Winterfest - this is our largest annual event held in the January- March timeframe. In the past we have had an average of 250 people attend this wonderful event. We include entertainment, music, food, and crafts along with the opportunity for you to meet new members and connect with old friends.

Volunteers: Always looking

Spring Picnic - We usually hold annual picnics in Maryland and Virginia on a weekend. This is a great time for working parents to connect with other adoptive families.

MD Volunteer: filled

VA Volunteer: Vacant - Time commitment to coordinate is about 5 hours

Fall Pumpkin Patch Events - These are usually held in October at a Farm that host hayrides, pumpkin picking, and other entertainment.

MD Volunteer: filled

VA Volunteer: Vacant - Time commitment to coordinate is about 5 hours

Play and Musical Event Coordinator

Volunteer: Vacant

Mom's Night Out - These have been very successful evenings - usually from 7p-9p during the week at a local restaurant. It is a chance for moms, or dads, to get out of the house and talk about parenting issues or just catch up with other FRUA members. These are usually held every 2-3 months.

Fairfax County - filled

Loudoun County - Open - Time commitment is about 2 hours every quarter.

Montgomery County - filled

Anne Arundel/Baltimore - filled

Prince Georges/Howard - filled

Single Parent Event Coordinator - These are events targeted to those FRUA-DC members who are single parents. Volunteer: filled

Adoption Agency Liaisons - If there are any members that are still in contact with their local adoption agencies, we would be interested in providing FRUA literature to include in packets for adoptive parents, or if you are speaking at your agency and introducing your newly adoptive children that you might also suggest membership in FRUA.

Volunteers: Vacant - Time commitment is minimal

Yahoo Group Liaisons - There are several Yahoo groups in the local area dedicated to supporting families formed through international adoption. We would like a volunteer to monitor these groups and connect with families who have adopted from Eastern Europe to see if they are aware of FRUA and if they are interested in joining. We can provide you a list of the Yahoo groups of interest.

Volunteer: Vacant - The time commitment is 1-2 hours per month.

FRUA Local Event Coordinators - Historically, we have had one person coordinate most events in Virginia and one or two people coordinate events in Maryland. In 2008, we want to focus on providing members the ability to truly connect with one another. The goal is to encourage friendships and support opportunities for people that live near one another.

In an effort to jumpstart this program, we have several ideas for you to consider -buffet breakfast at a casual restaurant, play dates during the week or on weekends, potluck at a park or someone's home, bowling party, skate party, movie night in a home with parents in separate room, indoor or outdoor swim park, or an event at the Russian Cultural Center. FRUA-DC may be able to help cover the cost of renting a party room if the cost is reasonable and you submit your request to the board prior to the event.

We can provide the local coordinators with a list of members in their area to facilitate invites and we would also post the events through the yahoo groups.

The time commitment could be as little as 4 hours every few months if you choose to just plan one simple event. We would love to have at least two local event coordinators per county to represent the different age groups of children.

DC - Vacant

MD - Montgomery County- Vacant

MD - Ann Arundel/Baltimore- Vacant

MD - Prince Georges/Howard (Laurel) - Vacant

VA - Loudoun-

Pre-school Play Dates: Filled

Looking for additional volunteers

VA - Fairfax- Vacant

VA - Prince William- Vacant

Event Scout for Non-FRUA Events - We love to know about non-FRUA events going on in your area. If you read the local paper and find out any interesting cultural events, please let us know and we'll distribute the details to our members.

VA Volunteer - filled

MD Volunteer - Open - Time commitment about 1 hour a month

DC Volunteer - Open - Time commitment about 1 hour a month

Lifebook - This is a new program that we may be starting to help you organize all those pictures that you have from your trips to Eastern Europe. Depending on interest, we will schedule these accordingly.

MD Volunteer - filled

VA Volunteer - Open

Resource Guide - We have a local resource guide that includes recommendations on general doctors, specialists, and support groups that have been recommended by FRUA-DC members. This is available to any FRUA-DC member. We will solicit for new recommendations and would like someone to send a letter to recommended resources in the listings and ask for confirmation that the information is correct, and also solicit advertising from highly recommended resources to cover the costs of the printing. We would then have it printed and sent to all members.

Volunteer: filled

New Member Coordinator - This person is the liason between FRUA-DC and any new members. This person sends a personalized e-mail to new members, answers any new member questions, and also sends the prior newsletter and resource guide.

Volunteer: filled

Waiting Parents - Any FRUA members who are at the beginning of the adoption process can benefit by meeting with other waiting parents. These events are offered every few months. In addition the waiting parent coordinator can also identify a family to mentor you during this process.

VA Volunteer: filled

MD Volunteer: Vacant - The time commitment would be about 5 hours every quarter.

Welcome Home Cards - FRUA-DC Members who return home with their new child are sent a welcome card from FRUA-DC. If you know of any new parents, please let us know.

Volunteer: filled