APAPA-CVR will be hosting its Stockton Civic Town Hall Forum on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 6:00-8:30pm at Central United Methodist Church in Stockton.

For more information, please contact Danny Lee, APAPA-CVR President at 209-479-6727 or by email, dannylee@apapa.org.

Link to APAPA-CVR's page: http://www.apapa.org/cvc/tp-apapa-cvc.aspx

“Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.” – Gore Vidal, American writer

Dear Members and Friends,

Happy New Year! We had an incredible 4^th quarter 2012.  Let me tell you about some highlights of what we had accomplished.

APAPA had another successful Voters Education & Candidates Forum held at California State University, Sacramento on September 30, 2012. We had a strong showing of candidates at both the federal and state levels. The audience also had an opportunity to hear more about the different initiatives that were on the ballot. APAPA’s local chapters including headquarters hosted town halls to better educate and prepare API Americans to vote.

In October, APAPA’s Southern California Region (SCR) had its annual signature event, their Leadership Conference held in Diamond Bar. The conference was well attended by high school and college students. Many elected officials came to support and participate in the program.  Assemblymember Mike Eng presented Nelson Huang, SCR Director, with a resolution for his outstanding leadership in the API community.

APAPA reached a major milestone this year. On December 3, 2012, APAPA opened a new chapter in the heart of Chinatown in the city of Flushing, New York. Over 300 guests came to celebrate this momentous and historic occasion. We thank New York Comptroller John Liu, Congressmember Grace Meng, Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, Justice Peter Tom, and Assemblymember Ron Kim for attending and speaking at the luncheon. Special thanks to New York Chair, Justin Yu, Tim Young, Honorary Chair, Ching K. Chen, Executive Director, Julie Wu and New York board members for helping to coordinate the event.

Back in California, APAPA wrapped up the year with a Holiday Mixer held at headquarters. The mixer was an opportunity to thank our sponsors, recognize board members and all the wonderful people who tirelessly volunteered their time throughout the year. We thank State Farm for generously sponsoring this event.

We want to give a special thanks to our corporate sponsors and partners for supporting us in 2012. Because of their commitment, APAPA successfully continued its journey towards fulfilling its mission. We want to recognize Chevron, AT&T, PG&E, Comcast, Yin Foundation, Wells Fargo and Wal*Mart for their partnership in helping APAPA educate API Americans in civic and public affairs. 

Planning for 2013 programs and events are currently underway. Please join and get involved. Stay informed by visiting us at www.apapa.org and www.apapablog.org.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 916-928-9988 or info@apapa.org.

Lucy Oback

My Sister's House (MSH), APAPA, and other local community organizations will be hosting a Sacramento Asian Pacific Islander (API) Massage Parlor Forum on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Central Station to discuss human trafficking of API women in local massage parlors and brothels. To RSVP or for more information, please call My Sister's House at (916) 930-0626 or email L. "Rico" Ozaki at ricoomsh@gmail.com.

Download PDF flyer: api_human_trafficking_forum_012313.pdf (55.10 kb)

OCA Sacramento will be hosting its "Youth Against the Hate" Hate Crimes Forum on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 3:30-6:30pm at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento. Co-sponsored by the Hmong Women's Heritage Association (HWHA). The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Michael Head, jmheadaia@sbcglobal.net, (530) 304-1322 or Greg Jung, greg.jungmmj4@statefarm.com, (916) 220-4973.

The 11th Annual Voters Education & Candidates Forum held on September 30, 2012 at CSU, Sacramento is scheduled to air on:

Sunday, 10/28 @ 3:30pm-7:45pm

Sunday, 11/4 @ 3:30pm-7:45pm

Both cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 Pacific Daylight/Standard Time, unless otherwise specified.

Don't have those services? View the programs online at www.accesssacramento.org at the times listed above. Note: the Internet stream is not video on demand

APAPA-CVR will be hosting its Stockton Civic Town Hall Forum on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 5:30-8:00pm at Central United Methodist Church in Stockton.

For more information, please contact Danny Lee, APAPA-CVR President at 209-479-6727 or by email, dannylee@apapa.org.

Link to APAPA-CVR's page: http://www.apapa.org/cvc/tp-apapa-cvc.aspx

For immediate release                          CONTACT: Maeley Tom, APAPA Special Advisor

October 4, 2012                                                        (916) 928-9988, office@apapa.org

APAPA Statewide Voters Forum Targets U.S. Fastest Growing Racial Group That Can Make A Difference In Key Elections In The State

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Asian Americans are now the nation’s fastest –growing racial group, overtaking Latinos in recent years as the largest stream of new immigrant arriving annually in the United States.”  “Geographically nearly half of all U.S. Asians live in the Western states, California, the traditional gateway for Asian immigrants, has by far the largest number, almost 6 million.”

The APAPA organization’s goal and mission focuses on these new API immigrant groups to help them understand the importance of civic and political engagement in this country in order for them to have a voice as a part of America.

