“We joined GC because we were impressed with the New and Expectant Parents meetings. The fathers were especially active in the discussions, so I felt like this would benefit both my husband and me,” said member, Linda.
“The New and Expectant Parents meetings were an invaluable resource in learning what to expect when you’re expecting twins,” said member, Akemi.
“We already had a 3-year-old daughter when we learned we were pregnant with twins and knew we would need help. It was great to meet other parents in a similar situation,” said member, Laurie.
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Gemini Crickets offers many benefits of membership. Getting together to share experiences and offer each other advice on numerous multiples-specific issues is the foundation of the assistance we provide our members. We offer the following programs to facilitate the social, emotional and educational support amongst our members. We hope you’ll join us. We look forward to meeting you and your family!
Although all Gemini Crickets club activities are for members only, those wishing to join Gemini Crickets are welcome attend a New & Expectant Parents Meeting or a General Meeting prior to joining.
Monthly New & Expectant Parents Meetings: These meetings include interesting topics focused on the first year of caring for your babies and Q&A with other parents. It’s a great place to get all those questions answered and share experiences about hospital stays, breastfeeding, strollers, sleep patterns, or anything else that is tickling your mind. Read more details here.
Bi-Monthly General Meetings: The General Meeting is for all members of the Gemini Crickets Parents of Multiples Club. These meetings are designed to be instructive as well as fun for our members. Read more details here.
Bi-Monthly Newsletter:
The Cricket Courier is Gemini Crickets’ bi-monthly newsletter and a very popular resource for members. Chock full of information on upcoming events and activities, summaries of past speaker topics, member profiles, interesting articles on raising multiples and more. It’s no wonder members read this document from cover to cover.
Big Tent Discussion and Community Group:
Can’t get out of the house, need some quick advice, can’t wait for the next meeting? Look no further. We have recently migrated from a Yahoo group to a Big Tent group and it is a great online community for our members. Our Big Tent group is comprised of all of the Gemini Crickets parents and, as a group, we can answer all sorts of questions. There is always someone who can offer insight with words of wisdom from their own experiences. Housed on the Big Tent group are lots of other resources - tips for new and expectant parents, links to members’ blogs, playgroup scheduling and discussion, and all our event details. There is also a Marketplace, where you’ll also find lots of gently used baby gear, clothing, toys and more for sale by members.
Social Events: Being a part of Gemini Crickets is also about having FUN. Whether it’s family time, couples time or mom time, we offer a number of activities to keep us all entertained. Social events give us a chance to make new friends and catch up with old ones. Read more details here.
Playgroups: One of Gemini Crickets most popular resources right from the beginning. Get together with other families of multiples close to the age of your own. Even when they are little they can share blanket time and, more importantly, Moms and Dads can have grown-up time. It’s great to be able to commisserate with others going through the same things you are, as well as share in the joys and triumphs as your children grow and develop.
Field Trips and All Club Playdates: Each month, Gemini Crickets organizes field trips to nearby family destinations - museums, zoos, parks - you name it, we’ve been there! This is a great way to get out with your kids and see all the Bay Area has to offer with fellow mutliple families. All Club Playdates are held every other week and are informal days at the park with club members and their kids. Bring your own sand toys, blankets, and picnic lunch.
Dad’s Group: These days, Dads are often as involved as Moms, especially with mutliples! As Gemini Crickets members, the Dad in your family will have access to the Gemini Crickets Dad’s Group - a wealth of information, support, guys-only talk and events…and ideas about what to buy the Moms for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries….
Gemini Crickets web site: Our website is updated regularly on upcoming events, meetings, news items and other happenings in our club. Be sure to check out our Club Blog, “Mad About Multiples”, too! Our Members-Only area for downloading the newsletter, communicating via forums, and all other member-specific information, is housed on Big Tent, as described above.
Clothing and Equipment Sales: We have two clothing and equipment sales each year, providing a great opportunity to both buy and sell items at great prices. It is also a venue for donation to our philanthropy program, which benefits needy families of multiples in our local area (read more about our philanthropy program below).
Mentors: Need someone to help you through pregnancy, those first crazy days and weeks of being a new parent or issues with placing your school-age multiples in school? The Gemini Crickets Mentor coordinator will set you up with someone who has had an experience similar to yours.
National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club (NOMOTC) Membership: Part of your membership to Gemini Crickets includes a membership to the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club. You will receive their magazine with helpful stories, tips, and advice starting in January after you join.
Philanthropy Program: Be a part of helping your community. Many of our events and activities throughout the year benefit the Gemini Crickets philanthropy program, which assists needy families of multiples in our area. Early in 2007, we were very pleased to expand our philanthropy efforts for needy families with new programs for necessary equipment, food and support. One of our new programs that we launched in 2007 is an “Open Garage Day,” in which we gather donations of baby equipment, clothes, diapers, food, etc. from our club members and invite our needy families to come and take away anything they need at no cost. Click here for more details.
Additional Benefits for New and Expectant Parents: In addition to the monthly New and Expectant Parents Meetings, we offer many opportunities for support as you prepare for the birth and in the first months following, such as:
- Sunshine Moms Meal Service: This is a wonderful resource for families that have just delivered their babies and need to get some food on the table while muddling through those first few days with new babies. You also have the benefit of meeting a parent who has been where you are. They can answer questions in addition to delivering a meal. This is also a great benefit for Moms that find themselves on bed rest.
- Mentor Program: As described above, Gemini Crickets can match you up with someone who has had an experience similiar to yours as you go through your multiple pregnancy, the first months with your babies and beyond. This is a great way to get very personal advice and support.
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Membership Dues: Gemini Crickets membership dues are $35 per year, from Aug 1st through July 31st. Members joining February 1st through June 1st pay pro-rated dues of $20. A portion of your annual Gemini Crickets membership dues pays for membership in our parent organizations – the Northern California Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (NCAMOTC) and the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc. (NOMOTC) – and the wealth of information and resources they provide.
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