Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Without their willingness to go above and beyond, Las Madres would not have such an amazing community spirit. For this edition of our Spotlight Blog, we would like to recognize Claire Baylis (Robinson) as the Las Madres Spotlight Member.  

With the year ending, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of our Blogspot nomination than our own Las Madres president Claire Baylis Robinson! Claire has been president since 2018. This year is her third and final year as president. Claire joined Las Madres in 2012 since she moved to San Jose. According to a recent post by Claire, Las Madres has been an important part of her life. Joining Las Madres helped her feel as a part of the community since she moved to San Jose. 

Claire started volunteering with Las Madres as a playgroup director for a couple of years, and when her youngest daughter turned 2.5 yrs of age, she started volunteering in the executive board as a webmaster. Later, she took on the Las Madres president role without receiving any handover. She did a lot of learning, understanding the ins and outs, implementing changes, and introducing new ones along the way. Claire’s main official current roles are President and Webmaster but she has been voluntarily and continuously picking up other roles that were not being filled, including Community Service Coordinator, Education Fair Coordinator, and Events Coordinator.

During 2020, Claire was a big advocate that the Las Madres members stay connected during the covid-19 circumstances, even though they couldn’t meet in person. 

“I feel I have so much more to give to LM and great ideas to implement, so I’m sad to be stepping down, but it is important the that President role is filled by someone who has young children, as they reflect the membership, and mine have all aged out,” Claire explained why she decided to step down as the 2021 president in a recent post.

Claire will continue to be a Webmaster next year to ensure continuity. She will also help with the Business Partnership Coordination, and we wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up picking up any additional roles along the way! 

Claire helping with the Loved Twice Drive

Here's what some of our Las Madres Executive Board Members had to say about Claire:

Destiny Marshall - Working Parents Director, WG2017 Playgroup Treasurer & Jen Siraganian - Working Parents Director, LGS2019 Playgroup Treasurer

Huge thank you to Claire from the Working Parents Committee for all you have done to help make Las Madres more inclusive and supportive for working parents.

Since the inception of the committee in early 2019, we have seen a significant increase in working parent participation, activity, and inclusion. This could not have happened without Claire. She fostered the creation of our committee and coordinated extensively with us in our goal of enacting guidelines to help clubs and playgroups better meet the needs of working parents. She also assisted the committee as we took steps to engage working parents and create a place of support, in person and via our online forum. What a difference a couple of years have made. Thank you so much, Claire, for your dedication to Las Madres and for the countless ways you have improved the Las Madres experience for all its diverse members.

Hellen Urricariet - Parent Education Director

Claire is an extraordinary person who has selflessly given so much of her time to Las Madres. She’s a visionary and an inspiring leader who in wearing numerous hats of responsibility has generously rolled up her sleeves to fill the gap when needs to get essential projects done. I don’t think anyone can know just how much hard work and precious time away from her life and family Claire had given to us. She is a positive, kind, level-headed mom who is simply a pleasure to be around. Thank you so much Claire from all of us whose lives have benefited from being in Las Madres.

Jenn Sabaten - SVA Club President, NV2020 Playgroup Director

Last year being new to LM, I had joined the Executive Board a couple of months before SIP. I wish I had a chance to work closer with Claire through events and in-person, but I am still so fortunate to serve on the Executive Board with her and witness everything that she does for Las Madres.  Claire’s dedication shows how much she cares for all the babies/families under Las Madres as if they were her own. Claire is so understanding and has always provided the support needed for the members and the organization. Can’t thank her enough for making me feel so welcome and allowing me to serve my Las Madres family.  You're amazing Claire!

Kerry Goddard - Executive Vice President

The best part of LM is the contributions each member makes to grow the group for the better. Every member is part of a bigger picture of support that makes this organization great. But no one comes close to the amount of contribution that Claire has made since she joined LM. She has held a level head while leading through many new challenges. She started a new platform. She helped us ride through a pandemic. She navigated new questions and changes as LM has grown and morphed into a more modern version while still holding great respect for the initial mission that has propelled the organization for decades. She’s exactly what LM needed right when we needed it most. Thank you Claire for your thousands of hours you have devoted to this organization fighting to make it better.

Leah Morris - RGDT Club President, RGDT2019 playgroup Director, RGDT2015 Playgroup New Member Contact, RGDT2019 Playgroup New Member Contact

Claire was the first person I met in Las Madres. She had 3 young children, was a director and acting NMC for our playgroup, and she hosted monthly meet & greets and biweekly sit & plays. In the years since, Claire has become a deeply treasured friend and a Las Madres powerhouse. She has dedicated untold hours to improving the behind the scenes functioning of Las Madres. I truly believe this organization would not have had a chance at survival during this pandemic if it were not for the groundwork Claire has laid in her years as Las Madres President and her continued, tireless commitment to Las Madres. And on a personal note, my life would be a great deal poorer without her support and friendship.

Nadia Khater - Marketing Director

I was first introduced to Claire at a Las Madres wide event by another executive board member back then (thanks Racheal Sankar!). Claire stood out to me with her warm, fun and approachable personality. She welcomed me to a “crafts table” that she shared with her friends, and we all ended up creating random art crafts, joking, and having fun. Little did I know that two years later, I will be continuously brainstorming and chatting with her about website solutions and marketing strategies during a pandemic! During my three years with Las Madres, I’ve witnessed Claire being on top of all Las Madres organizational matters that concerned members and playgroup officers. Later on, I had the pleasure to witness her dedication and elaborate work when I joined the executive board. Claire definitely helped the organization in countless ways. She was instrumental in building the Las Madres community we have today, restructuring it to fit its members’ needs as well as adapting to new circumstances it faced along the way. Claire, thank you for making such an extraordinary impact on the Las Madres community!

Vanessa Fasoli - MV Club President 

Where to even begin?! Claire’s dedication and attention to detail have allowed Las Madres to become more streamlined and sustainable. Because of her thoughtfulness, parents will continue to benefit from this community for hopefully generations to come!

LM Executive Board Zoom Meeting

The marketing team usually interviews Blogspot nominees before writing a blog about them, but Claire is so humble, I know she prefers doing the great work she does behind scenes, so I had to make this blog about her a SURPRISE! Claire, please don’t hate us for this, we just had to show our appreciation for everything you’ve done for Las Madres throughout the years! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

~ Nadia Khater - Marketing Director.

P.S. Do you have someone you would like to nominate for the Las Madres Spotlight? This is an initiative from the Las Madres Marketing Team. We are recognizing Las Madres Volunteers who have made a difference in our community.  Feel free to fill out this form!