NCVA REPORTER - September 14, 2004

In this NCVA Reporter:

Events

• Fundraising Workshop for Refugee Organizations – Sept 18, 2004
• Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute National Summit Gala – Sept 24-25, 2004
• Join the NAACP Voter Empowerment Efforts – San José, CA – on-going
• Wheel & Grace 2004 Fundraiser – Oct 30, 2004

Funding Opportunities

• Grant Promotes Service-Learning Projects
• 2005 Hilton Humanitarian Prize
• YMCA Grant to Help Local Communities
• Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
• Chiron Corporation Establishes Foundation
• Awards for Middle School Students Solving Community Problems
• Funds for Justice for Women
• Funds to Support Youth Literacy Projects
• Google Provides In-Kind Advertising to Nonprofits

Jobs/Internships

• Nguoi Viet 2 - Seeking Top-Notch Writers
• Call for Contributors - Asian America History and Culture: An Encyclopedia
• SEAMACC Executive Director
• LEAP Manager of Community Programs and Services
• Answering Culture Questions from the Vietnamese

Tips/Resources

• Free Web Hosting, E-Mail Available to Nonprofits

News

• Vietnamese Cultural Center OKd, Despite Protest (Los Angeles Times)
• OCA Announces 2004 UPS Foundation Gold Mountain Scholarship Winners (Press Release)
• Some in Orlando are skeptical of his agenda and anti-war activities (Orlando Sentinel)
• Hairdressers Recruited to Fight Domestic Violence (Mercury News)
• Nevada's E-Vote Free of Serious Problems (Associated Press)
• Governor urged to free voting funds (Mercury News)

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EVENTS

FREE WORKSHOP: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOR MAAS AND OTHER REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS

Date & Time: Saturday, September 18, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Location: "Oasis Room"; Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel; 14th and K Streets, NW; Washington DC

FREE COPIES OF ORR'S NEW "RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK" WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PARTICIPANTS

ATTENDANCE IS OPEN AND THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE.

RSVP to searac@searac.org

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DESCRIPTION:
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of nonprofit funding sources, an introduction to foundations (private and corporate), tips for building relationships with funders, and helpful  hints for developing strong proposals. We will also look at special considerations in fundraising for advocacy work. The workshop will use  small group activities and encourage participants to share their  experiences with and learn from one another.

AGENDA:
Resource Development for MAAs and Other Refugee Organizations -- Leadership Training

September 18, 2004
9:00 a.m.  - 11:30 a.m.

Sponsored by: Office of Refugee Resettlement
Facilitated by: Hila Berl and Hilary Binder-Aviles, Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.:  Introductions
*        Mr. Vo Van Ha, ORR Consultant
*        Welcome and Introductions
*        Objectives for this session

9:30 - 10:15 a.m.:  Getting Started
*        What are sources of funding for MAAs?
*        What are private and corporate foundations and how do they work?
*        What do funders look for in an organization? What makes an organization "fundable"?

*        Small Group Activity A: Identifying ways to improve an organization's fundability and sustainability

10:15 - 11:00 a.m.:  Approaching Funders and Building Relationships
*        What's the best way to approach a funder?
*        How do you build relationships with funders?
*        Small Group Activity B: Identifying strategies for building relationships with funders
*        What are the typical components of a proposal?
*        What makes a strong proposal?

11:00 - 11:30 pm: Fundraising for Advocacy: Special Considerations
*        Who funds advocacy work?
*        What are different ways to "sell" your MAA's advocacy work?

www.searac.org

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ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (APAWLI) 4^th NATIONAL SUMMIT GALA – SEPTEMBER 24^TH – 25^TH

Dear Friends,

We wish to invite you to a unique opportunity of learning, sharing and fun for Asian Pacific American women.  The Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute (APAWLI) is hosting our 4th biennial national Summit and Gala on September 24-25, 2004 in Burlingame, California.  Please come for the 12 high impact leadership skills development workshops,  interact with illuminating plenary speakers including Kavita Ramdas, CEO of the Global Fund for Women, founding member of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy(AAPIP); Radhu Basu, CEO of Support Soft and "Top 25 Women On the Web"; Heather Fong, first Asian American woman police chief in the country and one of three women nationally to head a major city police department; Doreen Woo Ho, President of Wells Fargo Consumer Credit and one of 25 most  influential women in the finance industry.  This is also an excellent opportunity for women to build networks with others from across geographic and professional sectors.

