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!
25 members emailed their answers to the December quiz. Everyone who joined in the fun was entered into the drawing. Winner of the gift card drawing was Joni Joiner, Desert Bloom Multiples (AZ).
 
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.
• Looking for a unique something to give to a special someone this Valentine’s Day? Our February Zoom Connect, scheduled for Wed., Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., CST, is focused on Card Making. Judi Cimildoro will show us how to create special cards. Judi is a master crafter, a member of OOMPA (PA), and a Past President of the Massachusetts Mothers of Twins Association. Hoping you can join us for a night of creating, visiting, connecting, and fun! Learn more about this Zoom Connect and reserve your spot at:  https://multiplesofamerica.org/zoom-connects/
• We are hosting our third annual virtual run/walk during April as a part of our Multiple Birth Awareness month activities. This year we’re asking you to “Dream BIG…One Step At A Time.” Grab your running shoes and start training now, or if you’re snowed in, you can always get in shape by walking around the house. (Our house has a circular pathway on which I sometimes resolve to do 30 “laps” a day!) Pencil the event into your calendar for you, your club, and your multiples. Look for registration online next month.
• Multiple Birth Awareness month also provides an opportunity to build understanding about the challenges and wonders of multiple birth parenting in your local community and your state. We have updated our Multiple Birth Awareness (MBA) Month Toolkit to help member clubs in planning activities beyond the virtual run. These activities can help your club celebrate the month and reach out to prospective members or supporters. Check out the toolkit in the Members Only section of the website.
 
Club Connections
Looking for some quick reads? Try our December issue of Club Connections. There’s an article about our connections with multiple birth organizations around the world. The Club Spotlight shines on the Northwest Houston Mothers of Multiples (TX), sharing a bit about their activities and community projects. The Nominating Committee profiles a member who has been a National Worker volunteer for 44 years! And so much more. Check out the issue in the Members Only section of the website: https://multiplesofamerica.org/club_connections/
 
Speaker Support Service
Our Events Vice President, Kim Simonich, and I joined the Lake County Mothers of Twins Club (IL) for their January meeting. We were excited to “zoom” in with the club to share information and tips on “Handling School Issues,” including bullying, homework helps, and classroom placement of multiples. If your club is looking for a speaker for a monthly meeting, check out our free Speaker Support Service. Clubs and state organizations can sign up to have board members “zoom” into one of their meetings or workshops as an expert speaker. Other possible topics include: Fundraising Made Easy, Self-care, The National Connection, and more. Check out the flyer in the Members Only Section to see a full listing of topics and information on how to schedule a speaker: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/speaker-support.2-FINAL.pdf
 
Scholarship Applications
The February 1, 2023 deadline to apply for the Marge Ainsworth Scholarship is only a few days away. You must have been a member of your local club for at least the last three years (and that club is a member club of Multiples of America) for you, your spouse or multiples to apply. Read more about the eligibility requirements and download the application form at:  https://multiplesofamerica.org/ainsworth-scholarship/ Questions? Contact Scholarship Chairman Pam Krell at: scholarship@multiplesofAmerica.org
 
Join the Board
January is a good time to consider new challenges and new possibilities. I can promise that volunteering is a choice that will add purpose, learning, and friendship to your days. And now more than ever, Multiples of America needs you, your talents, and ideas to keep our organization moving. Board members and committee volunteers are needed on the local, state, and national levels. Check with your local club or state organization about what openings they are expecting in 2023. And if you’ve served as a National Worker volunteer within the last three years, I hope you will also consider the choice of running for an elective office on the Multiples of America board of directors. The first step is completing an application online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NBZLZ8K. The deadline to apply may have passed, but there’s still time to add your name onto the list of possible candidates. Check in with Nominating Chair, Diane Graves, with any questions about positions or the application process: volunteer@multiplesofamerica.org
 
Annual Meeting News
Our 2023 convention will invite members to “Dream BIG.” We’ll be heading to Orlando, FL, July 27-29 with an agenda that’s filled with ways to “Dream BIG” about growing our organization, gaining skills for club leadership, sharing ideas, and just having a bit of fun. It’s a 3-day convention (with the first day an optional time for sightseeing), to be held at the Drury Plaza Orlando – Disney Springs. Hotel rates are $159 a night (no added resort fee), and include free hot breakfast and daily “kickback” food at dinnertime. Rates are good 3 nights prior and 3 nights after convention. We plan to post the special link for hotel reservations on the website at the beginning of February. Our Events Vice President and Advisor are completing their site visit of the property at the end of this month. (The site visit is being completed at no cost to the organization.) In the meantime, the Events team is very busy scheduling speakers, planning activities, creating a schedule, and dreaming BIG!
 
Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out this updated item:
• Our booklet, Placement of Multiple Birth Children, has a new look! You can now access it as an online, interactive publication. Just go to the Members Only section and scroll down a bit to find it: https://multiplesofamerica.org/members-only-center/ 
• The January press release focuses on the power volunteers bring to Multiples of America. https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Press-Release-Jan-2023-Volunteering-FINAL.pdf
 
Members’ Only Password Changed December 15
Trying to access the Members’ Only section? Our password changes every December 15.
The password for the 2022-23 membership year is:
User Name:        MembersOnly
Password:           2ward2morrow! (Think: Together “Toward Tomorrow!”)
 
Local Clubs Highlighting Their Own
Phoenix Valley MOM (AZ) has a blog on their website where members post tips about parenting multiples, opinions about favorite hobbies, songs, and reflections about belonging to a parents of multiples club. They also offer members a chance to introduce themselves on the club’s Facebook page or to sign up for an Instagram Takeover, which gives members the chance to be an Instagram “star for a day” as they video their day in the life as a mom with multiples.
 
South Florida MOMs (FL) welcomes new members on their public Facebook page. They also feature a MoMs in Business page on their website, a directory of members who have their own companies.
 
Silicon Valley Twins & Triplets (CA) spotlights their board members with a picture and short bio of each on their club’s website. A discount in the cost of their annual membership fee is another perk they offer their board member volunteers.
 
Take a Quiz
In the spirit of our upcoming, Orlando-based, in-person, annual meeting, I thought this month’s quiz could be about Disney multiples. The most famous set to me is Chip and Dale. But I found there’s debate over whether or not they are twins! My vote is “yes,” since my twins, Holly and Noel, grew up watching Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, and always considered the antics of the two chipmunks as those of twins. In fact, a pair of Chip & Dale stuffed animals are one of the relics of childhood they still have. You can decide if you agree with me about Chip & Dale. However, the genetics of some other Disney multiples are not up to debate. So, how much do you know about Disney multiples?
 

1. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are the mischievous triplet nephews of this Disney character:

                a. Mickey Mouse
                b. Goofy
                c. Donald Duck
                d. Minnie Mouse
 

2. Hallie Parker and Annie James found out they were identical twins at a:

                a. summer camp
                b. family reunion
                c. school picnic
                d. Broadway play
 

3. Identical twin brothers in Alice In Wonderland are named:

                a. The Mad Hatter and The Queen of Hearts
                b. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
                c.  The White Rabbit and The Blue Rabbit
                d. Alice and her sister
 

4. Luke and Leia are the twins made famous by this movie trilogy:

                a. Star Trek
                b. Buzz Lightyear of the Star Command
                c. A Star Is Born
                d. Star Wars
 

5. Sharpay and Ryan Evans are twin high school students who immerse themselves in a world of:

                a. tennis
                b. theatre
                c. chess
                d. cheerleading
 
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