NCVA eREPORTER - August 16, 2006

The National Congress of Vietnamese Americans' NCVA eReporter is a regular email newsletter containing information on grant/funding opportunities, events/forums/conferences, available internships and news items pertinent to the Vietnamese American and Asian Pacific American communities.

In this NCVA eReporter:

EVENTS

• NCVA 20th Anniversary Convention and Gala – Sept 13-17, 2006
• Public Forums on Building Tolerance in Santa Clara County – Multiple Dates
• Tales for the Far East – Aug 18-19, 2006
• Office on APIA Announces Job Fair to Increase Diversity – Sept 8, 2006
• UVA 3^rd Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony – Sept 20, 2006
• APIAVote Annual Gala – Sept 21, 2006
• National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys – Sept 29-30, 2006

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for Young Volunteers
• Starbucks Foundation Funds Youth Programs
• Staples Foundation Funds Programs for Disadvantaged Youth
• Discount Foundation Funds Living Wage Programs
• Support for Domestic Violence Prevention Programs
• HCR Manor Care Foundation Funds Elderly and Hospice Programs

JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

• SIREN Policy Director
• OCAPICA Youth Program Coordinator
• The White House Internship Program

TIPS/RESOURCES

• Marketing: Deciding on the Correct, Eye-Catching Tactics
• Online: Web Site Layout Make a Big Difference
• Technology: Use the Engagement Funnel for Efficiency

NEWS

• Freddie Mac, AREAA, Countrywide Team Up with Nonprofits to Help Asian Americans in Los Angeles Become Homeowners (Press Release)
• Katrina loss contributes to mental illness (UPI)
• Vietnam Native Honors Fallen Soldiers (Portland Press Herald)
• Boat Person Sails into Irvine Storm (Orange County Register)
• Registration drives reach out to immigrants (Honolulu Advertiser)
• Vietnamese Groups Groom Young Leaders (Times Picayune)
• Emerging Asian market untapped (Arizona Republic)

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EVENTS

NCVA 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION AND GALA

“SECURING OUR FUTURE TODAY”

Hilton Arlington, Arlington, Virginia
September 13 – 17, 2006


Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America –  e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.

2006 marks the 20th anniversary of NCVA.  NCVA is a community advocacy organization involved in policies that assisted waves of immigrants from Southeast Asia to the United States.  Over the years NCVA initiated activities and programs aimed at educating, empowering, strengthening and creating economic self-sufficiency in the community.


CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

* MEDIA TRAINING: Conference attendees have the option of attending an all-day training on the media. This exciting training will provide individuals and community organizations with insight on how to develop media relations, how to package their community events for potential media coverage and distribution, and how to provide their own coverage.

* CAPITOL HILL DAY: Conference attendees and community members will participate in a Congressional Briefing. Topics for the interactive sessions at the U.S. Capitol between members of Congress and community leaders will include affordable housing, hurricane relief efforts and PNTR (Permanent Normal Trade Relations) between the U.S. and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. NCVA will also release its report “Vietnamese Americans in Hurricane-Impacted Gulf Areas: An Assessment of Housing Needs.” The day concludes with a Congressional Reception with members of Congress and staff.

* FREE WORKSHOPS: Workshops include tracks for leadership development, economic development, capacity building and personal enrichment (some workshops will be conducted in Vietnamese to ensure Limited English Proficient members of the community have access to resources).

Invited special guest speakers throughout the Convention include: the Honorable Sam Mok, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Labor; the Honorable Chiling Tong, Deputy Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce; the Honorable Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia, the Honorable Vivek Kundra, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia; the Honorable Adam Ebbin, House of Delegates, Commonwealth of Virginia, the Honorable Gerald Connolly, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors


LOCATION
Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia

GALA DINNER – Friday, September 15, 2006

6:30 pm VIP Reception
7:30 pm Dinner Program

Keynote Speaker
Ambassador Sichan Siv
U.S. Representative to the U.N. Social and Economic Council


Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated support of the Vietnamese American community.


LODGING
Discounted hotel rates of $149/night are available on a first-come basis at the Hilton Arlington.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/dcavahf_ncv/index.jhtml


REGISTRATION FEE
Registration fees of $150 (adult) / $75 (student) provides transportation from the hotel to the U.S. Capitol and access to workshops, meals and receptions (including the Gala dinner)

Gala Dinner tickets only: $75 general / $125 VIP

Access to workshops are free. Non-paid conference attendees will not have access to meals.


REGISTER ONLINE
http://www.ncvaonline.org/conferences/2006/regform_conference06.html


SPONSORS
Freddie Mac, State Farm, Anheuser Busch, Sodexho USA, SunTrust, Business Development Assistance Group, Center for Business Planning and Development, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Moonlight Group, National CAPACD, Retina Studios, Social Security Administration, Spectrum Knowledge, Synergy Alliances, Youth Service America, Asian American Press, Asian Fortune, BN Magazine, Vietnamese American Television


For more conference information or registration, visit http://www.ncvaonline.org/conferences/2006 or call (877) 592-4140.

(http://www.ncvaonline.org/conferences/2006)

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PUBLIC FORUMS ON BUILDING TOLERANCE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY

In response to recent hate-based incidents in our community the Board of Supervisors has asked the Office of Human Relations to organize and present a series of Public Forums on Building Tolerance in our communities. These meetings will take a look at the importance of tolerance and respect for other groups of people and ways of building allies in the community, building peace through understanding each other.  While there will be leaders from various communities and government offices, the general public will also be given time to express their ideas and to give their feed back.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

August 16, 2006, 6:30 pm
Mountain View City Council Chambers
Mountain View Performing Arts Center
500 Castro Street, Mt. View, CA

August 23, 2006, 6:30 pm
Santa Clara Council Chambers
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA

August 24, 2006 6:30 pm
Isaac Newton Senter
County Government Center
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA

August 31, 2006 6:30 pm
Milpitas Community Center
457 East Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA

For more information call Delorme McKee-Stovall at: (408) 792-2304

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August 18-19, 2006

GRACE Heritage and Barnes & Noble present
TALES FOR THE FAR EAST
Stories and folklore from Southeast Asia told by Margaret Read McDonald

GRACE Heritage and Barnes & Noble proudly present Tales from the Far East. This three-day event is free to the public and welcomes children of all ages to travel to Southeast Asia through traditional folklore and stories told by Margaret Read McDonald.

