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Why Volunteer for AKA??????

AKA is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization, so we need your help! We have big jobs and small jobs which allows you to choose something that fits your schedule. Whatever opportunity you choose, you will be rewarded by spending time with the most friendly and fun individuals in Austin. AKA is a very unique organization because it serves all members of the triad (birthparents, adoptive parents and adopted people), their friends and family and the professionals who work with them. AKA gives people touched by adoption a place to come together to support each other and to learn from one another. Since one out of every six people are touched by adoption, think of all the people AKA helps! If you aren’t a member of the triad or an adoption professional but you have an adopted cousin, a friend who is a birthfather, a neighbor who adopted a child or you are just looking for a great non-profit organization to support – WE NEED YOU! Below is a list of volunteer opportunities. Most of the jobs can be split among several people, so feel free to take the part of the job that most appeals to you. We hope you consider donating some of your valuable time to AKA, it will be time well spent.

2006 Conference Committee
Getting our over-the-street banner updated and delivered to the City of Austin for display.
Beverage and snack coordinator.
Providing drinks and pastries or soliciting businesses to donate them.
Conference registration table (will miss part of conference).
Book sales (will miss part of conference).
Speaker dinner coordinator.
Speaker gifts coordinator (preferably find donations of gift baskets).
Signs coordinator (make and post signs at conference).
Evaluation coordinator.
Audio-visual coordinator.
Workshop coordinator (introduce speaker and collect evaluations).
Education Committee
Identify and coordinate speakers for the monthly meetings, determine speaker topics, write description of the meeting for publicity, send speaker thank you letters. Determine what programs would most benefit AKA members.
Time Commitment: 1 hour a month
Contact: Dee Dee Barrera, cbarrera2@austin.rr.com
Newsletter Coordinator
Compile monthly newsletter.
Time Commitment: 2 hours a month
Contact: John Marostica, john@marostica.org
Fundraising Committee
Help AKA plan and execute fun and creative fundraising events.
Contact: Nancy Johnson, nhink@yahoo.com
Membership/Hospitality Committee
Greet members at monthly meetings, coordinate snacks at monthly meetings. Call first time visitors and former members.
Time Commitment: 2 hours a month
Contact: Katy Schoenfelder, katymikes@austin.rr.com
Marketing Committee
Update AKA events on free community listings, participate in adoption fairs, coordinate media opportunities.
Time Commitment: 2 hours a month
Contact: Ashley Waggoner, aka@adoptionknowledge.org
Research grant opportunities for AKA
Populating AKA’s grant and foundation database with results of research. AKA can provide initial tutorial regarding research tools and criteria as well as initial list of contacts.
Time Commitment: Approximately 20 hours. Most of research can be done on-line and remotely.
Contact: Joyce Horn, alhorn@juno.com
Review results of membership questionnaire
Collate and summarize results of the membership questionnaire. Optional: present results to the board or directors.
Time Commitment: Approximately 10-15 hours.
Contact: Fiona McInally, mcinally@swbell.net
Book Review
Research the latest adoption-related books; prepare list with synopses for committee to review.
Contact: Dee Dee Barrera, cbarrera2@austin.rr.com
Link AKA to World Wide Web
Explore adoption-related internet sites; prepare a list of recommended sites on which AKA should be listed
Contact: Ashley Waggoner, aka@adoptionknowledge.org

Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
PO Box 4082 Austin, TX 78765
512.442.8AKA
Email: aka@adoptionknowledge.org