FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS

How can I join RISE?

1

You can submit a membership request through our Facebook group page “OC Moms Rise”, or you can fill out a membership request form here. Requests are typically approved within one week.

What kind of meetups and events do you have?

2

We have mom socials that range from brunch, dinners, and new experiences such as pottery, flower arranging, painting, and more; enriching meetups for kids of all ages; meetups for hobby clubs such as book club; homeschooling meetups; family days that include nature walks, picnics, brewery hangs, and more; exciting, themed holiday events and traditions such as our annual Summer Splash Bash, Rise Frights Halloween, and biannual Spring and Fall Rise Family Reunions. There is truly something for everyone in our community!

Do you have meetups for my child’s age group?

3

The short answer: Yes! We believe kids of all ages and backgrounds should have access to a safe, loving, inclusive, and diverse environment in which they can play, grow, learn, explore, and socialize. Most of our meetups are free or low cost. We have created separate meetup groups in accordance with their ages:

Little Rebels: 0 - 2 years old (Stroller walks, library storytimes, coffee shop meetups, and park playdates)

Raising Rebels: 2 years - elementary school age (Indoor and outdoor playground meetups, library storytimes, and educational, creative, or nature themed playdates)

Rebels Rising: Tweens and teens (Laser tag, movie nights, bowling, mini golf, and more!)

We are also striving to provide sensory-friendly activities and meetups for disabled and neurodiverse families.

Please keep in mind that RISE is volunteer-run, and the frequency and location of meetups depends entirely on the availability of volunteers to organize these events. However, all members are encouraged to host bonus events. See #6 for more information.

Can I bring a guest?

4

Our meetups and events are not open to the general public for safety and privacy purposes. This is why locations will only ever be shared on our Facebook and WhatsApp. However, a friend or family member is welcome to attend a meetup with you, so long as they are a safe person in accordance with our values and are attending in good faith. Members are responsible for their guests, and guests are expected to uphold our group rules. Members may invite up to one guest family to a meetup at a time, provided that the member informs the host. Events and meetups requiring reservations are for members only.

What’s the difference between meetups and events?

5

Good question! Think of a meetup as more of a casual, sometimes spontaneous hang. Examples of meetups are stroller walks, playdates, dinners, brunch, karaoke night, gatherings at public events, etc. Members can host bonus meetups, which is most easily done through our WhatsApp. Events, on the other hand, are larger, usually planned weeks in advance, and typically are a seasonal Rise tradition or celebration of some sort that happens every year. Examples of these include our biannual Family Reunion potlucks, annual Summer Splash Bash, Rise Frights Halloween, and more.

What’s your WhatsApp like, and how can I access it?

6

WhatsApp is an encrypted messaging app that facilitates and consolidates our discussions and planning happening in real time, in a private, more secure forum. It’s pretty neat — we have channels for all sorts of interests and meetup groups! And, you can conveniently access and host bonus meetups using our handy planning tools.

Admission into the WhatsApp is by invite only. The rule for entry is as follows: Members are required to attend two in-person meetups or events posted on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok in which an admin is in attendance. Loved ones of members may be fast-tracked to gain access to the WhatsApp after attending one meetup and submitting a membership request, and only after their request is approved. Not only are these additional safety measures, but they demonstrate that you’re making a solid effort to be an active member of our community not just online, but offline as well.

Please note: Our WhatsApp link is only to be shared by Admin Team, and is constantly monitored. Inactive members may be removed at Admins’ discretion.

What are your rules?

7

  1. Kindness First, Always
    We are here under a shared mission: to create a kinder, more empathetic world for our children to grow up in. Members are expected to treat each other with the same kindness and respect we teach our children.

  2. Zero tolerance for Hate and Harm
    All races, genders, identities, backgrounds, and family types are welcome at RISE. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, harassment, bullying, and unwanted/nonconsensual touch are strictly prohibited. Let’s be the kind of people we want our children to be.

  3. Speak With, Not Over
    If it’s not your lived experience, be a thoughtful listener. Try to listen more than you speak and let marginalized voices lead the convo. Not sure about something? Ask with curiosity, not criticism. We’re all learning together.

  4. No Member Recruiting
    Our focus is on growing and continually improving this space. Joining RISE or engaging with other members for the purpose of promoting an external group and gaining membership for that group, religious institution, or business is not allowed.

  5. Online Interactions
    Online interactions with other members are expected to remain appropriate and respectful at all times. For rules and expectations for our online spaces, please review them in the group description sections of our Facebook and WhatsApp. Members are welcome to share the link to our Facebook, but the WhatsApp invite link is only to be shared by the Admin Team.

  6. Privacy
    Out of respect for and safety and security of our members and children, we take privacy very seriously at RISE. Members are also expected to respect each others’ privacy by not sharing identifying information and personal details about other members online, and not sharing images that show other members’ children’s faces or their identifying information. RISE will never share your personal details and photos online without your consent, and children’s faces will never be posted.

  7. Admins Keep the Peace
    We’re here to protect the vibe. If a post or person goes against our values, admins may step in or remove them. If you have a personal issue with another member, please reach out directly to an admin or submit a complaint here. We will do our best to address this as swiftly as possible and to the best of our ability. The Admin Team reserves the right to remove a member from RISE at their discretion.

  8. Disclosure
    Due to the nature of the internet, the Admin Team cannot guarantee that everything disclosed by members on our online spaces will remain confidential. By joining RISE, members acknowledge and agree that the Admin Team is not responsible for any theft, damages, or harm caused to a member by another member. By attending RISE meetups and events, you are willingly consenting to do so, and hold Rise Admins free of all liability.