Folklorist Margaret Read MacDonald travels the world telling stories. She has offered her audience-participation workshops in Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Banjarmasin, Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Laos, Manila, Singapore and throughout Thailand. MacDonald is author of over 45 books on storytelling and folklore topics, including the award-winning picture book The Girl Who Wore Too Much: A Folktale From Thailand and Go To Sleep Gecko:  A Folktale From Bali.

McDonald will thrill young readers with a storytelling session at two local libraries. The first Southeast Asian Story Time will be held at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library at Wisconsin Avenue, NW D.C on August 18th, 2006. A second session, sponsored by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library will take place in the Arlington Central Library Auditorium on North Quincy Street on August 19th, 2006. Both Story Times are scheduled to begin at 1:30pm and are approximately an hour long.

The finale on August 20th promises to be a treat for everyone. Hosted by Barnes & Noble in Tysons Corner Center I, this day-long extravaganza will kick off with a Story Time, followed by a book-signing where parents and children can meet and chat with Margaret Read McDonald. The highlight of this event will be a Kids’ Talent Showcase, hosted by young vivacious emcees Avellino Ernestanto and Teresa Chelsea Hartanto. They will present to audiences, a group of delightful young dancers performing traditional Southeast Asian dances: an Umbrella Dance from West Sumatra, Indonesia and Rabum Dok Bua (Lotus Dance) from Thailand. These dazzling dances will lead into a Fashion Show of Traditional Costumes for children and will feature rich and unique garments from Indonesia, Laos, Phillipines, Thailand and Vietnam. A second Story Time and book signing will be held for more children to enjoy the colorful and exotic Southeast Asian stories narrated by McDonald.

An accompanying photography exhibition featuring the works of Iwan Bagus and Don Gurewitz will be held at Barnes & Noble at Tysons Corner Center I. Barnes & Noble will also be issuing vouchers in support of the GRACE Heritage’s many cultural programs through a contribution of a percentage of net sales. All events are free to the public.

For more information visit our website at www.thegraceheritage.org .  You may also contact us by phone at (202) 262-3775 or via e-mail: info@thegraceheritage.org

About GRACE Heritage
GRACE Heritage (Global Renaissance for ASEAN-American Culture and Entertainment) was founded by two Indonesians residing in Washington, D.C., Karina Lee Sudyatmiko and Jasmine Wibisono. Its mission is to reinvigorate global interest in Southeast Asia;s diverse traditions and heritage as well as to showcase great work of talented people through an international forum. The GRACE Heritage has been endorsed by 10 Southeast Asian embassies in Washington DC and Secretary General ASEAN Mr. Ong Keng Yong

FACT SHEET
Tales from the Far East
Stories and folklore from Southeast Asia told by Margaret Read McDonald

MEDIA CONTACT:  Karina Lee Sudyatmiko
E-MAIL:    info@thegraceheritage.org
WEBSITE: www.thegraceheritage.org

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

DATES:            August 18-20, 2006

Southeast Asian Story Time at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library
Friday, August 18
1:30 – 2:30pm
3260 R Street NW (at Wisconsin Ave.)

Southeast Asian Story Time at the Arlington Central Library Auditorium
Saturday, August 19
1:30 – 2:30 pm
1015 N. Quincy Street (Arlington, VA)

Southeast Asian Story Time & Kids’ Talent Showcase
at Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner
1:30 – 6:15 pm
1961 Chain Bridge Road (McLean, VA)

1:30 – 2:30 pm: Story Time – Part I
2:30 – 2:45 pm: Meet the Storyteller (& book signing)
2:45 – 4:45 pm: Kids’ Talent Showcase: featuring Traditional Dance & Garments from Southeast Asia
4:45 – 5:45 pm: Story Time – Part II
5:45 – 6:15 pm: Meet the Storyteller (& book signing)

(http://www.thegraceheritage.org)

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August 11, 2006

Government of the District of Columbia
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: KP SANTIVONG

202-727-3120

OFFICE ON ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES JOB FAIR TO INCREASE DIVERSITY

(Washington, DC)-The Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) and the DC Office of Personnel (DCOP), in collaboration with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Asian Fortune, JoongangUSA, KoreaTimes, Manila Mail, Pho Nho Weekly Newspaper, and the Vietnamese American Television is hosting a DiverseCITY Job Fair: Promoting Career Opportunities for Asians and Pacific Islanders on Friday, September 8, 2006. The event will bring together major public and private sector employers with general job seekers, bilingual job seekers, and those with limited English proficiency. Interested employers should register at www.apia.dc.gov no later than August 18, 2006.

WHO: DC Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

WHAT: DiverseCITY Job Fair: Promoting Career Opportunities for Asians and Pacific Islanders

WHEN: Friday, September 8, 2006 @ 10am - 4pm

WHERE: National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

(By Metro: Red Line, Judiciary Square Station, National Building Museum Exit.)

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UNITED VIETNAMESE AMERICANS – THIRD ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA

Sunday, August 20, 5:00pm

Phone:   (408) 888-7483

Dear UVA Families, Friends, Sponsors and Supporters,

It is with great pleasure that we invite you, your family and friends to attend United Vietnamese Americans (UVA) Third Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, to be held on Sunday, August 20th, 2006 at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. This annual scholarship program recognizes exceptional high school and college students throughout California. Over the past three years, the UVA Scholarship Program has awarded thirty-five scholarships to outstanding students who not only have demonstrated academic excellence, but have also shown strong leadership skills and service in the Vietnamese community. In addition, many of these students have experienced difficult obstacles and adversity in their lives and yet, have persevered to make a difference in the world. We are proud to announce that we will award scholarships to 12 outstanding students. In addition, UVA has given scholarship to students in Vietnam through ACWP (Aids to Children Without Parents).

We hope you will  attend this Awards Ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable students.

RSVP on the evite for free admission, or call Debbie at 408-888-7483. or email Dnghiem6@yahoo.com

Without RSVP before August 17th- Free for Children 14 and under with pass accompanied by guardian; $5 for students, $10 for adult to enter the Tech Museum.

Program
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. Registration-Social Mixer & Appetizers
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Scholarship Awards Ceremony & Entertainment Program

Keynote Speaker
Professor Wendy Duong -Sturm College of Law, University of Denver
The first Vietnamese American Woman Judge in the U.S.
http://www.law.du.edu/wduong/

Our Honor Guest Speaker: Mr. Hong Chang, Representative of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The event will be hosted by MC Jeene Nghiem and Jet Duong .
7:30-9:00 p.m Private Viewing of The Tech Museum.

