TOPS Mission

TOPS mission is to support our members as they take and keep off pounds sensibly.

History

TOPS® is an international family of approximately 235,000 members of all ages, sizes, and shapes, dedicated to helping each other lose weight safely and take off pounds sensibly. TOPS was founded in 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Losing weight is easy with our safe weight loss program. If you are overweight and want weight loss support and tips on healthy living, TOPS is the place for you. TOPS offers one of the lowest annual membership fees, $26 in the Untied States, $32 in Canada.

All chapters charge minimum weekly or monthly dues to defray operating expenses.

Benefits

of Membership

There are no quick fixes at TOPS®. No phony guarantees about weight loss. It's up to you and it's a total commitment on your part. But, if you bring the desire, we can help.

A member magazine, TOPS News, is included in your membership. In it, you'll find page after page of inspiration! The magazine highlights chapter activities around the world, success stories of fellow members, recipes, health and nutrition information, contests, incentives and introductions to staff members.

TOPS Experts

TOPS has experts in the field of medical research, nutrition, fitness, and psychology.

TOPS Mission

TOPS mission is to support our members as they take and keep off pounds sensibly.

Need more

information about

TOPS ?

Call 1-800-932-8677

or visit the website

http://www.tops.org

the Maryland/DC TOPS website at:

http://www.topscares.com

A New Approach, A New Chance,

A New Choice, Make Yours

TOPS#MD446, Hagerstown

On Wednesday Mornings

In addition to the weigh-in for accountability, the program is a vital part of our weekly TOPS meeting. At TOPS#MD446,Hagertsown, we believe that each week our members should leave the meeting feeling refreshed, enlightened and feeling good about who they are and where they are. We believe that all meetings should contain a combination of laughter, inspiration, motivation and education and we make that our goal.

We also believe that to be effective as a chapter, we must continue to meet the needs of our membership. To do this, we continually ask "What topic(s) can we provide a program on or discuss which will help you in your journey to better health?". It shows an overall caring and concern for our membership. Each of our programs are meant to be interactive. They are all hands on learning or made interactive through group discussion. Each member is given opportunity to share his or her insight or knowledge with the rest of the chapter based on the subject we are discussing. Everyone has something to offer of value and we strongly feel that we would be remiss as a chapter if we did not offer our members an avenue to share of themselves and bring that spirit in them alive. We also strive to have a guest speaker provide a program for us at least once per month.

TOPS#MD446,Hagerstown is quite proud of our enrolled membership attendance rate. Our average weekly attendance is 90% or more of our actual total enrolled membership. We fully believe that is due to the overall atmosphere created by our members themselves and our open discussion format. Who doesn't want a place where they are appreciated, loved, respected and feel alive?

We would love to have you visit with us sometime and experience that feeling. We can share a laugh or two, exchange a hug, a smile and provide an environment for self improvement and acceptance.

General Information

Meeting Information

The chapter will meet weekly on Wednesday mornings at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 19731 Shiloh Church Road, Hagerstown, MD. (Directions below)

Weigh-in Time ~

8:45 am to 9:20 am

(Please note: Weigh-ins are made in private, recorded and kept confidential at all times. Members are never permitted to view weight charts of another member.)

Meeting Time ~

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Annual Membership Fee ~ $26

Weekly Chapter Dues ~ $2.00

Weekly dues exist to defray cost of our meeting location and operational expenses. Our chapter dues are also used to support active participation in TOPS functions, including rallies and annual recognition day events such as Maryland State Recognition Days & TOPS International Recognition Days. Dues are charged for all scheduled meeting days. Members who become inactive may be reinstated by paying a flat fee of $6. Members will be considered inactive if they have 4 or more consecutive weeks of absence.

Our chapter is the only one locally (that we know of) that will refund a portion of your weekly dues for active participation. Our dues are reasonably priced at $2 per week. 2 times per year, our treasury will reimburse our members at the rate of $0.25 per week of attendance, and $1.00 for every pound lost during the set time period (Jan-June & July-Dec). Our KOPS also are eligible, receiving reimbursement for each week they are at goal or below and within leeway.

Fines ~ $2.00

TOPS exists for the purpose of promoting sensible and successful weight loss. A flat rate gain fine of $2.00 will be charged to any TOPS who does not show a net loss for the previous month or KOPS who is out of leeway at months end. Weights used to determine this will be the last weight recorded the preceding month through the last weigh-in of the current one.

Weekly Programs

We at TOPS#MD446, Hagerstown, fully believe in the concept of real food for real people and in promoting a plan for success that you can live with. We fully support and encourage the use of “The Choice is Mine” and choose to make it a vital part of our meetings. We also believe that all of our members have gifts and talents to share with the chapter, so we encourage our members to volunteer to provide programs and to participate in group discussions. TOPS Club, Inc. offers over 100 pre-written programs which can be used by members if desired.

