What is Going On at ISRR

Hope Everyone has a Wonderful 2010

Summer came so quickly this year. We continue to have unique and wonderful matches. The social networks have grown rapidly, and so much activity has resulted in increased registration and contributions. Always grateful for both! Currently there is a competition with Chase for non-profits to receive substantial donations. Please see below and vote if you can.

Our website host upgraded servers in early March, plus we have now loaded new programs and upgrades in-house, so are looking forward to implementing the powerful aspects these offer.

The end of January we had a power supply fail on a computer that handles phones and communications. Took about a week for the part to arrive and everything to get back on track. Sure reminded us how technology makes our work easier. This did not impact the server where the Registry resides, which is completely separate, mirrored and has multiple backups.

ISRR received over $8,500 in software donated by Microsoft and over $1,200 from Adobe. We want to thank Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec, Intuit, AlphaFive and ReadyTalk for their generous software contributions in 2009 -- these allow us to update, protect and expand our services.

In 2008, we were excited to have completed 5+ years of prepping, scanning and indexing nearly a quarter of a million registration forms received since 1975. In 2009, we added the remaining financial records and about 3500 matches done between 1998 and 2003. This completes every aspect of the Imaging Project which began in 2002. The entire system is now preserved and safe-guarded. Since the project began, all staff and volunteers sign agreements guaranteeing they will not copy, extract or use the data provided by registrants. It remains a priority to keep personal information safe for everyone.

In addition, we actually enjoyed completing an audit with the IRS confirming continued 501(c)3 compliance. ISRR's non-profit, tax-exempt status means your donations are tax deductible. It was surprisingly fun to go through years of financial records, and great to know things have been done correctly all along. Special thanks goes to our Treasurer, Doug Hopkins who volunteered for over 15 years.

Please note the 2009 report on Matches page.

Please Vote for ISRR to get a donation from Chase

Just click below, sign into facebook and vote.

ISRR is on Facebook ~ MySpace ~ Twitter

Click on each to visit our social network pages.

15th Annual RegDay

The 15th Annual RegDay was held Saturday, November 7th and 14th, 2009. As always, our appreciation goes to all those who volunteer in cities across the USA to make these events successful. If you would like to help in 2010, it is coordinated by the Adoption Registration Coalition, at: www.regday.org .

Below is an excerpt from an article on RegDay in Oklahoma.

Registry reunites adopted kids, birth parents
By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
Published: 11/5/2009  2:19 AM
SEE FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectID=38&articleID=20091105_38_D3_LynneB18660

Lynne Bates and Shirley Saxon stand outside Gilcrease Museum. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

About Soundex

The International Soundex Reunion Registry is the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofit agency that reunites family members separated by, among other things, adoption.

Saturday is the registry’s 15th annual nationwide RegDay, which includes Tulsa’s RegDay ’09 at Promenade Mall, 4107 S. Yale Ave.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, attendees can enter the free registry, learn about adoption support groups, along with lifelong issues in adoption, search, and reunion.

“It’s a scary step to search,” said Samantha Franklin, a Bixby adoptee who is a part of RegDay ’09, “but everything I’ve ever heard is that no matter what you find out — even finding out my birth mother had passed away — it was so much better for me to know than not to know. It just fills so many voids in our lives.”

To demonstrate the power of filling a void, Franklin pointed to the stories of two Tulsa women. Meet both at RegDay ’09.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT THESE FREE SERVICES  ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED