NCVA eREPORTER - April 22, 2005

In this NCVA eReporter:

EVENTS

• OFYA’s 15^th Annual Awards Ceremony – April 23, 2005
• Vietnamese American Entrepreneurs’ Meeting – April 29, 2005
• thirty years of diaspora – April 29, 2005
• APA Roundtable – May 3, 2005
• OCA National Convention to be held in Las Vegas, NV – July 28-31, 2005

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Support for Cooperative Development
• Grants for Social Change Mobilization
• Support for Greenways Projects
• Grants Focus on Youth Education
• Funds for Community Programs
• Ford Foundation Undertakes New Initiative
• JOIN HANDS DAY Excellence Awards

JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

• Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council - Youth Investment Program Manager
• Vietnamese American Television- Internship Opportunities
• NAVASA 2005 National Young Community Leaders Recognition Award (NYCLR)

TIPS/RESOURCES

• Communication - The Perfect Donor Newsletter
• Annual Gifts - Acknowledgement tips for gifts
• Free Communications Guide for Nonprofits

NEWS

• Tips on Profiting from Corporate Gifts (Asian Week)
• White House Appoints New Board Members to the Vietnam Education Foundation (Press Release)
• National Business and Community Leaders to Be Honored at Vietnamese American National Gala; '30 Years of Vietnamese American Achievement' (Press Release)
• Quach finance inquiry gains support (Orange County Register)
• Scholar Selected to Develop First Vietnamese American Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution (Press Release)

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EVENTS

COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO OFYA'S 15th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

The Outstanding Filipino Youth Awards is a project of the Philippine National Day Association.

Please join the 2005 Outstanding Filipino students and OFYA alumni and their families; community organizations in both the Filipino American and API communities; our supporters through the years; and the public at large. OFYA is commemorating 15 years of celebrating outstanding youth who are the community's treasures and who are the leaders who serve the community today and the future. Justice Tani Gorre Cantil - Sakauye will be honored and will bring the inspirational message.  Justice Tani was the 1992 speaker at the OFYA Awards ceremony held at the Rizal Community Center during the Philippine National Day celebration. She was a featured leader at the First Filipino American Youth Conference in 1996 and has been serving on OFYA's Honorary Board all these years.

Come to the Music Recital Hall of Cosumnes River College, 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento on April 23, 2005, 1 PM.

Witness the talent and achievements of our youth. Feel the pride of being Filipino. Experience the beauty and power of belonging to a community that nurtures its youth and keeps a very special spot in its life and heart for its children.

For more information call Cynthia Bonta at 916-952-6006, Rayne Soriano at 916-708-9481 and/or Sorcy Apostol at 916-686-0877.

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[This event is co-hosted by the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans]

VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS' MEETING

George Mason University Metro Campus
3401 North Fairfax  Drive, Arlington, Virginia

April 29,  2005

Sponsored by
Asian American Press of Minnesota

9:00 AM  Registration and Networking

10:00 AM Introduction of Participants and Program

Ms. Thanh Bui,  Esq., Business Attorney, Leonard, Street and Deinard Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN

10:10 AM Opening Remarks

Sponsor
Nghi Huynh, Publisher/Editor, American Asian Press, St. Paul, MN

Hosts
Ms. Mary Chi Ray, President, Small Business Network Council, and member, National Advisory Council for the  SBA

Mr. Hung Nguyen, President, National Congress of Vietnamese Americans

10:20 AM Brunch and  Networking

11:15 AM Opportunities  for Vietnamese American Entrepreneurs

Panel  Coordinator
Dr. Doan L.  Phung, President/CEO, PAI Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN

11:20 AM Programs of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Available to the Vietnamese American  Entrepreneurs

Ms. Stephanie Watkins, Regional Administrator, SBA Region III, Philadelphia, PA

11:30 AM  Minority Economic Development: Opportunities and Challenges

Mr. Tran Thanh Nhon, Former Executive Director, Minnesota Minority Supplier Development Council

11:40 AM How to Do Business with the Department of Defense

Mr. Thomas Ray, Director, Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Defense Logistics  Agency

11:50 AM Coordinated Open Discussions

1:15 PM End of Opportunity Session

1:30 PM  CEO/Entrepreneurs Club Meeting

Coordinator:
Dr. Doan L. Phung, President/CEO,  PAI Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN

Presentation
Achieving / Succeeding / Contributing

Jasmine Dinh, Business Development Consultant, St.  Paul, MN

Open  Discussions
* Rationale, goals and rules
* Open forum: short, concise presentations by entrepreneurs
* Formation of Steering Committee of three CEOs and a coordinator
* Selection of three first actions
* Timeline and next meeting

3:30 PM  Break and continued networking

(www.ncvaonline.org/archive/prj_VABN.shtml)

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thirty years of diaspora

On Friday, April 29th, 2005, a community shaped by war, but not defined by it, remembers the 30^th anniversary of the exodus of Vietnamese people around the world with an evening of prose, poetry and art.

