Get documents about "The Japanese
Document Sample
In Brief
OCA–Greater Seattle Newsletter
Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans
Vol. 15 No. 1 Spring 2009
2009 OCA-GS Board JACL/OCA Hold Leadership
Conference in Washington DC
T
he Japanese
American
Citizens League
(JACL), the nation’s
oldest and largest
Asian American
The 2009 OCA-GS board members civil and human
are (left to right) Kieu Neubert, vice rights organization,
president Mario Au, administrative and OCA National
director Bettie Luke, Vanessa Diego, (OCA) formerly
president Kelly Dang, treasurer Rosie the Organization of
Icban, Carmela Lim, and secretary Chinese Americans,
Phillip Sit. just completed the Pictured above are Jason Yu, president of OCA-
eleventh annual Philadelphia, Kelly Dang OCA-GS; Leslie Moe-
joint JACL/OCA DC Kaiser, State Farm APIA Communities; and Pei Un
OCA Leadership Conference Yee, senior program manager for OCA National.
Greater Seattle Chapter in Washington, D.C.
606 Maynard Ave S #102 The event was held from March 6 – and future leaders of the Asian
Seattle, WA 98114 March 10. Pacific American (APA) community.
206.465.4600 OCA-GS Chapter president Conference sessions included topics
www.ocaseattle.org Kelly Dang was one of 30 emerging in the area of health, education,
leaders chosen to participate in this immigration, civil rights, and
Board MeMBers year’s highly competitive JACL/ economic justice and how each issue
Kelly dang, President OCA Leadership Conference. Other affects the APA community.
Mario au, Vice President participants represented JACL Participants also had the
rosie Icban, Treasurer and OCA chapters throughout the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill
Phillip sit, Secretary
United States. and meet with Congressman Mike
State Farm is the sponsor for Honda (D-CA), Senator Daniel
andy Han
the event, and their representative, Inouye (D-HI), Congressman
amy Kwan
Leslie Moe-Kaiser, was on hand David Wu (D-OR), Congressman
Carmela Lim
to participate in the four-day Ahn “Joseph” Cao (R-LA),
Vanessa diego
conference where she presented a Congresswoman Madeleine
Bettie Luke workshop on leadership. Bordallo (D-Guam), and
Administrative Director Various national experts also Congressman Gregorio Sablan
sara Farinelli attended to share their knowledge
Newsletter Editor in many areas of interest for current See JACL/OCA on page 3.
2 In Brief
President’s Message
H
appy Lunar New first time, simultaneous community and our Chapter is
Year everyone! Chinese and Vietnamese truly inspiring. Other members who
Having served as interpretation was remain on the board include Mario
a board member for three provided for limited- Au, vice president, Rosy Ichban,
years, I am honored to English speakers. Over treasurer, Amy Kwan, and Andy
now serve our members 50 members of the APA Han. And of course, I am glad that
as the chapter president community attended this Bettie Luke will continue as our
for the 2009-2011 term. event. Chapter’s administrative director.
First, I would like to In October 2008, Her dedication and constant energy
acknowledge and thank Victor our Chapter hosted a Hate Crime really keeps us on track.
King for his leadership as the Prevention Workshop. The one-day Also, I would like to
immediate-past chapter president. workshop featured experts and law wholeheartedly thank departing
Under his leadership, OCA-GS enforcement officials who deal with board members Rebecca Chan,
strengthened as an organization that hate and bias crimes. The workshop Nigel Lo, Betty Lock, Ross Ye,
emphasized education programs shared with the participants what James Kuo, and Elaine Yu for their
and community involvement as a to do if they were victims of a hate tireless dedication to OCA during
way to carry out the OCA mission. crime. This workshop was free to the 2006-2008 term. Although they
OCA-GS is a voice for the Asian the public. are no longer serving in a leadership
Pacific American community in And, in December 2008, our capacity, I hope that they will
the Puget Sound area. In this new Chapter held its annual membership continue to be involved and share
year and moving forward, we will meeting and election and hosted a with us their expertise.
continue our efforts to advocate holiday reception. The December Without everyone’s commitment
for social justice and to encourage meeting was an opportunity for the and support, the OCA-GS Chapter
civic education and community gathered OCA-GS members to catch would not have been able to
involvement. These goals are up with one another and to wish accomplish so much in 2008.
consistent with the OCA mission of each other joyous season’s greetings. During my term as OCA-GS
advancing the social, political, and Our Chapter members also had president, I look forward to working
economic well-being of APAs in the a chance to meet our corporate with our membership, our board
United States. supporters and community leaders members, our elected and appointed
Within OCA-GS we have a such as Seattle Councilmember officials, our staff, and our
tremendous amount of activities Tom Rasmussen who stopped by community partners to be of service
that advances our Chapter’s to show his support of OCA-GS. If to the APA community in the Puget
goals. In each instance, OCA-GS you did not make it to this holiday Sound area. I will endeavor to
collaborated with other community reception, then I look forward to represent us all in the best possible
nonprofits to bring new ideas to seeing you at our upcoming events manner and to continue to improve
the APA community. In June 2008, in 2009. upon all that has been accomplished
OCA-GS supported the Walk As the OCA-GS Chapter by our Chapter to date.
for Rice event and helped raise president, I would like to welcome Thank you everyone for your
$1,200; in July, we took part in the our new board members Vanessa support. Please join us at our
International District/Chinatown Diego and Kieu Neubert. I look upcoming OCA-GS events in 2009.
