We’re coming to the end of a busy year and already looking toward the next.  We have need to fill several positions in FSA, so we can begin the new year running.  As life situations change, there will always be some turnover in our volunteer positions.  However, we still hope to accomplish even more in 2010 than we did in 2009!  We are so grateful for the service that has already been rendered by the many couples serving on the FSA Board and on committees.

We hope to continue providing opportunities for education, outreach, socializing, etc. to our FSA members, but we need your help (even if you’re new to our group!).  For this reason I am sending this request for volunteers to serve in our Mesa FSA chapter .  We know that your lives are busy, but we promise that blessings will come to those who serve others in the adoption community.  We are all in this together!

Please take a moment to look over the list of available positions to see if you are interested in serving for even a brief period of time.  FSA is completely voluntary so we will rely on each of you to contribute to the success of our Mesa chapter.  We have over 200 couples currently in our chapter so please consider prayerfully participating in our leadership, even if you are unsure of where to specifically serve.  We can use all of the help we can get!   If you have ideas for activities, workshops, etc. please reply as well.  Thanks so much!!

See  below for a list of titles and descriptions.

Here are the position “titles”: (click for the description)

Activities Committee Chairs
Activities Committee Member (General)
Dinner Goup Coordinator
FHE Coordinator
Temple Night Coordinator
Playgroup Coordinator
Photographer

Education Committe Member (General)
Workshop Coordinators

Outreach Committee Chairs
Outreach Committee Member (General)
Community Involvement/Service Coordinator
School Presentation Coordinator

Legislative Committee Chairs
Legislative Committee Member (General)

Media Committee Member (General)
eNewsletter Contributor
Adoption Blogger
Profile Post Coordinator

Activities/Support:
Activities Committee Chairs- Responsible for the planning and execution of approximately 3 large activities annually, for couples and/or families (i.e. National Adoption Month Celebration, Valentine’s Activity and a Summer Activity). Oversee the implementation of Dinner Groups, Family Home Evening for Couples without children, Temple Nights and playgroups by committee members or other willing FSA members. (These tasks should be delegated to committee members if possible.) Report to FSA Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Activities Committee Member – Aids the Activity Committee Chair in planning and executing large activities as needed. May volunteer to help with sub-activities, photography, creating digital fliers, reporting on activities for the FSA eNewsletter, etc. Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Sub-Activity Examples:
Dinner Group Coordinator (Activities Committee Member) – Coordinate quarterly dinner group activities. Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

FHE Coordinator (Activities Committee Member) – Coordinate monthly Family Home Evening activities for couples without children. These should include a lesson and treat. (There is a small budget for treats each month.) Responsible for publishing (emailing to the FSA chairs) the time, date and location of the FHE at least two weeks prior to the event. Should be held on the same Monday each month if possible. Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Temple Night Coordinator (Activities Committee Member) – Coordinate bi-annual (or more often, if desired) temple activities, including one chapel session per year for all FSA members in the valley. These should be scheduled temple sessions (endowment, sealings, etc.) followed by a gathering for treats or socialization with other FSA members. Responsible for publishing (emailing to the FSA chairs) the time, date and location of gathering at least one month prior to the event. Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Playgroup Coordinator (Activities Committee Member) – Coordinate playgroup activities in various locations. Playgroups should be open to all FSA members, but additional playgroups may be planned for those with trans-racial children, special needs children or other specialized groups. These need not be formal playgroups per say, but the coordinator will be responsible for publishing (emailing to the FSA chairs) the time, date and location of the playgroup at least one week prior to the event. The coordinator should attend the playgroup as often as possible and identify the location of the group with a sign or small banner. Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Photographer – Responsible for photographing activities and providing digital pics to the chapter chairs for use in the eNewsletter or on the FSA Mesa blog. Does not require a professional, just someone who enjoys taking pictures! Report to Activities Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes. Back to the Top

