As a Network member you have the opportunity to participate in one of the six committees which develop and carry out our work. We are a volunteer organization and it is adoptive family members like you who make our projects happen.

So, we'd be delighted to hear from you indicating your interest in any of these committees. No special expertise is required, though if you have experience in any of the areas listed we would of course welcome it, and you can put in the amount of the time that works for you. Any particular needs of the specific committees are listed below.

To get involved just write to the email address indicated at the end of each description.

The committees are:

• Material Assistance. The Material Assistance Committee will seek out existing organizations working in Guatemala which help to address the goals set in our mission statement; review their work to determine if they are good potential partners for us; and make recommendations to the Board about which groups we should partner with and raise funds for. For information on current projects see our Material Aid page. Chair: Sonia Lipson. Email: matlaid@guatefam.org.

• Adoption Information. The Adoption Information Committee works to collect and analyze accurate information on Guatemalan adoption, and to prepare the information for distribution online or in print. Our current activity in this area is a web-based survey which is under development. This committee will finalize the survey and work out a method for tabulating and disseminating the results. The committee will also begin creating written material on Guatemalan adoption generally, which can be distributed via the web or in print. For information on current projects see our Adoption Information page. Chair: Laura Wishik. Email: adoptinfo@guatefam.org.

• Public Relations. The Public Relations Committee develops projects which proactively disseminate accurate information to the news media about Guatemalan adoption. The committee's activities include, to the extent our resources allow, providing appropriate information to the media both outside and within Guatemala. Chair: TBA. Email: pr@guatefam.org.

• Publications and Media. The Publications and Media Committee develops and manages our web site, and develops membership communications such as a print or electronic newsletter. This committee is also responsible for working with other committees as necessary to develop brochures or other similar documents which communicate the results of the organization's work in other areas. Chair: Maria Valenta. Email: pubmedia@guatefam.org.

• Membership and Administration. The Membership and Administration Committee manages our legal affairs, and our systems for receiving and processing memberships, developing a database, and managing funds. Chair: TBA. Email: memadmin@guatefam.org.

• Fundraising and Development. The Fundraising and Development Committee develops funding sources for our operations, and works to raise funds for the projects selected by the Material Assistance Committee. This committee also works to promote the organization and solicit new members through contacts with individuals, local organizations, adoption agencies, and others connected to or interested in Guatemalan adoption. Chair: TBA. Email: development@guatefam.org.