If you are unable to attend the Summit but want to support APAWLI, please attend the Gala on September 25th, 6 p.m.  This year's Star Thrower Awards will be presented to four outstanding women leaders: Aileen Hernandez, Tessie Guillermo, and Sherri Bealkowski and Congresswoman Patsy Mink (posthumously). The cost is $125 per person or $2,000 per sponsor table.

Please visit our website at www.apawli.org for more information.  See you at the Summit & Gala September 24-25!!!!

www.apawli.org

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SAN JOSE – JOIN THE NAACP IN ITS VOTER EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS

The non-partisan NAACP Voter Empowerment Program is an aggressive campaign designed to empower communities of color by increasing awareness and participation in the full political process in local, state, and federal elections.

Our program encompasses several components designed to educate and empower all communities of color to vote.  We need your help today to ensure that we are educating the voters and that we register as many people as possible to vote.

We will also be releasing the San José/Silicon Valley NAACP grades on candidates seeking public office on September 21 along with our recommendations for statewide propositions and local measures.  Help us get the word out and ensure that our community votes for the candidates and measures that represent our values and desires.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER TODAY: To volunteer contact Linda Vu, Voter Empowerment Coordinator at linda@sanjosenaacp.org or call 408-295-3394.

www.sanjosenaacp.org

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For more information, contact:
Thuy Truong
VNHELP Public Relations Director
thuy@vnhelp.org, 510-710-2425

"WHEEL & GRACE 2004" fundraising event hosted by
The Margarita King Company, VNHELP and The Wheelchair Foundation

VNHELP and The Wheelchair Foundation once again are working together to host the second annual "Wheel & Grace 2004" fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004 at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California. Organizers are hoping to duplicate the success of the "Wheel & Grace" program last year, when VNHELP and The Wheelchair Foundation distributed 1,500 wheelchairs Vietnam, the largest of such donation in the history of this Southeast-Asian country.

Vietnam has many needs for wheelchairs because of war injuries and birth defects believed to be caused by Agent Orange. Vietnam, with a population of 80 million, remains one of the poorest countries in the world 30 years after the end of the Vietnam War. Its annual per-capita income is about $400.

"Wheel & Grace 2004" will begin with a no-host cocktail party where guests will enjoy a delectable range of Vietnamese hors d’oeuvres while touring the prestigious Auto Galleries, where scores of immaculately preserved vintage cars are on display. The soiree includes a California cuisine dinner, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. There will also be a pre-dinner VIP cocktail party for sponsors.

The talented Vietnamese-American comedian Dat Phan, winner of the first “Last Comic Standing” -- the hit NBC television show -- will make a special appearance . In addition, winners of Miss Asian America and Miss Vietnamese of Northern California Vietnamese pageants will present the latest collections of the traditional Vietnamese dress Ao Dai from fashion designer Quang Chanh (QC Designs).

Margarita King Company, www.TheMargaritaKing.com, is the Presenting Sponsor of "Wheel & Grace 2004". As of the time of this press release on August 30, 2004, we’re delighted to receive early sponsorships from Rotary Club International, Lee’s Sandwiches, Thao Dang Realtor, Hung Vuong Institute, Bridal Galleria, Black Tie Tuxedo, Pho Hoa restaurant chain, Aux Delices restaurant, Gaylord restaurant, Nguyen Restaurant, Three Seasons Restaurant, Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Vermeer, and Kids Without Borders non-profit organization.

VNHELP, established in 1991, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping the people of Vietnam gain better access to education and health care and to promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and the United States. VNHELP projects include food and shelter assistance to street children, medical aid, health education, vocational training, school reconstruction and college scholarship funding. The assistance provided by VNHELP, through the help of many generous supporters, has had a profound impact on many lives in this developing country.

http://www.vnhelp.org

Wheelchair Foundation was founded in 2000 with a grant by the Kenneth E. Behring Foundation. Wheelchair Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization that leads an international effort to deliver a wheelchair to every man, woman and child in the world who needs one. To date, the Wheelchair Foundation has purchased and delivered more than 272,000 wheelchairs to disabled citizens of more than 130 countries. With the simple gift of mobility, we have seen lives literally transformed all over the world.

http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

GRANT PROMOTES SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS

Teachers, professors, young people ages 5-25, and school-based service-learning coordinators are invited to apply for funding under the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant program.

