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!
43 members emailed their answers to the September quiz. A perfect score is not the aim; everyone who joins in the fun is entered into the drawing. Winner of the gift card drawing was Vanessa Brewer, Phoenix Valley MOMs (AZ). Find the October 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!

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.

• Twin Tales is our next monthly Zoom Connect, Wed., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., CST. Bring your questions and favorite twin tales (or triplet tales) as we gather with our guest expert, Dr. Nancy Segal, a fraternal twin and author of TwinMythconceptions. Visit our website to reserve you spot: https://multiplesofamerica.org/zoom-connects/
• Connections Corner is a new feature on the public side of our website that features past articles from our publications. Find the link to the first story on our homepage, www.multiplesofamerica.org, and read more about Connections Corner in the October press release: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/October-press-release-Connections-Corner.pdf
• Our Stay Connected fundraising campaign runs Nov. 14-30. This campaign, centered around Giving Tuesday, helps support Multiples of America in our work to connect member clubs, members, and prospective members with support, education, and research. Our goal this year is to raise $3,000. Gifts can be targeted toward specific areas or given as a general donation. Again this year, an anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations up to our $3,000. goal! So, when you give, your gift is truly multiplied! We’ll be sending an email Nov. 14 with more information.
• International Multiple Birth Awareness Week is Nov. 6-12. This year’s theme is: Supporting multiples and their families through life – “It takes a community.” Consider the ways in which your club can celebrate this week, and read more about how Multiples of America supports families through every age and stage in November Multiple Connections.

• We have some exciting changes coming to Multiple Connections, beginning with the November issue. Keep watch on your inbox! 

A Book…is a gift you can open again and again
The Monkey See, Monkey Do…Children’s Bookstore, which sells books for all ages, is partnering with us to host an online book fair as a fundraiser for Multiples of America! The book fair will be held Friday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Dec. 1. Multiples of America gets 10% of sales from any book purchased by anyone during that time! The weekend of Nov. 24 – 26 will also include free shipping!

In honor of the event, we’ve posted a special bibliography of “Books with the Multiple Twist” on our website. The listing includes a range of books for all ages with brief descriptions of most titles. You’ll find it in the Members Only section: https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Books-with-a-multiple-twist-FINAL-003.pdf

Start planning now for holiday book giving and plan to stop by the Monkey See, Monkey Do website Nov. 24-Dec. 1 to make a purchase (or two). Just go to https://bookshop.org/shop/monkeys-read or use special QR code which will be posted on our website and on social media. 

New Partnerships
Our new partner, The Skylar Project, hosts a 24/7 support line for parents with preemies, plus offers direct support services in the greater Mobile, AL area. Check out their website, https://theskylarproject.org/, and read more about their services in the December issue of Club Connections.

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, go to: https://multiplesofamerica.org/add-on/.  Questions about that process? Let us know.

Got a Good Photo? Enter the Contest!
Multiple Birth organizations worldwide join together Nov. 6 -12 to celebrate International Multiple Birth Awareness week. This year’s theme focuses on the support that national, state, and local organizations provide for families across all ages and stages. One part of the celebration is a photo competition sponsored by the International Council of Multiple Birth Organizations (ICOMBO) via their public Facebook page.

Categories planned are:

• A picture of your local club or state organization in action offering support.
• A picture of your club’s greatest supporter (a fundraising partner, a grandparent, a volunteer assisting a new mother, a volunteer donating goods, a specialist sharing their expertise at a club meeting).
• A photo or graphic your club uses to help support parents or bring attention to club services to support multiples.
• A photo of researchers or educators at work supporting multiples.

People will be able to upload their photo in each category and the winners will be decided by a panel.

ICOMBO will also have a written category:

In 25 words or less, describe how your community (or club) has helped support your multiple birth family.

Look for more information on the ICOMBO public page: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalCouncilofMultipleBirthOrganisations

Marge Ainsworth Scholarship
Marge Ainsworth Scholarships are awarded each year to a member who has belonged to a local club for at least the last three years (and that club is a member club of Multiples of America), the member’s spouse or multiples.  When it comes to financing college, it’s never too early to start planning. Read more about the eligibility requirements and download the application form at:  https://multiplesofamerica.org/ainsworth-scholarship/ Questions? Contact Scholarship Chair Bea Reynolds at: scholarship@multiplesofAmerica.org. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. 

Local Clubs Celebrating Together:

North Pittsburgh Mothers of Multiples Club (PA) coupled their October meeting with a Fall Craft Night. Members had a choice of making one of two crafts: a fall mat or a Halloween mat.

Multiple Connections MOMs (MN) learned about Wilderness Inquiry, an organization whose mission is to open up the outdoors to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Parents of Multiples Sacramento (CA) held their first semi-annual Clothing & Equipment Swap & Sip in late September. Members donated gently used items. The club provided refreshing beverages, and members got to do a bit of free shopping and sipping. 

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

Club Tips for National Reps (under Club Programming Resources in the Members Only section) https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CLUB-TIPS-for-National-Reps-FINAL.pdf

In the NICU brochure (a part of the Expectant Parent Toolkit) https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NICU-Brochure2-FINAL.pdf

Know a company that would benefit from connecting with our members? Please share our new Sponsor Pamphlet with them. https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sponsorship-Brochure-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