 |
|
 |
ECAASU Weeklies 3/17/08 (News/Events - Jobs/Internships - Miscellaneous)
Register for VASCON4
LIMITED SEATS LEFT.
REGISTER TODAY.
VASCON4 | DC
THE FOURTH ANNUAL NATIONAL
VIETNAMESE AMERICAN STUDENT CONFERENCE
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | APRIL 4-6, 2008
------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Pha-Le Le
Communications Director
301.905.2380
vascon.comm@gmail.com
www.vasconlove.org
Vietnamese American Student Conference Plants Seeds in D.C.
Fourth Annual Vietnamese American Student Conference (VASCON) Launches in East Coast and Unveils Strongest Program Lineup since Inception
WASHINGTON, DC (March 8, 2008) – The national Vietnamese American Student Conference (VASCON) has unleashed its astounding lineup of keynote speakers, workshop topics, and performers to take place on the historic grounds of Georgetown University in Washington, DC from April 4-6th, 2008. As stated on its official website, VASCON seeks to share and showcase the "beating heart and soul" of Vietnamese America...
With a selection of over twenty workshop topics tied to the theme of "Planting Seeds", attendees consisting of college undergraduates and young professionals from around the nation will have the chance to engage in dialogue about domestic issues such as the recent murder of four children by their desperate father in Alabama, the US and Vietnam repatriation act that could potentially result in the deportation of over 1,500 undocumented persons, to international issues such as the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa island dispute with China in Vietnam (Spratly Islands) and understanding the causes of labor exploitation and human trafficking conditions of Vietnamese migrant workers.
"This looks to be a very impressive conference" says Newton Hoang, a community worker from the Broadway Youth Resource Center in Vancouver. "I don't think I've seen a better lineup of workshops."
This year, Duy-Loan Le from Texas instruments (TI) will be one of two renowned keynote speakers. Mrs. Le is the first woman and Asian American to hold the Senior Fellow rank at TI and has overcome and traversed many adversities since her arrival to America in 1975. Adrian Hong, the other keynote speaker, is the Executive Director of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a non-profit organization founded at KASCON (Korean American Student Conference). Mr. Hong served as Executive Director of KASCON18 and helped found VASCON while a student at Yale University.
In addition to shedding light onto pertinent issues of the Vietnamese American community, VASCON will host the highly-anticipated VASCON LIVE, a concert that brings together a multitude of feature artists from across the nation. There will also be an "open mic" the night before to serve as a platform for aspiring artists to perform in front of a national audience.
Bao Phi, a frequent VASCON performer, recalls his past performance at VASCON LIVE. "[VASCON LIVE] was truly amazing, in terms of the audience and the fellow artists who hit the stage, you could not believe the energy and love in that room," he writes in the liner notes of his album Refugeography. "So many raucous Asians, most of them Vietnamese, full of spirit and pride and laughter and love - it was one of those nights that made everything seem perfect."
Seriously, an emerging pop band from Orange County, CA will be kicking off the start of their "HEART" tour at VASCON. Local favorite Carol Bui Band is also expected to blow crowds away with her eccentric flavor with such influences as Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Khanh Ly. Other acts include Applesauce Tran, Nam Ninja, and Magnetic North, among other local talents.
VASCON pushes the envelope this year to include the emergence of the Vietnamese film wave, aka "Viet Film Wave", catching like wildfire across the globe. While offering exclusive screenings such as "Owl and the Sparrow", "Dust of Life", and "Oh, Saigon", VASCON will also host a panel with the films' very own globe-trotting filmmakers, including Stephane Gauger, Jenni Trang Le, and Ham Tran, to personally dialogue with attendees about the past, present and future of film within the Vietnamese American community.
Sponsors of VASCON4 include: Beyond Bouquets, Boat People SOS, Catholic University of America, Chaos Theory Music, Falcon Printing, Lee's Sandwiches, National Congress of Vietnamese Americans, SBTN, Storyline Designs | Events by Kym Pham, VATV, and the Vietnamese Professional Society, Wells Fargo, alongside other small businesses, private donors, and community organizations. VASCON would not be possible without the help of such generous sponsors and friends.
---
VASCON is an annual conference co-founded in 2004 by students at UT Austin and Yale University, which has since gathered over 1,000 students and young professionals to engage in open dialogue about the state of Vietnamese America with distinguished guests from a spectrum of disciplines.