Education:
Education Committee Members – May be asked to help with bi-annual Adoption Academies, or monthly educational workshops, when available. Report to Education Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Workshop Coordinators (min 2 couples) – Responsible for planning and execution of monthly workshops (actually only 8 per year, in the months without Adoption Academies), including securing a location, finding speakers for appropriate topics, advertising (providing an email, or series of emails to be forwarded to the FSA and a “digital” flier to be included in the monthly eNewsletter), and refreshments (or finding volunteers willing to provide refreshments). Topics should be cleared through the FSA Chairs and the location of these should be rotated throughout the East Valley. Responsible for publishing (emailing to the FSA chairs) the time, date, location and topic of the workshop at least one month prior to the event. Report to Education Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes. Back to the Top

Outreach:
Outreach Committee Chairs- Responsible for the planning and execution of at least 1 large outreach activity annually (i.e. Diamondbacks Game, Float in local parade, helping with National Adoption Day, Birthmother Appreciation Event, etc.), for couples and families. Oversee the creation of an Outreach Packet that can be used during School Presentations, Community Events, etc. Become aware of service opportunities in the community to which FSA can contribute and oversee the organization of possible projects by Outreach Committee Members or willing FSA members. Report to FSA Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Community Involvement/Service Coordinator- Become aware of service opportunities in the community and post information regarding these activities on the FSA Mesa Blog, eNewsletter. May plan and carry out specific projects applicable to FSA. Responsible for publishing (emailing to the FSA chairs) the time, date, location and opportunity at least one month prior to the event. Report to FSA Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes. Report to Outreach Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

School Presentation Coordinator- Work with LDSFS Caseworkers to contact local schools interested in presentations on Adoption. (We have had the opportunity to go into several schools in the last year and talk about the positive aspects of adoption. It has been a great success!) Help coordinate volunteers willing to “speak” during these school presentations. Keep a list of those couples interested in sharing their adoption stories (and perhaps keep copies of their stories too). Back to the Top

Legislative:
Legislative Committee Chairs- Become aware of opportunities to promote adoption in the community, in the state and/or nationally and oversee the organization of possible projects to aid in the positive promotion of adoption (i.e. organize petitions, “letters to congress” drives regarding the adoption tax credit, etc.) Bring relevant legislative causes to the attention of the FSA Chairs and FSA membership, through blog posts, eNewsletter articles, mailings, etc. Report to FSA Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Legislative Committee Members- Become aware of opportunities to promote adoption in the community, in the state and/or nationally and assist in the organization of possible projects to aid in the positive promotion of adoption (i.e. organize petitions, “letters to congress” drives regarding the adoption tax credit, etc.) Bring relevant legislative causes to the attention of the Legislative Committee Chairs. Report to Legislative Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes. Back to the Top

Media:
Media Committee Member -(choose one below)

eNewsletter Contributor (at least 4 individuals) – Write OR locate stories, photos, or other information suitable (and non-copyrighted) for our monthly FSA eNewsletter. You may not have to contribute each month. Your contributions should be forwarded on to the Media Chairs in charge of publishing the monthly eNewsletter. Report to Media Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Blogger (at least 4 individuals) – Write or locate stories, photos, or other information suitable (and non-copyrighted) for our FSA Mesa Blog. There are lots of great resources about adoption that can be referred to on the FSA Mesa blog. We need your help in finding new sources each week. These may be websites, videos, articles, photos, information about other adoption agencies or Foster Adopt, etc. pertaining to adoption. All posts will need to be emailed to and approved by the FSA Chairs. Report to Media Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes.

Profile Post Coordinator – We would like to begin posting a short intro about our FSA families currently hoping to adopt each week on the blog. (More exposure the better, right?) The Coordinator would be responsible for identifying and contacting families to be included on the blog, requesting the appropriate info and forwarding this info to the FSA Chairs at least 3 days before post is to be published. Report to Media Committee Chairs monthly regarding service hours and activity successes. Back to the Top

Many Families Giving Thanks for Adopted Children

More than 200 families in Maricopa County will be setting an extra place at the dinner table this Thanksgiving.