Summer Festival. In August forward to serving with them in I look forward to seeing you soon at
2008, our chapter hosted a free the new term. I especially want to our community events.
Legal Workshop for all members thank Phillip Sit, Chapter secretary,
of the public. Eight attorneys and Carmela Lim for serving on
presented different topics on civil the 2006-2008 board and staying
and business law. The lectures on to serve in the 2009-2011 term. Kelly Dang
were held in English; and for the Their commitment to the APA OCA-GS Chapter President
OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter Spring 2009
In Brief 3
Stand Up and Be Counted! JACL/OCA, continued from page 1.
What the 2010 census means for our community (I-Northern Mariana Islands).
Participants to the conference
The 2010 U.S. census will define leaders must come together to share
who we are as a nation. Taken every strategies to develop a comprehensive, had the opportunity to share their
10 years, the census affects political coordinated, collaborative ideas and suggestions on what they
representation and directs the mobilization plan to galvanize the API felt were emerging issues for the
allocation of federal funds. Every year, community to fully participate in the APA community.
more than $300 billion in federal funds 2010 Census. The goal of the JACL/OCA
is awarded to states and communities For more information regarding leadership conference is to educate
based on census data. the 2010 Census, please visit www. and mentor emerging APA leaders
The census is a count of everyone census.gov/2010census. for future leadership roles. The
residing in the United States. It Please contact OCA-GS at Conference has been held annually
includes all 50 states, Washington, staff@ocaseattle.org if you would since 1983. All JACL and OCA
DC, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, like to volunteer as an OCA-Greater members are eligible and are
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Seattle Chapter liaison to the 2010 encouraged to apply for the JACL/
Northern Mariana Islands, and Census. OCA Leadership Conference.
American Samoa. The census counts
OCA-Greater Seattle Welcomes
people of all ages, races, and ethnic
groups, regardless of immigration
New Board Members
status.
The census directly affects
decisions of national and local
importance, including voting, Kieu Neubert was born and raised in Vietnam. At
education, employment, public health the age of 16, her family immigrated to Bellingham,
care, redistricting, and housing. Washington. Kieu earned her Associate in Arts
Census data also affect how many degree in accounting and an Associate in Claims
seats each state will have in the U.S. Certificate from Whatcom Community College and
House of Representatives. This is why graduated from the Executive Development Institute
it is so important for all Asian Pacific leadership program in 2007.
Americans and immigrants to be Kieu has been active in the community for many
counted. years. She has organized and fundraised for the Walk
Beginning in February 2010, the for Rice event and State Farm’s Asianet, a State Farm employee resource
U.S. Census Bureau will mail out group. Kieu has worked for State Farm Insurance as a claims representative
questionnaires to all households. It for 20 years.
will ask how many people are living
in your household and a few simple Vanessa Diego was born in the Philippines and
questions about each person including immigrated to the U.S. in April 1997. Upon
name, relationship, gender, age and graduating from the University of Phoenix with a B.S.
date of birth, race, and whether in Management, she moved to Seattle and currently
you own or rent your home. The works for Qwest Corporation as a credit consultant.
information which you provide Vanessa is an active community organizer. In 2007,
in the census is confidential and is Vanessa became a member of the Qwest Corporation
not shared with any other federal Washington Joint Resource Group Council and
government agencies. was appointed the secretary of the Pacific Asian
It is important that our community American Network. She was recently appointed the vice president of
be counted. Puget Sound’s Asian TelecomPioneers, the largest industry-related volunteer organization in the
Pacific Islander (API) community world with chapters located throughout the United States and Canada.
Spring 2009 OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter
4 In Brief
2009 Golden Circle Awards Dinner and Lunar
New Year Celebration a Great Success
O
CA-GS held its annual
Golden Circle Awards 1
Dinner on February 7 at the
New Hong Kong Restaurant in the
International District/Chinatown.
State Farm Insurance was the
Platinum Sponsor. UPS Foundation
and Qwest were the event Copper
Sponsors.
The event was an opportunity
for old friends to renew its
acquaintances and for new
friendships to be formed. The
dinner featured a 10-course meal.
