There’s so much going on with the Real Diaper Association lately that I was really glad when Kelly offered me this Guest Whispering opportunity to share some of it!RDA accredits local leaders to form groups called Real Diaper Circles. Circles have local meetings to support members and people in the local community in using cloth diapers. (If you recall, Serena whispered here about our San Diego Real Diaper Circle a couple of months ago.) I love helping volunteers (who are usually already holding informal “Cloth Diaper 101” classes locally) form Circles like ours around the country.
I’m working with my brother and sister-in-law now to build a cloth diaper stash as they’re expecting their first baby in October, but, since they live 3000 miles away from me, I really wish they had a local Circle to support them through the process. Despite all the written arguments for cloth diapers and all the great explanations of cloth diapering, many people still learn about cloth diapers from a trusted friend or relative (as we used to learn from our mothers and grandmothers). As proof, how many people have you personally turned on to cloth diapers? (By the way, if you enjoy doing it, and want to organize - or help organize - a Circle locally, contact me here and I’ll help you navigate the training process).
Besides helping the local, grassroots leaders, I’ve also been working with some volunteers and folks over at the Real Diaper Industry Association on a project related to the use of cloth diapers in daycare facilities. So many of our members have run into trouble with this that I’m hoping we can join together to provide a voice and solution for the thousands of parents who want to continue cloth diapering their babies within their chosen daycare setting. Watch for more details about this project to be announced in September.
Of course, as the head of a non-profit organization, I also have to focus on raising funds to continue to do our work. We’re applying for some grant money, but we are mostly supported by donations from individuals and business members (such as DiaperShops.com!). Recently, to supplement those donations, I’ve been working with some great volunteers on a new project, which leads me to an exciting announcement...
The Real Diaper Association is launching our first Real Diapers, Real Babies Photo Contest! The winners of the contest will appear in our first ever Real Diaper Association Cloth Diaper Calendar, which will be ready for sale in October! The Grand Prize winner will receive a special prize, thanks to our Grand Prize sponsor - - none other than DiaperShops.com! Details about the contest and calendar can be found on our website, and contest updates will be posted to our blog as it progresses.
So, do you have an adorable baby in diapers? Get the camera out and start shooting! We’re looking for high quality photos of happy babes in real diapers to grace our walls for a month at a time. Any U.S. resident can enter, and RDA members will do the voting. Contest ends 8/24, so get on it!! Can’t wait to see your photos!
Now, finally, since employees of RDA are prohibited from entering the contest, I’ll share a cloth diaper picture of my littlest here... Isn’t he cute??? J
Heather McNamara
Executive Director, Real Diaper Association
www.realdiaperassociation.org
Read the full story here...