On November 21st, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a record-setting 292 kids will be joining their forever families on National Adoption Day. The 292 children scheduled to have their adoption decrees finalized marks a 42 percent increase from last year’s event. In 2008, Maricopa County ’s National Adoption Day event ranked number one in the United States with 205 adoptions.

“It’s gratifying to see how this event continues to grow each year,” Presiding Juvenile Judge Norman J. Davis said. “Our community is fortunate to have so many families who open their hearts and homes to children who need them.”

The event helps raise public awareness about the plight of children without families.  Some of the children, who range in age from newborns to teenagers, are victims of abandonment, neglect and abuse.

“Most of the adopted children come from difficult circumstances, and National Adoption Day gives us all a chance to witness the joy in their faces and reflect on how these adoptions can provide them a new start in a safe and secure home,” Judge Davis said.

The festive atmosphere of the event is heightened by a visit from the Phoenix Suns Gorilla mascot; face painting; games for kids; photos of the newly created families; and cake and ice cream.

More than 34 judicial officers have volunteered their Saturday to preside over the hearings, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durango Juvenile Court Center , 3131 W. Durango in Phoenix . The public is encouraged to attend.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day, a national day of celebration of adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care. Since 2000, more than 25,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on National Adoption Day.

(Editor’s note: Andrea and I finalized our adoption last year on this day and it was a great time to be at the courthouse. It was a lot of fun. Check it out if you have time!)

The Adoption Academy is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. The cost of the training is $20 per couple to be paid (cash or check) on the day of training. This charge will cover the cost of class materials, breakfast, snacks and lunch. Child care will not be provided.

We will be holding this academy in the church building at:

1455 N. Harris Drive
Mesa, AZ 85203
(near Brown & Gilbert)

If you have attended the adoption academy or classes in the past and do not need the Adoption Academy materials, the charge will be $15 per couple or $7.50 per individual, to cover the cost of food.

We hope all couples will take this opportunity to continue their adoption education during our academies. Please remember that couples must attend adoption training as part of the certification and/or renewal process.

If you’re planning to attend this Adoption Academy, please RSVP by emailing Andrea at fsa-az-mesa at ldschurch.org.

The blog may have been quiet for the past month since the Regional Conference, but we’ve got a few events in the works for October and November. Look for more information on these two events coming soon…

October 10th – Adoption Academy
November 14th – Adoption Month Celebration Luau

If anyone’s interested…
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57722/Celebrating-adoption—Letting-love-lead.html

We’d like to send out many thanks to everyone who came out to the Regional Conference on Friday and Saturday. We had our best turn outs ever!

Friday night there were close to 100 people who went to Jester’z and enjoyed the improv show. Highlights included Spongebob Squarepants and a whole skit about David from LDS Family Services!

Saturday we had over 100 people in attendance. The classes were great. The food was great. The company was amazing. Hopefully everyone that attended enjoyed it as much as we did!

Thanks again to everyone. Stay tuned for pictures and more information to come out in next month’s newsletter!

Although the official online registration for the Regional Conference events this weekend is closed, you can still participate! Just email us at fsa-az-mesa@ldschurch.org with your Conference Registration Form and let us know what you would like to attend.

Jesterz Improv Comedy Troupe at Theater 168
Friday (Tomorrow!), August 7th
6:00 PM
This is a private show just for us! Bring your friends and family. Tickets are $5 and kids are free.
Link to the website

Conference Classes
LDS Chapel at 3344 E McDowell Rd, Mesa, 85213
Saturday, August 8th
8:00 AM
Couples pay just $30 ($15 for singles) for the whole day (including continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks!) Class topics include: Newborn Care, Increasing your adoption options, Positive Placements, Start Spreading the News among others.

See you there!

We’re closing in now on the FSA regional conference, so please register now by clicking the button below.  Please feel free to email fsa-az-mesa@ldschurch.org with any questions!

CONFERENCE BASICS

July 31, 2009 to August 1, 2009

The conference will be held for a second time at the Davis Conference Center.

