I closed the open adoption survey

18Mar2008 Filed under: Adoption Author: Dawn

It topped out with 282 responses! Now I’m trying to figure out how to make the data meaningful. Right now I think I’m going to make my presentation follow this basic format:

Why I built it: the inspiration behind it.
My philosophies and how they inform the site.
Conflicts, particularly around language and finding an acceptable (to all parties) term for first parent.
How people are currently using the site.
The survey and where I’d like to see the site grow.

I’ve got (gulp) an hour and fifteen minutes to fill. So I’m REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping that some members of Open Adoption Support show up and can talk a little bit about their participation. If not, I’m just going to hope for a lot of questions.

And maybe the survey will be able to eat up some time.

This conference is expensive for presenters. Not only do we have to register, but we also have to pay for audio-visual support and since this is already kinda outside my budget I’m not going to be able to set up a powerpoint presentation so it’s all going to have to be on paper. (That reminds me — I need to email them and get an idea of how many copies I should make.)

I’m really nervous about this.

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12 Responses to “I closed the open adoption survey”

Susan
March 18th, 2008 at 10:41 am

Dawn - do you want me to make a powerpoint presentation for you? Ohhh, or you’re saying, they CHARGE for AV support. Well, that sucks. It does! How much is it?
Suz
March 18th, 2008 at 11:01 am

Yeah, how much is it? I say get a collection going. I would contribute. This is important stuff. It should be viewed/seen in the best most impactful way possible. Happy to send you paypal funds.

Also, have you included any case studies? Will anyone let you use them (even if you change their name). Making a personal connection (beyonds yours) is helpful. Do a few slides/examples that support (or dont - in order to show the depth of challenge) your position/message.

I craft presentations ALL THE TIME for work. Happy to eyebeall yours if you are comfortable sharing.

Can you embed a video clip of people? (Particularly if can project).

This material needs to hit people in the gut. As a communications professional, I saw you need to really get them in a place they will remember it, using the most powerful vehicle/medium possible.
Susan
March 18th, 2008 at 11:10 am

Yes, Dawn, tell us how much. This is really important.
Louise
March 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

As a former speechwriter, I actually think powerpoint is not such a good thing any way!
People overuse it as a “prop.” I think your words will carry more impact than a bunch of slides!!
Dawn
March 18th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Louise, I wondered about this but I’d like to show the results of the survey visually. I think it’d have more impact.
Meg
March 18th, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Dawn-

I have been teetering about whether or not to attend the conference. I am an adoptive mom, and am in a counseling psychology graduate program. The conference looks amazing but it is really expensive, even with the student discount. I wish it were more accessible financially.

If I am not there, I will be sending you really good thoughts. And if I am there, I will come by and introduce myself.
Julia
March 18th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

I think if you only use it as a reference and visual it’s fine. But Louise is right, when people just read from the bullets of it, it can get boring!
suz
March 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Dawn - I assume you know how to conduct a presentation and are NOT going to read your slides? Please tell me that is the case? You are using bullets, right and then all the meat in in your own words?

Guh. I hate people who read their slides. I want to start reading out loud to show them I can read.

How large is the audience/session? If its small and intimate, by all means, use a handout. But if you are in a large audience, I hope you will consider using slides and projecting so all can see and are not flipping through your handouts and not looking at you.

Got your email. Will respond shortly. Assume you use paypal?
doris day
March 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

Spill woman! We want to cough up some dough!
Dawn
March 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Meg, I hear you. It is WAY expensive. I would love for you to be there but totally understand if it’s just too much. Hope you can make it!!!!
Marley Greiner
March 18th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

You’d’ be surprised at how fast the time goes once you get going. I don’t like Power Points either They need to be used sparingly Can you makes transparencies instead or put together hard-copy handouts?

I’ll be at Portland, but I’ll miss your presentation. I have to attend a seriously evil panel (unless they change the schedule) in which the AAC will attempt to take credit for Ballot Measure 58, when they in fact, had nothing to do with it except try to stop it. They scheduled Ron Morgan’s LDA presentation at the same time, too. That is no accident since they know what he’d do to them.

I’ll see you there, though. Are you taking the boat trip. I’m staying with Ron but I”ll be around a lot.
Suz
March 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am

I thought you might want to check out this latest post by Robin. Seems to tie into your presentation.

The quote she cites at the top is mighty interesting.

"Writing only leads to more writing."

~Colette

About Me

I have two kids and a delightfully odd husband, Brett. My children are Noah (born to us in 1997) and Madison (born to her first mom, Pennie, in 2004 and brought to our family through a domestic, open adoption). They are my inspiration and also the reason I don't get more done around here.

I'm a writer and sometimes I get published, which is a nice thing. I write for joy, I write for money and when I'm very lucky, both things happen at the same time. My work appears in national publications including Yoga Journal, Disney's Family.com, Utne, Wondertime, Brain Child and Salon. Currently I am working on a book about my daughter's adoption and seeking representation for the proposal. I also own Smart Cookie Communications with my husband.