Co-presentation with Locus Arts & the Vietnamese Artists Collective.

Film screening of The Anniversary by Ham Tran. Performances by Ly Nguyen, Dandiggity, Anh-Hoa Thi Nguyen, Ky-Phong Tran, Linh Gia Nguyen, Danny Thanh Nguyen and a Collective poetry piece. Plus special guests comic book artists Thien Pham and Vinh Ngo.

April 29th, 2005, 8pm-11pm
@ Locus Arts
2857 24th Street at Bryant
San Francisco, CA 94110
Admission: $5-10 sliding scale
For more information:
www.locusarts.org & www.vacollective.com

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APA ROUNDTABLE

Korean American Coalition – DC Area Chapter, Organization of Chinese Americans – DC Chapter, and Organization of Chinese Americans-Northern VA Chapter invites you to 2005 APA Roundtable

APA Roundtable is an opportunity for the Asian Pacific Islander American organizations in the greater DC area to come together to get to know one another and share information about upcoming programs and events. APA Roundtable is a great opportunity to kick off DC area celebrations around May’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Attending APIA organizations will be provided with DC area APIA organization contact list.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005

6:30PM - 8:30PM
Ground Floor Conference Center
Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP
1776 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

RSVP to Julie Park at julie@linkuskorea.com by Friday, April 29^th
* Light refreshment will be available
* Bring handouts about your organization for distribution

If you have any questions feel free to contact Julie Park at (703) 205-2002 or David Yao at (202) 333-9095

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 01, 2005

Contac: Anh Phan (202) 223-5500

OCA National Convention to be held in Las Vegas, NV
"Faces of Diversity"

Washington, DC – The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) and the OCA-Las Vegas Chapter will host OCA’s 27th Annual National Convention from July 28 – 31, 2005 at Bally’s Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the theme, “Faces of Diversity”, OCA’s National Convention is considered to be the premier event for the Asian Pacific American community.

“As the host chapter, we are eagerly looking forward to showcasing all that our city offers,” said Mia Youhne and Duy Nguyen, the National Convention co-chairs. “This year, our city reaches a milestone- its 100th birthday- and we cannot think of a more exciting way to celebrate our convention than during this special occasion.”

“This is our first year of having the National Convention in Las Vegas,” said Ginny Gong, OCA National President. “We have many great sponsors who allow us to make a large portion of the programs accessible and free for the public, and the convention is set-up for everyone in the family to enjoy. We will have over 80 chapters and affiliates participating and attendees coming from all across the country. The diversity and experiences shared by the Asian Pacific American (APA) community since the first immigrants came to America in the mid-1800s is what makes this country so unique and rich in history, culture and customs. My thanks goes out to the OCA-Las Vegas chapter for organizing such a major event. ”

“The APA community in Las Vegas is young, vibrant and exciting -- very much like the chapter comprising members of Korean, Japanese, Hispanic-Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese American descents,” said Christine Chen, OCA Executive Director. “It is also especially appropriate to hold our convention here in Las Vegas, as Nevada was recently in the political spotlight in demonstrating the growing electoral clout of APAs. We look forward to honoring the late Congressman Robert Matsui and Governor Gary Locke as our Outstanding Citizen Awardees at our Saturday night gala.”

Please visit the OCA website at www.ocanatl.org to register for the 27th Annual National Convention and for sponsorship information.

# # #

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

SUPPORT FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Mutual Service Cooperative Fund

The Mutual Service Cooperative Fund, established as an endowment fund of the Cooperative Development Foundation, supports the development of cooperative enterprises and organizations, with a particular focus in the agribusiness arena. The Fund is particularly interested in proposals that will increase understanding of cooperatives and the role they play in the economy; produce new information about emerging issues in the cooperative community; educate current and future cooperative leaders; and assist cooperative enterprises and nonprofit organizations engaged in cooperative development. Any cooperative or cooperative-related organization may apply for a grant. Other organizations can also apply if the intended grant purpose is related to the cooperative sector. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2005.

(http://www.cdf.coop/msc_fund/index.htm)

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GRANTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE MOBILIZATION

Funding Exchange: The Emergency Fund

The Funding Exchange is a partnership of activists and donors dedicated to building a base of support for progressive social change through fundraising for local, national and international grantmaking programs. The Funding Exchange's Emergency Fund makes grants of up to $1,000 in response to political crises or opportunities, when a small amount of money can make a difference in mobilizing for social change. Grants have supported rallies, mailings, printing and other costs associated with political organizing around quickly developing situations. This fund does not make contributions to matching grant campaigns, on-going program work, to cover debts or to pay regular expenses. Requests may be submitted at any time.

