events, holidays, meeting reminders. Calendar formats can be found online as well.

Featured Nanny is very popular amongst nanny groups. Pick a nanny in your group that you’d like others to know. Don’t let it be just a few sentences of who this person is – this is your opportunity to really get to know this person and introduce her to your group. Ask in depth questions, candid and thought provoking questions to get your subject talking.

Include photos from events. Let your members know that photos are taken at events and will be used in publications. If anyone does not want to be included, they can opt out of photo opportunities. Be respectful of members’ wishes on this matter.

What is your group up to? Include committee updates. Have events in the planning? Need help planning a party or event? Get your members involved and publish details in the newsletter.

Ask Nanny? Offer a question and answer section that members / readers can write in and ask a question and have it answered. You can set up a simple Gmail account so that people can anonymously send in questions and have answered in future issues.

Don’t forget a disclaimer. You can search Google for simple newsletter disclaimers for the wording, but the will protect you should any matter arise.

You may also want to consider advertising. I will go into further detail on this in part 5, but advertising will help defer your costs, offer added benefits to businesses and resources to your members and clients.

Here is a complimentary look at the newsletter of ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies.

A newsletter is a great communication tool, and communication is key in a successful group. Some other forms of communication you might consider for your group are:

Members Only Yahoo Group – this allows for membership only communications and can help with planning, organizing and implementing events.

Have dedicated emails for your group. Gmail is a great tool for this. Free and as many as you like. Offer one for newsletter, one for membership, one for events. This way you keep everything organized and only those persons who need access to certain information have access to those emails, and not the entire groups email.
Phone trees are a great tool as well. We all get caught up in emails and facebook and twitter. A phone call does wonder when reaching out to your membership. New members should receive a welcome call.

Something special going on in the group? Call and let everyone know. Is there a member who isn’t coming to meetings? Call and touch base and see if everything is OK. That personal touch goes a long way in creating relationships with your members and potential members.

Evite is an awesome tool for groups. Manage your events by creating, inviting, RSVP, directions and even refreshments. Simple and free.

Postcards are one of my favorite tools in communicating with groups. For this, I LOVE VistaPrint. 100 FREE postcards and all you pay is shipping. How can you go wrong? Do Save the Dates; group information to pass out at parks, playgrounds, businesses; membership receipts for payment, National Nanny Recognition Week reminders, and much, much more!

If you don’t have a blog, consider doing one in conjunction with your website. A blog is a great communication tool. You can post articles and findings from other sites (make sure to give credit), post articles that appear in your newsletter, and much more.

Have a group page on Facebook. Make it public so that people in the industry and the public can learn about you. Post when you have a meeting, area events and attractions, industry news, national news and points of interest for your members and readers.

So many opportunities, so many choices. Do your research and see what you are comfortable doing. Two pages or 20, it’s all up to you and what you want to provide.

Next up … Fundraising!

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level

This is the first in a six part series dedicated to Nanny Groups and leadership.

by Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team

President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies

As Nanny Support Group leaders, you struggle with the day to day challenges of making your group succeed in today’s industry. Whether you have an online group or meet in person, you want to reach as many nannies as possible in your area. What do you offer, what resources are available, how can you increase membership, operating funds, participation? I’ve worked with nanny groups for most of my 21 years as a nanny, and am the current president of ADCAN – Association of DC Area Nannies. ADCAN is the longest running nanny support group in the country and many of the examples I’ll use in this series, I use directly with ADCAN.

First, what type of group best fits you and your area?
If you already have a group or looking to start one, you need to determine what type of group best fits you and your area best.
• Online groups such as yahoo or Ning are great for keeping in touch, sharing ideas and events, and coordinating outings.
• In Person groups meet on a regular basis either as a playgroup, monthly meeting, and discussion groups.
• Social groups meet for dinner, activities, movies, playgroups
• Educational groups provide speakers, workshops and discussion on matters of personal and professional development.
• Or combine a bit of all types into your area group.

