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!
Eighteen members emailed their answers to the February quiz. Everyone who joined in the fun was entered into the drawing. The winner of the gift card drawing was Jessica Stinziano from 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 to develop new initiatives focused on support and connection.

• The Board of Directors completed our midterm board meeting via Zoom over several evenings. Decisions were made about budget and bylaw proposals for the upcoming convention. Projects and plans for online gatherings for the remainder of the term were discussed. Look for information about these services in the Spring Mailing (which was emailed to you last week) and in upcoming issues of Multiple Connections, Club Connections, and Special Delivery.
• We’re LinkedIn! Multiples of America is in the process of setting up an account on this business and employment-focused social media platform. If you’ve got an account, be sure to be on the lookout, so you can “follow” us, then keep watching for an exciting video story we’ll be posting.
• Have you finished reading The Guncle by Steven Rowley? That’s the book we’ll discuss at our Book Club Zoom Connect, April 12, 7:30 p.m. CST. I admit I’ve only made it to page 149 so far. But even if I don’t make it all the way to the end, I’ll be zooming in! Susan Griffith, mother of twins and member of Bluegrass Mothers of Twins & More (KY), will lead the discussion. Find out more about this Zoom Connect and reserve your spot now, even if you haven’t read the entire book: https://multiplesofamerica.org/zoom-connects/

Just For Fun
Do you have an Alexa at home? Just for fun, ask your Alexa, “What can you tell me about Multiples of America?”

2023 Convention News
“Think. Think. Think,” Winnie the Pooh once advised.

Our Events team is taking that advice to heart as they “think, think, think,” about ways to make our 2023 convention a special time for renewal and reconnection. The convention will be held July 27-29 at the Drury Plaza Orlando – Disney Springs hotel in Orlando, FL. Find a complete review (and some photos) on the convention hotel in the February issue of Club Connections, and a briefing about our keynote speaker, Joscelyn Ramos Campbell, in the March issue of Multiple Connections. Stay on the lookout for details on workshops, special fun gatherings, and meals in a special convention booklet, which will be posted on the website. Convention registration should be online by mid-April.

Read more about our convention hotel: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Feb-CConn-Hotel-FINAL.pdf

Book your hotel room: https://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10040078

Share our sponsor brochure with a business or individual who might be interested in helping to support our annual meeting:

https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ConventionSponsorBrochureFINAL.2.pdf

Multiples Across America Virtual Walk/Run
We will host another Multiples Across America virtual run/walk during April as a part of our Multiple Birth Awareness month activities. This year, participants will be ready to “Dream BIG…One Step at a Time.” Indeed, every step will help to raise awareness about the support available for multiple birth parents and their children, and contribute to the work of our organization.

It’s a virtual, as you like it, run.

• You can run/walk…anytime and anywhere during the month of April.
• You can decide on a 1K or 5K.
• You can complete your course all in one race/walk or over multiple days.
• Once you cross the finish line, you can record your time online and receive a virtual medal you can print or post on your social media page.

Registration is only $25 (plus shipping) and includes a T-shirt. Registration is now open: https://multiplesofamerica.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Guess What?
Parents of multiples from all over the state of South Carolina will be joining together in a Multiple Birth Awareness walk at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia on April 22. Let us know (and send us photos) if your club or state organization has a group run/walk.

Multiple Birth Awareness Month
Looking for other ways to celebrate multiple birth awareness month? We’re here to help! The MBA toolkit provides resources to help your local club in planning celebrations or press coverage of the month. Our April Press Release is also a great resource to let local media outlets know more about the month. The benefit is that your celebrations and work to alert the press can be a chance for your club to connect with expectant parents or parent of multiples in your area. And once April 1 rolls in, stay on the lookout for our Facebook frames….and that’s no April Fool.

Check out all our Multiple Birth Awareness Month plans at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/multiple_birth_awareness/

The April Press Release is online at:
https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/23-April-Press-Release-Multiple-Birth-Awareness-Month-FINAL.pdf

Special Fund Grant for Member Clubs
Could your club use a few extra dollars to fund a special project? Multiples of America is pleased to announce that we are ready to help make that dream a reality through a 2023 Special Fund Grant opportunity for our member clubs. 

The special fund grant competition, which is administered by the EDGE Committee, is now open. The grant offers funds for new or expanded projects which are created or directed by member clubs. Proposals for up to $500 can be submitted through May 31, 2023. Further information and a grant application can be downloaded from the Members Only section of the website (under EDGE Fund). https://multiplesofamerica.org/specialfundgrant/

Another New Research Study
We are assisting in a Southern Illinois University research study being conducted by Riley Marshall, under the counsel of Dr. Lisabeth DiLalla. The study explores the interactions of twins with parents and peers in order to gain a better understanding of why some children experience certain behaviors more than others. Marshall is seeking to interview same-sex twins between the ages of 7 and 10 years and their parents. Interviews will be via Zoom, so participants can be from anywhere in the United States. As an incentive, each participating family will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and each child will receive a book. Find out more about the project on our website: https://multiplesofamerica.org/marshall_research/ or email Riley Marshall at: sitss@siu.edu

Membership Update
The deadline for membership renewal for the 2022-23 year was September 30, 2022. Late renewals and add-ons of club membership are still trickling in, but I wanted to share an update on our membership totals. As of March 13, we have:

156 member clubs, and
6,770 members, plus 2 affiliates

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. Members submitted on or before March 31, 2023, will be included in your credential count for convention voting purposes. 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 PayPal option at the following URL to remit payment of $15 per person. https://multiplesofamerica.org/add-on/ Questions about that process? Let us know.

