The Midwest District Council (MDC) meeting was held on Saturday, October 11, 2008, in Dayton, Ohio. The meeting was called to order by MDC Governor, Lelani Savitt. Attending chapters were: Hoosier, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Omaha, St.Louis, Twin Cities, and Wisconsin. Yoshie Nahmens and Yas Matsumoto represented the Hoosier Chapter.
Under the treasurer's report, Hoosier JACL will be charged a chapter assessment based on December 31, 2007 MDC membership which amounts to a little over $1 per Hoosier member. The MDC dues paid by Hoosier JACL will be $3.50 per member based on our chapter membership from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.
Bill Yoshino, MDC Regional director, urged all chapters to work on membership by contacting lapsed members and upgrading individual memberships from regular to Thousand Club, etc.
The 2010 National Convention will be held in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend at the Swiss Hotel. The National Youth Conference will most likely be held at the University of Minnesota, June 19-21, 2009. Attendees can range in age from 13 to 25 years.
Governor Lelani Savitt stated that she would like for the MDC to have a website to further communication. It would include weekly updates, blogs (chapters can list upcoming events). Another goal is to increase membership and visibility by starting chapters and developing JACL programming on college campuses. Ms. Savitt asked that chapters send quarterly reports of their activities to her which would be forwarded on to National JACL. She will send out reminders.
The MDC delegates voted to elect Janice Taniguchi as MDC 1st Vice Governor in charge of programs. The delegates also elected Matthew Teshima as membership chair.
Matthew Teshima, a sophomore at Notre Dame, gave a presentation on how he would like to start a JACL chapter at Notre Dame. He outlined methods of involvement by holding individual events to attract potential members, such as community service projects, Day of Remembrance, film screenings to educate students on Japanese American internment, workshops that emphasize what JACL is doing today.
This was the first MDC meeting that I had attended in a number of years. I was most impressed with the way in which our young governor conducted the entire meeting by staying with the agenda and ending on time! As one of the more mature Hoosier JACL Chapter members, it was most uplifting to see the young adults step up and take leadership roles. I came away feeling that the MDC is in very good hands.
News and Notes
A memorial service for the Reverend Itoko Maeda will be conducted on November 20, 2008, at 11:00am, at Downey Avenue Christian Church at 111 South Downey Avenue, Indianapolis, 46219.
Indiana University announced on September 25, 2008, that it has approved the establishment of an Asian American Studies Program. Joan Pong Linton, an IU associate professor of English and an Asian American originally from Hong Kong, has agreed to serve as the interdisciplinary program's interim director. The new program includes fifteen adjunct faculty members.
The JACL/OCA DC Leadership Conference will be held from March 6-10, 2009 in Washington, DC. This is an outstanding opportunity for members of the JACL to experience the Washington scene and to learn valuable leadership skills.
The University of Washington presented honorary degrees to Japanese Americans who were forced to leave college during the World War II internment. George Umemura received an honorary degree at the University of Washington graduation ceremony earlier this year. Jean Umemura received one for her sister Mary, who passed away a few years ago. Belated congratulations, George!
Tatsuya Nakatani, originally from Osaka, is an intriguing musician who has created his own instrumentation, effectively inventing many instruments and extended techniques. His music is based on improvised/experimental music, jazz, free jazz, rock, and noise; yet retains the sense of space and beauty found in traditional Japanese folk music. He will perform at the new Toby at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) on January 15, 2009, at 7:00pm.
Akimi Bash, who practices acupuncture locally, provided an outstanding lecture on acupuncture at our chapter meeting on October 26, 2008. She generously demonstrated techniques, and many positive comments were made about her informative presentation.
David Suzuki and Jean Umemura gave a presentation on the Japanese American internment to OASIS and the Indiana Historical Society on November 5, 2008. Jean also spoke at a meeting of the Delta Kappa Gamma, an educational sorority, on October 25, 2008, at the Overlook Club House. Thanks to Jean and David for generously providing valuable service to the community.
JACL needs your support through membership. Please join or renew your membership by contacting Membership Chair Jean Umemura at 843-0077. We have several lapsed memberships, and we encourage you to check that your membership remains current.
Bamboo Heritage