Search Results
22 results found
- Membership Details | Message Paris
JOIN US Why Join Message? Meet and Mingle! Message volunteers organize many fun events: casual meet-ups, playdates, interesting classes and talks, co-working sessions, seasonal parties, and more. We have an events team that puts on tons of great programming, but members can also just put a coffee date on the calendar; it's a great way to meet other members in your area. Make Meaningful Connections Message members help each other navigate family life in Paris. Some of us are new to France, others have been here for decades. Some members are new or expecting parents, others have older kids. Together we can provide valuable advice, support, and community. Get Involved Message is entirely run by volunteers. Members just like you who want to help strengthen this community. Volunteering can be another way to make friends, network, and learn new skills. Family Membership €50 Valid for One Year Renews Automatically Join Form Includes access to events for your whole family Option to join our private WhatsApp community Cancel anytime Membership FAQs What's Included in a Message Family Membership? • Message Family Membership includes access to events for your whole family. • Your family gets free or reduced price access to Message events and get-togethers, such as coffee hours, park meet-ups, potlucks, business and networking events, holiday parties, cultural events, and so much more! • Access to signature events organized every year by our volunteer events team, including the Halloween Trick or Treat, Egg Hunt, and Rentrée Picnic. • The ability to host your own member event to connect with others in your area. • Access to our members-only WhatsApp community. • The members-only portions of our website include access to groups that are organized by local area, family characteristics, and other member interests. You can connect with other members to discuss issues and organize meet-ups. (Note: while a family membership includes access to events for your whole family, our website currently supports only 1 login per membership. We are working to provide additional access.) • Resources for new and expecting parents, including childbirth and breastfeeding support, pregnancy and new baby social groups, and first aid courses. • Peer support services for the unexpected, including infertility, divorce, and parenting challenges. • Opportunities to volunteer: maintain or learn new skills, give back to a vibrant community, and have fun! Membership Terms Membership is valid for a year from purchase and renews automatically. You can always cancel your membership at any time, but once you have joined, your annual membership fee is non-refundable. Subsidised Membership Message offers subsidised memberships to people who could benefit from Message but for whom cost is an issue. If this is your situation, please contact president@messageparis.org (president@messageparis.org)for more information. Other Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to other frequently asked questions here.(https://www.messageparis.org/faqs)
- MeetExCom
Meet the Executive Committee The Team Leaders of Message Secretary This Could Be You! The secretary keeps official records of meetings. VP Membership Amanda Schapel I'm American and have been living in France for 15 years. I teach middle and high school English with the Education nationale, but am currently on leave with my new baby, Noah. Big brother Rayan is 5.5. I oversee our membership processes and policies, including new member onboarding and member engagement and retention. VP Support Services Imelda The Hailing from Indonesia, I am an ex-consultant and now a SAHM with a 4-yr old daughter. I have been calling France my home for the past 12 years. My role is to provide the best support structure for all our members, particularly pregnant and new moms. My team and I are here as your sympathetic ear, your shoulder to cry on and your information signpost when you need help. VP Public Relations Rachelle Chapman I'm an Editor and Communications Consultant by trade, though in my personal life I unapologetically use way too many exclamation marks! I love surrounding myself with food (I'm from Singapore), football, family and friends. While in college in Seattle, I met a Frenchman who makes me laugh. We now live in Paris with our two mini-tornadoes Rohan (6 and a HALF) and Théo (4). The PR team shares news and information about Message with the public. As VP for PR, I oversee: our public website, the fabulous PR team as well as external relations with other Anglophone organisations in the region. VP Events Meg Gerner I am Colombian/American and have been living in Paris for the past three years with my two children and French husband. Professionally I am a teacher coach and when I have spare time I like to hunt for a good Mexican restaurant. The Events Team coordinates all of your favorite Message-wide events, classes, workshops, parties and get-togethers. Our events are ever evolving as we strive to add new, interesting and diverse opportunities for our community to be a part of. Tell us what events work for you! VP Information Services Amaris Chang My role is managing the website and app. VP Internal Communications Erin Vasudevan My team and I manage and coordinate the