# # #
For further information, or to schedule an interview, please contact VASCON4 Communications Director Pha-Le Le via phone at 301.905.2380 or via email at vascon.comm@gmail.com. Visit the website at: www.vasconlove.org for conference information. Online registration
SEE YOU THERE!
ASPIRE Asian American Women in Leadership Conference
ASPIRE (www.girlsaspire.org) is a Boston-based non-profit network of 500+ Asian American women in the Boston area dedicated to the career and leadership development of Asian American high school and college girls. We focus on programming and mentoring opportunities to empower young women with the skills and opportunities they need to grow professionally and become the leaders they aspire to be.
Our annual conference has become one of the most well-respected events for Asian American women in the country, bringing together 200+ attendees and over 30 cross-generational women speakers from all over the country who are leaders in their respective industries. We have a very impressive line-up of speakers from 18 industries this year, please see our ad below.
If you cannot view the image, please visit http://girlsaspire.org/conference.jpg.
To learn more about ASPIRE and the conference, please visit www.girlsaspire.org/conference
New Blog for the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)
War·ri·or Prose (noun): An online forum for commentary, news and analysis of social justice issues impacting Asian and Pacific Islander women and girls.
In celebration of International Women's Day, the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) has launched a blog! Check us out at www.napawf.org/blog/ and read our blog "Warrior Prose" for periodic posts from the NAPAWF sisterhood. As we continue to think about ways to build a stronger sense of community, NAPAWF hopes the blog will inform, inspire, provoke, and energize our members and allies. Please contact Dawn at dphilip@napawf.org for more info.
Fight Out Loud: Hate Crimes Awareness
Fight Out Loud video highlights rise in hate crimes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wy4EAigSBw
Fight Out Loud have produced a video calling attention to hate crimes against the LGBTQ community. The fact is that while progress is being made in promoting acceptance, that very progress can become threatening to some.
Larry King, Sanesha Stewart, Adolphus Simmons, Alexio Bello, Patricia Murphy, Beyoncé Williams - all killed in 2008, and memorialized in this video.
Also note: these are not simply hate crimes against the LGBTQ community. Many of the murders have been towards gender non-conforming queer people of color who may have been part of multiple communities.
ECAASU/APIAVote Internship Program
(Check out the attached Word document for more info)
2008 ECAASU APIAVote Internship Program
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state and local levels. APIAVote envisions a society in which all Asian Pacific Islander Americans fully participate in and have access to the democratic process.
The APIAVote Internship Program strives to encourage and cultivate young Asian Pacific Islander student leaders to explore a career in the public sector or the political area. This summer internship program will also provide hands on experience and training on how to organize and implement voter activities to increase the participation of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the electoral process.
In 2006, the George Washington University host committee for the ECAASU Conference donated $15,000 to APIAVote to manage an ECAASU/APIAVote Internship Program for the next five years. As a result, this year priority will be given to an Asian Pacific American (APA) student with proven leadership skills and commitment to the APA community who is attending any college or university that is an active participant in ECAASU.
Internships Available in APIAVote National Headquarters – Washington, D.C.
- ECAASU Internship
- Reports directly to Program Coordinator
- Establish conference, workshop and training materials to be presented at APA conferences
- Learn tactics for engaging and mobilizing youth voters
- Maintain communications for ECAASU and other youth coalitions
- Communications/PR Internship
- Works directly under Communications Director
- Develop and implement communication strategy for AAPI political and civic engagement
- Learn how to take research and turn it into messaging for press and voters
- Use traditional and cutting-edge communications tools to empower voters
- Campaigns/Elections Internship
- Works directly under Field Director
- Develop relationships with local organizations to mobilize voters across the nation
- Learn to differentiate between local and national field organizing
- Maintain communications between partner coalitions and local organizations
Requirements:
- College or graduate student
- Leadership abilities
- Oral and written communication skills
- Dedicated to promoting civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes
- Commitment to work for a minimum of 10 weeks
Completed Application Package including:
- Application Form
- Resume Including Education, Work Experience, Extracurricular Activities, Community Involvement, Awards/Honors You Have Received
- Most Current Academic Transcript
- One-Page Essay (Typed) On Your Interest In Participating In The Internship Program And Describe "WHAT DOES DEMOCRACY MEAN TO YOU?
- Two Letters Of Reference
Stipend: $2000
Send your complete application to: APIAVote, Attn: Alvina Yeh, 1666 K Street NW, Suite 440, Washington DC 20006
Deadlines: Postmarked by April 18,2008 for the Summer Session.