Special Appearances:
Miss Vietnam of Northern California 2006-Miss Quynh Nhu and her team
Miss Little Sai Gon 2006- Paula Tran

Thank you very much for your support of our community events and service projects.

Sincerely,

Debbie Nghiem
Vice President of Operations and UVA Team
www.uvaus.com

(http://www.uvaus.com)

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You’re Invited

APIAVOTE ANNUAL GALA:
Celebrating the Achievements of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Capitol Ballroom
JW Marriott, Washington DC

Reception:  6pm
Dinner and Program:  7pm


SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Please indicate the level at which you will sponsor.  Please note that in order to ensure that proper acknowledgment of your sponsorships is made, please download the sponsorship form at www.apiavote.org and return to APIAVote by Thursday, August 29, 2006.

Presidential:  $25,000
Senatorial:  $15,000
Congressional:  $10,000
Gubernatorial:  $5000
Mayoral:  $2500
Constituent:  $1000 (for 501(c)3 orgs)
(table of 10)

Individual Tickets: $100

To RSVP and reserve your ticket or table, please download the form at
www.apiavote.org

Christine Chen, Executive Director
1666 K Street NW, Suite 440
Washington, D.C. 20006
TEL: (202) 223-9170 
info@apiavote.org
www.apiavote.org

(http://www.apiavote.org)

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF VIETNAMESE AMERICAN ATTORNEYS

Coming Together!

The National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (“NCVAA”) will hold its inaugural event in Silicon Valley on September 29 and 30, 2006.  This conference will bring together, for the first time, Vietnamese American attorneys from all over the United States to discuss legal and community issues affecting Vietnamese Americans.

Vietnamese Americans continue to be one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.  The Conference will offer Vietnamese American attorneys opportunities to come together to network, to hear from distinguished speakers, and to attend interesting educational programs.  There will be panel discussions from our distinguished Vietnamese American judges, Hon. Thang Nguyen Barrett, Prof. Wendy Duong, Hon. Jacquelyn Nguyen, Hon. Nho Nguyen, Hon. Tu Pham and Hon. Phan Quang Tue; and Vietnamese American attorneys in elected offices, Assembly member Van Tran, School Board Members Lan Quoc Nguyen and Trung Nguyen; workshop on Client Development from the perspective of Vietnamese American Attorneys James Nguyen (Partner, Foley), Tasha Nguyen (former Partner Holland & Knight), Thuy Thi Nguyen (General Counsel, Peralta Community College District), Luan Tran (Partner, Lee & Tran), Thien Nguyen (Corporate Counsel, Qualcomm), and Andrew Vu (Corporate Counsel, Sony Playstation); and required California MCLE courses from Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal, Justice Nathan Mihara and Santa Clara County Counsel Ann Ravel, as well as other courses discussing hot issues impacting the Vietnamese American community.

At the end of the conference, we look forward to establishing a national Vietnamese American bar association to continue the development of a national network committed to our profession and community.  More information will be provided later.

Please join us for this exciting, first ever event.  On Friday evening, September 29, the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California, as the host organization for NCVAA, will hold a welcoming reception as part of its annual Scholarship Banquet.  The full day NCVAA conference will take place Saturday, September 30, including breakfast, lunch and reception.

Date:                Friday and Saturday, September 29-30, 2006
Place:               New San Jose City Hall, San Jose, California

Registration:
Friday night banquet:
$75 (all)
$25 (students)

Saturday conference:
$125 (private practice attorneys)
$100 (public/government & non-profit attorneys)
$50 (students)

We want to recognize and thank our sponsors for helping to make it possible for attorneys from all over the United States to come together!

Partial List of Sponsors:
Diamond ($5,000 - $10,000)
McManis, Faulker & Morgan

Platinum ($2,500 - $4,999)
Ngai Nguyen, MD, Cardiologist

Silver ($1,000 - $1,499)
Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley
Law Firm of Lee & Tran
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Dan Tran, DDS and Jacqueline Duong, Esq.

Bronze ($500 -$999)
Robinson & Wood
Law Offices of Tiep Nguyen
Bar Assoc. & Individual
South Asian Bar Association

Sponsorship ($100 - $499)
Ventura County Asian American Bar Association
Carmen Ramirez, California State Bar Board of Governor
Office of the County Counsel, Santa Clara County

For more information about the conference and/or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Minh Hoang, Esq.
Duane Morris LLP
One Market, Spear Tower, Ste. 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105-1104
(415) 957-3000 Main Phone, (415) 957-3075 Direct Phone, (415) 957-3001 Main Fax
mthoang@duanemorris.com

Jacqui Duong
Lead Deputy County Counsel
Office of the County Counsel, Santa Clara County
70 West Hedding, East Wing 9th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 299-5922 Work, (408) 292-7240 Fax
jacqueline.duong@cco.co.scl.ca.us

Tita Nguyen
Deputy Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
300 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 897-2060 Work , (213) 897-2263 Fax
tita.nguyen@doj.ca.gov

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS FOR YOUNG VOLUNTEERS

Deadline: October 31, 2006

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. The program was created in 1995 and is sponsored by Prudential Financial ( http://prudential.com/ ) in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals ( http://www.principals.org/ ). Over the past twelve years, the program has honored more than 70,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national levels.

Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle level and one high school Local Honoree for every 1,000 students (or portion thereof). Local Honorees are judged at the state level, with 102 State Honorees from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia to be named in February 2007.  Each State Honoree will receive $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., (May 5-8, 2007) with a parent or guardian. While in Washington, ten National Honorees will be chosen. Each of the ten National Honorees receives an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, and a crystal trophy for his or her school.

Officially designated local organizations are Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross Chapters, YMCAs, and member Volunteer Centers of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

Student applications are due back to schools or organizations by October 31, 2006.

(http://www.principals.org/s_nassp/sec.asp?CID=539&DID=48173)

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STARBUCKS FOUNDATION FUNDS YOUTH PROGRAMS

Deadline: September 1, 2006 (Letters of Inquiry)

The Starbucks Foundation funds programs for youth, ages 6-18, that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in the communities where they live. The foundation is currently seeking Letters of Inquiry from August 1 to September 1, 2006.

The foundation's funding areas are as follows:

Arts & Literacy: Programs that innovatively address literacy and learning for the 21st century, provide high standards of excellence in mastering basic skills, and promote youth voices through a variety of venues.

Environmental Literacy: Programs that offer place-based approaches to addressing environmental literacy and empower youth to be heroes for a sustainable environment in their own communities.

