SACAS Waiting Parents

The Waiting Parents Committee
The Waiting Parents Committee was established to manage the Calendar of Events for Waiting Parents and also to advise and work with the Board on issues of relevance to Waiting Parents within the organisation.  The committee is comprised of members who are currently waiting to adopt a child from China.  A photograph and statement from the Chair of the Committee can be found on the Board Members webpage.

What is a "Waiting Parent"
So what is a "Waiting Parent"?  Contrary to what many people think, Waiting Parents are not all childless.  Some have biological children, adopted children, or a combination of both.  Those with adopted children may have formed their families through the Chinese adoption program, through the adoption programs of other countries, or even through our own Australian domestic adoption programs.  The motivation to adopt also varies considerably.  In essence, Waiting Parents are a pretty diverse bunch of people.  But they do share a very powerful bond.  They will all become the proud parents of a Chinese born child.

More formally, under the SACAS Constitution Waiting Parents are defined as:
                                                                           
 4.1.1 South  Australian Prospective Adoptive Parents, as approved by the  Adoption and Family Information Service (AFIS), to adopt from The People’s  Republic of China.

                                                        
 4.1.2 South Australian Prospective Adoptive Parents who have expressed to  the  Executive  Board  a  clear  interest  in  adopting  from the People’s  Republic  of China but have not yet been formally approved by the Adoption and Family Information Service (AFIS).                                    
                                                                           

The Importance of Waiting Parents to SACAS
Waiting Parents have been an important part of SACAS since its very beginning.  In fact at least half of the founding members of SACAS were Waiting Parents.  They were disappointed to discover that the Chinese adoption program didn't have a support group in place.  So along with some adoptive parents of Chinese born children they set about building that support group.  Since then Waiting Parents have contributed to many SACAS achievements.  Either through membership on the Board, various Project Committees, or just by volunteering their services.  

As time goes on the percentage of Waiting parents within our community will naturally decrease.  This fact is to be celebrated as it means that at every allocation more families are created within our membership.  But it does pose some challenges for SACAS.  Particularly in ensuring that the organisation continues to provide services that are relevant to Waiting Parents and sustainable alongside the increasing demands of families.  That's where you come in.  

As a Waiting Parent you are valued and we need your help.  So please consider how you can help the Waiting Parents Committee and SACAS.  SACAS encourages you to have a voice and to play your part within our community.  And remember, just attending an event and having fun is an important contribution in itself.  As a Waiting Parent you will soon be bringing your child into our community.  By getting involved now you can make an investment in their future and play your part in making SACAS an even better community in which to raise your child.

SACAS Membership - What's in it for Waiting Parents?
When you join SACAS you are joining a community.  And the latin origin of the word community is loosely translated as "with gifts".  The concept is simple.  Everyone who joins brings with them a gift to share with others, and in return they get to share the gifts that every other member of the community has brought along.  It's a pretty good deal.  So what are these gifts?  

• Well the friendship and assistance of other Waiting Parents is one such gift.  You will get to meet them at the fun Waiting Parent Events that occur throughout the year.

• The advice and assistance of current adoptive parents is yet another gift, and you will be able to network with them during a number fun events and activities.  

• The SACAS Webpage and E-News Updates will give you the gift of information by keeping you well informed about China and Adoption issues.  

• And then there is the greatest gift of all - the children.  At times during the long adoption process some waiting parents may wish to remind themselves of why they are putting themselves through all this stress and heartache.  Waiting Parents are welcome to attend Panda-Play and Bamboo-Crew events as well as other SACAS events where children are present.  Through their parents you will gain opportunities to interact with these children and to see why the long wait is worthwhile.  

Don't take the adoption journey on your own.  Seek the support of others.  Have some fun along the way.  Share your gift with us and benefit from the gifts we can provide you.  Be part of a community.  Your kids will thank you for it.