CAPAL Summer Scholarship and Internship Programs
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) is proud toannounce its 2008 summer programs:
- CAPAL Scholarships
- CAPAL Forest Service Internships
Applications for both the CAPAL Scholarships and theCAPAL Forest Service Internships are due on April 11, 2008. Please visit http://www.capal.org/scholarships for more information.
-----
CAPAL Scholarships
CAPAL will grant three (3) scholarships to outstandingAsian Pacific American (APA) students who are committed to public service andcommunity action. CAPAL Scholars are awarded $2,000 scholarships to supporttheir successful completion of an internship of their choice in the Washington D.C.metro area. Awarded annually since 1992, CAPAL's scholarships have enabledpromising students with leadership potential to explore public service andlearn how to influence public policy decisions that affect theircommunities.
CAPAL ForestService Internships
CAPAL, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, will award two internshipsto outstanding Asian Pacific American (APA) students committed to environmentalstudies/natural resource management, public service and community action. CAPALForest Service interns will be placed in one of two programs at the U.S. ForestService Washington D.C. office. They will each be assigned mentors and receivea $2,000 stipend.
Please visit http://www.capal.org/scholarships for application forms and additional details. Email any questions to scholarships@capal.org.
-----
CAPAL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan,educational organization that was founded in 1989 by APA professionals in the Washington, DCmetropolitan area. Its mission is to promote Asian Pacific Americaninterests and success in public sector careers, to provide information andeducation on policy issues affecting the APA community, and to serve the APAcommunity at large.
We thank you for sharing this information with other interested parties,groups, and individuals. Feel free to contact us at scholarships@capal.org if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
CAPAL Scholarship Committee
------------------------------
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership
P.O. Box 65073
Washington, DC 20035-5073
(877) 892-5427
www.capal.org
info@capal.org
National CAPACD Summer Internship Opportunity
National CAPACD is seeking undergraduate or graduate students to work with a dynamic, progressive non-profit organization committed to advancing the well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through advocacy, organizing and leadership development.
Interns will have the opportunity to meet community and congressional leaders, engage in substantive research and writing, organize and/or attend local and national events, participate in AAPI social justice networks and learn about AAPIs in nonprofits and community development.
About National CAPACD
Founded in 1999, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD) is the first national organization dedicated to the housing, community and economic development needs of AAPI populations. Our mission is to be a powerful voice for the unique community development needs of AAPI communities and to strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) to create neighborhoods of hope and opportunity.
Description
Interns will gain substantive, hands-on experience addressing some of today’s most important housing and community development issues – particularly the national foreclosure crisis. Interns will support National CAPACD’s work responding to the foreclosure crisis, engage with community organizations and help plan community outreach events.
Foreclosure Action Plan
With the downturn of the housing market and the rising rate of foreclosures across the country, National CAPACD is launching a Foreclosure Action Plan to address the foreclosure crisis in AAPI communities. Interns will have an important role in running the program and gain significant experience in research, policy and community outreach.
AAPI Communities Taking Initiative in Our Neighborhoods (ACTION)
The ACTION program engages community-based organizations to participate in peer-to-peer learning that is culturally sensitive and understanding of their ethnic-specific needs. Interns will have the opportunity to work with local community based organizations addressing the needs of AAPI’s in local communities across the country.
Qualifications
Candidates must be committed to serving low-income AAPI communities and enrolled in an academic program at a college or university. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong analytical ability, and research experience are desired.
Stipend: $7000
A completed application, cover letter, resume, writing sample, and letter of recommendation must be RECEIVED at our office by April 15, 2008. Emailed applications accepted.
Please send application to:
National CAPACD
nira@nationalcapacd.org or 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 730
Washington, DC 20036
For more information about National CAPACD, visit www.nationalcapacd.org.
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Job Opportunity
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Poll Monitoring/Exit Poll Coordinator
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a New York-based national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans through litigation, advocacy and community education. AALDEF has a 15-person staff and is supported by foundation and corporate grants, individual contributions, and special events. A one-year position is available in AALDEF's Asian American Democracy Project. For more information about AALDEF and its voting rights activities, visit our website at www.aaldef.org.
DESCRIPTION:
AALDEF's Asian American Democracy Project seeks to promote fairness in the electoral process and invigorate the civic participation of Asian Americans, especially new citizens and persons not yet fluent in English. By expanding access to the electoral process for Asian Americans, AALDEF improves the quality of democracy for all Americans.
