How the New Mobilians Club Began
In one way or another, the New Mobilians Club has been in existence for fifty years; it began as a spin-off from the Welcome Wagon organization. The Welcome Wagon mission was to make new residents aware of local businesses, professionals, and services, to help them become acquainted with their community. The Welcome Wagon organization hired “hostesses” who delivered “baskets” to new resident homeowners; local businesses supplied gifts and coupons for the baskets. The hostesses also informed the women about civic and cultural activities in the area. The names of the homeowners were obtained from local real estate companies, who were happy to help the new homeowners get acquainted with the community.
In 1971 after an absence of ten years, the Welcome Wagon returned to Mobile; six hostesses were hired to make door-to-door-calls. These women were personable, friendly, and knowledgeable about their neighborhoods; one of these ladies was Martha Rou. She knew the mission of Welcome Wagon was to help new residents become familiar with the community; but she also realized that it was a one-time visit that did not extended to social gatherings.
The hostesses discussed starting a social club for new residents. So, in 1971, Martha Rou was chosen to start a social, non-profit Club. The Club’s mission would enable new residents to meet each other, socialize, make new friends, and find their place in the community they now called home. Dues would be collected and donated to local charities.
Initially, the by-laws of the Welcome Wagon organization were adopted by the new Club. The club, known as New Mobilians Welcome Wagon Club, started in August 1971 with twenty-one new residents. On January 5,1972 the first Installation of Officers was held and Tuckie MacDonald served as the first President. Martha Rou conducted the installation of the first Board. In 1979, the Club voted to end its association with the Welcome Wagon Organization and also to change the name. We still retain that name: NEW MOBILIANS CLUB.
The original purpose of the Club was to allow new residents to meet socially. How was this accomplished? These new residents of Mobile were women from different states, environments and backgrounds; they were now living in a new community and trying to fit in. However, they had one common thread, they liked to share good food and make new friends. In the beginning, the “social gatherings” were merely visiting one another over a cup-of-coffee and a snack. Thus, the club's motto: “Bloom where you are transplanted” was adopted.
When the Club began, it was a very intimate group that met in each other’s homes. One of the first meetings was held at the home of Janet L., (Janet was an original member and is still a member). The invitation was word of mouth and was very much like our current New Members’ Tea - food, coffee / tea and conversation.
In the late 70’s, local industries brought many new families to Mobile. As our membership grew, meetings became more organized and were held monthly in restaurants. Some members wanted to meet more often during the month thus the beginning of Interest Groups emerged; initially most Interest Groups were centered around food.
Some years later, other Interest Group categories was added. Games were brought into the mix! Until this addition, the Interest Groups had been concentrated on food and conversation.
In the 70’s, the first Interest Group involving a game was Bridge; before becoming an official Interest Group, many members played bridge outside the New Mobilians Club.
In 1992, a member, introduced Bunco (a dice game) to some members; at first, they played in the back room of a restaurant on Airport Boulevard. The ladies liked it so much they decided to bring it into the club as an Interest Group. Since then, this game has been a staple of our club. Lots of fun, food, and friendship.
In 2005, Pokeno (a card game like Bingo) was introduced to the club by Jean N.; it quickly became an Interest Group and is now one of the more popular games of the club.
Over the years other groups were formed such as Book Club, Canasta, Creative Arts, Day Trips & Tours, Just Us Girls, Mexican Train, Scrabble, and TGIF! We create new groups from time to time based on interest level of the members. These groups are our backbone and fun social events for many of us, day and night.
We have been an outstanding Club for the past fifty years; we are a social, non-profit organization. We have luncheons, social gatherings, games, activities, trips and events. We have many fund-raisers throughout the year. Some of the proceeds are donated to worthy charities; others support Club activities. With help from our members, we have many more Interest Groups and social events than could ever have been imagined when the club first began. One of our most outstanding social events is our annual Mardi Gras Ball, which started in 1984. Helen M. was our first Queen.
