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	Supporting Multiple Births Together	Click a link below<= /p> Member Log-In= MBC Publicati= ons= Member Discou= nts Report From National Can’t see this message? Go to our website to View online.
www.multiplebirthscanada.= org
Information Circular – BO-03-28-08-#1 &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wasaga Beach, ON = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; March 28, 2008
News & Information from MB= C
MBC’s Advocacy Work Continues<= o:p>
MBC’s advocacy work requesting the Federal Government review EI maternity and parental benefits for Canada’s multiple-bir= th families has again received strong media support. The story originated at a CBC ra= dio affiliate in Calgary when a mother of triplets vocalized her astonishment that current benefit= s do not include provisions for multiple-birth parents. It was quickly picked = up by other CBC affiliates across the country, allowing MBC to once again advocate on behalf of all Canadian multiple-birth families. It was the intention of MBC to contact the newest Minister= of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Monte Solberg, this spring to request an opportunity to present our views; that plan was quic= kly revised and an information package was sent to him on March 13, 2008. In = the letter to Minister Solberg, we explained the top three priorities for Canada’s multiple-birth community: 1. *Increase parental leave* <= /span>– currently 35 weeks, should be extended by 35 weeks for each additional multiple birth baby, which could= be taken by one parent, or shared between the two, with breaks permitted. 2. &nbs= p; *Increase mater= nity leave* – curren= tly 15 weeks, should be extended to 25-30 weeks for all incidences of multiple births. 3. &nbs= p; *Increase benef= it higher than 55%* – maximum allowable payment should be raised to at least 70-75 per cent of insurable earnings. The letter to Minister Solberg can be viewed online= .<= o:p>
National Volunteer Week—One Month Away
Where would we be without our volunteers? = Just as importantly, how do we thank our volunteers for co= ntinuing to do their part to improve the quality of life for multiple-birth individuals and their families in Canada? This year, Nation= al Volunteer Week 2008 is April 27 to May 3. Why not consider recognizing the importance of your Chapter Volunteers and provide financial support for a number of them to attend the National Conference. Your recognition of the= ir support to your Chapter will come back to you through what they will learn and experience networking with other Chapter Volunteers. However, if your budget does not allow for this type of appreciation gift, you may want to consider one of these online ideas --<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> http://volunteer.ca/en/nvw.
Multiple Moments—On Its Way To You
Quarterly Issue 1, 2008 has been delivered to the post office. Those receiving their copy electronically w= ere notified last week. If you have not received your e-notification, please contact the Business Office. This first iss= ue of 2008 is chock full of information about MBC, the upcoming 30th Anniversary and Confere= nce in October 2008, and open volunteer positions we need to fill. We a= lso discuss the changing face of peer support, with several articles that echo the theme of the importance of support for multiple-birth parents. Also included in this issue of Multiple Moments is a piece from a triplet dad who posts updates for friends and family in his blog—an innovative way to keep everyone u= p to date on the goings-on of his busy family. We also have a few tips from a = twin mom, who offers her thoughts on reinforcing individuality of multiple-bir= th children in a way that is realistic and adaptable.
<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333'>We've got our = usual support network columns, Report from National, book reviews, and web connectio= ns, along with a revised MBC Fact Sheet: Singleton Siblings. Don't miss out—subscribe today!
NEW!! Photo Contest & Fundraiser
Multiple Birth= s Canada is excited to offer a Photo Contest to get your multiples on the cover of th= e 30^th Anniversary Special Edition of *Multiple Moments*. To be published in September 2008 with a coloured cover and more content = than ever, this opportunity is open to Members Only and includes 3 prize rankings. For more details,= click here. Only entries following the proper procedures will be considered. This contest is to raise funds fo= r a very special 30th Anniversary Celebration at the MBC National Conference = on October 16-19, 2008.