The program represents a collaboration between Youth Service America and the State Farm Companies Foundation.

The grants are designed to encourage service-learning projects for the 2005 National Youth Service Day, planned for April 15-17. The event promotes youth as leaders to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and service-learning; supports youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement; and educates the public, the media, and policymakers about the contributions of young people as community leaders.

Under the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant program, 100 grants of $1,000 each will be awarded.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 18. Online applications and additional information are available on the YSA website at www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm.

(http://www.ysa.org/)

(http://www.statefarm.com/foundati/foundati.htm)

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2005 HILTON HUMANITARIAN PRIZE

Nominations are now being accepted for the $1 million 2005 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, which recognizes groups that work to ease human suffering.

Nonprofit organizations that have not previously received major financial support from the foundation may be nominated for the award. Nominations must come from individuals familiar with -- but not directly affiliated with -- the group's work.

Nomination deadline is Nov. 1.

For more information, contact Leslie Shopay, Hilton Foundation, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90067; 310-556-4694; e-mail: prize@hiltonfoundation.org.

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YMCA GRANT TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2 million in grants to the national office of the YMCA to strengthen partnerships with local communities.

The grants are part of President Bush's Steps to a HealthierUS initiative, aimed at helping Americans live longer, healthier lives by reducing the burden of diabetes, overweight, obesity and asthma and by addressing three related risk factors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.

"Partnering with the network of YMCA's throughout the country will allow us to broaden our efforts to improve the health of all Americans," said HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. "With YMCA's ability to reach up to 10,000 communities and their strong foundation and vigor, we can reach more people and address the needs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and end tobacco use."

The grants will be distributed over four years and awarded in two stages. The first stage will bring together Steps-funded communities, local YMCA's, HHS experts, and other national organizations to develop local events built around existing YMCA programs.

The second stage will allow local YMCA's in Steps communities to apply for mini-grants from the national YMCA office.

(http://www.healthierus.gov/)

(http://www.ymca.net)

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PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS

Deadline: October 29, 2004

Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals ( http://www.nassp.org/ ), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are designed to honor middle and high school students for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Over the past nine years, the program has honored more than 55,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level.

To be eligible for the program, a student must be in fifth grade or above, in any state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico as of October 29, 2004; have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least in part after September 1, 2003; and complete an application and submit it to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by October 29, 2004. The officially designated local organizations are a Girl Scout council, county 4-H organization, Camp Fire USA council, YMCA, American Red Cross chapter, or member Volunteer Center of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

Each participating school/organization will collect applications from interested students/members by the October 29, 2004, deadline, and will then select local honorees to compete in the state-level awards program.

Local honorees receive certificates of achievement from their schools or organizations. State honorees receive a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expenses-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., in May for several days of recognition events. Ten national honorees will receive an additional $5,000 award, an engraved gold medallion, and crystal trophies for their schools or organizations. They also will have $25,000 worth of children's products donated in each of their names to needy children in their communities by Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc.

(http://prudential.com/spirit)

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CHIRON CORPORATION ESTABLISHES FOUNDATION

Deadline: Open

The Chiron Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Emeryville, California, has established the Chiron Foundation to advance the company's commitment to transform the practice of medicine, improve human health, and enhance the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence.

To that end, the foundation will focus its grantmaking and initiatives in three strategic areas:

1) Improving lives through better healthcare. The foundation supports organizations engaged in disease prevention and treatment, patient education, health policy dialogue, and advocacy on behalf of those with serious medical needs. Emphasis is given to the areas of cancer, infectious disease, vaccines and immunization services, and blood safety.

2) Empowering lives through better education. The foundation supports improving student access to quality educational resources and learning opportunities, especially in the sciences, in communities where the company has a presence.