Now, how do you target the nannies in your area?
• The internet is your best friend. There are so many low cost / no cost resources out there you can take advantage of.
• Word of mouth – tell everyone you know about your group and to pass that information along to any nannies they know.
• Create a postcard, flier, brochure and /or business card with your group information. For these types of products, I LOVE VistaPrint. Most products are FREE; you just pay shipping and handling. More on VistaPrint will be in parts 3, 4 and 6.
• Buy a domain name of your group name. For this, I recommend GoDaddy.com.
• Create a website. There are free website services out there, low cost services and one that I have noticed many nanny groups doing, which are FREE is blogs. Blogger and WordPress are the two most popular. It can be as simple as who, what, where, when, and why, or include links, resources, calendar of events, members only, marketplace, etc. We’ll get into these items in more detail in part two of this series. I’ll go more in-depth on websites in part 2.
• Contact Nanny Agencies in your area and let them know about your group. Invite them to a meeting, include them in mailings, and ask them to share your information with their nannies. Get them involved! Invite them to sponsor a nanny night out, put out information at your meetings, and ask them to write an article for your newsletter (if you have one). Build relationships with the agencies so you stay on their radar and they continue to share your info with the nannies they place.
• Get noticed! Don’t have a logo? Create one. There are logo services out there or you can utilize online photo shops or clip art to create a look for your group. Even better if you know someone who can create a logo for you, take advantage of networking. Your logo should draw people to you, stand out, and when people see it, they associate it with your group. Once you have your logo, put it on your business card, postcard, flier, website/blog, etc. Go a step further and create some merchandise – journal, t-shirt, tote bag, etc., that you can wear or carry with you and get you noticed.
• Social Networking! Get your group out there on Facebook. Post events, industry news, area happenings, etc., and draw people to you. Again, tell all your friends, and have them tell their friends, and so on and so on. Before you know, you’ll have a loyal following that will help in getting your information to your community. More on social networking will be covered in part 3.

Other ways you can reach out to your nanny community:
• Post messages on local parent message boards and Nanny Group listings and Craigslist.
• Try Meetups.com. Connect with other nannies and area events and get your name out there as a contact for other nannies.
• If there are agencies in your area doing trainings, ask to come to the event and introduce your group. Bring information to pass share with others.
• Always have business cards, postcards or membership material handy to give out to nannies or parents you meet. You never know when you’ll run into potential members.
• Host an event in your area. It can be a play date at the park, brunch, cookie exchange during the holidays, meet and greet at a local restaurant.

So, much to think about, start planning and implementing. Over the course of the next few weeks we’ll continue to discuss Websites, Newsletters & Communication, Fundraising Options, Membership and Membership Options, Promotional Items and Ways to Cut Costs.

Find Nanny Groups in Your Area.

Week of the Young Child - Early Years Are Learning Years

April 11 - 17, 2010

Early Years Are Learning Years®

Week of the Young Child is held each year to honor young children and thank teachers and all those who make a difference in young children’s lives.

NAEYC encourages state and local Affiliates, early childhood programs, and organizations who work on behalf of young children to plan WOYC events that will bring your community together.

Many nanny groups across the country hold events, some to coincide with WOYC. You can see a list of known events on the Nanny Groups blog.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.

Founded in 1926, NAEYC is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 90,000 members, a national network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations.

Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children.

A history lesson on the INA Nanny of the Year

By Glenda Propst, Kellie Geres and Becky Kavanagh
Former INA Nanny of the Year Recipients

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the INA Nanny of the Year. We take a look back at the first NOTY and reconnect with three of the women honored with the award, who give us a look at what their nomination process was like and what they learned and value as being an INA Nanny of the Year.

In 1990, Harriette Grant was awarded the first INA Nanny of the Year Award.
The President of INA at the time felt that it would be a wonderful way to honor a professional nanny, project a positive image of the nanny profession and show the world what a true, dedicated professional nanny really looked like.

Harriette Grant was the epitome of all that a professional nanny represented.

She was a long term nanny who was smart and educated and dedicated to improving the nanny profession. She had been a nanny for over 30 years and she was the key player in organizing ADCAN, The Association of DC Area Nannies, which was the first nanny support group in the United States and holds the honor of being the longest running nanny support group in the US today.

In addition to that, she was a founding member of INA who was serving on the board of directors. Her employers raved about her, her children adored her and even her former charges maintained their relationship with her into adulthood.

When it came to choosing the nanny to represent all nannies, she was hands down the winner.