The foundation supports registered, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the United States or Registered Charities in Canada that deliver services to youth, ages 6-18, and address at least one of the foundation's action areas; are located in the United States or Canada; and are nondiscriminatory in their policies and practices with regard to physical abilities, gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, and/or creed.

In addition, priority will be given to organizations that reach traditionally underrepresented/underserved communities and communities of color; represent models in non-traditional learning environments and are directly engaged in service delivery; encourage partnerships among formal and informal education systems; demonstrate program sustainability; and provide opportunities to integrate Starbucks partners (employees of Starbucks) and stores in a meaningful way.

(http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/grantinfo.asp)

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STAPLES FOUNDATION FUNDS PROGRAMS FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH

The mission of the Staples Foundation for Learning is to provide funding to programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people, with special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. The goal is to provide grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations with programs and services that will positively impact their communities every day. Guided by this mission, the Foundation seeks to support causes that teach, train, and inspire people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. The next application deadline for 2006 is September 15.

(http://www.staplesfoundation.org)

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DISCOUNT FOUNDATION FUNDS LIVING WAGE PROGRAMS

The Discount Foundation focuses on alleviating poverty by supporting exemplary programs to make work pay. Grants support innovative ways and means of reducing poverty by elevating wages and creating job opportunities, primarily through localized community and workplace organizing efforts that include strong leadership development and public policy advocacy. While the Foundation previously had established geographic limitations, grant requests are now considered from nonprofit organizations working across the U.S. The Foundation’s grantmaking categories include: From Living Wages to Statewide Minimum Wages, Immigration, Social Change, and Worker Organizing. The deadline for online letters of inquiry is September 15, 2006.

(http://www.discountfoundation.org)

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SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS

The R.O.S.E. (Regaining One’s Self-Esteem) Fund is a national nonprofit organization committed to recognizing, assisting, and empowering women who have broken the cycle of domestic violence. The Fund distributes grants to various nonprofit organizations whose programs work to achieve the Fund’s mission - to encourage personal growth beyond the initial recovery from domestic violence. Priority is given to organizations in the Northeast. The majority of grants are distributed to small organizations (annual budgets no greater than $500,000); however, larger organizations that substantially address the Fund’s mission are also supported. The application deadline is October 31, 2006.

(http://www.rosefund.org/programs/grants.asp)

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HCR MANOR CARE FOUNDATION FUNDS ELDERLY AND HOSPICE PROGRAMS

The mission of the HCR Manor Care Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by HCR Manor Care through support of nonprofit organizations who share the company's vision for improving quality of life for seniors, individuals requiring post-acute services, and those needing hospice and palliative care. The Foundation's efforts are focused on sustaining dignity, independence, and a sense of well-being through support of research, education, and community-based service programs. Preference is given to organizations whose service area coincides with the HCR Manor Care Corporation's operations in 33 states. Visit the HCR Manor Care corporate website at (http://www.hcr-manorcare.com) for company facility locations. Application deadlines are April 1 and October 1, annually.

(http://www.hcr-manorcare.org)

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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

SIREN POLICY DIRECTOR

Agency Description
Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) is a leading immigrant rights organization in the South Bay dedicated to providing immigrant rights advocacy, community education and naturalization assistance to Santa Clara County’s diverse immigrant communities. The mission of SIREN is to empower low-income immigrants and refugees in Santa Clara County through direct services, community education and organizing, leadership development and policy advocacy. We believe that all people regardless of legal status or nationality are entitled to essential services, human dignity, basic rights and protections, and access to full participation in society.

Position: Policy Director
The Policy Director is responsible for directing SIREN’s policy advocacy work on immigrant rights. This includes, monitoring local, state and federal policies and their impact on immigrant communities.  This position works closely with SIREN’s Community Education and Leadership Development (CELD) department to develop information materials that are  accessible to immigrant communities and to create processes that will facilitate the engagement of community members in SIREN’s advocacy efforts. The Policy Director will be conducting legislative outreach and multi-racial coalition building. She/he will represent SIREN on a number of statewide collaboratives, respond to media calls for SIREN, supervise policy staff and interns and will work closely with SIREN’s management team.

Primary Duties
a.. Assess the impact of federal, state and local policies on low income immigrants and their families;
b.. Monitor implementation of new laws and regulations and advocate for effective policies and practices;
c.. Conduct legislative visits and administrative advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities;
d.. Develop educational materials for community members and other allies on policy and budget priorities
e.. Provide training and technical assistance to community members, service providers, grassroots organizations and advocates on immigrant rights issues;
f.. Establish and build coalitions among diverse interests, needs, and audiences;
g.. Write and disseminate fact sheets, position papers, and other written materials.
h.. Supervise policy staff and interns
i.. Represent SIREN at public events, presentations and at community meetings
j.. Respond to press inquiries and develop and coordinate organization’s media plan with management team

Minimal Qualifications
a.. Bilingual/biliterate in Spanish or Vietnamese preferred
b.. Experience working with immigrant rights organizations and community-based groups;
c.. Experience and commitment to working with immigrant communities;
d.. Background in immigrant rights issues, including immigration, citizenship and public benefits;
e.. Experience analyzing impact of laws, regulations and legislative proposals;
f.. Experience conducting legislative/administrative/grassroots advocacy;
g.. Strong analytical, written and research skills;
h.. Self-initiated, motivated, well-organized, able to work with minimal supervision;
i.. Previous program management and supervisory experience
j.. Experience working with media a plus;

Other Requirements
a.. Occasional work on weekends and evenings
b.. Should have own vehicle

Salary & Benefits: $40,000 – 45,000 DOE. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision benefits.

To Apply:  Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample (no more than three pages) and references to:

Patricia Diaz, Executive Director, SIREN, 1425 Koll Circle, Ste. 103, San Jose, CA 95112 OR by email to: patty@siren-bayarea.org.  For more information, visit our website at www.siren-bayarea.org.

SIREN is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds, especially individuals from immigrant and refugee communities.  People of color, immigrants, women, gay men, lesbians, transgendered persons, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek employment at SIREN.

(http://siren-bayarea.org)

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YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Inc.

FLSA: Non-Exempt              Supervisor: Program Manager and/or Executive Director
Pay Range/Rate: $14.42 - $16.35 per hour (100% FTE). DOE
Benefits are included.