Monthly Program Schedule

Week 1 : “The Choice is Mine”

Week 2 : Chapter Awards Program

Week 3-5:

Inspirational/Motivational/Educational Program

All weeks include group discussion time

Fund Raisers

We believe that TOPS should provide an environment to promote weight loss and will do our best to keep that our primary focus. From time to time, a special event, purpose or chapter purchase may necessitate the need to raise additional funds. Examples of needs that would warrant a fund raiser would include such things as support of members wishing to attend conventions, retreats, or the purchase and repair of scales. We will do our best to keep fund raising to a minimum and require that all fund raisers be “purpose driven”.

Chapter Information Contact

Mary Mullane, Leader

Ph 301-797-2547

email: topsfan@aol.com

Driving Directions

Shiloh United Methodist Church

19731 Shiloh Church Road
Hagerstown, MD 21742

From I-70

Take US Rt. 40 West to Eastern Blvd. Turn right onto Eastern Blvd. then right onto Antietam Dr. Turn Left onto Old Forge Road (1st left), then bear to the right a the "Y" in the road onto Shiloh Church Road.

From I-81

Take the US Rt. 40 East exit. Follow Rt. 40 through Hagerstown, turn left onto Eastern Blvd. then right onto Antietam Dr. Turn Left onto Old Forge Road (1st left), then bear to the right a the "Y" in the road onto Shiloh Church Road.

Chapter Recognition Opportunities

TOPS offers endless opportunities for you to be recognized for your weight loss/maintenance success at all levels. Recognition begins during “roll call” at weekly meetings.

The chapter offers the incentives listed. Additional incentives may be added, dropped or changed at the discretion of the chapter.

It Pays to Weigh, Stay & Lose Weight at TOPS#MD446,Hagerstown

Weekly Thinner Winner Award

Award is earned by the member who has the best weight loss of the week. To earn this award, member must have a recorded weight for the previous week. Thinner winner receives a prize from the prize box.

Thinner Winner of the Month

Award (charm) is earned by the member with the best net loss for the preceding month. Weights used to determine this will be the last weight recorded the preceding month through the last weigh-in of the current one.

Vacation Award

Award (charm) is earned by any member who notifies the weight recorder that he or she is going to be on vacation the following week, and by recording a loss the week they return to chapter. Two vacation awards per calendar year per member will be awarded.

Holiday Award

Award (charm) is earned by recording a weight loss the weigh-in following;

New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.

Birthday Award

Award (charm) is earned by recording a weight loss the week following your actual birthday.

Consecutive Loss Award

Award (charm) is earned by recording a weight loss for six consecutive weigh-ins. If a member stays the same, a one week extension is made. Member must show a loss the week after staying the same.

Inspirational Star

This award (charm) is earned by providing inspiration and support to your fellow members. Members vote by secret ballot for the chapter member who inspired or encouraged them the most. While this award can be earned more than once, it cannot be earned two months in a row.

Friendship Award

Award (charm) is given to any active member who invites a guest that joins the chapter. Award will be given after the new member has remained active for two months.

No Gain Month

Award (charm) is earned by recording a weight loss each week of the month. To receive the award, the member must weigh in each week and record a loss at each one.

Perfect Attendance

Award (charm) is earned by attending 12 consecutive meetings. If a member misses a meeting, the count begins again.

In addition to these chapter level awards, TOPS offers awards at state and national levels as well. These opportunities and more await you.

Join Us Today!

“The Choice Is Mine” - The TOPS Tool of Choice

The Choice Is Mine is a practical guide to take off and keep off pounds sensibly. This soft cover book is available to TOPS members.

It was written by a group of experts as a teaching guide to help TOPS members make permanent lifestyle changes in their journey to good health. It’s a great reference tool.

The book includes basic nutrition information including a comprehensive explanation of the food exchange system and a 28-day menu. There are recipes and low-calorie cooking hints also. In the exercise section, the book provides illustrated, step-by-step instructions for beginner, intermediate and advanced exercise. In addition, there are chapters on behavior management, special health considerations, and information about the science of obesity.

Loaded with practical tips, this book can be ordered at your TOPS meeting or members may purchase the book online!

Note: Your personal physician is the one most familiar with your medical history. Therefore all TOPS members receive their food and exercise plans as well as goal weights from their own doctors. TOPS does recommend the standard exchange diet. TOPS publishes a healthy lifestyle guide called "The Choice Is Mine" which includes a full description of how to work this plan. If your doctor approves the exchange diet, you'll find lots of useful information in this low-cost book.