FAQs

What is TTSGI's organizational structure?

TTSGI is governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors and managed by a part-time paid Executive Director.

The Board consists of nine members, each serving a three-year term with the option of continuing for a second three-year term. The Board can also elect Emeritus Board members from among former board members for continuity purposes. Board Emeritus members do not hold office or vote and also serve a three-year term, renewable once.

The Board has four officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Organization and the Board are governed by Bylaws which are available from the Board Secretary.

The Board manages seven committees:

  • Audit / Finance Committee
    • Responsible for reviewing financial statements, the budget, and tax filings in addition to reviewing the financial performance of the Founders’ Memorial Endowment Fund and any policies related to the fund. The Audit / Finance Committee also makes spending recommendations for Board approval.
  • Conference / Programming Committee
    • Responsible for planning the Annual Conference and other organization-wide programming efforts.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Committee
    • The goal of this committee is to ensure that the leadership, programming, gatherings, content, and operations of TTSGI are equitable and inclusive. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee will make recommendations to the Board and decisions will be made at the Board level.
  • Ethics / Scholarship Committee
    • Responsible for ensuring compliance with TTSGI Code of Ethics and Conduct and for reviewing scholarships and approving them.
  • Fundraising Committee
    • Responsible for raising funds to support TTSGI.
  • Marketing / Communications Committee
    • Responsible for website maintenance, consistent branding, production of digital and print collateral, promotional materials, public relations, and outreach to other organizations.
  • Nominating Committee
    • Responsible for reviewing and nominating all potential Board candidates for the Board to approve.

TTSGI also has Affinity Group volunteers, Facebook Moderators, a team responsible for producing the quarterly Twinless Times newsletter, and many dedicated volunteer Regional Coordinators who oversee the following geographical regions:

United States

  • Mid-Atlantic (DE, D.C., MD, PA, VA, WV)
  • Midwest (IL, IN, KY, MO, OH)
  • New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
  • North Central (IA, MI, MN, MT, NE, ND, SD, WI)
  • Northeast (NJ, NY)
  • South Central (AR, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX)
  • Southeast (AL, FL, GA, NC, SC)
  • Southwest (AZ, CO, KS, NM, NV, UT, WY)
  • West Coast (AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA)

Canada

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan

United Kingdom Affiliate

What are Affinity Groups?

Affinity Groups, hosted virtually, provide a platform to meet fellow twins who share a specific cause of loss or experience, including:

  • First Contact/New Members
  • Alcohol and Drug Overdose
  • Unexpected/Sudden Loss
  • Suicide Loss
  • Traumatic/Violent Loss
  • Early Loss
  • Recent Loss
  • Mature Loss
  • Long-Term Illness
  • Men Only
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Faith-based

For upcoming Affinity Group offerings, please visit our website calendar.

What is a Regional Coordinator?

The role of a TTSGI Regional Coordinator (RC) is to link twins to other twins supporting each other through their healing journey. RCs organize support group gatherings, link twins to each other via email and phone, and provide opportunities for twins to sustain the TTSGI organization through active membership. The following is a description of the qualifications and responsibilities of an RC.

Qualifications:

  • Have completed a significant part of their own healing journey in order to be able to stay “grounded” while being empathetic and present for other bereaved twinless twins.
  • Have had a minimum of two years’ involvement with TTSGI as a member in good standing.
  • Have the ability to plan, facilitate, and host support group gatherings for twinless twins.
  • Have enough computer literacy to be able to communicate with other twins and the National office.

Responsibilities:

  • Adhere to the TTSGI Code of Ethics and to be guided by them in all TTSGI communications and at regional support group gatherings.
  • Communicate an attitude of gracious concern and empathy to all twinless twins who call or email TTSGI, while understanding that RCs are there to offer peer support and to facilitate therapeutic connections, and do not serve as professional counsellors or bereavement counsellors.
  • In this capacity, provide, if possible, a connection to one or more twinless twins in their geographical area, and to direct twinless twins to professional therapeutic services, if necessary.
  • Respond to phone and written inquiries from twinless twins with information about the mission and services of TTSGI; extend an invitation to participate in a regional Twinless Twins support group gathering; advise twins, if necessary, about the possibility of scholarship assistance for national conferences, including opportunities to become a member of TTSGI.
  • Organize, host, and facilitate a minimum of two gatherings within their region per year. At least one should be in-person. Virtual gatherings may be held more often.
  • Review and update membership rosters received monthly from the Executive Director and relay any data updates to the Executive Director when received.
  • Keep accurate records and receipts of approved expenses such as TTSGI communications, mailings, mileage, gatherings, and other related expenses. These must be submitted at least semi-annually for reimbursement to the TTSGI Executive Director.
  • Recruit other twinless twin volunteers who can assist with outreach, planning, and support group gatherings and support and offer connection to other bereaved twinless twins in the region.
  • Recruit and mentor another twinless twin volunteer who would be willing to assist you as an RC and potentially succeed you when you leave your position as an RC.

What resources are available?

Audio files from past conference keynote speakers and past issues of the Twinless Times Newsletter are available to paid members. Many articles and books on grief and twin loss are available to non-members on the Resources page.

Do you offer counseling or therapy for twinless twins?

No. We are a group of volunteer twinless twins and are not trained professionals in counseling or therapy. We do offer support and friendship as we all have lost our twin and are here to walk alongside each other.

I’m in real crisis and need help. What do I do?

No matter how deep your grief is, there are people who can help. Click here to find out how.

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