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Last 12 Newsletters available below
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August 2010 Notes from the National JACL Convention This year’s National JACL Convention in Chicago was well represented by not only the official delegates (Jim Kennedy and me), but also your Pacific Northwest District Governor, Chip Larouche, and an impressive team of youth from our Unite People group. I could fill this article with a review of all the proposed resolutions, but I will save a bit of space for convention business at the close. For me, the highlight of the convention was Unite People and the way they stole the show in Chicago with their logo t-shirts and their willingness to learn about the national organization. I am proud to be affiliated with such an impressive group of young people! I had the pleasure of mentoring two outstanding “Unite People people” at the convention: Rachel Seeman and Shafer Durgan. I was impressed by their patience for parliamentary procedure and their ability to network with other youth representatives. At the previous national convention in Salt Lake City, I was met with congratulations for Portland JACL earning Chapter of the Biennium. This time around, I was accosted by JACL’ers who either wanted to know how our chapter was able to attract such talented youth or where they could find a Unite People t-shirt for sale. The answer to the first question about Portland JACL attracting talented youth is simple: inspiring adult advisors who dedicate their time and attention to the youth. Over the past few years, with guidance and love from our dear Robbie Tsuboi and caring leadership from Connie Masuoka, Unite People has become the youth group upon which other chapters look as a model of success. My sincere thanks to Robbie, who we miss so much, and to Connie for taking the time to be such incredible mentors to these future community leaders. The answer to the second question is simple as well: contact the youth group and they will “hook you up” with a snazzy Unite People t-shirt. Of the successful resolutions at the convention, one proposed by the Seattle JACL Chapter bears specific mention—The Power of Words. The resolution, “…relates to euphemisms and misnomers in reference to the World War II experience of Japanese Americans.” For example, terms such as “internment” and “relocation” do not accurately portray the conditions under which Japanese Americans were denied their civil rights. Terms such as “incarceration” and “forced removal” should be used instead. The resolution passed and a plan to incorporate the acceptable terms is forthcoming. Elections for National Board positions were held and David Kawamoto from the Pacific Southwest District is among the new officers as incoming President. The National Conventions are now annual events, with Los Angeles hosting the festivities next year, and Seattle in 2012. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming local events. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime with comments, questions, or concerns at jeff@aiwcreative.com
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