Summary
Under the supervision and direction of the Program Manager and/or the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator will coordinate an afterschool youth program including, tutoring, mentoring, financial literacy, and other youth development activities “Special Service for Groups/OCAPICA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer”

Essential Functions
Program (100%)
§         Develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate an afterschool youth program for OCAPICA.
§         Work in conjunction with other youth staff members as well as community partners and leaders.
§         Work with researchers to conduct community participatory research and evaluation to determine youth needs and program planning issues.
§         Work with educators, social workers, and others to assist youth with accessing needed resources.
§         Train, develop and supervise volunteers and mentors.
§         Work with the ethnic media to promote the program and recruit participants.
§         Develop education materials for youth to improve their knowledge about getting into college, financial literacy, and other issues related.
§         Write program reports and document program activities, successes and challenges.
§         Ability to multi-task and manage multiple activities concurrently
§         Write reports and maintain budgets.
§         Maintain correspondence with funders.
§         And other administrative and service duties as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
§         Must have excellent program development and skills
§         Must be well organized
§         Have at least 1 year experience coordinating health programs
§         California Driver’s License, car insurance and reliable transportation to travel to conferences, meetings, and trainings
§         Bachelors degree or higher or 4 years of community experience coordinating youth programs

Desired Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Experience with program development, coordination, and evaluation
* Experience working in a community setting, especially experience working with immigrant communities
* Ability to speak an Asian or Pacific Islander language, but not necessary
* Experience working with underserved AAPIs
* Must be comfortable working in a team environment
* Excellent networking and communication skills (verbal and written) 
* Prefer individual with flexibility and initiative
* Supervisory experience preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervision of volunteer tutors and interns.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
The environment for this position is an office environment (may include shared office space) and youth tutoring classroom.

Physical Requirement
In the course of performing this job, the incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, walking, typing, filing, listening and speaking.

Mental Requirement
The incumbent in this position must be able to accommodate to any/all of the following: tolerance for distractions and interruptions, ability to work with high needs youth.

Application Process:
Application deadline: September 8, 2006 or until filled.

Please e-mail or fax a cover letter, resume and 3 professional references (past supervisors including e-mail address and phone number) to: Jason Lacsamana

E-mail: jjlacs@ocapica.org  FAX: (714)636-8828

(Please ensure that the email subject has the job title: Program Coordinator – Youth)

No Phone Calls Please

Agency Background:
The Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) is dedicated to enhancing the health, and social and economic well-being of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Orange County, California. Established in 1997, OCAPICA works to improve and expand the community's opportunities through service, education, advocacy, organizing and research. These community-driven activities seek to empower Asians and Pacific Islanders to define and control their lives and the future of their community.

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) serves as the legal employer to this position.  “Special Service for Groups is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer”

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The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
1401 Constitution Ave NW, Room 5612
MS 5063
Washington, DC 20230

THE WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service.  We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program.  In addition to typical office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project.

Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer.  Every candidate must be a United States citizen, enrolled in a college or university, and at least 18 years of age.

An application and additional information about the program can be found at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html.

Strong applications exhibit:
* sound academic credentials
* a history of community involvement and leadership
* solid verbal/written communication skills
* a demonstrated interest in public service

Applications should be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator, White House Personnel, at intern_application@whitehouse.gov on or before the following deadlines:
·      October 13, 2006 for SPRING 2007 — (January 9 to May 11, 2007)
·      March 6, 2007 for SUMMER 2007 — (May 22 to August 24, 2007)

If you have questions you may contact Karen Race at (202) 456-5979 or intern_application@whitehouse.gov.

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html)

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TIPS/RESOURCES

MARKETING: DECIDING ON THE CORRECT, EYE-CATCHING TACTICS

Marketing tactics are used by many nonprofit organizations to build their image and reputation in society and help the public remember the organizations and their causes, all in the name of furthering the goals and objectives of the nonprofits.

In their book Nonprofit Marketing, Walter Wymer Jr., Patricia Knowles and Roger Gomes discuss the various dimensions of nonprofit marketing as a way of explaining the concept and showing what an organization needs to keep in mind regarding marketing.

The basic dimensions are:

* Planning. Marketing professionals in nonprofits, or nonprofit marketers, develop plans to help the nonprofit achieve its strategic goals; that is, to fulfill its mission.

* Positioning. Nonprofit organizations usually benefit from being widely known in society. A nonprofits first task in competing for donations is becoming well known to the community it serves amid the clutter of information facing potential donors.

* Communication. It is essential for a nonprofit to have effective communication with various stakeholders, which means clients, board members, employees, volunteers, donors, granting organizations, government, other nonprofits and the communities served.

* Resource attraction. This refers to attracting donations, both of time and funds. Donations of time refers to recruitment and retention of volunteers. Donations of funds refers to contributions from organizations and individuals.

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/marketing.html)

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ONLINE: WEB SITE LAYOUT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

As the whole idea of technology-related nonprofit operation becomes more commonplace, more thought is given to making the best use of what is available.

Nonprofit executives attending a recent national nonprofit convention learned that many organizations are finding a degree of success by employing certain strategies for the layout and presentation of their Web sites. They are shared by many of the organizations whose sites were rated in the Top 10 by either Forbes or The NonProfit Times.

Among the common characteristics:

* Nine out of 10 positioned their logo in the upper left-hand corner. It is the expected location. Further, logo placement should be consistent and link back to the homepage.
* Seven out of 10 use mastheads at the top of their homepage. This separates the core components to a site (Who, What, Where, Why).
* 80 percent positioned their search in the upper right-hand corner.
* 60 percent of the sites used a three-column grid format.
* 70 percent of the sites used a sidebar for simple navigation.
* 33 percent of the sites utilized Macromedia Flash.
* 30 percent of the sites incorporated streaming video.
* 40 percent of the sites used dropdown menus.
* 10 percent of the sites used pop-ups.
* 50 percent of the sites had a graph image that made eye contact with the viewer.
* Almost all built their text from html rather than a graphic.
* The best performers used multiple areas on the page for “Donate” or “Sponsor.”

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/ontheweb.html)

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TECHNOLOGY: USE THE ENGAGEMENT FUNNEL FOR EFFICIENCY

Rapid advancements in technology are a fact of life. At the 2006 Nonprofit Technology in Action conference, various presenters outlined the benefits of not only having the latest technology but also using it effectively.

One way of looking at the relationship of technology and  mission is through what is called The Engagement Funnel, a way of bringing everything together to maximize results.

There are four layers in the funnel. They are:

* Indirect communication. This is anonymous and not in the organization’s control, such as earned media and word of mouth. The goals are attention and dissemination of ideas and a direct line of communication. The key tools and strategies are integrating the blogosphere into media campaigns and networking via existing relationships.

