Distribution List Help

Hi;
I posted this before but got no responses, so I thought I would try again
and state the problem more clearly.

I want to create distribution lists, and am having a very difficult time
doing so. I can create the item:

oOutlook = new oleAutoClient("outlook.application")
oItem = oOutlook.createItem(7)
oItem.dlname = 'Empolyees'
oItem.save()
oItem.Display()

I dont understand how to add the contacts in my contacts folders
progmatically. Assuming that a contacts first name is 'John' and his last
name is 'Doe' How would he be added? I tried:
oItem.recipients.add = 'DOE, JOHN' but it doesnt work. I also tried:
oItem.AddMembers = 'DOE, JOHN' and I recieve an error stating the object
property is read only. Any help would be appreciated.

Pat