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Our Lives with Twins, Triplets or More…
Where Friendship Begins
The 2010 MBC National Conference was hosted at West Edmonton Mall’s Fantasyland Hotel by the Edmonton Twin & Triplet Club (ETTC) in September 2010. Two years of successful planning enabled the ETTC to welcome 69 Chapter Representatives across Canada.
The ETTC worked very hard to bring the best speakers to Edmonton who could not only offer a great mix of topics, but could build in the “multiples” theme into their workshops. The weekend kicked off with a welcome from the Honorable David Xiao, MLA followed by a keynote address from Dr. Karyn Gordon – Bridging the Gap. Other keynote addresses throughout the weekend included Audrey Pihulyk – Laugh for the Health of it!, Dr. Scott Wooding – Parenting Crisis, Janet Matthews – Heroes and Heart and ended on Sunday with VIP Keynote Shauna Paisley-Cooper – inspiration story from an ETTC member whose life was drastically changed due to a biking accident which left her a quadriplegic when her twin daughters where almost two years old.
In addition to the Keynote addresses, a number of workshops were offered for delegates to choose from including: Fiona Bamforth, Zygosity expert – Twins and Twinning, Patricia Kehoe, Psychologist – Don’t be Afraid to Ask, Dr. Karyn Gordon – Motivating Your Pre-Teen/Teen, Mardi Bernard, Registered Nurse – Social and Emotional Support for Kids with Learning Differences, Patricia Kehoe, Psychologist – Parenting Tweens and Teens, Dr. David Roseman, Pediatrician, – The differences and similarities of twins and the implications this has on life choices. Chapter exchange as organized by the MBC board offered a choice of Effectively Running Member Support Programs or Effectively Running Your Chapter and for non MBC members, Alberta Culture & Community Spirit gave a very insightful presentation on How to Recruit and Retain Good Volunteers.
The weekend was not all work and no play as delegates enjoyed the mall to its fullest. Jubilations Dinner Theater was a big hit and the musical “The Night of the Museum of Rock n Roll” was very well received on Friday evening. Saturday night offered the Twin Jesters comedy which was light and appropriate after a beautiful awards dinner and presentation. Of course the hospitality suite was open at various times throughout the weekend for delegates to enjoy a refreshment/chat at their leisure. We also can’t forget to mention the amazing location of The West Edmonton Mall which provided hours of shopping, entertainment and relaxation in the down time.
The ETTC was able to provide such a rewarding conference with the aid of many fundraising initiatives including the creation of The ETTC Cookbook commemorating the Club’s 40th Anniversary, sale of Boo Boo Kits and bottle drives. The ETTC was also fortunate to receive many donations towards the conference from MBC Chapters across Canada and many businesses within the City of Edmonton. The ETTC was also a successful recipient of The City of Edmonton CIOG Grant, as well as the use of Alberta Gaming and Liquor Corporation Fundraising funds.
The ETTC thanks MBC for providing the opportunity to host a great conference, one that hopefully will be remembered for a long time by those who attended.
Our Presenters for the 2010 National Conference are:
Friday Morning, September 24, 2010
Dr. Karyn Gordon – Keynote #1 - Dr. Karyn Gordon is one of North America's leading authorities on understanding and motivating Generation Y. A mother of twins, Dr. Karyn has been the expert on the national TV show, “The Mom Show” and has shared her advice on her own radio talk-show and in Canadian Living Magazine. She is frequently interviewed by national media (Entertainment Tonight Canada, Globe & Mail, National Post, Maclean's, Much Music) and speaks to national corporations to provide insight into connecting with Generation Y. BRIDGING THE GAP is an empowering, educational and entertaining presentation that will equip you with the strategies, tools and resources you need to create an extraordinary relationship with your child.
Dr. Fiona Bamforth – Workshop #1 - Fiona is currently Professor and Chair in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Director of the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Alberta. Fiona’s workshop on twins and twinning will cover some aspects of the development of twins in early pregnancy, why some 'identical' twins don’t look alike, and her experience at the University of Alberta Hospital with reasons why some parents of multiples or multiples themselves want to know their zygosity.
Patricia Kehoe – Workshop #2, Workshop #5 - Patricia Kehoe was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and started her career as a teacher and counsellor with Edmonton Public Schools. After doing her graduate work in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Patricia taught at the University of British Columbia, worked for the Richmond School Board and ran a private practice. In 2002 Patricia gave birth to twin girls and returned to Edmonton, where she currently has a private practice. Patricia’s interactive discussion will provide parents an opportunity to voice their concerns and worries and will be geared specifically to those in attendance. Participants will find this session to be informative, humorous, and grounded in realism and practicality.
