Abu Dhabi Mums Reputation

What is Abu Dhabi Mums?
Abu Dhabi Mums was formed in January 1994 as a weekly social meeting for mums with pre-school children up to the day of their 6th birthday. (This age limit is strictly enforced.) The original group started off with four mums who met up once a week with their children and since then the group has grown to over 330 members.
AD Mums is a non-profit group aimed at supporting and facilitating the relationship between mothers and children. Run totally on a volunteer basis, we are open to anyone in Abu Dhabi who is expecting or has children up to the age of 6 years. A membership card is issued to everyone who pays the nominal membership fee. This card can be used to get into various venues where activities/events are held and can also be used to obtain discounts at participating outlets in Abu Dhabi.

Does Abu Dhabi Mums have a mission statement?
The objectives of Abu Dhabi Mum’s are to:
• provide opportunities that promote the physical, cognitive and social development of infants and children;
• facilitate the growth and exploration of childhood;
• promote a sense of community for expatriate mothers and children;
• provide opportunities that enhance friendship and support between mothers.

Who manages Abu Dhabi Mums
We are all mums who volunteer their time to help mums get together and support each other. Each of us puts in whatever time we can whether it’s an hour a week, a little more, or a lot more. We don’t sit at a desk and we don’t have an office, so please be patient with us if we don’t answer your queries/enquiries straight away. We will get back to you as soon as we can

Who can join?
Abu Dhabi Mums is for mothers with children from pregnancy to their 6th birthday. When a child reaches his/her 6th birthday they are no longer eligible to participate in Abu Dhabi Mums events.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY.

My children are all over 6, can I still join for the discounts?
Mums are not allowed to renew their membership to continue receiving discounts.

How do I join?
Download the membership form and bring it along to one of our social events. Socials are held at The Club on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 am – 12 noon. For directions to The Club please call 02 673-1111 or see the map on this site. This is a nice opportunity to catch up with other members, old and new and enjoy a coffee and a chat. Children are most welcome. Please be advised that you will no longer be able to join with your group coordinator.
If you cannot make it to the Social, you can also leave your form and fee in the Abu Dhabi Mums box behind reception at The Club, at Teddy Bear Nursery in Khalifa City or at Bright Beginnings Nursery in Abu Dhabi. Please note it will take slightly longer to receive your membership card.

How much does it cost to join?
The annual fee is AED100. If you join in January or February the fee is reduced to AED30.

Why do I have to pay an annual fee if AD Mums is a non-profit group?
Annual fees are used to finance and subsidise events for the children. The annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Party and Christmas parties are good examples of this. When you attend these functions, you pay for the food and beverages, AD Mums provides the decorations, treats and gifts for the children.
Any excess funds held at the end of the year are donated to help children and mums via local charities and foundations. Donations are voted on at committee meetings and the AGM.

Why do I have to pay to attend functions if AD Mums is a non-profit group?
The amount charged at a weekly meeting usually covers the cost of hiring the venue. In order to ‘reserve’ a venue weekly, we have to guarantee a weekly booking and this means that we have to pay for that venue even during the summer months when numbers are down. The AD Mums annual fee ensures that we can cover the costs even when there aren’t enough members attending events.
Of course there are times when we more than cover the cost of an event in which case the funds go back into the kitty and can be used where needed. We also use funds to replace broken toys or buy new videos and books. Most sub-groups are self-funding.

How do I book a place at an event?
Contact the group coordinator for the event. Contact details are listed in the newsletter which is available to all paid members. You can also contact a coordinator by sending an e-mail, click on the link under the Committee List heading on the web-site.

Can I come along and try out a few sessions first?
Parents are able to attend two regular activities (excluding Special Events) prior to joining.

How can I be more involved with Abu Dhabi Mums?
Abu Dhabi Mums is a volunteer run organization. All of the committee members and group coordinators are volunteers.
If you would like to be more involved, you can volunteer to:
• run a group
• be a committee member
• help the special projects committee to organize functions
• write an article for the newsletter
Descriptions for each coordinators position are available on the web site. You can give as much or as little time as you want.

Why doesn’t my group meet any more?
Groups stop running when a coordinator steps down and no-one volunteers to keep the group running. Volunteers usually step down because their child is no longer eligible for the group they are running, they have been relocated, or their circumstances have changed.
If you want the group to keep running, please volunteer to be group coordinator. There is a ‘job’ description for each group coordinator on the ADMs web site.

How can I contact other mums before I travel to Abu Dhabi?
ADMs has a free, easy-to-use email group service. To learn more about the abudhabimums group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/abudhabimums
The Expat Woman website has some great chat rooms in its the Social Groups section. www.Expatwoman.com

Where can I find a good nursery, Doctor, Dentist, school, maid?
ADMs cannot recommend a particular service however, we do have listings on our website that our members have used? We also have a chat room where you can talk to other mums and share information, ideas and experiences. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/abudhabimums)
For a very informative web site that does have some excellent advice on living in Abu Dhabi as well as chat rooms and links to many other resources, try the Expat Woman site. www.expatwoman.com ... Country Profile

Where can I get a list of events for this month?
Click on the link to the Calendar for a listing of group events being held in the current month.

Where do I get my membership card?
Your membership card will be issued when you have paid your membership fee. Where possible, membership cards are issued instantly at Social mornings. Your membership card can also be mailed to your Post Office Box or left at The club in the Abu Dhabi Mums box.

I have paid my membership fee, but haven’t received my card
If your membership card was not issued when you paid your membership fee, then you will be asked to indicate whether you would like it mailed to your Post Office Box or left at The Club in the Abu Dhabi Mums box. Please allow 10-12 working days for your card arrive.

I have waited 10-12 days and still haven’t received my card
Please send an e-mail to the membership coordinator. Click on the link on the web site. Please remember that all of our coordinators are volunteers and may not be able to answer your query immediately on the phone. Your e-mail will be answered as soon as possible.

When do I get my first newsletter?
You will receive an e-mail giving you a link to the newsletter as soon as your membership form is circulated to the Communications Coordinator, usually within 5-7 working days from joining. If you do not have an e-mail, a copy of the newsletter can be mailed to your Post Office Box or left at The Club in the Abu Dhabi Mums box.

I have paid my membership fee but haven’t received my newsletter.
Please allow 5-7 days for your membership form to be processed, and 10-12 days for your newsletter to be sent out.

I have waited 10-12 days and still haven’t received my newsletter
Please send an e-mail to the communications coordinator stating your name, the date you joined and the person to whom you paid your membership fee. Click on the link on the web site. Please remember that all of our coordinators are volunteers and may not be able to answer your query immediately on the phone. Your e-mail will be answered as soon as possible.

When is the next Fayre/party/event?
The web-site Calendar lists all events being held this month. The Special Events section tells you when the Spring/Autumn Fayre, Mother’s Day Brunch, Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween and Christmas Parties will be held.

Where can I get directions to The Club?
You can call The Club at 02 673 1111, or check our website for a printable map and directions.

How can I advertise in the newsletter?
All members will receive a monthly newsletter. Advertising in this newsletter will be limited to notices submitted by members. If a business wishes to advertise, it may only do so if offering a discount to members.

How can I get my business listed on your web site?
You can apply by sending an e-mail to the ADMs Coordinator at the link on the web site. Please include details of your line of business and any offers you wish to make to the ADMs members. Your proposal will be voted on at the next committee meeting.

Can I attend events at The Club if I’m not a Club member?
A lot of ADMs functions are held at The Club and you are required to show your membership card at the gate to gain entry. Please remember that this privilege does not allow you to use Club facilities and non-Club members should leave the premises promptly following an event.