A bit of news to keep you in the know about things happening with Multiples of America. Be sure to check out the quiz at the bottom for your chance to win a gift card!

A WINNER!
41 members emailed their answers to the July quiz. A perfect score is not the aim; everyone who joins in the fun is entered into the drawing. Winner of the gift card drawing was Melissa Ebbing, Southside Parents of Multiples (IN). Find the August quiz at the end of this email.
 
FOREVER IN MY HEART
There are those times when you get a message in your inbox that seems to make time stop. That was the case when I received word this month about the death of Edna Coburn, past president of Multiples of America. Edna was the third president of our organization, serving from 1962-1963. That was just the beginning; her years of service to Multiples of America (aka NOMOTC, Inc.) spanned more than three decades. To the organization, she was a leader, a reporter, an author, a Parliamentarian, a bereavement coordinator, and so much more. To me, she was an inspiration, a friend, a welcoming hug; she will be forever in my heart.
 
BOARD NEWS
The board is working with our volunteers to deliver the services and benefits you enjoy from year to year as well as to develop new initiatives focused on support and connection.
• Invite2Connect is a two-fold outreach project. The first part involves outreach to parents with newborn multiples through hospitals and some of our partner organizations. The second part is a resource to help clubs reach out to parents with newborn multiplies in their areas. Multiples of America will provide postcards your club can distribute to help connect those parents with your club. Find out more about this project at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/invite2connect/.
• 103 attendees (81 members and 22 guests) gathered July 27-29 for our annual convention in Orlando, FL. Check out the August press release for more information: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/August-Press-Release-2023-New-Board-Elected.pdf.
• The annual report was emailed to every member and is now on the website. Member clubs can contact our advisor, Terri Gillis, at advisor@multiplesofamerica.org if you would like to have a board member present the report over zoom to your members. Find the annual report at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Annual-Report-Communication_Website.pdf.
 
THANKS TO CONVENTION DONORS
A shout of thanks to the clubs and members who hosted or sponsored an event at convention: Multiples of Florida, Flamingo MOMs (FL), Mountain States Mothers of Adult Multiples (AZ), Greater Orlando Mothers of Twins and Triplets (FL), Polar Bear MOMs (NJ), the group of members who joined together to host the PJ party. Thanks to Pink Stork, the South FL MOMs, and all the members who donated to raffles. Thanks for the many, many members who sent in crafts, paintings, jewelry and more for the Dreamspiration Gallery silent auction, and thanks to Bitsy’s Bars and 4imprint onebyone for some special giveaways. We are so grateful to each of you for helping us to Dream BIG.
 
CONGRATS TO OUR SPECIAL FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS
Three clubs have been named recipients of our latest round of Special Fund grants: 
Plano Area Mothers of Multiples (TX) for their project, “New Mom Journey.”       
Sonoma County Mothers of Multiples (CA) for their project, “Nurturing NICU Program.”
Northwest Houston Mothers of Multiples (TX) for their project, “Mental Health of Mothers of Multiples.” 
 
The EDGE (Endowment) Committee awards and administers these grants. Read more about each of the projects in an article in the September issue of Multiple Connections.
 
SHOUT OUT TO OUR NEWEST HONORARY MEMBERS
The Greater Orlando Mothers of Twins and Triplets (FL) recently awarded honorary membership to some unusual parents, Hermy and Draco, parents of twin cotton-top tamarin monkeys born at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. The club even presented the parents with a special certificate of membership. Read more about this special multiple birth at: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/disney-world-welcomes-rare-twin-monkeys-into-animal-kingdom.
 
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS
Looking for some quick reads? Read about the emotions of beginning the college journey, discover a special college commencement lesson, or find out “What’s Priceless” in the July issue of Multiple Connections. It’s filled with ideas and information. Check it out at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/multipleconnections/.
 
MEMBERSHIP CONNECTION
Has your club sent in membership dues? The countdown is on, and we’ve streamlined the process! Club membership renewals can be completed using a quick and easy online form. Just fill in the blanks, upload your club membership list, and submit to make a payment! Club renewals are due by September 30. https://multiplesofamerica.org/RENEW/.
 
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS YOU RECEIVE WITH YOUR PAYMENT OF $15 A YEAR?
Read through this summary of benefits on the website:
https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BENEFITS-OF-MEMBERSHIP-IN-MULTIPLES-OF-AMERICA-FINAL.pdf.
 
LOCAL CLUBS BRINGING SUMMERTIME SMILES
Fairfax County Mothers of Multiples (VA) held a summertime meet-up. Nearly 200 (members and their families) met at Water Mine Water Park for a day of splish-splashing fun.
 
South Jersey Mothers of Multiples (NJ) hosted New Jersey Twins Day 2023.  Multiple multiples gathered at a park for fellowship and fun. They even got TV coverage of the event! https://6abc.com/national-twins-day-mothers-of-multiples-nj-triplets/13587053/.
 
WATCH FOR THIS
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out these updated items:
Our organization bylaws have been updated to reflect changes approved at our recent annual meeting: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaws-2023-FINAL.pdf.
 
A few more finishing touches were added to our “What is Multiples of America?” 2-page flyer update. An update of the Spanish version of this flyer will be available in the coming months. https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/what-is-multiples-of-america-2023-FINAL.pdf.
 
SEND YOUR IDEAS/SHARE YOUR JOYS AND CHALLENGES
I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what questions you have about any of these items or other services provided by Multiples of America. Share some news about your club: its successes or challenges, or about your personal joys or challenges on your parenting journey. Contact me at president@multiplesofamerica.org.

TAKE A QUIZ
A quick check up about some Multiples of America terms and services.
 
1.     A National Representative is:
         a. a parent of multiples
         b. one of your club members
         c. someone who can help your club connect with Multiples of America’s services and benefits
         d. all of the above
 
2.     A Zoom Connect is:
         a. a fast internet connection
         b. a way for members to share ideas and experiences with other members from across the country
         c. an evening hosted by Multiples of America that involves learning or sharing
         d. both B and C
 
3.     The email to connect with our Executive Office is:
         a. emailme@nationalorganizaiton.com
         b. info@multiplesofamerica.org
         c. executiveoffice@nomotc.webmail
         d. multiples@multiples.com
 
4.     Find Multiples of America’s booklet “Education of Multiple Birth Children in School” in:
         a. a local bookstore
         b. a school library
         c. the Members’ Only section of our website
         d. your neighbor’s garage sale
 
5.     Multiples of America (aka the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc.) has completed research studies in the areas of:
         a. post-partum depression in moms with newborn multiples
         b. intervention and services for multiple birth children with special needs
         c. teen issues in multiples
         d. all of the above

(Note: Click HERE to see a list of research reports available and the order form to request copies.)
 
6.     Our publication, Multiple Connections, is emailed to all members:
         a. whenever we feel like it
         b. once a year
         c. every six months
         d. every other month (bi-monthly)
 
7.     The deadline for renewing your club’s membership for the 2023-2024 year is:
         a. September 30, 2023
         b. 09/30/23
         c. the last day of September this year
         d. all of the above
 
How many do you think you got correct? Email me your answers at president@multiplesofamerica.org
Perfection is not required; all those who join in the fun will have their name entered into a drawing for a gift card!