(http://www.fex.org/emergency.shtml)

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SUPPORT FOR GREENWAYS PROJECTS

Kodak American Greenways Awards Program

The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership project of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. Greenways are corridors of protected public and private land established along rivers, stream valleys, ridges, abandoned railroad corridors, utility right-of-way, canals, scenic roads, or other linear features. In general, grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project including planning, technical assistance, legal and other costs. Applications may be submitted from March 1 to June 1, annually.

(http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2372)

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GRANTS FOCUS ON YOUTH EDUCATION

Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation aims to provide youth with the educational opportunities and support systems that they need to become knowledgeable and productive citizens. The Foundation encourages new solutions to countless problems that impede educational systems today, and it supports existing programs that work. The Foundation provides grants to public and private colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, teacher-training programs, educational programs for minority students, and global educational programs. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

(http://www2.coca-cola.com/citizenship/foundation_guidelines.html)

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FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

CIT Corporate Giving Program

The CIT Corporate Giving Program supports nonprofit organizations in communities where the company employees live and work, including locations in 20 states. CIT primarily provides funding to organizations that focus on education, health and welfare, economic and community development, and the arts. Emphasis is given to organizations that provide services that benefit employees, their families and their communities. Requests are accepted throughout the year.

(http://www.cit.com/main/AboutCIT/corpgiving.htm)

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FORD FOUNDATION UNDERTAKES NEW INITIATIVE

The Ford Foundation is undertaking a new initiative in undergraduate education. The initiative seeks to promote religious, cultural, and political pluralism, as well as academic freedom, on campuses by supporting programs and projects that promote greater dialogue around the sensitive and sometimes controversial questions that arise due to increasing religious and cultural diversity on campus. The Foundation is inviting all accredited, degree granting, nonprofit institutions with general undergraduate programs to submit preliminary proposals. The application deadline is May 16, 2005.

(http://www.fordfound.org/news/more/dialogues/index.cfm)

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JOIN HANDS DAY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The JOIN HANDS DAY Excellence Awards are provided to volunteer projects that develop youth and adult partnerships on JOIN HANDS DAY on May 1, 2005. Twenty award-winning projects receive a $1,000 check and an engraved glass award. The application deadline is June 15, 2005.

(http://www.joinhandsday.org/scripts/awards_excellence_index.cfm)

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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

PACIFIC FOREST AND WATERSHED LANDS STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL – YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council has an immediate opening for the following full-time, salaried position in our Foster City office.

Youth Investment Program Manager

Primary Purpose of Position:
Oversee implementation of the youth investment program, including development of a strategy and plan to meet the goals of the Council. The Stewardship Council is tasked with managing a $30 million program to provide a wilderness experience for disadvantaged youth, and to acquire and maintain parks and recreation areas within PG&E's service territory (northern and central California).

Position Responsibilities:
*       Coordinate all phases of the youth investment program, including oversight of consultants assigned to provide specialized expertise in community needs assessment, grant making, and program implementation.
*       Participate extensively in public and stakeholder outreach programs to obtain community input and identify potential partners and model programs.
*       Help define and develop innovative programs and partnerships to assure maximum value is recognized for current and future generations of Californians.
*       Support Board member education and decision-making process through presentations and guidance.
*       Ensure fiscal responsibility. Participate in financial planning efforts to assure sustainable programs for youth.
*       Work closely with staff and Board members to coordinate Council and Committee meetings. Ensure all progress reports, notes, and other distributions are completed on schedule.
*       In association with the Land Conservation Program Manager, work to integrate the land conservation element with the youth investment element of PG&E's settlement agreement.
*       Participate in speaking engagements and media outreach efforts.
*       Build and maintain effective working relationships with agencies, organizations, and communities throughout northern and central California.

Requirements:
*       10-15 years experience in youth and/or education programs in California.
*       Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, conservation planning, biology, education or related field. Master's degree preferred.
*       Proven ability to manage large multi-faceted projects. Experience managing substantial and multiple contracts a plus.
*       Demonstrated ability to work in a small team environment, and with a broad range of individuals and organizations with diverse interests.
*       Excellent oral and written communication skills.
*       Positive, mature, and professional communication style. Strong skills in consensus building.
*       Desire to work in high-energy start-up environment.
*       Advanced skills in all of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access). Experience with ArcView GIS and GPS a plus.
*       Estimated 20-25% travel or more (within California) required.

Compensation:
Estimated at $70,000-$90,000 per year (Depending on experience)

Organizational Background:
The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council (Stewardship Council) is a newly established non-profit corporation charged with land stewardship, youth wilderness education, and urban park development in northern and central California. Specifically, the Stewardship Council is responsible for developing and implementing a Land Conservation Plan for the protection of 140,000 acres of land, currently owned by PG&E, in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain watershed lands and on the Carizzo Plains. Additionally, the Stewardship Council will administer an Urban Youth Investment Program to benefit underserved youth and communities throughout PG&E's service territory. The Stewardship Council has an income of $10 million dollars per year to implement these programs. For additional information, please visit our website at www.stewardshipcouncil.org.