internal communication channels like the Newsletters, Micro Messages and Magazine. VP Volunteer Support Pauliina Myllyntaus My role as VP Volunteer Support is to support and recruit volunteers for Message. Want to get involved? Contact me! VP Groups This Could Be You! My role as VP Groups is to have members connecting with their people by their interests : dads, lifers (which just means permanently in Paris), working parents, etc., and age-based family activities beyond the baby stage (little kids 3-6, primary school kids, teens & tweens, and older kids). We know connections are the heart and soul of Message, so it's a busy and exciting place to volunteer. Treasurer Jun Yen I grew up in Poland, after graduating from the University I went for a one year internship to Austria and, as it happens, ended up spending over 5 years there. From Vienna I moved to Singapore to join my now husband and after a few international relocations (Germany, Ireland, Qatar), in March 2019,we've moved to Paris with our son Julian (3). Eager to connect with other English speaking families I joined Message a few months later, and in Autumn I started volunteering as Expense Coordinator. I've worked in banking and finance throughout my professional career, however, I've been a stay-at-home mum since Julian was born. The role as the treasurer of Message is to pay all suppliers we work with. It is even better when I pay them on time ! I record all our revenues and make sure that they cover our costs. President Beth Dawson I am an American and have lived all around the US and all around the globe - landing in France, for the last 11 years. Trained as a social worker, I have worked/volunteered in the non-profit world in political and community organizations for over 15 years. In the last few years, I have turned my attention to gardening and have become an organic gardener. I am married to a French guy, whom I met in North Carolina 15 years ago. We have two daughters, Sabine (10) and Leonora (7) who delight and challenge me on a daily basis! We are a reading, dancing and eco-friendly family. The president of Message is the head of the Executive Committee team (ExCom) and of the organization. I ensure that our activities are in line with and in furtherance of our mission. I assure necessary recruitment, development and contributions of the Vice Presidents who make up the ExCom. I partner with each VP to set priorities, support and ensure their directives are implemented. I ensure our team approves policies that are sound and compliant for meeting the needs of our members and volunteers. I champion our community and promote its mission to our members and to the public.
- Become a Member | Message Paris
Membership Application Membership FAQs Join the Message Family! Sign up today to become a valued member and unlock exclusive benefits. As a member, you'll support our non-profit, all-volunteer community. You will be able to connect with other families and expecting parents in the Paris region. Members get exclusive or discounted access to our events, which are organized by our member volunteers. Fill out the form below to join our warm and welcoming community. A Message Family Membership includes access to events for your whole family. New Account Information Must be between 4 - 100 characters Primary Member (Adult 1) * Required Secondary Member (Adult 2) Optional Once your membership is complete, we will send an invite to the provided email, inviting them to join. Location Information Your address is used to assign you to one of our "Local Areas," which helps to connect you to members and gatherings near you. If you are moving to France, you can also provide your current address and update your location later to take advantage of the Local Areas feature. * Required Country Postal Code Phone Number with Country Code (no symbols) I am moving to France in the next 12 months. Family Information * Required: You may share information about your family status or future plans, or select Other. This information helps us tailor our support services to your specific needs, but sharing this information is entirely voluntary. Please select at least one option below: * Required Pregnant/Expecting Babies/toddlers Young children Pre-teens Teenagers/young adults Adult kids Other Please email president@messageparis.org if you have specific questions about eligibility for membership. You can also review our FAQs . International Community * Optional Message is made up of families from all over the world! We celebrate our multi-cultural community. If you want to, tell us where you are from. What is your country of origin? WhatsApp Community Opt-In * Optional By checking this box, you agree to: Receive community updates and exclusive content via WhatsApp Have your phone number added to our private WhatsApp Community Receive occasional direct messages from our team Your phone number will only be used for WhatsApp communications and won't be shared with third parties. You can leave the community anytime. Yes, I'd like to join your WhatsApp community. I agree to the Member terms and conditions. Primary Member *Numbers only, no special characters or spaces Continue to plans and payment... Continue to Member Plans By joining Message, I am accepting the terms and conditions of Message membership and website use. -error message-