* Direct communication. This is anonymous and reactive, for example Web sites and public presentations. The goals are greater direct reach. The key tools and strategies are content management systems, content syndication networks and viral campaigns.

* Direct relationships. These are personal, proactive and conversational, such as email, surveys, calls and meetings. The goals are understanding motivations, deepening relationships and segmenting the base. The key goals and strategies are relationship management systems, online newsletters and personalized (database-driven) communications.

* Direct engagement. This involves coordinating and serving, such as volunteering, donating and civic action. The goals are being of service to grow affinity and loyalty, coordinating and scaling impact and increasing influence with decision makers. Key tools and strategies are collaborative work and networking with those of influence.

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/technology.html)

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NEWS

August 3, 2006

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: corprel@freddiemac.com or (703) 903-3933

FREDDIE MAC, AREAA, COUNTRYWIDE TEAM UP WITH NONPROFITS TO HELP ASIAN AMERICANS IN LOS ANGELES BECOME HOMEOWNERS
Rep. Becerra Supports Homeownership Efforts

Los Angeles – Thanks to a new homeownership initiative made possible by many organizations working together, Soo Han is the proud owner of a new home in Winnetka, Calif. Hanis one of several individuals who have become homeowners through a collaborative community effort to increase homeownership in the Korean American community in the greater Los Angeles area.

At a ceremony today at Youngnak Presbyterian Church, Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) officially kicked off the homeownership initiative with Korean Churches for Community Development (KCCD), the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC), Countrywide Home Loans and Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC).

This homeownership initiative, which began last year, addresses language and cultural barriers, lack of knowledge about the homebuying process and other challenges faced by Asian Americans. These barriers are keeping many Asian Americans from pursuing their dream of homeownership.

"Through KCCD's Homebuyer Education program, I realized how important having knowledge can be for first-time homebuyers," said Han. "With the help of KCCD's counseling program, I was able to purchase my first home with more than $138,000 of layered financing and downpayment assistance and at a five percent fixed interest rate."

"What better definition of 'The American Dream' exists than that of owning your own home?" asked Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31). "But unfortunately for far too many people in the 31st congressional district, that dream has been squelched by high costs and confusing processes. So when I learned of this new program that addresses language and cultural barriers by offering education and counseling, I was immediately supportive and appreciative that these altruistic non-profits and well-intentioned corporations recognized this priority."

In the last three months, AREAA has trained more than 400 real estate professionals in California about the unique needs of the Asian American homebuyer. This has ultimately helped countless individuals find homes. AREAA members are helping prospective homebuyers locate properties and are working with the local nonprofits and lenders to become more familiar with the products and services each offers to improve service in these communities. In addition, KCCD has provided housing counseling and homebuyer education to 3,500 individuals.

"AREAA is honored to support this effort to ensure that more Korean Americans achieve the dream of homeownership in the Los Angeles area. By working with KCCD, KYCC, Countrywide and Freddie Mac, we can leverage the vast network of real estate practitioners serving the Korean American community to help more families get into their first homes," said Allen M. Okamoto, Chairman of AREAA.

"Homeownership initiatives like this one help the mortgage industry to better understand and reach this burgeoning market," said Robert Tsien, Freddie Mac's senior vice president of Expanding Markets. "By working closely with trusted advisors in the community, like AREAA, KYCC, KCCD, Countrywide and MGIC, we are all helping more families get on the path to owning a home."

Countrywide Home Loans' bilingual loan officers have answered questions and provided mortgage information, including the features of their flexible, affordable mortgage products, and products with low downpayment features. As one of the nation's largest investors in residential mortgages, Freddie Mac will purchase eligible mortgage loans from Countrywide.

"As Countrywide expands to serve Asian communities and raise awareness of the home loan process, more homebuyers than ever before are able to take advantage of Countrywide's founding belief that every person deserves the opportunity to own a home," said Mary Salinas Durón, Countrywide's executive vice president of national multicultural sales. "Countrywide is eager to demonstrate its commitment to lowering the barriers to homeownership and simplifying the home finance experience as we continue to build our name in Asian communities."

Flexible, low downpayment mortgages are possible due to the participation of mortgage insurer MGIC.

"Koreatown Youth and Community Center is committed to promoting socioeconomic empowerment, and is delighted participate in this initiative with AREAA, Countrywide, KCCD and Freddie Mac to help Korean Americans pursue their dream of home ownership," said Johng Ho Song, KYCC executive director. "Many recent immigrants face barriers due to language and cultural differences, but with the assistance of this initiative, Korean American residents in Southern California will be able to successfully overcome these barriers and achieve their piece of the American Dream."

"As the premiere organization that has provided in-language homebuyer education to the Korean American Community, Korean Churches for Community Development is honored to be part of this exciting initiative that will be expanding services to the community. The overwhelming turnout of over 1,000 participants at our recent homeownership fair demonstrates that the dream of homeownership and the desire for resources and assistance in purchasing a home is very much alive in our community," said Hyepin C. Im, president of KCCD. "We are appreciative of Freddie Mac's continued support and partnership with KCCD in bringing homeownership resources and opportunities to the Korean community. With the low homeownership rate in our community, we are pleased to be working with strategic partners like AREAA, Countrywide and KYCC to introduce new resources and to spread the good news that homeownership is possible."

"The key to this initiative is education," said Geoffrey Cooper, Director - Emerging Markets, at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC), the nation's leading private mortgage insurer. "Borrowers are working through trusted advisors in their community to receive invaluable homebuyer education and counseling prior to buying a home. As a result, these borrowers will be not only attain homeownership, but they will be prepared to maintain homeownership for the long term."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asians are the second fastest growing ethnic population in the U.S. and number 13.5 million, or approximately five percent of the total U.S. population. The U.S. homeownership rate for Koreans is 41 percent, compared to 72 percent for non-minorities.

The next homeownership classes are August 12 and 26, and Sept. 9 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The classes will be held at KCCD's offices at 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 922, Los Angeles. For more information, please contact KCCD at 213-216-7053.

Freddie Mac is a stockholder-owned company established by Congress in 1970 to support homeownership and rental housing. Freddie Mac fulfills its mission by purchasing residential mortgages and mortgage-related securities, which it finances primarily by issuing mortgage-related securities and debt instruments in the capital markets. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than four million renters in America.