If you are interested in submitting your résumé and cover letter for review, please email or fax your information, along with salary requirements, to the address below.

637 Main Street * Half Moon Bay * California * 94019
Tel: (650) 726-8320 * Fax: (650) 712-1190 * Email: essexhr@essexenv.com

The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council is an equal opportunity employer

(www.stewardshipcouncil.org)

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VIETNAMESE AMERICAN TELEVISION – INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Vietnamese American Television (headquartered in Falls Church, VA) is looking for two summer interns and/or volunteers to assist with fund development, media production and community outreach tasks. The two positions will focus on assigned tasks but could collaborate and share responsibilities in the office.  VATV offers a professional, dynamic and culture-oriented work environment where staff and volunteers can work on their own initiatives as well as together a team. Our ideal candidate is one with a professional and positive attitude, and a desire to contribute.

Volunteer Job Title:  Assistant Fundraiser & Researcher

Specific Duties:
*        Build VATV database/prospect list for underwriters, advertisers, supporters and donators
*        Help Program Manager develop VATV Media Kit
*        Add grant information to a more comprehensive grant database
*        Develop and implement fundraising ideas with staff and other volunteers
*        Research statistics and data of targeted audiences for grant writing purposes
*        Network with community members and leaders for fundraising opportunities
*        Assist PM with any fundraising-related activities (i.e. typing, stuffing of letter of solicitation, photocopying)

Qualifications:
*         College or High School Graduate
*         Basic knowledge of community organizing, basic fundraising experience
*         Computer: Words. Excel. Internet Research
*         English and/or Vietnamese (or any bilingual languages)
*         Must be open minded and like to learn new things (while having fun!)

Time Requirements:
*         10 - 15 hours a week, very flexible

Benefits:
*        Will train and provide support
*        Great learning experience on various aspects of community media development
*        If funding gets approved, will provide meal and gas reimbursements
*        Free entries to all special events
*        Recognition at volunteers dinner
*        Can write recommendation and evaluation in support of academic and career advancement
*        For college students: worked out college credits for class or fulfill community service requirement for school



Intern Job Title:  "Youth in Media" Intern

Specific Duties:
*        Help Program Manager (PM) design and spearhead the "Youth in Media" program. Option to work on program planning and video editing behind the scene or doing camera work and news anchoring on the field
*        Assist in curriculum development, and create new program materials
*        Re-design and update our website - Both those who have knowledge of website administration and those who would need training in this are welcome to apply. Intern will be trained on how to design a web site using a Content Management System
*        Outreach and network with local agencies and youth groups
*        Organize and rebuild the VATV Media Kit.

Qualifications:
*        College or High School Graduate
*        Basic knowledge of community organizing, basic fundraising experience
*        Computer: Words. Excel. Internet Research
*        English and/or Vietnamese (or any bilingual languages)
*        Must be open minded and like to learn new things (while having fun!)

Time Requirements:
*        10 - 15 hours a week, very flexible

Benefits:
*        Will train and provide support
*        Great learning experience on various aspects of community media development
*        If funding gets approved, will provide meal and gas reimbursements
*        Free entries to all special events
*        Recognition at volunteers dinner
*        Can write recommendation and evaluation in support of academic and career advancement
*        For college students: worked out college credits for class or fulfill community service requirement for school

Program Manager - Vietnamese American Television (VATV)
Office:  6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 170
Falls Church, VA 22041
703.820.7595
703.820.7590 Fax

Email:  shandonphan@vatv.org
Web: www.vatv.org

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NAVASA 2005 NATIONAL YOUNG COMMUNITY LEADERS RECOGNITION AWARD (NYCLR)

*** Application Deadline: May 13, 2005 ***

NAVASA calls on friends, members, and supporters of the Vietnamese American community to encourage and support individuals whom they know have worked or have been working, in the community to apply for NAVASA 2005 National Young Community Leaders Recognition Award.

Description:
Since 1995, the National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies (NAVASA) holds the tradition of being the first independent and only national consortium of Vietnamese American service agencies that provides support and technical assistance to its affiliate members by strengthening its national advocacy capability and promoting the integration of the younger and older members of the Vietnamese American community into mainstream American society.

NAVASA annually confers national community service awards to individuals from ages 18 to 35. NAVASA aims to nationally recognize young Vietnamese Americans who take part in empowering and developing their community in many different ways.

An award recipient will have his/her travel and accommodation expenses paid by NAVASA to attend the National Recognition Ceremony held at NAVASA Annual Conference.  During the conference, recipients will receive leadership training and have opportunities to meet and network with distinguished leaders from across the country. This year, NAVASA will hold its 2005 National Conference in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area from July15-16, 2005.