- Donate to Message | Message Paris
Help Us Do More in 2026, Donate Today Support & Donate We believe that every parent deserves support, your donation directly benefits the Message community. First name* Last name* Email* Phone Donate in the name of Honoree name Donation €25 €50 €75 €100 Comments on donation: Donate This year, you made Paris feel a little more like home for hundreds of English-speaking families. Thanks to your support, through your Message membership, we brought parents and families together through our numerous community events, funded breastfeeding courses for new mothers, and ensured families could join Message regardless of their budget through subsidized memberships. On this Giving Tuesday would you consider making a donation to Message? We believe that every parent deserves support A donation helps us: Expand our breastfeeding support program so more mothers get the expert guidance they need; Subsidized memberships for families in need; Host more community events at an accessible ticket price; Support other local charities whether through hosting a Walk-A-Thon or making donations, Message believes in giving back; Welcome new families with the resources and connections they need to thrive! Whether you're a long-time member who remembers what it was like to be new in Paris, or you're currently benefiting from these programs, your gift ensures the next family finds their community too. Make your year-end donation before December 31st Other Ways to Give This Season Gift a Membership Give the Gift of Community this Holiday Season with Message Know a new parent or expecting family in Paris? Gifting a Message Paris membership is more than access to resources—it's an invitation to find their people. Gift a membership and they'll get instant access to our community forums, events, workshops, and a network of parents who've been exactly where they are. Gift a Membership
- Public Events Calendar | Message Paris
Events, meet-ups and quality community available for our diverse English-speaking members in and around Paris. Public Events March 2026 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 23 24 25 26 27 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 7 8 9 10 10:00 Spinetuned with John Raven 11 12 10:00 Message Weekly Café Meet-up 13 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 14 15 16 17 18 19 10:00 Message Weekly Café Meet-up 20 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 21 22 23 24 25 26 10:00 Message Weekly Café Meet-up +1 more 27 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 28 10:30 Bring and Buy 2026 29 30 31 1 2 10:00 Message Weekly Café Meet-up 3 10:00 Coffee Meet-up - 15eme 4 5
- Meet Our Leaders | Message Paris
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Beth Dawson President president@messageparis.org Beth Dawson The president of Message is the head of the Executive Committee team (ExCom) and of the organization. Jun Yen Treasurer treasurer@messageparis.org Jun Yen The role as the treasurer of Message is help create the budget, pay all suppliers and ensure that our expenses are aligned with our mission. Rachelle Chapman VP Public Relations pr@messageparis.org Rachelle Chapman The PR team shares news and information about Message with the public. Pauliina Myllyntaus VP Volunteer Support vpvolunteers@messageparis.org Pauliina Myllyntaus My role as VP Volunteer Support is to support and recruit volunteers for Message. Want to get involved? Contact me! Imelda The VP Support Services supportvp@messageparis.org Imelda The My role is to provide the best support structure for all our members, particularly pregnant and new moms. Amaris Chang VP Information Services vpinfotech@messageparis.org Amaris Chang My role is managing the website and app. Erin Vasudevan VP Internal Communications communications@messageparis.org Erin Vasudevan I manage the Message Weekly Newsletter. Amanda Schapel VP Membership vpmembership@messageparis.org Amanda Schapel I oversee our membership processes and policies, including new member onboarding and member engagement and retention. Meg Gerner VP Events events@messageparis.org Meg Gerner The Events Team coordinates all of your favorite Message-wide events, classes, workshops, parties and get-togethers This Could Be You! VP Groups leaders@messageparis.org This Could Be You! The VP of Areas & Groups helps members connect with their people. This Could Be You! Secretary vpvolunteers@messageparis.org This Could Be You! The secretary keeps official records of meetings. No matter where you are on your parenting journey, Message is where you belong. Looking to get Involved? We would love to hear from you! Volunteer With Us
- Gift a Membership | Message Paris
Support a friend or family member with the gift of a Message Membership. Gift Membership €50 Give the gift of community with Message! Family Gift Membership (In Person) - 50 € Amount €50 Quantity Buy Now This is a wonderful way to show your care and support for someone on their parenting journey Message Family Membership - 50 € Family membership includes access to events for the whole family. The membership is ideal for people located in and around Paris. Your gift recipient will receive an email with a gift code they can use to redeem their membership, along with your message.