It was well attended by nearly
300 individuals. It raised $15,000
gross for OCA to continue its
advocacy work for social justice 2
and fair treatment; promotion of
civil participation, education and Pictured in Photos
leadership. This year, the dinner 1. MC Al Sugiyama, executive
committee also held a silent dessert director of Center for Career
auction which raised $1,200 in funds Alternatives, and Cindy Ryu, Mayor
to support a student to participate in of Shoreline.
the OCA Washington DC Summer 2. Golden Circle Trailblazer awardee
Internship Program. Kim Tran.
This year, OCA-GS honored 3. Seattle City Council member Tom
Ms. Kim Tran as the Golden Circle Rasmussen and Northwest Asian
Trailblazer Awardee; Ms. Vi Mar Weekly publisher Assunta Ng.
and Mr. C.C. (Chang-Cho) Tien as 4. Jennifer Liu and Howard King
the Golden Circle Awardee. Kim 5. Port of Seattle commissioner Lloyd
received the OCA-GS Trailblazer Hara and OCA adiministrative director
award because she is an emerging Bettie Luke.
leader and a strong advocate for engineer society since the early 6. Journalist Ron Chew and OCA
the APA community. She has been 1970s. board member Vanessa Diego.
supportive of OCA-GS’ Annual Special thanks to the Dinner 7. OCA president Kelly Dang with
Legal Workshop volunteering as a Committee: Betty Lock (Chair), David Fung, Andrew Fung, Judge
guest speaker. the OCA-GS Board, and all the Dean Lum, and Shiang-Yu Lee.
Vi Mar and C.C. Tien received volunteers who made the event a 8.King County Council member Dow
the Golden Circle Awards for wonderful success. Constantine and a dinner guest.
their life long contribution to the And a special thanks to you, our 9. Kiku Hayashi and Leslie Lum.
APA community. Vi has been an supporters, for joining us at the 2009 10. May Wan and Dennis Su.
community advocate and organizer Golden Circle Awards & Lunar New
11. 2009 Golden Circle awardee Vi
since the 1960s and C.C. has been Year Dinner. We look forward to Mar and a guest.
a strong promoter of the Chinese seeing you again next year.
OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter Spring 2009
In Brief 5
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10 11
Spring 2009 OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter
6 In Brief
News from National
APA HERITAGE MONTH AND OCA TO BE OCA Praises Locke
RECOGNIZED BY NORDSTROM Confirmation
To celebrate Asian Pacific American Suwannagate is thrilling to say the Washington – OCA, a national
Heritage Month in May, Nordstrom least,” said OCA Executive Director Asian Pacific American social justice
has been working with fashion George Wu. organization, applauds the Senate’s
designers Koi Suwannagate and The t-shirts will be available unanimous approval of former
Anna Sui on limited-edition t-shirts at 15 Nordstrom stores (mostly in Washington Governor Gary Locke
to be sold in their stores. Nordstrom cities where there are OCA chapters) as this nation’s 36th Secretary of
will generously give proceeds from and online at www.nordstrom.com/ Commerce.
shirt sales to the OCA Scholarship apahm beginning May 1 for $60. Secretary Locke becomes the
Fund, and OCA is excited to have There are three different designs to first Asian American Secretary of
the opportunity to collaborate with choose from. Commerce and the third Asian
fashion designers and Nordstrom. Check back soon to the OCA American in President Obama’s
“OCA is truly honored that Web site to find a list of stores that cabinet, joining Energy Secretary
Nordstrom wanted to work with will carry the shirts in May. For Steven Chu and Veteran Affairs
us on this project, and to have our questions, contact Sarah Smith at Secretary Eric Shinseki.
organization attached to prestigious ssmith@ocanational.org. As the United States responds
designers like Anna Sui and Koi to the current economic crisis,
OCA believes Secretary Locke
will foster and promote American
NEW OCA DEVELOPMENT MANAGER economic development at home
Victoria J. Rumsey joined OCA in association where she spent time and abroad. Additionally, OCA
March 2009 as the Development writing for their newsletter. It was is excited Secretary Locke will
Manager. Victoria has worked in a during that time she found her provide leadership on Census 2010
wide range of fundraising niche for fundraising. She and looks forward to working with
field, ranging from was there for four years, the Census Bureau to ensure that
political fundraising where she spent her last everyone is counted.
to individual giving to two years working in OCA is an official Census 2010
corporate sponsorship. the Government Affairs Partner and a Census Information
Before starting at OCA, Department as their Center.
she worked at the Political Action Committee/
American Academy of Grassroots Coordinator,
Child and Adolescent planning fundraising events
Psychiatry as their and getting the members
Development Manager where more involved.
she worked on various funding She graduated from George
opportunities in support of the Mason University in 2002 where Founded in 1973, OCA is
mental health of children and she majored in English with a headquartered in Washington,
adolescents. concentration in nonfiction writing D.C. and has over 80 chapters
In college she interned for and editing and minored in African and affiliates around the country.
a telecommunications trade American Studies.
OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter Spring 2009
In Brief 7
Upcoming 2009
Support OCA–Greater Seattle!
Become a Member or Renew Your Membership Activities
APRIL
OCA can only continue its vital work through the support of its members and do-
nors. Your membership or donation will ensure that we will be able to continue to
advocate for the Asian Pacific American community. Kick off for 2010 Census; Kelly Dang
will give a presentation at CISC.
I WaNT To BeCoMe a MeMBer
We encourage you to join the OCA chapter nearest you! If there are no MAY
chapters in your area, you can join as an OCA member-at-large. Asian Heritage Month, OCA–GS
$10 Student $40 Single $50 Family will have a table at the event held
$100 Century Club $250 American Club at Seattle Center May 3. We are
$1000 Lifetme (Single) $1500 Lifetime (Family) recruiting volunteers in two-hour
blocks to staff the table and deliver
I would like to join an OCA chapter in my area.
the message about OCA and the US
I am interested in starting an OCA chapter in my area.
Census. Please contact Bettie Luke at
Name: ________________________________________________________ 206-465-4600.
Street address: _________________________________________________ JUNE
● Financial Workshop on first-time
CIty __________________________________ State _______Zip _________ home buyers, predatory lenders,
household budgeting, date TBD
Day phone: ____________________________________________________ ● Walk for Rice – OCA will
participate as part of the ACRS
Evening phone: _________________________________________________
contingent, June 20
E-mail: ________________________________________________________ JULY
International District Summer Fest,
I WaNT To sUPPorT oCa THroUGH MY doNaTIoN! OCA will participate again and is
Donation amount $ ______________ looking for volunteers to help
I am eligible for my employer’s matching program. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Employer name ________________________________________ ● Legal Workshop, date TBD
Tell me how I can include OCA in my estate planning. ● Fundraising Event, date TBD
Tell me how I can donate stocks and securities.
All contributions will be acknowledged in OCA publications and Web DECEMBER
sites unless otherwise notified. Annual Membership Meeting, date
I would like to remain anonymous. TBD
PaYMeNT aMoUNT
Financial disclosure information
I am making a contribution of $ ____________________ about the Organization of
Check Please make checks payable to OCA National Center Chinese Americans, Inc, which
is located in Washington, DC,
Credit Card
may be obtained from the
Card number _________________________________ Exp. date________ State of Washington, Secretary
of State, Charities Program,
Signature ____________________________________
PO Box 40234, Olympia,
Mail form & check to: OCA–Greater Seattle, PO Box 3013, Seattle, WA 98114 WA 93504-0234 or by calling
360.753.0863
Spring 2009 OCA–Greater Seattle Chapter
2009 Board Meeting Open Board Positions New Newsletter
Schedule Are you a dedicated individual
who wants to make a difference
Editor
Please mark your calendar for the in the community? Join the OCA- Sara Farinelli has assumed the job of
OCA Board meetings. Meetings are
open to OCA members. Greater Seattle board! OCA-GS is In Brief editor from Carmela Lim.
Call 206-465-4600 for additional seeking a energetic and creative Sara earned her B.A. in Far East
information. individuals to carry out our mission Area Studies from Sophia University
of promoting the well being of (1975) in Tokyo and her M.A. in
apr 15 (3rd Wed) 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Asian Pacific Americans. Please Japanese Literature at the University
May 16 (3rd Sat) 10:00–11:30 a.m. e-mail kellytdang@gmail.com if you of Washington (1981). In addition to
are interested. experience as a editor of magazines
Jun 17 (3rd Wed) 6:00–7:30 p.m. and community newsletters, Sara
Jul 18 (3rd Sat) 10:00–11:30 a.m. has also worked as a public affairs
OCA Mission specialist in democracy and human
aug 19 (3rd Wed) 6:00–7:30p.m. rights. She earned an A.A.S. in
Founded in 1973, OCA is a national
sep 19 (3rd Sat) 10:00–11:30 a.m. organization dedicated to advancing the
Publishing Arts at Seattle Central
social, political, and economic wellbeing Community College (2007).
oct 21 (3rd Wed) 6:00–7:30 p.m. of Asian Pacific Americans in the United Sara currently works as a
(preparation for fundraising dinner) States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes communications specialist at
Nov/dec TBd
and aspirations of nearly 15 million Asian International Community Health
Pacific Americans in the United States.
(preparation for fundraising dinner) Services.
OCA – Greater Seattle Chapter
606 Maynard Ave S #102
PO Box 3013
Seattle, WA 98114
Related docs