The 11^th Annual APAPA Voters Forum in Sacramento attracted close to 1,000 attendees and participants to hear candidates seeking regional state and congressional seats debate as well as hear pros and cons about the most controversial ballot initiatives facing voters today. 

State Constitutional officers Debra Bowen, Secretary of State, Dave Jones, Insurance Commissioner, Tom Torlakson, Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson addressed the importance of API voters today. Dan Walters, nationally recognized McClatchy political columnist along with a panel of respected journalists, Sandy Close of New America Media, Lonnie Wong of local channel 40 and Larry Lee of the Observer led the discussion among the candidates.

Voters Forum article in the Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/01/4869017/influence-of-asian-american-pacific.html

APAPA Forum Photo Gallery: http://apapa.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6040

Dear Amy,

I want to write to you personally to congratulate and thank you for another successful APAPA Voters Forum this year. The success of this huge and historical event is a result of your hard work and leadership. You, your team leaders, and volunteers have given many hours and made personal sacrifices to bring this unique educational opportunity to all API Americans and the public. This event has developed API participation, leadership, and ownership of the community and government. Many political candidates and government leaders were able to speak and communicate with the API voters and the general public.

This was also an opportunity for the corporate and business community to partner with APAPA to fulfill their corporate citizenship. You and your team have organized an entire California API community and have successfully demonstrated APAPA's Mission to empower API Americans through education, active participation, and leadership in civic and public affairs.

This event demonstrated a great ability for us to work together on common grounds for a common vision because we all take great pride and ownership of this country. I look forward to our continued success and expansion of APAPA's programs and services to the entire state through our newly formed chapters.  We Asian Americans and all Americans should be very proud and grateful to you and your team.

I would like to thank Maeley for her guidance and help in the program, VIP invitation, communication and media organization. The program is outstanding, the program book was well thought of, great AV & stage set up, excellent food & drinks coordination and VIP Reception and good media coverage. Thanks to all the many volunteers who tirelessly worked for the success of this program.

I would like to ask Amy to plan a celebration at the upcoming Holiday Mixer in December.

You have set a great role model.

Sincerely,

C.C. Yin

To view photos taken at the Forum, please visit APAPA's Gallery at www.apapagallery.org. Thanks to John Oback, Dr. Kingman Louie, and Paul Quong for attending and taking photos.

Chevron Presents the 11th Annual Voters Education & Candidates Forum
Hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association

Co-hosted by CAPITAL, Sacramento CAIR, NAACP, OCA, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
In partnership with Ethnic Community Organizations and Major & Ethnic Medias
 
SAVE THE DATE
 
Sunday, September 30, 2012, Noon - 5:00pm
 
California State University, Sacramento - University Union
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
 
Noon-1:00pm Lunch & Registration
1:00pm-5:00pm Forum Program
5:00pm-6:00pm Hosted VIP Reception (Invitation Only)  
Fully Educational. Non-Partisan. Discussions on Issues Affecting Californians.                            Media Coverage by Major & Ethnic TV, Radio, & Newspapers.

Free Admission
Open to the Public 

Please visit www.apapa.org for more details.

As our Annual Capitol Internship & Scholarship Awards Banquet is approaching us, I can’t help but think back to 2008 when I was awarded a scholarship from APAPA.

As a starving college student tired of increasing tuition and fees, my biggest focus was getting any money to pay for college. My goal was short-term. I didn’t think about how it would truly affect my life outside of college.

Thinking back, without that scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to intern that Fall semester for Assemblyman Dave Jones. Without that internship (and no one was hiring!), I wouldn’t have landed my first real job out of college at a boutique public relations firm in Sacramento. If you think about it, that scholarship helped get me a job!

I don’t recall much from the banquet except for making an unprepared speech to thank APAPA, its sponsors and, of course, my parents. I just went for the food and certificate. I never thought I’d ever see or hear from APAPA much, if ever.

Four years later, I’m a new and devoted member on APAPA’s Board of Directors. Not only do APAPA’s goals and missions align with my beliefs, but it does a fantastic job of ensuring the Asian and Pacific Islander American community has representation in the political, social and economic world. After I graduated in 2009, I realized how much the community has helped me get to where I am today. It was my turn to give back.

Giving back through an organization that helped me is very rewarding – and a great story to tell. I use my knowledge and skills to help with what I can – writing, marketing, media relations and event planning.

The first event I volunteered to help plan is the biggest event for APAPA each year – Voters Education and Candidates Forum. I obtained free advertisement on Clear Channel’s electronic billboard on Highway 50 by California State University, Sacramento. The Forum was held at CSU, Sacramento in 2010. At the Forum, I managed the backstage and ensured that every elected official and candidate was present and ready to make their speech to over 2,000 attendees. It was amazing and touching to see the community’s overwhelmingly appreciative response to the Forum.

Now it’s your turn to take action.

For all the recipients of 2012 Capitol Internship & Scholarship Awards, I only ask one thing of you. Give back. Give back to an organization and community that helped you move onwards and upwards.