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. This quiz previewed a few of the highlights from our annual report. Answers to that quiz:

1. Three new toolkits were created as resources for members and clubs. Those toolkits included all of the following except: the Dropping Them Off at College without Tears toolkit.

2. A new section was added to the website that allows the public to access a few articles from previous issues of Multiple Connections is called: Connections Corner.

3. We posted approximately 374 social media messages for the term over Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn (as of mid-June).

4. The topic of our new narrated presentation is: Handling School Issues.

5. Multiples of America raised approximately $18,000 last term through donations and sponsorships.

Winner of the gift card drawing is Sarah Del Buono, Parents of Multiples of Sacramento (CA). Find the August quiz at the end of this email.

A Big Thanks
Congrats to our new Board of Directors! You can read about them and a summary of our 2024 convention in the August press release: https://www.prlog.org/13032793-multiples-of-america-members-connect-in-kentucky-to-plan-new-initiatives-elect-new-officers.html

Board News
The board works with our volunteers to deliver current membership benefits as well as to develop new initiatives to support and connect us.

• Our new Ambassador Program is a way for members to give back to the organization without making the year-long commitment of being a National Worker volunteer. As they say, “it takes a village” to build the connections we provide for members and member clubs. Find out how you can join in: https://multiplesofamerica.org/ambassador/
• 101 attendees (88 members, 3 non-members, and 10 guests) gathered July 25-27 for our annual convention in Louisville, KY. Look for summaries of all the learning experiences at convention in the September issue of Multiple Connections.
• Members who signed up to Zoom into the Ali Dunn workshop at convention were given the chance to participate in a drawing to win one of Ali’s books, The Career Explorer. Congrats to Melissa Matthews, Richmond Area Mothers of Multiples (VA), who won the drawing!
• 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/2024/08/63nd-Multiples-of-America-Annual-Report-070324-final.pdf

In Remembrance
Joan M. Babigian, our 11th president, passed away Sunday, Aug. 4. Joan was President of NOMOTC, Inc. (Multiples of America) from 1975-77. She was a mentor to many members, a friend and bright light to all who knew her. She will be missed. Look for more information about Joan and her legacy in an “In Memory Of” article in the September issue of Multiple Connections.

Help Us Build Our Story
Can you help us continue building the story of the power the comes from connecting to a multiples club? What’s a way your club has “nailed it” in connecting with members or families? How has belonging to Multiples of America “lightened your load” as a parent of multiples? What’s one piece of “nuts and bolts” advice you’d offer to a new parent of multiples?

Let’s share our stories. Find out more at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/buildingourstory/

Club Connections
How can Coca-Cola help your local club? Check out Help Is Around the Corner in the August issue of Club Connections for the answer. There’s also information about our new Raise Right project and a few tips for National Representatives. Look for the issue in the Members Only section at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/club_connections/

Parental Stress in Families who have Children with Autism
Parenting children who are diagnosed with autism comes with its own list of joys and stresses. Our newest research partner wants to know more. Damion Garcia, under the advisement of Dr. Nancy Segal from California State University, Fullerton, is studying parental stress in families with single and multiple birth children with autism. Mothers and fathers of identical and fraternal twins, where one or both twins are diagnosed with autism are invited to participate, as well as parents of single birth children diagnosed with autism. Parents must be at least 18 years old. Participants take an online survey that takes about 15 or 20 minutes to complete. Read more the survey at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/parentalstress_research/ or access the survey link at: https://fullerton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXZT7g7qisDwyCW

Multiple Match
Our Multiple Match program provides a personal connection for members in an electronic format. Sign up and we’ll work to match you with another member facing similar parenting or life challenges. It’s a match that can create a connection for support or friendship.

Right now, we are especially looking for matches for members who have:

• Preschool multiples with older siblings
• Multiples with Goldenhar Syndrome
• Multiples with Nemaline Myopathy
• Multiples who are autistic
• Multiples with ADHD
• Multiples who spent time in the NICU
• Elementary aged multiples
• Special needs multiples

And members who are:

• Raising young multiples while caring for elderly parents
• Single moms of multiples who used an anonymous donor
• Looking for a connection due to living in an area that is hours away from their local club

Join in Multiple Match at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/multiplematch/ (Note: The Members Only password will be needed to access this form.)

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, make a payment, and “click.” Club renewals are due by September 30. https://multiplesofamerica.org/RENEW/

Want to know more about how each department of Multiples of America is ready to serve you and your club each day of the year? Check out the new Department Presentation flipbook to find out more: https://simplebooklet.com/multiplesofamericadepartmentover#page=1

Now Is the Time
It’s time now to start preparing your club’s group exemption filing for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2024. Go to www.multiplesofamerica.org/groupexemption, download your forms and submit them online. All clubs submitting after November 1 will incur a $30 late fee.

Sponsorship Renewal
AlphaBiolabs renewed their sponsorship with Multiples of America for another year! AlphaBiolabs offers DNA testing for twins, paternity, prenatal gender and more, plus health and home drug and alcohol tests. Check out their website at: https://alphabiolabsusa.com/ (Use code MA10 for 10% off.) Thanks to AlphaBiolabs for their continued support!

Thanks to Convention Donors
A shout of thanks to the clubs and members who helped with hosting an event at convention: Mountain States Mothers of Adult Multiples (AZ), Southside Parents of Multiples (IN), Greater Nashua Parents of Twins & More (NH), Northern California Association of Mothers of Twins Clubs, and the group of members who joined together to host the Derby party. Thanks to all the members who donated to raffles or sent in crafts, paintings, jewelry and more for the Timeless Treasures silent auction, and thanks to 4imprint onebyone for some special giveaways. We are so grateful to each of you for helping us as we were Connecting in Kentucky.

Local Clubs Planning for Finances

DuPage Doubles Families of Multiples Club (IL) is already planning for their September online resale. The resale generally has over 100 sellers with over 30,000 items to browse. It’s a relaxing and economical way to shop for essentials and fun stuff!

Desert Bloom Multiples (AZ) is following up a month of fun activities that included a trivia night, fairytale faire and trip to the zoo, with a SomeBurros fundraiser. Members, friends, and family can dine on fave combos and specialties at the restaurant during the day and the club receives a percentage of the pre-tax sales. 

Website Spotlight
Our website changes 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/2024/08/Bylaws-2024-25-FINAL.pdf
• The 2024-25 Member Club/National Worker calendar is now posted in the Members Only section: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-25-Member-Club_National-Worker-Calendar-copy.pdf

Send Your Ideas/Share Your Joys and Challenges
I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what questions you have about 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

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ IS NOW CLOSED.