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The Lifegiver's Festival July 7th - 10th, 2005 A few words from the facilitator, Brenda Romanchik..... So, what is The Lifegiver’s Festival? A little bit about myself..... What Past Participants Have to Say.... * We believe in the learning power of our stories. While you do not have to be ready to share your story, you do need to be ready to respectfully listen to the stories of others. There is always something that can be learned in hearing another's unique experience. * We believe that part of our purpose is to build a community of support and understanding. With that in mind we strive to create an atmosphere that is safe and welcoming for all that attend. * We believe that each person who attends is at a different stage of the journey. This will be respected at all times. * We believe that tears shed are an important part of healing. We also believe in the power of play and that laughter and tears are necessary companions. * We believe that being a birthparent in an open adoption is a responsibility, not a privilege. It is our hope that The Lifegiver's Festival will provide you with the information and the support to be able to fulfill those responsibilities with confidence. * We believe that adoption is a lifelong process. It is our hope The Lifegiver's Festival signifies a new beginning. An added note: *While it is "therapeutic" to many, The Lifegiver's Festival is not therapy. A few words from the facilitator, Brenda Romanchik..... In 1994 Jim Gritter, Director of the open adoption program of Catholic Human Services and I had a brainstorming session to determine the best way to provide post adoption services to birthparents that had placed through the agency. The result of that brainstorming session was the concept for The Lifegiver’s Festival. In the early years, a committee of birthparents, with the help of Jim Gritter, organized The Lifegiver’s Festival. While birthparent input is still a big part of the Festival, responsibility for organizing the conference rests primarily with myself. So, what is The Lifegiver’s Festival? The Lifegiver’s Festival is a conference/retreat specifically designed for birthparents in open adoptions. It strives to provide a safe, nurturing place where birthparents can learn, connect and discuss issues most important to them. It also is a place where birthparents can find honor, respect and support for their role in their child’s life. This is a conference I give, not only to other birthparents, but to myself as well. I never fail to learn something new, to laugh and cry myself silly, and most importantly, to make new friends. A little bit about myself..... I am the birthmother of a 16-year-old son, Matthew, whom I placed in an open adoption at birth. I am also a firm believer that for open adoptions to work, those involved need practical information on how to handle the relationship open adoption creates. I also believe that birthparents and adoptive parents need ongoing support. My philosophy has led me to become a professional educator on birthparent and open adoption issues. Through writing, speaking, publishing (through my company R-Squared Press) and conference organizing, I strive to bring triad members practical information that will help them deal with the complexities of open adoption. Now through Insight, I hope to further my mission of offering a wide range of educational opportunities. What Past Participants Have to Say.... "I really enjoy hearing stories of other birthmoms. It is so nice to identify with other people." "The location and accommodations were really neat. It was peaceful for me and gave me time to relax and open up." "I really liked the topics we covered. I also liked the people." "Knowing I am not alone in this situation is tremendously helpful." "It was great to see so many of us gathered together and the discussions that happened." This conference has been a gift to so many, a gift I would love to see every birthparent in an open adoption experience. -Brenda Romanchik The conference is held at the R. A. MacMullan Conference Center, operated by the MI Department of Natural Resources. Located on Higgins Lake, the conference center’s facilities are surrounded by the natural beauty of upper Michigan. Bonfires by the lake, walking in woods or sitting by the fireplace are only a part of what this great conference center has to offer. $275. - Includes all meals identified in the agenda, lodging and materials. * There is an additional $40.00 fee for transportation from Detroit Metro Airport. Please indicate on your registration form if you will need this transportation. * A small number of single rooms are available for an additional $90.00 fee. Space is limited so register early. We encourage adoptive parents, support groups and service providers to consider sponsoring birthparents. The gift of The Lifegiver’s Festival not only makes a thoughtful gift, but it also provides an excellent and much needed post adoption service. If you are interested in sponsoring a birthparent, please contact Brenda Romanchik. If you are a birthparent in need of a sponsor we encourage you to contact local adoptive parent groups, church groups, your adoption service provider, etc. to request a sponsorship. Contact Brenda Romanchik if you are not able to find a sponsor. This year’s Lifegiver’s Festival will have a slightly different format than years’ past. As noted in the agenda, sessions will be as follows: Teaching Sessions (I talk, you listen), Fireside Chats (you talk, I listen), Breakaway sessions (a little of both). Of course, all sessions are informal enough for there to be interruptions for questions. Thursday 6:30 PM - Registration 7 PM - Opening Ceremony and Welcome 7:30 PM - Our Stories Friday 7:30 AM - Breakfast 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Our Stories 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM - Being a Birthparent: What does it mean? - Teaching Session 12 noon to 1:30 PM - Lunch 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM - Stages and Phases: Our child’s understanding of adoption. - Breakaway Sessions: Session 1 - One to Ten years/ Session 2 - Ten to Eighteen years 2:45 PM to 3:00 PM - Break 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Communication and Negotiation 4:30 PM to 5:00PM - - Talking About Adoption - Teaching Session 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Dinner 6:30 PM to ??? - An evening of pampering and play. Saturday 7:30 AM - Breakfast 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - Creating Traditions - Fireside Chat 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM - Break 10:45 AM to 11:15 AM - Adoptive Parent Communication 11:15 am to 12 Noon - The Faces of Loss and Shame - Teaching Session 12 noon to 1:30 PM - Lunch 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM - The Faces of Loss and Shame - Fireside Chat 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM - Break 3:15 PM to 5:00 PM - Breakaway Sessions: Session 1 - Developing healthy intimate relationships/ Session 2 - Parenting after relinquishment 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Dinner 6:30 PM to 8 PM - Moving on, not moving out: Integrating our adoption experience. Sunday 7:30 AM - Breakfast 10:00 AM - Parting Ceremony To register click here |