A bit of news about things happening with Multiples of America.
Check out the quiz at the end for your chance to win a gift card!

A Winner!
74 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 survey looked at fun ideas for Halloween costumes with a multiple twist. Answers to that quiz:

1. Fraternal twins can take off trick-or-treating dressed as this pair of ‘star savvy twins.’ (Luke and Leia)
2. Actually one and the same, identical twins can have everyone doing a double take when they see this comic superhero and his ‘secret identity’ standing side by side. (Superman and Clark Kent)
3. Luck will be with you when twins dress as these ‘cubes’ used in board games and other activities. (Pair of dice)     
4. Twins, triplets, or more are sure to bring smiles dressed as these yellow, pill-shaped creatures known from multiple movies about their adventures. (Minions)
5. Multiples will look just like dolls when dressed as these soft-sculpted toys, first made famous in the 1980s. Supposedly born in a ‘vegetable garden,’ these dolls are still on the shelves today; some even come in sets of two! (Cabbage Patch Twins)

Winner of the gift card drawing is Joanna Power-Gibson, Temecula Valley MOMs (CA). Find the November quiz at the end of this email.

Happy Thanksgiving
I am counting my multiple 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 member clubs and members. I am also thankful to be a part of a powerful team of National Worker volunteers and National Ambassadors 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 slice of pumpkin pie!

Board News
The board is working with our volunteers to deliver the services and benefits you enjoy from year to year and to develop new initiatives focused on support and connection. Here’s a few of our latest moves:

• We’ve got a unique Membership Drive underway! Our Research and Membership Development department is asking you to reach out to a former club member and invite them to rejoin. Holiday season seems the perfect time to reconnect! Veteran members offer our clubs valuable information and perspectives. Let’s not lose that connection. Join in the drive and reach out today! We challenge you to share the flyer at the end of this email at your next club meeting as a reminder for all members.
• We’re planning a new “Great Expectations” seminar series in 2025. “Great Expectations” will be a series of four seminars focused on parenting prebirth through the toddler years. Find the registration page for the first seminar about Preparing for multiples and those first months home in the Members Only section. Register online for the first seminar, and read more about the entire series in the December issue of Club Helpline.
• Partnership Power will be on display at our December Zoom Connect, Wed., Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. CST (8:30 EST, 6:30 MST, 5:30 PST). We’ll learn a bit about each of our partner organizations: what they do and what services and supports they can offer you and your club members. And we’ll hear from Stephanie Ernst, the TAPS Support Foundation and Kelly Gallagher, the Superhero Project, Inc., about how their journeys as parents of multiples led them to found organizations that could make a difference for other families. Visit our website to reserve your spot.
• The board is finalizing the selection of a site for our 2025 Convention. Look for an announcement coming to your inbox and on social media during December.
• Let’s send a shout out and welcome to our new club, the Texas Bluebonnets (TX)!
• A reminder that our Executive Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 27 – December 1

Singleton Research Study
Are there singletons in your family? Have you asked them what it’s like to have siblings who are multiples? We’re asking now! Multiples of America is opening a qualitative research study to find out more about the experiences of singletons in families with multiples. The results of this study may alert parents of multiples and singletons to parenting strategies that can address potential challenges. Any singleton over the age of 18 who has older or younger multiple siblings can join in the study. Just click  to find out more and sign up. 

Fall Giving Campaign Aims to Build Our Story
Our giving campaign, which runs Dec. 2-31, will help us have the resources to reach out into new communities, build on our current club connections, and add in more ways of caring for our members. Our goal is to raise $2,500. Plus, an anonymous donor has pledged to match donations up to our goal, dollar for dollar. That means the power of each gift is doubled!

Donations can be in any amount or they can be  earmarked for specific purposes.

Become a Builder with a gift of $25. This covers one month of costs for the platform used to manage postings on social media.

Designate yourself a Designer with a gift of $50. This helps pay for one month of video conferencing so members and volunteers can connect for learning and planning.

Become a Contractor with a gift of $100. This provides members and clubs with email communications from our Executive Office for a month.

Designate yourself a Project Manager with a gift of $250. Help! The technology used at our Executive Office is nearly a decade old! Help fund an upgrade to our Executive Office workstation and maintain our website.

