Calendar of Coming Events
Sept. 12, 2007
National JACL Awards Gala
Washington, DC
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007
Halloween Hayride & Picnic, 4:00 pm
Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis (see map)
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007
Annual Christmas Party and Installation of Officers
Details to follow
Halloween Hayride and Cookout
Join the Halloween fun with a chapter hayride through scenic parts of the Fort Harrison State Park followed by a bonfire cookout! We'll serve drinks, hot dogs, salad, beans, and chips, then roast marshmallows for some-mores for dessert. The open picnic area near the park saddle barns is reserved for Hoosier Chapter JACL starting 4:00 pm until the park closes at dark on Sunday, October 21. Parking and modern restroom facilities are nearby.
Reservations (download form) with advanced payment are needed in order to cover expenses. Cost of both dinner and the hayride is $9 per person, $6 for children under] 2 years of age, payable to Hoosier Chapter JACL. A maximum of 40 can ride in the hay wagon, so reservations will be filled by postmark, with members having priority over non-members. Deadline Oct. 12. Checks will be returned in the event of cancellation due to weather. Please provide a phone number where you can be reached the day of the event in case a late decision must be made regarding weather cancellation.
Just bring yourselves (this is not a pitch-in). Costumes are optional, but there will be prizes for best Halloween costumes! Schedule:
- 4:00 pm arrival
- 4:15-5:15 pm hayride
- 5:15-6:30 pm wash up/eat
- 6:30-7:00 pm clean up and leave before the park closes
Please arrive on time in order to make the 4:15 departure! There is a $5 per car gate fee at the park entrance. Feel free to arrive earlier (park opens 7:00 am) to use park facilities prior to our reserved time of 4:00 pm for the picnic area near the saddle barns. The park offers biking, fishing, horse trail rides, a nature history center, and other picnic areas with play-fie1ds. Guests are welcome, so bring friends and family. See map on next page.
Eastern District Council/Midwest District Council Bi-District Conference
The EDC/MDC Bi-District Conference was held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C. on August 9 -12, 2007. Lisa Hanasono attended as MDC Youth Co-Chair and as delegate representing Hoosier Chapter. We express gratitude to Lisa for her generosity of time and service, as well as her excellent meeting notes trom which this article is based.
The theme of the Conference was, "Partnerships, Policy, and Perspectives." The goal of the workshops was to educate attendees on current issues facing this nation and JACL. Workshops focused on such topics as civil liberties, Arab-Americans in post 9-11 America, immigration reform, and attracting younger members to JACL.
The following are available JACL educational resources:
- Asian American Curriculum Guide (January 2007): features Asian American History,
prominent Asian Americans, resources, and lesson plans.
- JACL Network Update (Issue 7, September 2007): provides periodic reports trom the JACL Anti-Hate Program.
- Asian American Empowerment Guide, which strives to help youth advocate for Asian American issues, such as the establishment of Asian American Studies programs at their school.
Hoosier Chapter members, please contact George Hanasono regarding requests for these JACL educational materials.
While no votes were taken, discussions were held regarding: a) national scholarship applicants trom MDC, b) drafting for chapter review a resolution supporting annual JACL conventions which would replace tri and bi-district meetings, c) progress reports by each chapter in accomplishing the JACL Program for Action, and d) Lt. Watada's trial.
Note: The National JACL Board met on 8/18/07 and adopted the following resolution:
"The National JACL Board believes that all American citizens have the right to a fair and impartial trial, which includes the right to have a trial presided over by an impartial judge and to be protected from double jeopardy. The National JACL Board shall generate a strong public statement supporting 1st Lt. Ehren Watada's right to a fair trial. It shall engage in activities including, but not limited to, disseminating this statement through letters of support to the appropriate officials as necessary and directing our National Director to educate other organizations on this civil rights issue to raise awareness."
The following were elected to the MDC Board:
Governor: Ron Katsuyama
1st Vice Governor: Michael Miyamoto
2nd Vice Governor: Sherri Fujihara
Secretary: Laura Paige
Youth Chair: Amy Munemoto
News and Notes
- The Asian American Alliance presents its fifth annual Race for the Races in the morning of September 22, 2007, starting near the Indianapolis City Market in downtown Indianapolis. A 5-Mile Run, 5K Walk, and a 1-Mile Family Walk wil1 celebrate the growing multi-ethnie nature of our community.
- JACL is seeking support for the Gala Awards Dinner on September 12 in Washington, DC. Sponsorships, donations, advertising in the event booklet as well as attendance at the Gala will be appreciated. Visit the JACL website www.jacl.org or email gala@jacl.org for further information.
- Welcome and thanks to our newest advertiser, The National JACL Credit Union! We also appreciate all of our long-time newsletter advertisers. Ads provide information and help defray newsletter expenses.
National JACL Scholarship Awards Program
The Nationa1 JACL annually awards college scholarships. Presently, it administers:
eleven (11) Freshman scholarships
eight (8) Undergraduate scholarships
eight (8) Graduate scholarships
three (3) Law sch01arships
two (2) Creative & Performing Arts scholarships
one (1) Financial Aid scholarship
The scholarship awards range from $1,000 to 5,000.
The Undergraduate Scholarships are continuing education awards for students (other than Freshmen) working on their undergraduate (bachelor's) degree. A student in any category may apply for the Financial Aid scholarship by submitting financial aid documentation from their college and noting their desire to be considered for this award.
It is a requirement of the National JACL Scholarship Program that the applicant be a Student or Individual member of the JACL. The membership of their parent will NOT fulfill this requirement. Applicants may submit their membership registration with their application.
The updated information brochure and applications for the National JACL Scholarship Program are posted on the JACL website (jacl.org) each October. The documents are in Word and PDF formats for easy access. Questions maybe directed to National JACL Scholarship Committee Chair David Kawamoto at (619) 557-5796 or dhkawamoto@aol.com.
Hoosier Chapter Board Members for 2007
| President | Dinah Montgomery |
| Vice President | George Hanasono |
| Secretary | Yoshie Nahmens |
| Treasurer | Ron Campbell |
| Membership | Jean Umemura |
| Ways & Means | Yas and Ken Matsumoto |
| Program | Yukie and Toshi Ogawa |
| Newsletter | Elinor Hanasono |
Bamboo Heritage