Selected recipients will become members of NAVASA Leadership Institute. NAVASA extends an invitation for recipients to attend future development, training, and mentorship and networking sessions.  Past recipients have worked closely with NAVASA creating future award recognitions, conferences, and national programs to continue empowering and developing young Vietnamese American lives and communities across the United States.

Attached is the complete application package for the NYCLR Award. The application deadline is May 13, 2005.

Please e-mail karen.willard@navasa.org if there are questions prior to submitting the application.  If faxing or e-mailing your application, please request a confirmation that your application has been fully received.

Send your application to:

NAVASA
National Award Review Committee
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 310
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fax: (301) 587-2783
Email: karen.willard@navasa.org

For more information go to: http://www.navasa.org/nyclr.htm

The Award Recognition is made possible and generously funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in Washington D.C through the National Ethnic Community Self Help Project.

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TIPS/RESOURCES

COMMUNICATION – THE PERFECT DONOR NEWSLETTER

Sending out a donor newsletter is one thing, making it an effective fundraising tool is another. Several tips on constructing the perfect donor newsletter, one that will help in fundraising, were offered at a recent fundraising conference. They include:

* Have a strategy. Know what you want to accomplish.

* Give the four personalities their due. Expressives love new stuff and are easily bored. Analyticals crave facts and more facts. Bottom-liners value brevity and make quick decisions.  Amiables value relationships and want your organization to be a friend.

* Statistics do a poor job of persuading.

* Testimonials quell analytical objections.

* Everyone wants to know: What's in it for me?

* Headlines rule. Most reading takes place at the headline level. Use subheads.

* Donors are interested in: 1. What did you do with my money? and 2. What would you do if I gave you more?

* Newsletter vs. Oldsletter. Tell them something they don't know.

* Win the heart, and the mind will follow meekly.

* There are seven emotional triggers that drive response: greed, guilt, fear, anger, exclusivity, salvation, flattery.

* For hard news, use the "inverted pyramid" (or daily newspaper) structure.

* Write at the eighth-grade level or less. It's easier to read.  Shorter sentences can help with this.

* Make it look easy. If your newsletter looks like work to read, they will dismiss it.

* Make it easy for readers to do a quick scan first.

(www.nptimes.com)

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ANNUAL GIFTS – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TIPS FOR GIFTS

At the Association of Fundraising Professionals annual conference, several sample acknowledgment tips were offered as a way of thanking donors.

Based on annual contributions, the samples are:

* $1 - $49. Computer generated receipt/thank you; enclosure of Annual Giving Gift Clubs information sheet.

* $50 - $100 ("Friend"). Acknowledgment letter, signed by director of development; Annual Giving Gift Clubs sheet; listing in the annual report.

* $100 - $499 ("Century Circle"). Acknowledgment letter signed by director of development; Annual Giving Gift Clubs information sheet; listing in annual report; follow-up thank you call from annual giving committee; invitations to events; leather bookmark with letter signed by CEO; Thanksgiving card/letter.

* $1,000 - $4,999 ("Council of 1000"). Acknowledgment letter signed by CEO; Annual Giving Gift Clubs sheet; listing in the annual report; thank-you call from annual giving committee member; invitations to events; bookmark with letter signed by CEO; certificate of membership; invitation to annual meeting; special ribbon on name tags at events, including annual meeting; name on recognition plaque at organization; Thanksgiving card/letter; birthday card.

* $5,000 and above ("President's Council"). Acknowledgment letter signed by CEO; Annual Giving Gift Clubs sheet; listing in annual report; thank-you call from annual giving committee member; invitations to special events; bookmark with letter signed by CEO; certificate of membership; invitation to annual meeting; special ribbon on name tags at events, including annual meeting, name on recognition plaque at organization; invitation to participate with other donors in a discussion with leaders of the organization; invitation to breakfast/lunch with president or board chair; Thanksgiving card/letter; birthday card.

(www.nptimes.com)

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FREE COMMUNICATIONS GUIDE FOR NONPROFITS

Communications Toolkit - a guide to navigating communications for the nonprofit world

Cause Communications' newest book, Communications Toolkit - a guide to navigating communications for the nonprofit world, can help nonprofit newcomers, veterans, and anyone in between find the resources they need to wage more effective communications campaigns. Based on national audits of what nonprofits need in the area of communications, the book offers an overview of tools used to develop smart communications. This comprehensive guide provides practical information in virtually every area of communications from how to develop and budget a communications plan to what tools you need to help raise awareness and funds. The book was made possible by support from The Annenberg Foundation, The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation and The Marguerite Casey Foundation. To request a free copy of the book, visit the website listed above.

(http://www.causecommunications.org/CC/CC_news06_1.html)

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NEWS

April 8, 2005

TIPS ON PROFITING FROM CORPORATE GIFTS

By Grace Niwa

Businesses play a significant role in supporting the APA community through corporate and community relations, matching grant programs, or sales and marketing departments. Approximately 2,300 APA nonprofit organizations out there try to attract these funds.

