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!
29 members emailed their answers to the October quiz. A perfect score is not the aim; everyone who joins in the fun is entered into the drawing. The winner of the gift card drawing was Lara Gallegos-Montour of Darling Doubles (CO). Find the November quiz at the end of this email. Just click on the link and you’ll be able to answer quickly and easily on the pre-filled form!

Happy Thanksgiving
When I count my blessings this holiday, I am thankful to be serving with our talented Board of Directors and to join in the work they are doing to build support for and connect with member clubs and members. I am also thankful to be a part of a powerful team of National Worker volunteers who are graciously sharing their time and talents for our organization. And I am thankful for each of you as members and member clubs for your support and help as we work together to touch the lives of parents of multiples across the nation. May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with family, fun, joy, and perhaps a bit of pumpkin pie!

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. Here are a few of our latest moves:
• Have you heard? We announced the site for our 2024 annual convention! We’ll be meeting July 25-27, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky, at the historic Brown Hotel. Louisville is a city filled with surprises: iconic sights, interactive museums, riverboat cruises, theatres, an illuminated bridge, and even a couple of roller coasters thrown in! Be on the lookout in the coming months for more details about all the learning, networking, and fun we’re planning.
• Think it’s possible for a group of parents scattered across the country to make cookies together?  Find out by joining in our next monthly Zoom Connect, on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m., CST.  It’s a Winter Cookie Delight and Game Time. Yummy treats are guaranteed and you might even win a prize! Visit our website to reserve your spot: https://multiplesofamerica.org/zoom-connects/  
• Our press releases are now being posted on PR Log for wider distribution. Our November Press Release shares information about our annual fundraising campaign. As of early November, it had over 140 views! https://www.prlog.org/12992253-make-difference-for-parents-of-multiples-join-our-stay-connected-campaign.html

Stay Connected Campaign – Your Donation Doubled
Our annual fundraising campaign has started! This year we’re focused on sharing all the ways our work helps parents of multiples “Stay Connected” to research, education, resources, and friendship. The campaign runs through Nov. 30, and an anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations up to our $3,000 goal. So every dollar you give is truly multiplied! Gifts can be targeted toward specific areas, or given as a general donation. To learn more about the campaign or to donate online, go to https://multiplesofamerica.org/stayconnected_fundraiser2023/

The Gift that Connects
“One of the many gifts that books give readers is a connection to each other,” according to Sarah Jessica Parker, actress and parent of twins.

If there’s a book on your shopping list, you can make your purchase and help Multiples of America at the same time. The Monkey See, Monkey Do…Children’s Bookstore is partnering with us to host this online book fair, Friday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Dec. 1. 10% of sales from any book purchased by anyone off the site during the fair will be donated to Multiples of America! As a special shopping treat: there’s already a special list of books with a multiple twist ready to go, plus there’s FREE shipping Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26! Scan the QR code on the flyer at the bottom of this message or head to  https://bookshop.org/shop/monkeys-read to join in.

Multiple Connections
Did you notice the new look of Multiple Connections? We’re now offering the publication to you as one document. Just takes one click to open up a world of information! The theme of this issue is “Technology.” You’ll find stories about the impact of technology on the developing minds of children and using technology to keep club members connected across the miles. You can also read about the NICU Journey of our new guest columnist, Ali Dunn. Check out those and other great articles at: https://multiplesofamerica.org/multipleconnections/

Connect to Research
We are continuing to assist Dr. Nancy Segal from California State University with making connections for a research study that focuses on the unique experiences of multiples (and their non-multiple siblings) born to mixed-background couples. Dr. Segal is looking to increase understanding of these families through her research so we can better support them in the future. She would like to interview identical and fraternal twins, triplets, and more, born to mixed race/background couples, their non-twin siblings, and the multiples’ parents. Interviews will be conducted by phone or over Zoom. Find out more about Dr. Segal’s project on our website at https://multiplesofamerica.org/segal_research/, or email Dr. Segal directly at nsegal@fullerton.edu

Invite2Connect Update
Is your club joining in our Invite2Connect project? The project provides postcards that your club can distribute to local doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals in order to connect expectant parents and parents with newborn multiples with information about Multiples of America and your local club. Find out more about this project at https://multiplesofamerica.org/invite2connect/. If your club already joined in and could use a second batch of cards, just let us know that, too!

Light Up Our World
If you’re not into stringing lights all over the house for the holidays, you can still light up our world. Submit your application to take a seat on the board of directors. If you’ve served as a National Worker volunteer within the last three years, you qualify to run for an elective office. Check out the flyer below or click here to apply. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G6JKQTR Deadline is Jan. 15.

Local Clubs Finding Ways to Fall Into Fun
Huntsville Area MOM (AL) held a fall scavenger hunt, with members and their families searching for items such as pine cones, bird nests, mushrooms, and bugs.

Annapolis MOM (MD) mixed fun and fundraising at a fall pop-up shop evening, complete with free samples, live music, exclusive giveaways, and more!

Phoenix Valley Mothers of Multiples (AZ) kicked off the holiday season with a mom’s night in! Members came dressed in holiday pjs and then enjoyed treats, massages, and more!

Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out these updated items:
Our “How to Organize a Parents of Multiples Club” has been updated and converted to a flip book. Check it out: https://simplebooklet.com/htobookletdraft#page=1

We’ve updated our Club Tips for Bereavement. It’s a part of our member-exclusive Building a Dynamic Club toolkit. Find it in the Members Only section of our website at https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ClubTipsForBereavementSupport-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

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ IS CLOSED.