Sponsor, Donate or Advertise at the = 2008 Conference
Looking to Donate, Sponsor, Advertise and get expos= ure at our National Conference? This year’s conference is hosted by the national organization, its Board of Directors and National Volunteers. We look to you, members of the multiple-birth community and to others in our communities across Canada to ask for your supp= ort. Why not consider the sponsorship of a speaker, purchasing advertising spa= ce in the Conference booklet, donations for a raffle or door prize, financia= l or in-kind donations are some options to consider. All support is welcomed a= nd greatly appreciated. For mo= re details and the opportunities available, click here for details.
Invitation to MBC Members—Facebook Group Now Active!
Multiple Birth= s Canada is pleased to offer a Facebook network. If you are already a Facebook member, search for Multiple Births Canada and request to join. If you are= new to Facebook, go to www.facebook.com, register by creating your profile then search for Multiple Births Canada and request = to join. Here is your c= hance to ask questions, post your suggestions and connect with others in a simi= lar situation. This is what you have been waiting for! It’s a NEW way to talk with thousands of other multiple-birth parents who know how you feel. Share the good times, discuss the stages and learn from others who have <= em>"been there—done that." The MBC Facebook group is open to Members Onl= y. In addition, i= t is a great way to share Chapter tips and Chapter event successes. See you ther= e!!
Request for Input—Double Duty:= The Parents’ Guide to Raising Twins
A new, updated 2nd-edition of Double Duty: The Parents' Guide to Raising Tw= ins is due to be produced in early 2009. In an effort to make this an even be= tter book for parents expecting twins, author Christina Tinglof would like to = distribute e-mail questionnaires to parents of young twins (ages 3 to 6 only) asking them about their pregnancy, birth, and the first few years with twins. Parents can contact her at cbtinglof@yahoo.com. To learn more about this book vis= it www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0809230194/ref=3Dsib_dp_pt#reader-link.
LAST CALL—Infertility Driven A= RT Survey
A reminder that the Infertility Driven ART Survey is still active, but not for long. If you have not completed this s= urvey, please do so quickly! The data collected from this rese= arch will provide us with a national picture related to the NMBAD 2008 theme. = MBC invites you to anonymously share the positive and/or negative aspects of = your personal fertility journey. The evaluation of this information will be sh= ared with our members, as well as health care professionals and others working= in multiple births related fields as a backgrounder in the NMBAD 2008 media = kit and on the MBC website. = Please CLICK HERE= to access the survey.
<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:_Hlk150437161'>	*Supporting Canada’s Multiple-Birth Community for 30 Years!* 2008 MBC National Conference October 16-19, 2008 - Delta = Markham Greater Toronto Area JOIN US!!<= /b> <= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:_Hlk150437161'>Click Here For Details
Multiple Births Canada Naissances multiples Canada PO Box 432 Wasaga Beach, Ontario<= /st1:State> L9Z 1A4 Toll-free (in Canada): 1-866-228-8824 Tel: 705-429-0901 Fax: 705-429-9809 office@multiplebirthscanada.or= g www.multiplebirthscanada.org/<= /span><= /span> <= o:p> The content of this email is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with= any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Multiple Births Canada Information Circulars (ICs) are a mass email service managed by the Board of Director= s of Multiple Births Canada and are for information sharing purposes only. Opinions and conclusions expressed through this service do not necessarily reflect the views of either the Board of Directors or the caring voluntee= rs of Multiple Births Canada. If you wish to be removed or added to this lis= t, please contact the Business Office<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:_Hlk150437161'>.	Multiple Births Canada and Mount Sinai Hospi= tal’s Multiple Birth DVD Project Multiple Births Canada is pleased to announce that we have forged a partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital to produce an education= al video/DVD for parents expecting multiple-birth children. It is anticipated that this DVD will become a valuable educational resource for prenatal educators, parenting groups, and individual families. The initial work in the partnership will focus on learner needs assessment to= ensure that the DVD content meets the needs of our intended audience, and on fundraising to cover the costs of the DVD development. <= /span> If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the project, please forward your cheque to: Multiples DVD Project Maternal Infant Program Mount Sinai Hospital 600 University Avenue Toronto, ON M5G 1X5<= /o:p> A charitable donation receipt will= be made available for all donations.