IEG, Inc., the world’s leading provider of independent research, training and analysis on sponsorship says spending increased 8.7 percent in 2004 to $11.14 billion! Unfortunately, the Asian market is still not recognized and so the challenge for our non-profits is daunting.

Companies who give regularly to the Asian market are Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Allstate, AT&T, Citibank, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, McDonald’s, RÈmy Martin, State Farm Insurance, Wells Fargo and Verizon. Prudential Financial, Wal-Mart, IBM and especially Mercedes-Benz have shown increased activity in the Asian market recently, although it isn’t certain whether overall spending has increased. Those Fortune 500 companies that are reaching out to the black and Latino American markets have been slow in paying attention to the Asian market.

“We are a small nonprofit with a small staff,” says Christine Sato-Yamazaki, President and Executive Director, Go For Broke Educational Foundation. “We must work extra hard to network and establish relationships with corporate executives to have them understand our mission and purpose.”

Says Hung Nguyen, President, National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA): “Although we will be celebrating [our] 20th anniversary in 2006, in the eyes of corporations, we look young since mainstream America is unaware of us. Also, existing organizations are not eager to promote other nonprofits who may possibly diminish funding for themselves.”

With the advice of some notable APA executive directors, here are my guidelines for those nonprofit organizations seeking corporate sponsorships:

Do your research. “Both the corporation and the nonprofit organization need to do their homework,” says Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director of National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC) located in Washington, D.C. “It needs to be a good match and there has to be clarity on both sides of expectations.”

“Many times the biggest hurdle is contacting the right department or person to present proposals to,” says Mai Le, Sponsorship Manager of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. “I know this is basic but make sure you have the right title and correct spelling of the executive’s name and company. This shows respect and not doing so speaks volumes about the organization. Also, expect your letter to be read and handled by people in the corporation other than your corporate contact so it is a good idea to include information on the relationship you have had with the corporation.”

Keep track of news media coverage. Companies are attracted to projects that receive positive media attention. “We mention our sponsors as often as possible to the public via interviews, references and press releases,” says Nguyen. “We help to brand and paint the corporation in a positive light because they help us with our programs that make measurable differences in the community.”

Be creative. Also, provide a menu of ideas in your sponsorship proposals. A majority of organizations reach out to corporate sponsors for their annual fundraising dinner. Some sponsors expect complete exclusivity. Keep corporate sponsors happy by being sensitive about competing corporations. Place sponsors in different program areas to avoid conflict.

Be loyal. Sometimes a new company comes in and gives large donations to the Asian market for that year and then disappears. It’s a mistake to ignore those companies that have been loyal to you for a while. Think of sponsors like private donors that have been with you for a long period of time.

Communicate.“Nonprofits should not be afraid to be candid with their corporate partners when they feel the corporation is going in an unhelpful direction either with a specific project or a business decision that may hurt the Asian community,” says Narasaki. “The nonprofit should give its corporate partner notice about a public statement or action that they believe might be of interest or concern for the company.”

There is a lot of competition to get some of these dollars. Effective nonprofits know that fundraising is 90 percent research and 10 percent asking but for the Asian community, it’s all about relationships, relationships, relationships! It’s essential to get to know the corporation and the corporate executive in charge, and keep an ongoing conversation throughout the year. I’m always shocked at how organizations do not do this and only call when they want support for an event they are doing. The corporation is not a bank.

“We invite corporate participation to our national advisory council and seek to keep communications ongoing throughout the year,” says Narasaki. “We recognize companies who seek to support the community through awards where appropriate and we send them information about the community that they might find of use in their business — not just marketing materials about NAPALC.”

It takes much more than a table for 10 and a company logo plastered on all printed material to create loyalty. Above all, relationships are key.

(http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=500e2bb040f8bcd5a3ab524e1d82b822)

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April 12, 2005

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mr. Kien Pham, Executive Director

Tel: 703-351-5053 (U.S.)
84-4-936-3670 (Vietnam)

WHITE HOUSE APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO THE VIETNAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, the White House announced the appointment of Dr. S. Malcolm Gillis and Dr. Con G. Pham to the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF). VEF is an independent U.S. federal agency founded by the U.S. Congress to strengthen the science and technology communities in Vietnam through educational exchange and scientific and technical cooperation. From 1993-2004, Dr. Malcolm Gillis served as the President of Rice University in Houston, Texas. Dr. Gillis began his career at Duke University as an assistant professor of economics, then spent 15 years at Harvard University before returning to Duke in 1984 as a professor of economics and public policy. From 1986 to 1993 he served as Vice Provost and later Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In 2004, he returned to Duke as a visiting professor at the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy and a distinguished research fellow at the Duke Center for International Development. He will return to Rice in August 2005 as University Professor. Dr. Gillis is noted for his academic research in the areas of fiscal reform and environmental policy.