Or Name your amount. Every dollar makes a difference!

To learn more about the campaign or to donate online. (And no need to wait until Dec. 2 to start giving. You can add in your donation at any time!)

A Gift that Fits in Your Hand
Gift cards are great year-round, but this really ‘tis the season…for thinking about gift cards. You can use them as presents, as prizes for events, or as a special treat to yourself. Whatever the reason, if you’re on the hunt for gift cards, try purchasing them through Raise Right. Multiples of America gets a portion of each purchase you make – at no added charge to you. Ready to get started on that holiday shopping list? Just go the Raise Right website and sign up. The special code to use for Multiples of America is: RK3FS3ZNGYVS

Parenting Tips Courtesy of Multiple Connections
Are you on the lookout for some nuts & bolts parenting advice? Do you know how to help if your adult multiples find out they have mixed credit? Would you like some ideas for saving money when buying clothes for your family? Do you need some tips on caring for yourself during this busy holiday season? Find the answers to these questions and more in the November issue of Multiple Connections. You’ll find it in your inbox or in the Publications area of the Members Only section of our website:

Leadership Academy Deadline Extended
We’ve already got a great group of leaders ready to join in our first ever Leadership Academy! But there’s still room for more. Could one of them be you?

Any member who has been a local or state committee board member or a National Worker can apply for the Academy. Participants will meet together for four virtual learning sessions, read and discuss excerpts from books on leadership, and share experiences and ideas about club management. We’re even planning a special Academy graduation! The Academy is a benefit to members, so there’s no fee. 

The deadline for the Leadership Academy has been extended to December 4! That means there’s still time for you to apply and join in the learning, discussions and fun! Find out more and apply. 

In the meantime, if you are a club leader…
We’re starting discussions about club management issues on our Leadership Shareshop page on Facebook. We’re hoping to share ideas around club services, programs, volunteering, membership growth, and meeting planning.  A new question will be posted every couple weeks as a part of the Leadership Academy, but all current leaders of member clubs are invited to join us online and participate in the discussions. If you’re a club leader and don’t already have access, ask to join the page. 

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. If your club already joined in and could use a second batch of cards, just let us know that, too!

Members’ Only Password Changes Dec. 15
The password for the Members Only section will change Dec. 15. Please check with your club officers for the current and new password or contact the Executive Office at info@multiplesofamerica.org.

On Dec. 15, the user name and password will change to:

Please remember this information is only 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 accessed only by member or secured by a password.

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 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. Find out more and submit your application. Deadline is Jan. 15.

Convention Sponsorships
Convention Sponsorships are an essential part of our annual gathering. Please let our Events Vice President, Kim Simonich, know if you have connections with a business, club, or individual who would be willing to sponsor an event at convention, audio-visual cost, or general expense.

What is an Add-On Member?
Has your club added members since your initial renewal earlier this year? If you have, let us know so we can add their names and emails to our list. Without that information, those members will not receive the email communications sent to all members, such as Multiple Connections and this monthly Special Delivery. If your club has “add-on members,” go to https://multiplesofamerica.org/add-on/ and follow the printed instructions. Questions about that process? Email: info@multiplesofamerica.org

Local Clubs Celebrating the Holidays

Phoenix Valley MOMs (AZ) will be cozying up in early December for a holiday moms night in. The evening promises a time to reconnect, relax, and celebrate the season over a private hibachi experience featuring fried rice, veggies, three protein options, and sake! Holiday desserts, exclusive shopping with local vendors, and a festive party favor to take home will round out the fun.

Chester County Mothers of Multiples (PA) will be having “Cookies with Santa” in early December, with time for holiday crafts, goodies, and of course, pictures with the jolly man in the red coat! 

Let us know what’s been happening at your club. https://multiplesofamerica.org/clubnewssubmission/

Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out these recent items:

The November press release shares information about our new Ambassador program.

The November Zoom Connect featured a speech language pathologist and a sleep consultant sharing information and tips for the baby and toddler years. If you missed it, find the link to the recording in our Zoom Connect Café.

Help us Build Our Story. It just takes a few minutes to share the story of how your club has helped you along your parenting journey.

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.