The next year, INA made the award a little more formal, they had an application process. You had to be nominated by an employer or your agency. The committee was the President of INA, an agency owner and the previous NOTY.

You had to fill out your paperwork, give your education, your background, your work history, how you came into the nanny profession, what ages of children you worked with, what being a nanny meant to you.

Your employer had to fill out a paper on their family, their lifestyle, their kids, and how you as a nanny worked with their children, how you used your skills to provide age appropriate activities and what you did above and beyond the call of duty that set you apart as a professional.

Here were the questions:
• Please describe your candidate and why your candidate should be selected Nanny of the Year.

• Nanny's contribution to development of children's skills such as how nanny has encouraged child's language, creativity, social and emotional development.

• Nanny’s Adaptability (such as how the nanny has coped with special problems, changing requirements of the child or family etc)

• Give one specific example of exemplary professionalism that your candidate for Nanny of the Year has shown. Something your nanny was responsible for, performed or responded to which you think has earned her special recognition from her peers. Put another way, tell us a good nanny story.

Then as the nominator you had to list your own references. Each nominee also had a phone interview, her employers had a phone interview and each person who gave her a reference had a phone interview where they were asked specific questions.

The nannies were scored with a matrix that took into consideration all aspects of your professional life, your commitment to your family, and your work towards improving the profession.

There were 6 nominees that year, the winner being Regarding Nannies own Glenda Propst. The Nanny of the Year was flown to the conference, picked up in limo at the airport, did an interview on Good Morning America and then went out to dinner with the previous year’s recipient and two other people of her choice.

As time went on, the NOTY award continued to change and grow and evolve.
In the early years, just the award was the award but as time went on, the agencies and nanny support groups became more involved and wanted to contribute gifts and special things to the NOTY.

Kellie Geres, 1997 Nanny of the Year
I was new to INA when I was nominated for Nanny of the Year. A member for only four years, 1994 was my first nanny conference. In 1997, nannies could still nominate themselves for the award. That was my plan. I remember working on the application during a trip with my then employer. We were flying at the time, and she was curious what I working so hard one, during the flight. I told her and she said, “we’ll nominate you”. That was the beginning of a wonderful experience leading up to winning the award.

We both worked on the application together. I even went to her office and sat with her to during her work day to go over the application, while my charge was in school. We took this very seriously. We wanted it to be the best, stand out and we accomplished that. I took great pride in putting together my portfolio. The application is similar to what it is today asking such questions as Nanny’s general ability, contributions to the development of the children, adaptability and an example of exemplary professionalism your nanny has shown.

I was one of ten nominees that year, and upon hearing the news, I was shocked, and called my boss … conversation went something like, I won. You won? I won. YOU WON! I was treated to dinner out to celebrate and numerous cards and calls.

During my reign of NOTY, the Louise Woodward incident happened. I was thrust into the media doing television and print interviews on the nanny point of view. What I really ended up doing was educating the media and the public of the difference between a nanny and an au pair. Something I find myself still doing to this day.

I also have to credit all the wonderful nannies I looked up to in my short career as a nanny up to that point, and the saving value of nanny support groups. I would not be the nanny I am today, without my involvement in nanny groups.

I take great pride in knowing I am NOTY alum, and encourage any nanny who feels they are Nanny of the Year to consider the nomination process and be honored and recognized by your peers for a job you love. I am in a wonderful class of individuals whom I am proud to call friends and colleagues. My charges are in awe that their nanny is a Nanny of the Year. I have stayed involved in this industry by serving on the INA board of directors, other nanny groups, speaking, interviews and most currently and proud to serve on the development team of Regarding Nannies, in addition to several other blogs, and co-moderator of Nanny Island.


Becky Kavanagh – 2006 Nanny of the Year
Mary O'Connor, owner of Nannies from the Heartland, nominated me. Both Mary and my employer had tried to nominate me previously but I didn't feel the time was right - either because of other things happening in my life or serving on the INA Board of Directors which felt awkward. So 2006 was the year and I was ready. Mary cited not only my long term employment as a nanny but the ongoing involvement in the nanny industry both locally and nationally in her nomination statement.