- FAQs | Message Paris
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Is Message just for people with babies and toddlers? No. While Message offers many resources for expecting and new parents, that is not all we offer. We have groups for parents of little kids, tweens & teens, and beyond. We put on popular events for families, like the Halloween Trick-or-Treat and the Egg Hunt. We also organize interesting panels, fun kid-free nights out, and networking events. Wherever you are in your parenting journey, you are welcome in Message! I've been living in France for 10 years. Is it too late to join Message? No. Many of our members have been in France for years, but are newly expecting or parenting. Others have moved to the Paris area and are looking to connect with other local parents. Still others have been members for many years and have older kids. Whether it is community you seek, parenting advice, support during a challenging period, volunteer opportunities, networking, or access to a wide variety of family resources, the Message community is here for you. English isn't my first language. Can I join Message? Yes! Message includes parents and expecting parents from lots of nationalities, and English need not be your first language. You are most welcome. We have groups for speakers of a half dozen languages other than English, and members are always able to start new groups. Please reach out to vpmembership@messageparis.org (mailto:vpmembership@messageparis.org)if you have any feedback or ideas. I'm a single parent. Would I fit in at Message? Yes! Message has lots of single parents among its members. You are most welcome. We have a single parent group and want to make sure our community is welcoming to all families, including yours. Please reach out to vpmembership@messageparis.org (mailto:vpmembership@messageparis.org)if you have any feedback or ideas. I’m a dad or expecting dad. Can I join Message? Yes! Message has lots of dads among its members. You are most welcome. Message was originally established 40+ years ago as a support group for mothers, but our membership has evolved since then, and now includes all parents and expecting parents. We have a dads group and want to make sure our community is welcoming to all families, including yours. Please reach out to vpmembership@messageparis.org (mailto:vpmembership@messageparis.org)if you have any feedback or ideas. Do I have to already have children, or be expecting a child, to join Message? No. Message understands that families today come in many forms. We welcome as members individuals who are: • Navigating fertility treatments or pregnancy loss • Part of blended families • Legal guardians raising children • Grieving the loss of a child • Building families in non-traditional ways. I'd like to join Message but can't afford it financially. What options are available to me? Message offers subsidised memberships to anyone who could benefit from all the services and resources on offer but for whom the cost is a prohibitive factor. To request a subsidised membership please reach out to president@messageparis.org.(mailto:president@messageparis.org) I'll be moving to France in a few months. Can I join before I get there? Yes. If you have difficulty purchasing a membership with a foreign address, send an email to techsupport@messageparis.org.(mailto:techsupport@messageparis.org) I live abroad, but come to Paris each summer with my family. Can I join? The purpose of Message is to provide help, support and advice to English speaking parents and expecting parents in the Paris area. If you are coming to Paris regularly and would like to be part of our community, you are most welcome. But there are no short-term or temporary memberships. A membership lasts for a minimum of a year from when you sign up and is non-refundable. I will be in Paris next month on vacation. Can Message help me find a babysitter, a doctor for emergency care, or a crib rental for use during my stay? No. Message is a community of parents living in the Paris area. We do not provide any services for short-term visitors to Paris. As volunteers, we also do not have the capacity to respond to requests for information from non-members. Thank you for understanding! I live in a different part of France. Do you have an affiliated group in my area too? No. We support families in and around Paris, and do not have groups anywhere else. How do I cancel my membership? You can cancel your membership here.(https://www.messageparis.org/account/my-subscriptions) Membership fees are non-refundable. What do membership fees support? Message is a non-profit organization and thrives mainly on membership fees, event revenues and donations. We strive to spend our funds on activities that are beneficial to our members, and build the organization sustainably. Event fees and member fees aim to at least cover the costs of running the events. We invest in building a good IT infrastructure to facilitate the running of the organization, making our busy volunteers’ lives easier, and encouraging member exchanges to strengthen our communities. We invest in sharing knowledge that is useful for our members. We provide training and support to would-be parents, young parents, and parents of older kids. Will I be required to volunteer if I join Message? There is no requirement to volunteer, although as we operate with no paid staff, we encourage everyone to get more involved with Message at some point. We have a range of opportunities available, no matter your availability or skill set. You can volunteer from home or help out at an event. You can volunteer for a couple of hours a month, or gain