The New Mobilians Club has indeed become a very important part of the Mobile community. We started with 21 members in 1971, and our membership was almost 300 in 1992 when there was a huge influx of out of state residents. We are always looking forward to meeting and welcoming new residents who want to make new friends and enjoy living in Mobile. We welcome new members; you can email us a newmobmembership@gmail.com to obtain more information and possibly make a luncheon reservation and check us out!
In 1971 after an absence of ten years, the Welcome Wagon returned to Mobile; six hostesses were hired to make door-to-door-calls. These women were personable, friendly, and knowledgeable about their neighborhoods; one of these ladies was Martha Rou. She knew the mission of Welcome Wagon was to help new residents become familiar with the community; but she also realized that it was a one-time visit that did not extended to social gatherings.
The hostesses discussed starting a social club for new residents. So, in 1971, Martha Rou was chosen to start a social, non-profit Club. The Club’s mission would enable new residents to meet each other, socialize, make new friends, and find their place in the community they now called home. Dues would be collected and donated to local charities.
Initially, the by-laws of the Welcome Wagon organization were adopted by the new Club. The club, known as New Mobilians Welcome Wagon Club, started in August 1971 with twenty-one new residents. On January 5,1972 the first Installation of Officers was held and Tuckie MacDonald served as the first President. Martha Rou conducted the installation of the first Board. In 1979, the Club voted to end its association with the Welcome Wagon Organization and also to change the name. We still retain that name: NEW MOBILIANS CLUB.
The original purpose of the Club was to allow new residents to meet socially. How was this accomplished? These new residents of Mobile were women from different states, environments and backgrounds; they were now living in a new community and trying to fit in. However, they had one common thread, they liked to share good food and make new friends. In the beginning, the “social gatherings” were merely visiting one another over a cup-of-coffee and a snack. Thus, the club's motto: “Bloom where you are transplanted” was adopted.
When the Club began, it was a very intimate group that met in each other’s homes. One of the first meetings was held at the home of Janet L., (Janet was an original member and is still a member). The invitation was word of mouth and was very much like our current New Members’ Tea - food, coffee / tea and conversation.
In the late 70’s, local industries brought many new families to Mobile. As our membership grew, meetings became more organized and were held monthly in restaurants. Some members wanted to meet more often during the month thus the beginning of Interest Groups emerged; initially most Interest Groups were centered around food.
Some years later, other Interest Group categories was added. Games were brought into the mix! Until this addition, the Interest Groups had been concentrated on food and conversation.
In the 70’s, the first Interest Group involving a game was Bridge; before becoming an official Interest Group, many members played bridge outside the New Mobilians Club.
In 1992, a member, introduced Bunco (a dice game) to some members; at first, they played in the back room of a restaurant on Airport Boulevard. The ladies liked it so much they decided to bring it into the club as an Interest Group. Since then, this game has been a staple of our club. Lots of fun, food, and friendship.
In 2005, Pokeno (a card game like Bingo) was introduced to the club by Jean N.; it quickly became an Interest Group and is now one of the more popular games of the club.
Over the years other groups were formed such as Book Club, Canasta, Creative Arts, Day Trips & Tours, Just Us Girls, Mexican Train, Scrabble, and TGIF! We create new groups from time to time based on interest level of the members. These groups are our backbone and fun social events for many of us, day and night.
We have been an outstanding Club for the past fifty years; we are a social, non-profit organization. We have luncheons, social gatherings, games, activities, trips and events. We have many fund-raisers throughout the year. Some of the proceeds are donated to worthy charities; others support Club activities. With help from our members, we have many more Interest Groups and social events than could ever have been imagined when the club first began. One of our most outstanding social events is our annual Mardi Gras Ball, which started in 1984. Helen M. was our first Queen.
The New Mobilians Club has indeed become a very important part of the Mobile community. We started with 21 members in 1971, and our membership was almost 300 in 1992 when there was a huge influx of out of state residents. We are always looking forward to meeting and welcoming new residents who want to make new friends and enjoy living in Mobile. We welcome new members; you can email us a newmobmembership@gmail.com to obtain more information and possibly make a luncheon reservation and check us out!