The Poll Monitoring/Exit Poll Coordinator will manage several volunteers and work with other Asian American community groups to conduct a non-partisan exit poll of Asian American voters and an Election Day monitoring effort in twelve states. The job includes recruiting and training volunteers; supervising the development, translation and printing of materials; overseeing logistics for volunteer assignments; and giving educational presentations about the Project. The Coordinator will also oversee post-election follow-up and assist in writing a report about Asian American participation in the 2008 elections.
QUALIFICATIONS:
— Ability to supervise volunteers and work with a wide variety of community leaders and organizations.
— Strong knowledge of MS Access and other database systems.
— Bilingual ability in an Asian language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese, is desirable.
— Detail oriented and focused.
— Strong organizational and communication skills.
— Experience in community organizing is helpful.
— Ability to travel and work on weekends.
TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Voting Rights Coordinator Search
AALDEF
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York , NY 10013-2815
fax: 212-966-4303
Email: info@aaldef.org (put "voting rights coordinator search" in the subject line)
DEADLINE: Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until filled.
For more information, contact Glenn D. Magpantay at 212-966-5932 or info@aaldef.org.
--AALDEF is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer--
Affiliate School of the Week
University Maryland at College Park
The ECAASU National Board wants to get to know you! We also want to foster more communication and collaboration between our affiliate schools. Towards this end, we are introducing one of our affiliate schools each week. To get your school on this list, join by going to http://affiliateschools.ecaasunational.org. You can also go there to edit your school's existing profile.
=====
University of Maryland at College Park
* Location: College Park, MD
* Contact Person: Tiffany Yee (Vice President of External Affairs for AASU)
* Contact e-mail: tiff.yee@gmail.com or aasu-board@umd.edu
* Website: http://www.aasu-umcp.org
APA Organizational Structure
The mission of the Asian American Student Union is to provide service, representation, and advocacy for the Asian Pacific American community at the University of Maryland. We strive to:
* Be a resource for all APA organizations.
* Promote a united community through activism, pride and awareness of APA culture.
* Educate the campus community on APA issues.
* Fight discrimination and injustice against all students of color.
Structure
The structure of the AASU consists of:
* Executive board
* Task force committees
* Programming committees
* Affiliated APA organizations
Task Force Committees
- Asian American Sisters: Pride, Integrity, Respect, and Empowerment (AASPIRE): The purpose of AASPIRE is to serve as a self-exploration and discussion group about APA women and to serve as a voice on issues relating to APA women.
- Community Service: Community Service is a great way of supporting the APA community through helping others directly and improving the lives of those who are less fortunate. By expanding our outreach to the APA and non-APA communities and serving peoples of all ages, races, physical conditions, and social class, we can empower those around us by creating awareness. We also strengthen the community by building lasting relationships and bringing unity within the general public. Community service builds character, self-esteem, and a sense of fulfillment in our lives.
- The PublicAsian: The PublicAsian is the voice of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community at the University of Maryland, College Park. The paper is monthly and covers issues and events in regards to Asian Pacific Americans on campus and in the community. The PublicAsian is always looking for writers and ideas. The PublicAsian editors encourage writers to come with their own story ideas, which can include national or local news, campus events, arts and entertainment, or sports, as long as they have an APA angle.
- Working for an Asian American Studies Program (WAASP): WAASP serves as a vehicle for promoting and strengthening the Asian American Studies (AAST) program at the University of Maryland. WAASP is dedicated to bringing more of the Asian Pacific American (APA) experience here to campus by educating others about APA issues and struggles.
- Yuri Kochiyama (YK) Awards Program: The YK is an outreach program to connect to High School Students who are interested in knowing more about the APA community and any issues related to APAs.
- Freshman Council: The Freshman Council is a task force committee of AASU, which is focused on giving freshmen a unique opportunity to get training and information needed to become a leader in the Asian Pacific American community. This committee helps students gain insight into basic APA issues and become familiar with the way student organizations run.
Programming Committees
- APA Heritage Month Programming Committee: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is a time for the community to be aware of APA cultures, experiences and achievements. APAHM is in April at the University of Maryland. It is filled with many events planned by the programming committee of APAHM and various AASU-affiliated organizations.
- APA1 Show Programming Committee: The APA 1 (All People As One) show is an annual production organized by AASU that intends to create opportunities for students from different heritages to put together a show that reflects similarities and differences of the diverse Asian ethnic groups. It provides participants the opportunity to perform (acting, dancing, singing), meet new people, establish life-long friendships and develop leadership skills. It is also a great opportunity for the APA community to educate others about the APA experience.
