Shelley Rottenberg has been involved in the adoptee community since 2020. Since then, she has held a number of volunteer roles in various adoptee-focused groups and organizations, and has participated in multiple adoptee events or initiatives which she has spoken about her experience being a Chinese adoptee.
Community Involvement
Shelley participated as a 'Human Book' and shared her experiences as a transracial adoptee.
Permanency Through the Eyes of Youth Panel for National Adoption Awareness Month 2022. Hosted by the Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada.
Youth panel discussion put on by the former Adoption Council of Canada
Shelley participated as a 'Human Book' and shared her experiences as a transracial adoptee.
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May 25, 2023 - Participated in a guest lecture panel discussion on One Child Nation for SOC354H1F: Family, Race and Adoption at the University of Toronto
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May 24, 2023 - Co-hosted an online Adoptee Circle: Book Reflection and Discussion - Messages from an Unknown Chinese Mother for My China Roots
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March 8, 2023 - Co-hosted an online Adoptee Circle: Letters on Your Journey event for My China Roots
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January 26, 2023 - Spoke in the Threads 2023: Cultural Conversations Conference
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January 22, 2023 - Co-hosted a Lunar New Year Meetup for Asian Adoptees of Canada
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November 22, 2022 - Spoke in the "Permanency Through the Eyes of Youth Panel" put on by Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada
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November 19, 2022 - Co-hosted a Christmas Market Meetup for Asian Adoptees of Canada
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September 10, 2022 - Co-hosted a Moon Festival Celebration/Karaoke Night for Asian Adoptees of Canada
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August 20, 2022 - Co-hosted a Toronto Chinatown Meetup for Asian Adoptees of Canada
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April 9, 2022 - Co-hosted the Toronto location of the Global Asian Adoptee Meal Meet-Up
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April 7, 2022 - Participated in The Human Book Collection event at McMaster University
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February 8, 2022 - Spoke in an international adoptee panel discussion, put on by the Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada
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January 19-20, 2022 - Spoke in the Threads 2022: Cultural Conversations Conference
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January 15, 2022 - Interviewed by Shauna Powers with CBC Radio One
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November 14, 2021 - Spoke in a panel discussion by the Chinese Adopted Siblings Program at Yale (CASPY)
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November 10, 2021 - Spoke in a youth panel discussion, "Talking About Permanency, Transracial Adoption, Racism and our Dreams for the Future," put on by the Adoption Council of Canada
Volunteer Work
Asian Adoptees of Canada
Associate Director for
Engagement & Social Media
June 2022 - Present
I am responsible for contributing to the creation of content for the organization's social media accounts, organizing in-person events to allow for adoptees to connect and build a sense of community, and communicating with members of the Board of Directors.
China's Children International
September 2022 - Present
Blog Copy Editor
I am responsible for reviewing, editing, and publishing adoptee submissions to the new CCI blog.
August 2021 - August 2022
Social Media Coordinator
I am responsible for managing and posting content on CCI's social media accounts. I collaborate and communicate with other members on the board and creative team.
June 2020 - September 2020
Summer Intern
I created and coordinated a two-part CCI summer internship project titled "Home Is..." which examined the concept of home for international Chinese adoptees. To learn more, check out the "Projects" page of the site!
Child & Youth Permanency Council of Canada
June 2021 - Present
Secretary
I attend, participate in, and record monthly meetings as the Secretary on the Board of Directors. I also help with the planning and execution of projects that align with the mission, vision, and values of ACC as a member on the Programs/Events committee.
Chinese Adoptee Alliance (formerly FCCNY)
October 2021 - September 2022
As the Online Multimedia Committee Co-Chair, I help facilitate monthly meetings where team members collaborate to create social media content for the FCCNY social media accounts.
Online Multimedia
Committee Co-Chair
October 2020 - September 2021
As a member of the Online/Multimedia Short-term Projects subcommittee of the Adoptee Board, I collaborate with team members to create social media content for the FCCNY social media accounts.
Online Multimedia
Committee Member
Subtle Asian Adoptee Traits Facebook Group
August 2020 - April 2021
Admin & Zoom Host
As an admin of the Subtle Asian Adoptee Traits Facebook group, I helped with post approval, join requests, comment moderation, member communication and other duties. As a zoom call host, I helped sustain a virtual community space for adoptees to connect twice a week.