(http://www.freddiemac.com/news/archives/afford_housing/2006/20060803_LA_Asian_AREAA.html)

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August 7, 2006

KATRINA LOSS CONTRIBUTES TO MENTAL ILLNESS

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The loss of the social network and familiar surroundings as a result of Hurricane Katrina can lead to serious psychological problems, says a U.S. expert.

Victims of national disasters often experience trauma that can lead to psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

Katrina and its aftermath left whole communities particularly vulnerable to such psychological disorders, not only because of the ongoing stress and upheaval of the storm, but also because of the challenging circumstances that many storm victims lived with before Katrina, according to Gerald P. Koocher, president of the American Psychological Association.

Katrina displaced more than 1 million people, mostly African-Americans, said Koocher.

"One year after the storm, it is apparent that while many people are making Herculean efforts to provide mental health services to storm victims, the mental health professions need to do more to ensure that amongst our ranks are providers with the skills and experience to provide culturally competent services to members of minority groups, including African-Americans, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong Americans and Hispanic Americans," says Koocher.

(http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060807-054536-1836r)

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August 10, 2006

VIETNAM NATIVE HONORS FALLEN SOLDIERS

By ANN S. KIM, Portland Press Herald Writer

SOUTH PORTLAND — Lilly Pyle's visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington a decade ago came as surprise. She and her fiance were visiting his family in the area when he decided to take her to the monument. The words of her fiance, a naval officer, were a blow to Pyle, who came to the United States from South Vietnam as a teenager in 1972.

"First thing out of his mouth was, 'Look, all these people died for you,' " Pyle recalled. She was angry, hurt and filled with thoughts of the Vietnamese who died in the war. "I didn't even touch the names. He ruined it for me."

The relationship ended on that trip. Pyle has not been back to the monument since.

But on Wednesday, she stood before a three-quarter-size replica that was being erected at Southern Maine Community College. She traced her neatly manicured fingers over the names etched into the panels and dissolved into sobs.

"Their names are here. It means they're not here on earth," she said. "I'm so sorry . . . all alone in a country you don't know."

The arrival of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall in South Portland is giving Pyle another chance to honor the sacrifice of the 58,175 Americans who died or went missing in the Vietnam War. Pyle, who has a hair salon in the Old Port, is one of the many volunteers involved in the project. She helped raise money and is serving on the hospitality committee.

"I'm in it heart and soul right now," she said Wednesday as crews assembled the walkway in front of the wall and unloaded potted plants for decorating the area.

The traveling replica will be displayed Friday through Sunday at the Spring Point Light Shoreway. Visitors will be able to see the wall 24 hours a day for free.

The wall is a 240-foot-long replica of the 493-foot-long memorial in Washington, D.C. The replica was created by Dignity Memorial, a group of funeral homes, cremation providers and cemeteries.

When Pyle was a child growing up in the village of Dong Ha, the horrors of war struck close to home. Her memories include rockets falling around homes, and helping to collect dead bodies after a Viet Cong attack.

Pyle's gratitude to the United States and American veterans and their families is undying. She is a fierce American patriot who gets upset when people say the Vietnam War was a mistake.

“Americans went there for a good purpose," she said.

Pyle told how she and the other villagers had a lot of interaction with Americans, many of whom she knew only by their first names. Dong Ha, near a strategic waterway and the demilitarized zone, was next to a U.S. military base.

Villagers, including Pyle, got work with the U.S. military. She filled sandbags and worked as a cleaner.

The children would also go to the base fence, sing to the Americans and swap food with them. The children wanted anything that came in cans, while the Americans liked rice-paper-wrapped foods.

One day, the children were assembled and brought to the river. South Vietnamese soldiers, working with Americans, trained them to use guns and booby traps. A bamboo fence was erected and the children helped guard the village.

In 1972, the Viet Cong took over the area and the U.S. presence disappeared. Pyle's family went to a refugee camp in Da Nang, where she met again a soldier she had known in Dong Ha.

They decided to marry, and Pyle joined him in the United States later that year. She did not know that her new home would be so far away.

The couple divorced eight years later. Pyle raised a son and a daughter, went to school and became a hairdresser. She opened her own business in the early 1990s.

Driving to the replica site with a small American flag dangling from her rearview mirror, Pyle acknowledged that she worried some people might react to her the same way her naval officer fiance did at the memorial in Washington years ago. But, after more than three decades in this country, Pyle considers herself more American than Vietnamese.

"I aggressively love and protect this country," she said. "When people say something bad about this country, I can't stand it."

Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at: akim@pressherald.com

(http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/060810vietnam.shtml)

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August 11, 2006

BOAT PERSON SAILS INTO IRVINE STORM

By Frank Mickadeit
The Orange County Register

For months, those following Irvine politics have wondered: Who are the Republicans going to put up against Mayor Beth Krom?

Not that city races are officially partisan. But the tension in Irvine, the huge stakes and the clear split on the City Council between the Democrat-led Agran-Krom-Kang majority and the Shea-Choi minority, dictate that this year's will have a strong partisan flavor. (At least on the GOP side. In a city 43 percent Republican and 29 percent Democrat, the Agranistas want you to forget party can matter.)

Anyway, yesterday I got the answer: developer and former Wilson/Bush exec John Q. Duong. He called me a few hours before he pulled his candidacy papers and confirmed what I'd heard whispered last week. He spent last night gathering nomination signatures he will file today -- the last possible day to throw in for the Nov. 8 election.

Lest this seem like an endorsement, I assure you, it is not. I barely know Duong. What I find intriguing about him, though, is he comes to Irvine politics with a classic, only-in-America story and his entry is going to make for one great race.

Duong spent his first nine years in Saigon, where his father worked for the South Vietnamese government. When it fell, his father was placed in a “re-education” camp. His mother sold cigarettes, dry goods, whatever they could scrounge, to survive.

After five years, his father was released. The family made plans to flee to the U.S. His father went first, alone. John and his mother followed, boarding an open boat and sailing into the South China Sea, where they spent six terrifying days before coming ashore in Malaysia. After a series of refugee camps, they were finally sent to the U.S., arriving in San Francisco Oct. 18, 1982.

“That date stays on my mind more than anybody's birthday,” says Duong, now 33.

In San Francisco, he learned English, got a paper route, graduated from high school and matriculated at U.C. Davis. He'd intently watched the 1984 Democratic convention come to San Francisco and had been smitten by politics, so that's what he majored in: political science with an emphasis on public service.