- FUEL Leadership Conference Programming Committee: F.U.E.L. (Forging, Understanding, Empowering and Leading) is the annual Asian Pacific American (APA) leadership conference that happens right here on our campus. Students come together in workshops to meet people who have similar interests and experiences, to learn about the advancement of APAs, to understand issues facing APAs today and ultimately to discover their own potential.
Affiliated APA Organizations
* alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi): http://www.umcpkdphi.com
* Anokha
* Bengali Student Association (BSA)
* Cambodian American Student Society (CASS)
* Chinese Student Association/Chinese Culture Club (CSA/CCC): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/csa
* Delta Phi Omega (DPO): http://www.dpomaryland.com
* Filipino Cultural Association (FCA): http://www.fca-umcp.com
* Hindu Student Council (HSC): http://www.umdhsc.com
* Hong Kong and Cantonese Student Association (HKCSA): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/hkcsa
* Indian Students Association (ISA): http://www.umdisa.com
* Iota Nu Delta (IND): http://www.iotanudelta.org/chapters/eta
* Iranian Students' Foundation (ISF): http://www.isf-maryland.org
* Kappa Phi Gamma (KPhiG): http://kpgmaryland.vze.com
* Kappa Phi Lambda (KPL): http://www.umcpkappas.com
* Korean Student Association (KSA)
* Multiracial & Biracial Student Association (MBSA): http://www.mbsa-umd.com
* Muslim Students' Association (MSA): http://www.msaumd.org
* Muslim Women of Maryland (MWM): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/mwm
* Pakistani Student Association (PSA): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/psa
* Phi Delta Sigma (FDS)
* Pi Delta Psi (PDPsi): http://www.umcppideltapsi.com
* Sigma Beta Rho (SBR): http://www.sigrhocp.com
* Sigma Psi Zeta (SYZ): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/syz
* Sikh Student Association (SSA)
* Sri Lankan Association (SLA): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/sla
* South Asian Student Association (SASA)
* Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/tasa
* Thai Student Association (ThSA): http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/thsa
* Vietnamese Student Association (VSA): http://www.vsa-umcp.org
Events
* September
o AASU Freshmen Welcome
o All-Niter: Eating Contest
o First Look Fair
* October
o HSC's Garba Raas
o Be The Change Day of Service
o ISF's Mehregan
o ISA Cultural Show
o APA Curtain Call
* November
o F.U.E.L. Leadership Conference
o FACES Fashion Show
* February
o ECAASU Conference
o VSA Family Night
o CSA/CCC Lunar New Year Dinner
* March
o APA Film Festival
* April - APA Heritage Month
o AASU Charity Wiffle-ball Tournament
o APA1
o APA Film Series
o CSA Volleyball Tournament
o HSC Holi Mela
o K-Expo
o Philippine Culture Night
o Pride Days
o Maryland Day
o Thai Night
o TASA Night Market
* May
o AASU Gala
History
* April 1991: Asian Student Union (ASU) was formed and recognized as an official organization by the Office of Campus Programs.
* Spring 1995: Working for an Asian American Studies Program (WAASP) was founded by Christina Lagdameo and Wendy Wang and other concerned students taking Dr. Sangeeta Ray's Asian American Studies course.
* Spring 1996: ASU became the Asian American Student Union (AASU)
* Spring 1997: The Asian American Studies Program receives initial approval from the campus community.
* Spring 1998: Sunny Lee was hired as the first Coordinator for Student Involvement and Advocacy for the Asian Pacific American Community.
* Spring 1999: First All People As One (APA1) Community Event took place. Jennifer Jimenez was hired as the next Coordinator for Student Involvement and Advocacy for the Asian Pacific American Community.
* Fall 1999: The Asian Pacific American Student Group Coalition (APASGC) was formed to bridge the gap between various APA student organizations on campus.
* Spring 2000: Concerned students protested the offensive lyrics of the Bloodhound Gang during their performance at Art Attack.
* Spring 2001: A full-time coordinator for the APA students position was created by Dr. Linda Clement, the Vice President of Student Affairs. Julie Choe Kim was hired for this position. FUEL (Forging, Understanding, Empowering, Leading) regional leadership conference was formed and hosted at the University of Maryland.
=====
Want your school to be in featured in the ECAASU Weeklies? Add your school's profile to our affiliate schools project at http://affiliateschools.ecaasunational.org.
Absolutely Nothing To Do with ECAASU =)
I was not this creative when I was in high school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHT_ufv2iY8
-- Courtesy of Caspar Wang, Rutgers ECAASU Conference Board
