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!
Twenty members emailed their answers to the November quiz. Everyone who joined in the fun was entered into the drawing. Winner of the gift card drawing was Laura Watson, DuPage Doubles (IL).

Happy Holidays
Our executive office and board of directors wish each of you a wondrous holiday season. May the carols whirring all around bring memories of joys in holidays past. May the colorful lights shining in streets and homes be a beacon of hope for today. May the new year ring in new joys and new opportunities.

Board News
The board is working with our volunteers to deliver the services and benefits you enjoy from year to year as well as develop new initiatives focused on support and connection. A few of the items we’ve focused on this month:
• January Zoom Connect: The January connect, called Resolutions and Solutions, will be held Wed., Jan. 11, at 7:30 CST via zoom. The focus is on club programs. What meeting topics and activities do you have on your club calendar? Meet members from other clubs and share those ideas on the connect. Two superstar clubs that already have solutions for the new year will also be with us to share their plans. Sign up to join in the fun and discussion at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/zoom-connects/.
• Zoom Connects will be held each month through June. Flyers in the Fall Mailing, Part 2, show the date and topic for each month. You can find the Fall Mailing on the website in the Members’ Only section: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fall-mailing-part-2.2-FINAL-1.pdf.
• The Online Club Special Committee will begin its work in January. This committee plans to explore options for the development of clubs, which meet and hold all activities online. We are still looking for additional input from members about this idea. If you have ideas about online clubs or would like to join in this committee, contact Terri Gillis, committee chair, advisor@multiplesofamerica.org.
• A reminder that our executive office will be closed for the holiday from December 24 – January 2.

Annual Meeting News
In the spirit of Winnie the Pooh who said, “Any day spent with you is my favorite day,” the Board of Directors voted to hold the 2023 annual convention as an in-person, 3-day event. So I guess in Winnie the Pooh’s world that means we’re arranging for three favorite days in 2023! The convention will be held at the Drury Plaza Hotel – Disney Springs area in Orlando, FL, July 27-29. It’s an official Disney World property, which means a stay includes early theme park entry with a park ticket. Our convention rate is $159 per night for King or Queen double rooms, and that same rate can be used for stays three days prior to or three days following convention. The Board of Directors made their decision after much research and discussion. We’ll be sharing more about that journey with you soon. Also look for more information about the convention theme, agenda, activities, and a special link for hotel reservations in the coming weeks. For now, we’re hoping you’ll put a mark on your calendar and “think of all the joy you’ll find, when you leave your world behind” and begin making plans to join us next July in Orlando.

Multiple Connections
Looking for some quick reads? The November issue of Multiple Connections has great articles about club projects, identifying twin type, and making a difference. You can find the issue online in the Members’ Only section: https://multiplesofamerica.org/multipleconnections/.

Holiday Gift List
Putting together my gift list for the holidays was so easy when I was young. I would wait for the department store catalog to come in the mail, then circle all the toys I wanted to receive! Now it’s difficult to come up with even a few items when family members ask me to put together a gift list. But this year, I do have one request. I’m asking for the book, The Guncle by Steven Rowley, so I can join in our book club zoom Connect event. The event is in April, so I’m thinking I should be able to get it read in four months! If you need a last-minute item for your gift list, consider asking for The Guncle, then put our April 12 zoom Connect on your 2023 calendar.

Gift and Give Multiplied Campaign
Sending bundles of thanks to those who gave to the Gift and Give Multiplied campaign. We are all blessed by your gift! Multiples of America raised $1,804.02 over the two weeks, with every dollar of that being matched by an anonymous donor. If you missed donating during our campaign, no problem. We accept donations any day of the year! The Gift and Give Multiplied donation page will be open through the end of December: https://multiplesofamerica.org/gift-and-give-multiplied/.

Please remember this information is for members of clubs for whom dues have been paid at the national level only. It is very important that it be kept secure and not published online in newsletters, news groups (Yahoo, Facebook, Big Tent, etc.), club websites, or any other print media that is not secured by a password.

Special Fund Grant
Multiples of America is asking for proposals for a special fund grant. Clubs can apply for a one-time award of up to $400 to support innovative projects for serving the needs of parents of multiples. Update of the club website? Printing of a club brochure? Funds for baskets to give to parents of newborn multiples? The possibilities are endless. Proposals must be from a member club. The EDGE Committee, who administers the special fund grant, will be sharing more information with club leaders in January. Not a grant writing pro? No worries. The EDGE Chair will answer questions as you work through the process.

Add On Members
If you have added members to your club since your initial renewal, please let us know so we can add their names and emails to our list. Without that information, those members will not receive email communications sent to all members, such as Multiple Connections and this monthly “special delivery”. To add-on members after your initial renewal, email a spreadsheet of your new and/or renewing members to info@multiplesofamerica.org and use the following PayPal option at the following URL to remit payment of $15.00 per person. https://multiplesofamerica.org/add-on/ Questions about that process? Let us know.

Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out these updated items:
• Ever wonder what connections Multiples of America offers if you need some added support with your special needs multiple? Or how our national organization help if someone in your club experiences a death in the family? A new “FAQ” page on the website helps to answer those questions and more: https://multiplesofamerica.org/faq/#
• Our December Press Release shares information about the development and purpose of Multiples of America’s EDGE (Endowment) Fund: https://multiplesofamerica.org/pressreleases/

Building Upon A Tragedy
Phoenix Valley Mothers of Multiples (AZ) is partnering with Southwest Human Development, their club’s charity partner for the year, to sponsor a small neighborhood library in honor of Marla Hudgen, a club member who was killed in her Phoenix home Nov. 16. along with her children (3 year-old Christopher and 6-month old identical twins, Gwen and Fay). The Little Free Libraries are “take one, leave one” book stations that are typically placed in low socio-economic areas. Phoenix Valley will purchase, build, and place one in Marla’s neighborhood, then stock the free library with books and messages of hope for the community. 

Local Clubs Making Wishes Come True
Greensboro Mothers of Multiples (NC) is granting wishes this holiday season. They are providing each of the seven sets of twins in the custody of the Guilford County Department of Health and Human with their top three gift wish items! The club also donates goods for the children all through the year, including Halloween goodie bags, bookbags, and other needs.

Tidewater Parents of Multiples (VA) found a way to drum up some holiday cheer and promote their club when they joined in Christmas in Driver: The Peppermint Path, a lighted walkway through the woods, complete with craft and food vendors, live characters and more. Club members sponsored a photo op display. Proceeds from the event were donated to local charities.

Take a Quiz
Is it a twin tall tale or not? See if you can tell what’s true and what’s false.

1. Identical twins have identical fingerprints.

1. True
2. False

2. Twins as a group show more language delays than singletons.

1. True
2. False

3. Twins are always born on the same day or month or year.

1. True
2. False

4. Identical twins generally have closer social relationships with one another than fraternal twins.

1. True
2. False

5. New mothers of multiples experience greater depression than new mothers of singletons.

1. True
2. False

6. Twins must be fraternal if they write with their opposite hands.

1. True
2. False

7. Twins growing up apart sense the absence of their co-twin.

1. True
2. False

Questions from information presented in Twin Mythconceptions by Nancy Segal, Ph.D.

Think you got them all correct (or even if you just guessed)? Email me your answers at president@multiplesofamerica.org. Those who join in the fun will have their name entered into a drawing for a gift card!

Send Your Ideas/Share Your Stories
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. Contact me at president@multiplesofamerica.org