Dr. Pham Gia Con is an associate clinical professor of anesthesiology at the University of California in Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and director of the Interventional Pain Clinic at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Pham is a noted Asian-American community leader in Orange County, California, having founded and been the former president of the Vietnamese-American Physicians Association of U.S.A. Dr. Gillis and Dr. Pham replace outgoing Board members Mr. Herbert Allison, CEO of TIAA-CREF, and Dr. Robert Bryant, J.M. Kreps Professor of Mathematics at Duke University. VEF Chairman Frank Jao expressed his sincere appreciation for the tireless efforts of Mr. Allison and Dr. Bryant, both of whom made multiple trips to Vietnam during their tenure to further VEF’s mission. “The groundbreaking work Mr. Allison and Dr. Bryant accomplished as founding Members of the VEF Board of Directors will continue to influence the success of VEF long after their departure. We are grateful for their devotion to VEF.”

Dr. Gillis and Dr. Pham join an exceptional group of VEF Board Members, including Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Secretary John Snow, Secretary Margaret Spellings; Senators John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, Representatives George Miller and Chris Smith, Mr. Frank Jao, President and CEO of Bridgecreek Development Company; Dr. Marilyn Patillo, Professor of Clinical Nursing, University of Texas; Dr. Charles C. Nguyen, Dean of the School of Engineering, Catholic University; and Dr. Vo Van Toi, who holds a joint appointment at Tufts University in the School of Medicine and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

VEF now counts more than 100 Fellows studying at top universities across the United States; 50 additional Fellows are slated to depart for the U.S. by the end of 2005. MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Princeton, University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and Michigan represent a sampling of the prestigious universities at which VEF Fellows are studying in a wide range of science and technology fields, including mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and computer science.

For additional information on VEF, please visit our website at: www.vef.gov.

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April 13, 2005

Press Release

National Business and Community Leaders to Be Honored at Vietnamese American National Gala; '30 Years of Vietnamese American Achievement'

WASHINGTON, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- National leaders in industry, medicine, entertainment and charitable work will be honored at the Vietnamese American National Gala (VANG) with the 2nd Annual Golden Torch Awards on Monday, May 2, 2005, at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

VANG will present an "Honorary Vietnamese American" award and National Leadership Award to:

-- Dr. John B. Tsu, Honorary Vietnamese American: A posthumous award is being bestowed upon Dr. John B. Tsu for his lifetime work in the promotion of education, inclusion in government, and the advancement of the Asian Pacific American community. The award is presented to a non-Vietnamese individual who has made a significant contribution to the lives of Vietnamese Americans. Dr. Tsu served on many high-level boards and commissions including appointments by Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In 2001, President George W. Bush named him chairman of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. His involvement with the Vietnamese people dates back to the time of the late President Ngo Dinh Diem.

-- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), National Leadership Award: LIRS is being honored for its work in the resettlement of tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in America. Over the past 60 years, LIRS has helped over 280,000 refugees from all over the world. The award is presented to an organization that, through its ground-breaking efforts, has allowed Vietnamese Americans to realize and expand their opportunities in the United States.

VANG will present the Golden Torch Award to six (6) Vietnamese Americans for their distinguished achievements in their profession and/or in their service to the community including:

-- Kieu Chinh, Actor, Arts & Entertainment (Garden Grove, CA) -- Ms. Kieu Chinh is a legendary actress whose distinguished career spans nearly 50 years. She has contributed her talents to more than 100 television shows and movies from Viet Nam, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and certainly in the US, including M*A*S*H and The Joy Luck Club.

-- Loc Nam Nguyen, Director of Immigration and Refugee Department, Catholics Charities, Community Services (Los Angeles, CA) -- Mr. Nguyen is the Director at Catholic Charities, one of the largest and busiest immigration and resettlement offices in the country which assists more than 10,000 people a year. Mr. Nguyen is also an accomplished music composer and MC for many Vietnamese cultural shows and programs.

-- Binh Nguyen, Co-Founder & CEO, Pho Hoa, Business (Sacramento, CA) -- Mr. Nguyen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pho Hoa. It is the largest Vietnamese restaurant chain in the world with locations in almost every city with a large Asian population. In 1983, the first Pho Hoa restaurant opened in San Jose, CA with a tiny kitchen and a few seats. Today, Pho Hoa has more than 100 locations worldwide.

-- Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Dean & Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Education & Medicine (Baltimore, MD) -- Dr. Dang is a Vice Dean and professor at Johns Hopkins University. He is highest-ranking physician of Vietnamese heritage in academic medicine worldwide. He is being considered for the Lasker Prize in Medicine -- which is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

-- Tony Quang Lam, City Council Member (Ret.,) City of Westminster, Government (Westminster, CA) -- In 1992, Mr. Lam became the first Vietnamese American to be elected to public office in the U.S. He successfully served three terms on the Westminster City Council until his retirement in 2002. He has paved the way for many Vietnamese Americans to enter into public service.