serious experience providing member support or even serving on the executive committee. From smaller time-level commitments to more robust responsibilities, volunteering is a way to meet other members and develop new skills. Message wouldn't exist without our wonderful volunteers! What types of activities are organised by Message? Message has organisation-wide events including online talks and panels on different topics, business and networking events, multicultural events, storytimes, health and wellness sessions, an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Trick or Treat, and a Holiday Party! We also have regular and long-standing organized coffee meet-ups at different cafes in Paris. In addition to all the events organized by the volunteer events team, regular activities and meetups are scheduled by members at their own initiative. Members are free to organise activities and outings that are appropriate for the ages of their own children or their own interests. Examples of recent activities include: a morning in a member's home for expectant members; an afternoon for toddlers in a local park; a playdate introducing 5-7 year olds to chess; a group Pilates session hosted at a member’s home; a lunch for working parents to exchange tips on balancing home and work life; and a gathering for a language exchange (currently available in French, Italian, Spanish... and growing!). I work full-time. Which Message activities would I be able to participate in? Message hosts a variety of events outside of working hours. These include talks by guest speakers, get-togethers with other members and their families, and classes for new and expecting parents. We try to schedule events throughout the week and weekend so all our members can participate, and members are also free to plan their own events. For example, a member can start a Saturday morning meet-up at a local cafe or playground, or plan a fun, kid-free evening out and invite other members to join. Where is Message's headquarters / meeting place? Message has no central office, and no paid staff. The association is entirely volunteer-run, with all social activities held in members' homes, local cafes, or in rented spaces for larger events, with many outside activities during good weather in parks or at museums. Can my child's nanny / grandmother bring him / her to Message activities? In most cases, Yes, as long as you, the parent or guardian, are a member of Message and have authorised your child to be accompanied by another, English-speaking person. Attendance is at the discretion of the host, and we do ask you to confirm with them in advance. How can I advertise my product or service to Message members? As a general rule, we are conservative about advertising and try to keep Message commercial-free. Message members are able to promote their businesses to other members in some circumstances, but membership is meant to be about connection and support among members, not growing your business. Please reach out to president@messageparis.org (president@messageparis.org)if you have specific questions. I forgot my user name and/or password. How can I login? Select 'Forgot your password' on the login screen to verify your account or reset your password. I used to be a Message member. How can I rejoin? Welcome back! Try logging in with your previous user name and password, and you'll automatically be directed to the renewals page. Please note that when you re-join, it will be at the current family membership rate. If you've forgotten your user name and/or password, you can use the 'Forgot your password' link. If your email address is not recognised, you can select the link to create a new account. If you have any other questions about your membership, please contact vpmembership@messageparis.org.(vpmembership@messageparis.org) I'm concerned about the protection of my personal data. What is your Privacy Policy? Message takes the protection of your data seriously. Our aim is to provide a personalised and valuable service while safeguarding our users’ privacy. Collecting some personal information is necessary if we are to satisfy the expectations and requirements of our users and we have set out here (https://www.messageparis.org/privacy)what we will do with your personal information. What is a Partner Account? A Partner Account is an optional way to share some of the benefits of your Message membership with another adult in your family. A Message membership is now called a Family Membership, and includes access to events for your whole family. You can access your complete member benefits and RSVP for your family with your primary membership login. However, if you would like another adult in your family to also receive Message emails and access some parts of the Message website, we can make them a Partner Account. What are the benefits of a Partner Account? If you sign up for a Partner Account, you (the Partner) will receive Message Paris communications, including our weekly email with information about upcoming events. You will also have access to some member-only parts of the Message website, including the Message blog, groups, and support services. You can also elect to join our private Message WhatsApp community. I have a Family Membership. How can I request a Partner Account? When you sign up for a Message Family Membership, you will have the option to add your partner’s email address. They will then get an email with instructions for how to create their account. If you are already a member, you can find the link to add your partner’s email under My Home Page (https://www.messageparis.org/account/my-home-page)(requires sign in).