SCHEDULE

Below is the schedule overview at-a-glance. For a more detailed description of the classes including the class descriptions, times and locations as well as bios on the presenters, click HERE.

REGISTRATION

To register, CLICK HERE. 

This is for registration and payment purposes only. Please disregard any information related to Temple Square events.

Some clarification for registration:

Couples are $60 each, so they only need to register for ONE ticket. This is located toward the bottom of the registration, and is not part of the special code. Once they select one ticket and click continue, it will ask if they will be coming both day, ($60), one of them both days/both of them one day ($30) or one of them on day ($15). Sorry for any confusion. Please email us at the email address below if you have any problems.

Adoptive parents and hopeful adoptive parents are invited.

We also are inviting expectant parents, birth parents, and their families again this year. A great amount of effort has gone into planning breakout sessions for them. Expectant parents and birth families may register for free by typing in “itsaboutlove” in the special code field on the registration form. Regular fees apply to their guests.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

A few hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn (762 West Heritage Park Blvd, Layton, Utah, 84041) are blocked out for a discounted event rate. You may reserve a room by phone or through the hotel’s Web site. Call 801-416-8899 and make sure to mention the group code, which is “LDS” and the group name, which is “LDS Family Services.” You may also register online here. In the group code field, enter “LDS.” In order to get the discounted rate of $89, you must be registering for the blocked date (July 31^st). We will be posting other hotel options when the hotel is full.

CHILDREN’S ROOM

A children’s room will be available again during the conference and banquet. Please email Narda Emmett (imaemett@yahoo.com) to register your children. The cost will be $10 per day, per child. She will provide you with the details.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE

From the airport Express Shuttle – 801-596-1600.

QUESTIONS?

If you have general questions, please email contactus@ldsfamilyservices.org with “National Conference” as the subject.

Registration for the AZ FSA Regional Conference is under way!  Please click on the link below for details about our upcoming conference.  This conference is NOT an Adoption Academy, but will fulfill the LDSFS adoption education requirement.  We hope to see you all there!

2009 Registration Form

Here is the registration info for our upcoming AZ FSA Regional Conference…finally!!  Please register ASAP.  The cost of Saturday’s Conference for couples is $20 (half the price of last year) if you register in advance.  The price will go up to $30 per couple at the door.  We hope you will join us for this great event!!  Payment cannot be made online.  Checks payable to LDS Family Services must be received no later than August 3rd.  We’re going to have an awesome time.

Please also take a minute to check out the info regarding our great family activity planned for Friday, August 7th.  FSA will be having its own private showing at Theater 168 in Scottsdale, by the Jester’Z comedy troupe (an LDS owned, all ages appropriate show) as a part of our conference weekend.  We will be having treats afterward!  Tickets for the show are $5 per adult and kids are free!  This promises to be a fabulously funny evening

Two of our chapter members (Drew and Amy) are good friends with Brooke White (of American Idol Fame).  Brooke has agreed to do a charity concert to help with their adoption fund.  The date has been set for Saturday, July 11th, but that’s all the details we have for now.  If you want more information, you can see Drew and Amy’s blog here.

Spread the word!

This event is not sponsored by LDS Family Services or Families Supporting Adoption, but we think it’s a great way to get out and support our friends in their adoption journey!

Adoption Voices is a new Social Network, similar to Facebook, for those in the adoption community.  Many members of our chapter have already joined.  Feel free to check it out.  It is a great place to find information on birthparent perspecitves, international adoption, and other great topics, or just connect with others involved in Adoption. 

This is not an LDS or FSA site and is open to the general public.  As always, please use discretion before becoming a member.

Click Here to be directed to the site. 

We finally received the National Conference Official Flyer.  Please click here for the pdf. file.  It looks like this conference is going to be great!  There will be couples from Mesa attending the conference, so please join us.

LETTING LOVE LEAD

Sometimes, trusting in the Lord isn’t easy.  We hope you enjoy this video.