-- Hau Thai-Tang, Chief Engineer, Ford Motor Company, Science & Technology (Plymouth, MI) - Mr. Thai-Tang is the Chief Engineer for the iconic 40th Anniversary Ford 2005 Mustang, involving more than 300 people, for a company with 335,000 employees. It is the second-most significant automotive product in the 20th century after the Model T.

The Masters of Ceremonies for the black-tie dinner gala are Ms. Betty Nguyen, anchor for CNN/U.S., and Mr. Quang X. Nguyen, author of A Sense of Duty - My Father, My American Journey.

Prior to VANG awards dinner is a three-day celebration from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1, 2005 that includes a golf outing and dinner, a 30-year commemoration ceremony of Vietnamese Diaspora in America on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill, a special welcoming reception at the Smithsonian Institution, a White House briefing, and a Congressional luncheon on Capitol Hill.

In 2004, eight VANG Golden Torch Awards were bestowed upon the following distinguished individuals and organization for their achievements and contributions to the Vietnamese American Community and America: Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, "Honorary Vietnamese American;" Catholic Charities USA, "National Leadership Award;" Mr. Dat Nguyen, Dallas Cowboys player; Mr. Do Ngoc Yen, Publisher, Nguoi Viet Daily News; Mr. Trung Dung, CEO, Fogbreak Software; Ms. Ngoan Le, City of Chicago; Mr. Tran Dinh Truong, Proprietor of Hotel Carter and Philanthropist, and Dr. Eugene Trinh, NASA.

The Vietnamese American National Gala (VANG) is a national celebration of Vietnamese heritage and pride that is held in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration that honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contributions to America. With its overwhelming success in 2004, VANG is proud to present the Second Annual Golden Torch Award. Hundreds of prominent Vietnamese Americans across the country will gather at VANG to honor some of America's best and brightest.

VANG is hosted by Viet Heritage Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Jose, California that is responsible for the construction of the first Vietnamese Heritage Garden in the nation. Other co-title sponsors include the law firm of Greenberg Traurig and the Vietnamese American Real Estate Professional Association (VAREPA).

For additional information on VANG, please visit www.vangUSA.com or www.VietHeritgeSociety.org or contact Chau Nguyen 301-520-9265, Ryan Nguyen Hubris at 408-238-7780, or at info@vangUSA.com.

(http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050413/sfw073.html?.v=7)

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April 14, 2005

QUACH FINANCE INQUIRY GAINS SUPPORT
Westminster mayor seeks investigation. Ex-strategist says violations occurred through 2002.

By Nguyen Huy Vu and Martin Wisckol
The Orange County Register

WESTMINSTER – Mayor Margie Rice said Wednesday that the city should investigate Councilman Andy Quach. The move comes a day after news that Quach agreed to pay thousands of dollars in state fines for campaign-finance violations in 2000.

At the same time, a former Quach campaign strategist claims that the councilman continued the illegal practice of accepting cash contributions at least through 2002.

"I'd like to see an inquiry because if he did nothing wrong the public needs to know, and if he did something wrong the public needs to know that too," said Rice, a former Quach supporter who fended off his mayoral challenge last year.

One of Quach's nine violations in his failed 2000 council bid was accepting $7,070 illegally in cash. State law prohibits accepting $100 or more in cash.

While Quach said the practice was due to inexperience and was corrected in subsequent campaigns, 2002 campaign strategist Ryan Hubris says not only did he see Quach accept such donations during the second bid, but that they went unreported.

"Tens of thousands of dollars in cash," said Hubris, who worked daily on the campaign and had been campaign manager to former Councilman Tony Lam. "Vietnamese business owners today believe in cash. It is the recipient's duty to file (properly)."

Hubris also showed the Register photocopies of more than $6,000 in campaign checks that do not show up on Quach's 2002 campaign disclosures. However, he did not copy the backs of the checks, so it's unconfirmed whether the checks were cashed.

Quach dismissed Hubris' allegations as sour grapes from someone with whom he's had a falling out and who did little to help in the 2002 campaign.

"I followed the law," said Quach, whose 2000 violations included failing to report contributions and improperly voting on a contributor's project. "Hubris is a council wanna-be. He's just jealous of me."

Lam, a pioneering politician in the Vietnamese-American community who once considered Quach a protege, said he considered Hubris a credible source and dismissed Quach's claims of inexperience.

"Even in early 2000, I cautioned him on a lot of things, including taking cash," said Lam, who has distanced himself from Quach. "The Vietnamese-American community is a young, growing community and it needs to build a reputation for integrity."

CONTACT US: (714) 445-6685 or vnguyen@ocregister.com

(http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/04/14/sections/local/local/article_480932.php)

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April 20, 2005

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program

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