This was the first year of the implementation of a new process for the NOTY Selection Committee using an objective weighted rating scale for each area of consideration. These areas include - experience, training, exemplary action cited by nominator, volunteer work and contribution to community, application and portfolio, interview, and references. The selection committee has always used these areas in considering nominees but it was never defined as a rated or weighted scale before.

The process seemed very straight forward to me, but that could also be due to the fact that I have served on the selection committee several times years before my own nomination. I guess I was comfortable about what was being asked, but that doesn't really prepare you for the time needed to complete your portion of the nomination documents and support materials. Securing letters of recommendation became fun as I found so many people delighted to be asked. When I read their responses I was touched by not only their strong recommendations but in the examples that they cited. We don't often get the opportunity to hear from a variety of people just how much we have meant to them. I can't really describe how it feels - amazing seems too small a word. I can tell you that if I'm having a bad day or wondering if I make a difference to anyone all I have to do is read one of these letters and I'm back in business!

Along with a detailed resume nominees are asked for a list of courses/seminars/conferences, other qualifications and special skills, hobbies and interests, and your professional goals. There was a section dedicated to your professional experience, industry involvement, and continuing education. There were additional questions about your nanny journey that focus on certain aspects of the industry. Finally there were three essay questions on industry issues - these reflect questions that media might ask an INA Nanny of the Year.

Part of the process also includes an interview with one of the committee members. They also ask several questions that might be posed by media or about how the nominee would handle media questions. I remember that I was interviewed by INA NOTY 2005, Jenny Brown, she did a wonderful job to put me at ease while we went through the set of questions. Each committee tends to select these questions based on current issues - they are trying to determine how comfortable each nominee is with speaking and their knowledge base. I believe any experienced nanny would be able to handle these questions.

I think I've said this before but the process nominees go through would be good for all professional nannies to experience. Think of it - putting together a portfolio that depicts your full career experience, obtaining letters of recommendation from individuals that think so highly of you, being able to express yourself about real and significant issues facing the industry - well it's a journey I wish every career nanny would take! It was an honor to accept the award on behalf of all the nannies dedicated to their profession and the families they serve, but it was a real growing experience for me to go through the process of becoming a nominee which has even more value to me.

Today, if you look at the nomination packet it is a little overwhelming, but if you are considering a nomination this year, you need to print out the paperwork, and formulate a plan for what you are going to do and how. Just take it one section at a time, talk to your friends, get their ideas for how to best go forward, and go for it.

The nomination restrictions have been eased this year, you don't have to be a member of INA but you do have to join once you are nominated. You can be nominated by a peer, your nanny support group, your agency or even a friend. This is a great opportunity for nanny support groups to support each other and nominate a special nanny.

Are you a former INA Nanny of the Year? What was your experience and what would you tell nannies considering nomination?

Do you have a special memory of an INA Nanny of the Year or has one of them influenced you somehow?

Share your comments with us and our readers!

Financial Friday: A Membership For A Year

Financial Friday: Gifts That Last A Year!
by Alice Shaffer

As a professional nanny, I sometimes struggle with what to get my nanny friends for the holidays and their birthdays. Some of them are live in and others are live out. Either way we all are downsizing in some capacity of what we need or want for the holidays or our birthdays. Our employers, our siblings, our parents and friends all ask us what we want for the holidays and even for our birthdays.

To read the rest of this article please visit : The Financial Nanny

Nannies Give Back to Local Charity

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, I wanted to share with you what one of our nanny groups is doing this holiday season.

ADCAN – Association of DC Area Nannies has been collecting ‘stocking stuffer’ goodies for the women and children of The Betty Ann Krahnke Center for New Beginnings.

The Betty Ann Krahnke Center for New Beginnings (BAK), founded in 2000, is the only domestic violence shelter serving Montgomery County, Maryland. With a 54-bed capacity, BAK provides safety for women and children, support in trauma recovery, and empowerment to increase their personal safety within the community. With the assistance of individual therapists and case managers, women are empowered to create a new future for themselves and their children that is free of abuse, coercion and fear.

Event coordinators and ADCAN board members Deb Santamore and Kathy Grahn also got family involved. When the ladies at Goosebeary’s in Ripon, Wisconsin, heard about the charity collections, they got busy and hand knitted hats and mittens for the residents of BAK.

