as moms we
spend so much
time doing for
others it seems
weird or selfish or
cheesy to talk
about taking care
of ourselves
Coaching Group Information
"I, for one, am ready and willing to overcome some of
the obstacles I have in realizing my goals and dreams"
This is the original text that went out about the moms coaching group.  
Hi Moms,
I have put together a list of about twenty moms who I think may be interested in a coaching group.  
My coach, Lorrie Williams, has agreed to facilitate the group.  Some of you have already expressed
interest in attending the group; some of you are just hearing about it for the first time with this email.  
If you have a friend who is also fabulous and a mom who might benefit from a group like this,
please feel free to invite her to join us as well.

You may ask:  What is a coaching group?  How much does it cost?  What would it look like?

Here are the answers I have to the questions I have anticipated.  I assume that others will come up.  
Please feel free to ask me, as the coordinator of the group, and if I don't have an answer I will try to
get it for you.  If you have specific questions for Lorrie I can pass them on to her, or you can contact
her directly.

1) What is a coaching group?
A coaching group, as Lorrie would run it, is a group of moms who learn how to ask themselves the
questions that need to be asked and take the actions that need to be taken in order to more fully
realize their individual potential.  We would also learn how to coach each other and help each other
along the road to more fully realized selves.  

Does that sound corny?  It is, a little, especially since as moms we spend so much time doing for
others it seems weird or selfish or cheesy to talk about taking care of ourselves and other moms.  I,
for one, am ready and willing to overcome some of the obstacles I have in realizing my goals and
dreams--in my relationship with my partner, in being the kind of mom I want my children to have,
and in becoming the kind of business woman I would like to work for and with.

2) How much does it cost?
The cost for the group would be $45, plus a $25 materials fee.  If we decide to do childcare, that
would be an additional charge as well.

3) What would the group look like?
The group would meet once a month for 6 months beginning in January.  Lorrie would provide us
with a workbook specially designed for our group.  We would meet for 1.5-2 hours each time.  Each
woman in the group would have the opportunity to share a challenge that she has in one area of her
life and she will get feedback from the other moms in the group as well as the skilled facilitator.  We
would each learn, with the workbook and the groups, how to move through current challenges into a
life that more closely fits our own ideals.

4) Who are the other women in the group?
The women who would potentially be in this first group are from a range of sources.  Some are from
Alexandra's original mom's group, some are friends and colleagues of mine, some are women who
I think would benefit from this type of group, and some have been invited by other women who I
invited who thought "my friend needs/would love to do this group!"  All of the women are moms.  
Most of them have children under three, although at least two of the women have school age
children.  Most of the women are in relationships with a primary partner.  At least two are single
moms.  Most of the women are primarily heterosexual, though at least two identify as queer.  We
have several women of color, and several mixed race families.  Many of the women are in families
that are struggling financially in these difficult economic times.  At least half of the group has college
degrees; at least a quarter has advanced degrees.  Some are stay at home moms; many work at
least part time.  I'm sure there are other relevant demographics that I'm leaving out, but hopefully
this gives a good picture.

5) How many women are in a group?
The maximum number for an effective group like this is 8-10 people.  

6) Who is the facilitator?
Lorrie Williams is a fabulous woman and mom.  She is a certified empowerment coach, trainer and
inspirational speaker.  Her website is:
www.mastering-you.net.  Please feel free to go to her website
to view her expanded bio.

7) Where will we meet?
We have at least two options.  Please let me know if you have another idea.  Wherever we meet, I
would like it to be the same place every time.  

Option a:  we could meet at tumble and tea, which will be SadieDey's Cafe beginning in January.  
There's a nice room that we can reserve for free, and it's great that most of us are familiar with it and
it has a great play space.  Downsides: there's a $5 cover charge to get into the space; you can't
bring your own snacks; the play space can get crowded on days when there are activities happening
in the morning; parking is a little hectic on street sweeping days.

Option b: Alexandra has offered her home, which is set up nicely for a meeting like this.  She lives off
of the High Street exit on the 580 in Oakland.  Her home is two levels; the top level has a large
space where the moms could meet.  The downstairs area is set up well for kids, and there is also
an enclosed back yard space that the kids could play in when the weather is nice.  Downsides:
farther for those who live in the city; may have minimal parking directly by her house, although there
is plenty within walking distance; we have to leave within a reasonable time after the group is over in
order to give her back her house rather than chit chatting forever like you can in a café.

8) What about my children?
We would like to invite all of the parents to bring their healthy children to the group with them.  We
will either hire one of our regular caregivers to take care of the children or if someone has a partner
who will volunteer that would also be lovely.

9) What if I feel that I need one-to-one coaching?
Lorrie has agreed to offer a special rate for one-to-one coaching sessions for any of the moms in
the group.  She will charge $30-40, sliding scale, for a one-to-one session.  Her recommendation is
that one-to-one sessions should take place somewhere in between the group sessions in order to
get the most out of the experience, as well as have time to process and take specific action where
necessary.

I am writing this email to invite you to participate in the group and learn how to be more fully active in
your own life.

If you are ready for the next thing, but aren't quite sure what that thing is, this may be the group for
you.

If you know what the next thing is, but just aren't quite sure how to get there, this might be the group
for you.

If you are interested in attending, please let me know by filling out the brief questionnaire below.  It
looks like there are four people who are definitely interested, as well as several others who have
expressed interest but aren't yet sure whether they are willing and able to commit.  In order to be fair
to us all, as well as to Lorrie (this is how she makes her living) I think that the first 10 women to
decide and pay for the class will receive spots.  If there are more than 10 interested we will form a
waiting list/call back list and we can work with Lorrie to see if she is able to facilitate a second group
at this time (or in case someone needs to drop out for some unplanned reason).

I am excited!  I hope you are too.  There's no pressure; if it sounds like the right thing for you, and
you're on this list, there is at least one other woman on the list who believes in you and your
potential.  We are all already smart, talented, capable women and great moms; this is simply an
opportunity to focus those attributes in way that makes us live smarter, more talented and more
capable lives.  I hope you can join us!
Take care,
Nanci
Nanci Armstrong-Temple
Dance Out Loud
www.dancingloud.com
510-301-5073
Questions answered in this
letter:
1) What is a coaching group?
2) How much does it cost?
3) What would the group
look like?
4) Who are the other women
in the group?
5) How many women are in
a group?
6) Who is the facilitator?
7) Where will we meet?
8) What about my children?
9) What if I feel that I need
one-to-one coaching?