In a week or so, I will be heading to my first American Adoption Congress Conference("AAC"). Normally AAC has one large national conference, but this year instead is having several regional conference. This conference is a one-day conference held on Saturday, August 12, 2006, entitled, "Creating the Empowered Reunion". Here is the link for more details about the conference.

This conference is also co-sponsored by Washington Adoption Reform Movement (WARM), Adoption Mosaic and Concerned United Birthparents (CUB) Portland. The only group helping to sponsor this conference that I am not a member of is Adoption Mosiac. If you live near Portland particularly, check out their link. Here is what they are about:

Adoption Mosaic’s mission is to provide adoption education, resources and support to people touched by adoption and to the broader community.

The keynote speakers for the conference are Thomas McDermott and Adam McDermott. Thomas McDermott is an attorney who represented the lawsuit defending ballot measure 58 which opened the records in Oregon. His son Adam is an adoptee who has turned 21 and has his original birth certificate, thanks in part to his father's efforts.

Some of the sessions are "The Knock on the Door: Stories on Searching and Being Found", "The Next Generation: How Adoption Affects My Parenting" and "Transracial Adoption Experiences". Several of these presentations will be recorded, and available on tape or CD. I have another blog coming up soon with links and more info about AAC, but, their members include all members of the triad. AAC supports open records and truth in adoption, among other things.

This conference will be an exciting and fun weekend trip for me. An additional bonus is the location. I will be close enough to have a chance to sneak in a quick visit with one of my sons. Since we reunited five years ago, every time I see him still seems like such a treat. I never forget that we were not supposed to know each other and I cherish our relationship!