He worked for Pete Wilson in Sacramento, then for Little Saigon's best-known developer, Frank Jao, and then got his big political break: He was appointed by George Bush in 2001 as executive director of the White House office of Asian-American and Pacific Islander affairs. He left two years later to bring his new family back to Orange County and work again for Jao's firm, where he is executive vice president. He and his wife bought a home in a tract near the Irvine Marketplace.

Duong says he was approached about running this spring by O.C. Republicans, whom he told he'd rather run in two years. He reconsidered when approached again. His desire to hold public office, he says, is simple -- to give back to the country that has given him so much.

“For a refugee kid, floating at sea, not knowing whether you are going to live, to go to standing on the White House grounds, serving the president of the United States, ... ” He didn't need to finish the sentence.

His motivation to run for Irvine mayor, he says, is to “bring Irvine the leadership it deserves” -- more specifically to bring his land-use experience to issues that trouble him, such as the 5,000-home increase at the El Toro property that was presented as almost a fait accompli, and the way the Irvine Business Complex planning has floundered. Nearer and dearer to my heart is his desire to end ungodly marathon City Council meetings that start when working people are working and end when they sleeping.

“It wears the public out,” he says of the meetings, the last one of which went from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

He's also expecting to be able to work better with the Asian community, particularly Taiwanese-Americans, whom he believes were treated with “insensitivity” during the recent sister-city fiasco.

Krom has the name I.D. and the backing of a well-oiled, Agran-driven political machine. Duong has his life story and the Republican party endorsement, which translates to unlimited “membership communications” to Irvine Republicans, urging them to support Duong with votes and money. Should be a good one.

CONTACT US: Mickadeit writes Mon.-Fri. Contact him at 714-796-4994 or fmickadeit@ocregister.com.

(http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/columns/article_1240177.php)

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August 11, 2006

REGISTRATION DRIVES REACH OUT TO IMMIGRANTS

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Honolulu Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaiian organizations are not the only ones trying to get their community members to vote.

Organizations in the Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese and Samoan communities are also gearing up for the fall elections.

Amanda Chang, president of the Korean-American Bar Association, estimates that a voter registration drive her organization and other Korean groups undertook two years ago netted about 1,200 new voters.

Chang and her volunteers, who come from five different Korean-American organizations, started again two weekends ago. Their registration tables can be found every Saturday at two groceries popular with Korean-Americans: Queen's Supermarket in Kalihi and Palama Market in the Kaheka area.

The effort will continue through Aug. 19, just before the Aug. 23 deadline to register for the primary election.

Chung said she started the effort eight years ago when she was a member of the Honolulu Korean Jaycees.

"Korean-Americans are very minority in terms of the numbers," she said. Short of running for office themselves, voting for government leaders is the best way to be involved in the political process, Chang said.

"I would just like to see more and more people get involved and this is a speaking-up opportunity," she said.

Chang stressed that her group does not advocate for any candidates or issues. "I just want more people to be involved," she said.

Wing Tek Lum and other members of the Chinese Community Action Coalition have also been busy. Volunteers have set up a registration booth on alternate Saturday mornings in the heart of Chinatown, at the makai end of Kekaulike Mall. They will be there next on Aug. 19.

Lum said the group has done voter drives in five election cycles. He estimated 300 new voters were registered two years ago.

After two Saturdays this year, he said, the group has helped about 150 new voters and about the same number of people who need help with changing addresses or signing up for absentee ballots.

With more people now registered, much of the group's work is focused on ensuring they actually vote.

"We want to make sure that the Chinese immigrant community is represented in the election process," Lum said. "We know that many of the immigrants have come from places that do not have a tradition of voting in free elections."

Lynne Gutierrez, president of the O'ahu Filipino Community Council, said her group and three others are seeking permission from the managers of several shopping centers where they hope to set up voter registration tables.

The council is working with the Filipino Coalition, the Congress of Visayan Organizations and the United Filipino Council of Hawai'i not only on registering people, but also giving them rides to their voting sites on Election Day. KNDI Radio is also involved in the program.

Thomas Bui said his organization, the Vietnamese Community of Hawaii, sets up voter registration booths during the Full Moon Festival and New Year's Festival annually.

"It depends but we usually get a few hundred applications," Bui said.

The group does not push an agenda or any candidates, he said, but there are clearly issues that Vietnamese-Americans have an interest in.

"We have fishermen, we have taxi drivers and a lot of students," he said. "Any issues that are related to us, that can affect our community, then yes, we would like our voice to be considered."

Bill Emmsley, outgoing director of the Samoan Service Providers Association, said most of his group's efforts have been focused on helping immigrants become naturalized U.S. citizens.

"But anyone that comes into our programs, we also ask them if they want to register to vote," Emmsley said.

While the groups The Advertiser spoke with are not advocating for any candidate, party or issue, statewide campaigns historically have targeted ethnic communities.

This year, for instance, the campaign of Sen. Daniel Akaka has made a concerted effort to draw Filipino and Korean voters.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.

(http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060811/NEWS05/608110372/1001/NEWS)

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August 11, 2006

To the Rim
VIETNAMESE GROUPS GROOM YOUNG LEADERS

By Tina Soong

Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in eastern New Orleans has teamed up with a national organization to develop leadership skills among young Vietnamese Americans in the community.

Today through Sunday, the church and the National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies, known as NAVASA, will sponsor a conference to identify and foster young leaders.

NAVASA works to promote economic self-sufficiency and active citizenship for Vietnamese Americans.

The conference workshop, complete with speeches, workshops and other activities, will be held at the church at 5069 Willowbrook Drive.

Piyachat Terrell, acting deputy director for the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders Affairs, will be a guest speaker Saturday at 9 a.m. and will lead a workshop from 10:15 am to 12 noon.

Other workshops will be led by Jonathan Hook of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice.

"Through a series of workshops on community organizing, advocacy, media training, environmental justice and direct action campaigns, the conference aims to inspire and empower a generation of new community leaders," said Mai Dang, NAVASA Dan Than Fellow, who is in New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding of Vietnamese communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Today from 6 to 9 p.m., the program will include workshops on "Building Identity" and "Know History, Know Now," and a panel on "Building Across Borders."

In a "life mapping" exercise, participants will literally map out their identities and their communities, and learn the history and the current issues of their community.

On Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., program themes will be "Making Environmental Policy Through Youth Voices," and "Justice for All: An Environmental Justice.


In sessions Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., participants will evaluate their training and discuss their ideas for the future. The program will end with a barbecue and an informal networking session for all the participants and community members.

For further information, call Mai Dang at