Here are some guidelines for running your playgroup.  At the playgroup kick-off the group should have selected a facilitator.  It is this person’s responsibility to lead the group.  Organizational tasks the facilitator will usually undertake include:

1. Getting everyone to agree to a day and time for a weekly playgroup meeting
2. Set up a Yahoo! group with all the playgroup members
3. Use the calendar feature in Yahoo! group to choose locations and hosts for the weekly playgroup.  Schedule 2-3 months in advance and allow playgroup members to each choose a few dates to host.
4. Set up reminders on the Yahoo! calendar asking playgroup members to RSVP to the host.
5. Have playgroup members enter their contact information in theYahoo! groups.  The following information can be useful:
1. Name
2. Address / Cross Street
3. Spouse name
4. Children’s name
5. Children’s birth date
6. Home phone numbers
7. Cell phone numbers

The playgroup members should decide on a mutually agreeable time based on children’s napping patterns.  As the children grow older and the napping times change, decide again whether the time should change to fit the children’s new napping schedules.

Once the playgroup is up and running and everyone has met and exchanged vital information, the facilitator really just makes sure everything is running smoothly.  Since there is no defined term for the position of facilitator, one can hold the position as long as it is working for her and the group.  The most important thing is that everyone is happy with the facilitator and that the facilitator is happy with the tasks at hand.  Your group can choose to change facilitators each year, half year or at another agreed upon time.

One of the most important things the facilitator can do is make sure the responsibilities for hosting playgroups are evenly and equally distributed among playgroup moms, so that some moms do not feel more burdened than others.
If at any time your group would like to accept more members just email playgroups@ggmg.org and we will add your contact information to the open playgroup list. 

Once children begin to walk it becomes more difficult to have playgroups in homes.  Here are some other ideas of where to meet:

• Playgrounds and parks (GGMG's list of playgrounds)
• California Academy of Sciences, Steinhardt Aquarium
• Botanical Gardens at Golden Gate Park
• Bay Area Discovery Museum
• Yerba Buena Gardens
• Stow Lake at Golden Gate Park
• San Francisco Zoo
• Mom’s movies at the Metreon or Presidio Theater
• San Francisco Public Library Story Hours
• The Randall Museum
• The Exploratorium (better for older children)
• The DeYoung Museum

Playgroups should consist of members from the Golden Gate Mother’s Group.  If other friends (not paid members) want to attend the playgroup, please encourage them to join GGMG.