In Search of National Worker Volunteers…
My twins, Holly and Noel, were just a few months old when I filled out my first national volunteer form. I didn’t have much experience as a parent of multiples or in running a club, but I could write! So I volunteered to be a writer for Notebook (now Multiple Connections). It was so fun to connect with other parents of multiples as I researched and wrote articles, and it was exciting to learn about our national organization and all the resources offered to members and clubs. Looking back, I can say I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I’m glad I did…it truly changed my life! So I encourage you to become a volunteer for Multiples of America by filling out a volunteer form.

Give kindness. Share your expertise. Support new clubs. Share resources with parents of multiples facing special challenges. Start lifelong friendships with parents across the nation. Be a part of our story. It might change your life, too!

The deadline for volunteer forms for next term is June 15. But no need to wait until summer. Complete the form today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MOA-NW2022

Club Connections
Looking for some quick reads? The February issue of Club Connections has articles to clue you into the Amazon Smile program, Dr. Nancy Segal’s latest research study, our convention hotel, and all the ways Multiples of America gets news out to clubs and members. Plus a story that details all the ideas clubs shared about impactful programs during the January Zoom Connect. Great ideas and information all around. Check it out at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/club_connections/

State Organization News

Multiples of Illinois
Thinking of joining us in Orlando for convention…and perhaps planning a day (or two) at DisneyWorld as part of the adventure? Multiples of Illinois (MOI) has an offer you might want to consider. MOI is holding drawings this spring and summer for 10 Disney passes. Look for more information about the drawing in the March issue of Multiple Connections, or read about the drawing at: https://dupagedoublesfamiliesofmultiplesclub.wildapricot.org/disneyraffle

Kansas Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs
Ever been on Route 66? The Kansas Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (KOMOTC) will be “Celebrating 60 Years on Route 66” this spring at their annual convention. No, they haven’t been rolling down the treasured US highway for 60 years, but they are celebrating 60 years of serving Kansas families of multiples. One unusual fact: KOMOTC will be meeting together in Missouri this year, instead of Kansas! Several members from Joplin, MO, are hosting the event and wanted members to gather near their hometown.

Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out this updated item:

• Know the ABC’s of Multiples of America? A new brochure details the services and benefits of membership A to Z. Download a copy for yourself or to share with a prospective club member: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-to-Z-brochure-2.2-FINAL.pdf
• Need details about our organization’s scholarship program? The March press release gives an overview of the Marge Ainsworth Scholarship Fund and its impact over the years: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/March-Press-Release-Marge-Ainsworth-Scholarship-FINAL.pdf

Local Clubs Building Relationships and Skills

Movin’ Up Moms of Multiples (MUMMS) (CA) hosted an hour-long Zoom chat in late January for moms of multiples who are not currently members of a local club. Eight MUMMS members joined the chat to share their insight and answer questions from the guest moms. Topics included: birthday celebrations, singletons and multiples, school placement issues, and support from the state and national organizations.

Arlington Mothers of Multiples (TX) held a Favorite Things Gift Exchange as a Galentine’s February celebration.

Fresno County Multiples Club (CA) learned about strategies for positive discipline during a workshop from Cultivating Cooperation at a recent club meeting.

Northwest Houston Mothers of Multiples (TX) got to know each other better through several rounds of  MOM Bingo and “Speed Dating” at a recent meeting.

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
In the spirit of our upcoming annual meeting, we had a quiz about Disney multiples a couple of months ago. But Orlando is also home to another venue that’s built around our Universal wish for a tomorrow filled with hope and a bit of fun. So this month’s quiz is based on the multiples connected with some media favorites celebrated at other Orlando-based theme parks.

1. These Dr. Seuss twins from The Cat In The Hat create a lot of havoc while flying kites in the house.
     a. Horton and JoJo
     b. Thing 1 and Thing 2
     c. One fish, Two fish
     d. Sam-I-Am and Guy-I-Am

2. The owners of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, these twins are close friends of Harry Potter.
     a. Fred and George
     b. Ron and Ginny
     c. James and Oliver
     d. Hermione and Luna

3. Sandy Cheeks, a close friend of Sponge Bob Squarepants, is a squirrel who happens to live under the ocean. Her fraternal twin, mentioned, but             rarely seen is named ________.
     a. Herman
     b. Dandy (Dan for short)
     c. Patrick
     d. Randy

4. Identical twin sisters of the character Marge in The Simpsons who both work at the Springfield Department of Motor Vehicles are _______________________.
     a. Lisa and Lucy
     b. Sherri and Terri
     c. Patty and Selma
     d. Maude and Maggie

5. Over the years, two characters were named as the foe of Popeye. A 1988 Popeye comic book portrayed them as twin brothers, Brutus and                     _____________.
     a. Wimpy
     b. Bluto
     c. Bentley
     d. Pipeye

How many do you think you got correct? 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!