This marks a series of collections that ADCAN has done for NCCF this past year. In May, they collected Summer of Fun supplies and put together 13 complete bags for their summer camp program. Contents included towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, water shoes, bug spray, camera, journal, playing cards, and much more. Additional items were donated as well and much appreciated by the center.

In the spirit of Back to School, ADCAN nannies generously donated school supplies and backpacks for the children headed back to school and Halloween brought bags and bags of candy and some fun costumes to round out the holiday.

ADCAN also coordinated a gift card drive for NCCF at the October Nannypalooza conference. Over $500 in gifts cards were donated by conference attendees.

Nannies give in so many ways. What are your favorite charities? Is your group doing something special for the holidays?

By Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team, ADCAN president

Spotlight on Boston Area Nanny Support Group

Boston is rich in history and an abundance of Nannies. Jan St. Clair runs Boston Area Nanny Support Group.

Read about her group, how you can get involved and all the wonderful resources and events she and other nannies provide to the Greater Boston Nanny Community.

Spotlight on Boston Area Nanny Support Group

Week End Round Up

This is the last weekend to take advantage of our
NNRW Shopping Specials!

Monday Moxie: Spotlight on Central Florida Nannies

Tuesday Tips
A list of great websites an message boards to visit and explore

Wednesday Creative Nanny
Coloring pages to print with no ads!

Thursday Table Talk: Celebrating Penny Andrews 50 years in the Nanny profession

Friday Financial Nanny Alice shows us Part 2 of setting up a budget

Post a comment on any of our articles for the month of September and be entered to win an INA Membership.

Spotlight on Central Florida Nannies

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.

Read the entire Central Florida Nannies profile on the Nanny Groups blog!

Spotlight on CincyNanny

This week we introduce you to one of the newest Nanny Groups out there - CincyNanny. Founder Greta Schraer provides us with an introduction and a look into her group. Getting to know Greta through her blog and this introduction, I can't wait to see her at Nannypalooza! Good Luck Greta!




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".

Read the entire article on the Nanny Groups Blog.

Week End Round Up

Please patronize the wonderful vendors who are offering special shopping deals for September.

On Monday Moxie we spotlighted the Nanny Alliance of NY NJ

On Tuesday Tips we shared some great tips for starting your own Nanny Support Group

On Creative Nanny Wednesday we went back to our childhood for a simple Fall Art Activity : Crayon Rubbings

On Table Talk Thursday we interviewed 3 professional nannies who are also mommies.

On Financial Friday we found out about the importance of the pending legislation on increasing the tax credit for child care.

Coming up this week on Regarding Nannies:
Join with us as we honor Penny Andrews who is a working nanny celebrating her 50th year as a professional nanny.

Spotlight on Starting a Nanny Support Group

Today we bring you an extensive feature from Nanny Groups on Starting A Nanny Support Group. Nanny Groups are an essential part of the nanny community, providing, friendship, education, networking, mentoring, socializing and so much more.

We encourage you to get involved with your local group on any level or if there is not one available in your area, consider starting one! The information provided here will provide you with what you need to know to get started or give your current group a few new ideas.

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.

Read the entire Starting A Nanny Support Group Guide on the Nanny Groups Blog.

Spotlight on Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ

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.

Visit Nanny Groups to read the entire profile on Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ.

Weekend Round Up

This week we kicked off a month long focus on National Nanny Recognition Week with an extra Sunday post that gave the history of how NNRW began.

On Monday Moxie we spotlighted ADCAN, the first and oldest nanny support group in the USA.

On Tuesday Tips we shared a list of vendors who are offering special deals and discounts all month long in celebration of NNRW. Please be sure to check out these awesome deals and do some shopping with these wonderful vendors who are so supportive of what we are doing.

On Wednesday's Creative Nanny, Nanny Gael Ann introduced us to Smilebox.

On Thursday Table Talk, Cortney Gibson shared with us how to have "The Happiest Baby on the Block"

On Friday Financial Nanny , Alice showed us a handy dandy Accordion Organizer that is great for keeping track of receipts (and it's 20% off through Labor Day...check out the shopping deals for the code under Letters by Design)

Spotlight on ADCAN - Association of DC Area Nannies

by Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team

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.

Read the entire Spotlight article here. Read more about NNRW here.