Dr. Karyn Gordon – Workshop #3 - Motivating Your Pre-Teen/Teen: Dr. Karyn is passionate about helping children, pre-teens and teens develop a “love of learning” and wants to empower adults and parents to ignite this love! Regardless of whether a student is naturally gifted or struggles academically, Dr. Karyn is a firm believer that being self-disciplined, focused and motivated are simply three of the most critical skills young people should develop. She has seen firsthand within her successful private practice that when adults learn specific skills, ask certain questions and encourage certain home boundaries it radically improves a child’s motivation.
Friday Afternoon, September 24, 2010
Audrey Pihulyk – Keynote #2 - Professional speaker, author, and entertainer, “Nurse Audrey” believes that it is possible for us to live a more “distress free life.” In her presentations she shows you how by living in the moment and mobilizing your stress in creative ways you can achieve a life with more harmony and peace. With many years experience gained as a practical nurse and professional speaker, she delivers in her own style of wit and humour, and will inform, challenge and entertain her audience.
Mardi Bernard – Workshop #4 - Mardi Bernard is a Registered Nurse with a background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She has worked extensively with children and families who are dealing with extraordinary stressors such as learning disabilities or mental health issues. During this session, Mardi will outline why the social and emotional realm is important, and will offer specific and effective strategies that parents can use to support their child’s development.
Dr. David Roseman – Workshop #6 - Dr. Roseman received his Medical Degree in England and his pediatric training in Canada. He works in Edmonton in a primary care and consulting pediatric practice. Although his practice covers all aspects of Pediatrics his particular interest lies in trying to ensure that a child functions to the best of his or her potential within the family and community. Dr. Roseman will review the data on just how special multiple birth siblings are with particular reference to the degree of similarity that identical twins demonstrate. He will discuss the special bonds that most of us intuitively feel are present in these siblings.
Saturday Morning, September 25, 2010
Dr. Scott Wooding – Keynote #3 - Today children of all ages are under more stress than ever before. This stress manifests itself as temper tantrums, bullying, aggression and violence, or emerges in the form of obesity and drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse. These high stress levels, and the undesirable behavior that they bring, are the result of changes in our society that have affected the way that adults are now parenting. In this keynote, which is based on his latest book, Dr. Wooding outlines these changes and clearly shows what parents and professionals need to do to reduce the stress levels of their children, so that they grow up happier and healthier.
Chapter Exchange #1 – Effectively Running Member Support Programs - Workshop #7 - Share your Successes and Challenges! Bring your most successful program ideas to share with other Chapters, as well as all your challenges and questions. Learn from each other what works and what does not. If you are interested in sharing tips on (but not limited to) planning sales, outreach, preparing Christmas Hampers, member communications, websites and social networking, this session is for you!
Chapter Exchange #2 – Effectively Running Your Chapter - Workshop #8 - Creating a Successful and Well Run Support Group For Your Members. Bring your ideas, questions and suggestions to share best practices in running an effective Multiple Births Canada Chapter in your community. Topics will include recruiting and retaining volunteers, strengthening finances, organization and bylaws, and changing to meet members' needs. This session is recommended for Chapter Officers and MBC Reps.
Board Development Program, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit - Workshop #9 - This engaging and informative workshop is geared towards board members of non-profit/voluntary organizations and will provide information addressing the needs of effective board development. Learn about board recruitment, orientation and training, and evaluation.
Saturday Afternoon, September 25, 2010
Janet Matthews – Keynote #4 - Janet Matthews is a writer, editor, professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and co-author of the Canadian Best seller, Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul. Janet first became involved with the Chicken Soup Brand in 1997 when she produced and edited stories for another title. When Jack Canfield invited her and fellow Canadian Raymond Aaron to Co-author Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul, she jumped at the opportunity to help create this unique Canadian book. Four years and 6,000 stories later, the book was released and became an immediate best seller. Janet will share the uplifting and passionate stories of others that will inspire and captivate you in her Heroes and Hearts presentation.
Sunday Morning, September 26, 2010
Shauna Paisley-Cooper – Keynote #5 - Shauna Paisley Cooper and her husband Greg are the proud parents of three and a half -year-old fraternal twin girls, Kyra and Mya. When they decided it was time to start a family, they were surprised to find out early in the pregnancy that it was twins. During the summer of 2008, while preparing for an annual family mountain biking trip, Shauna misjudged a trail, fell and broke her neck. Her severed spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from her chest down and she is a quadriplegic. Shauna will share her difficult journey of recovery and her life since she returned home from the hospital to her family. Shauna and her husband continue to be active members of the Edmonton Twin & Triplet Club and are doing everything they can with their children to make their life as normal and joyful as possible.
(PDF version of Speakers & Workshops)
Places of interest:
The Edmonton Twin and Triplet Club (ETTC) is a local support organization for parents of multiple births (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.). Our mission: "To provide moral support and guidance for parents, to promote an interest in, and supply information about multiple births."
The MBC Board of Directors wish to express sincere gratitude to the members, volunteers and especially the Conference Planning Committee for offering to host this important event. Thank you for everything you do!
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Awareness Day