3) Enriching lives through better communities. The foundation supports organizations in communities near Chiron that are working for positive social change and providing health and human services to those in need, particularly at-risk children and youth.

The foundation will only consider applications for funding from organizations whose mission fits within the foundation's stated areas of interest. Requests for support will be accepted throughout the year, and grants will be made on a quarterly basis.

(http://chiron.com/aboutus/foundation/grants.html)

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AWARDS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SOLVING COMMUNITY PROBLEMS
Christopher Columbus Awards Program

The Christopher Columbus Awards Program challenges teams of students grades 6 to 8, led by an adult coach, to identify a community problem and develop a solution using science and technology. Eight finalist teams win a $200 grant to develop their ideas further and an all-expense-paid trip to National Championship Week at Walt Disney World. Additionally, the two Gold Medal winning teams will receive $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond for each team member and one team will win $25,000 to develop its idea in the community. Student teams (3-4 students each) in grades 6-8 throughout the United States are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting applications is February 14, 2005. Visit the above website for application guidelines.

(http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/)

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FUNDS FOR JUSTICE FOR WOMEN
Sister Fund

The Sister Fund supports programs that foster women's full development through the promotion of social, economic, political, and spiritual growth. Support is provided for women and girl-focused grassroots organizing in New York City; groups within the United States doing national advocacy and public education on women and girl-related issues; and groups in other parts of the world doing advocacy that is international in scope. The Fund seeks to respond to the problems of racial and gender discrimination, AIDS, violence against women, and growing inequality and widespread poverty. Primary consideration is given to organizations that both serve and are led by women most affected by economic, social, mental, and physical oppression, especially women of color, lesbians and economically disadvantaged older or disabled women. The deadline for submitting letters of inquiry is December 1, 2004. Visit the above website for more information.

(http://www.sisterfund.org/)

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FUNDS TO SUPPORT YOUTH LITERACY PROJECTS
National Education Association: Youth Leaders for Literacy

Youth Leaders for Literacy, an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Service America (YSA), provides grants of $500 for youth to conduct reading-related service projects. Interested applicants must begin a literacy service project that starts on NEA's Read Across America Day in March 2005 and culminates on YSA's National Youth Service Day in April 2005. To be eligible for grant funds, service projects must have some kind of activity scheduled (read aloud session, trip to the library, book making, etc.) each week of the project period. The application deadline is October 22, 2004. Children and youth age 21 or younger, as individuals or in groups, throughout the U.S. are eligible to apply. Visit the above website for application guidelines.

(http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/youthleaders.html)

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GOOGLE PROVIDES IN-KIND ADVERTISING TO NONPROFITS
Google Grants

The Google Grants program supports nonprofit organizations working in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. The program provides nonprofits the opportunity to inform and engage their constituents online with in-kind donations of Google’s flagship advertising product, Google AdWords. Google Grant recipients use their award of free advertising on Google.com to raise awareness and increase traffic, including advertising to publicize services, recruit staff and volunteers, promote special events, and sell merchandise related to their organization or cause. Each organization awarded a grant will receive at least three months of in-kind advertising. Nonprofit organizations throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly.

(http://www.google.com/grants/)

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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

NGUOI VIET 2 – SEEKING TOP-NOTCH WRITERS

Location: Telecommute

Job Status: Freelance

Salary: Not Specified

Ad Expires: October 17, 2004

Job ID: 433354

Website: http://www.nguoi-viet.com

Description:
Nguoi Viet Daily News, the largest Vietnamese newspaper in the United States, is seeking freelance writers based in California's Bay Area, Houston, Washington D.C., Paris and other locations with a large population of people of Vietnamese heritage. Stories would be published in Nguoi Viet 2, our weekly English-language section. We are especially interested in profiles of intriguing people making a difference in the Vietnamese-American community; stories of successful businesses; and tales of cultural influences Vietnamese-Americans are having on the United States. Knowledge of Vietnamese community and language are helpful but not required.

Visit our website at http://www.nguoi-viet.com/ and click on the Nguoi Viet 2 button to take a look at the section.

We also need reporters based in Southern California who can write in Vietnamese for the daily section.

For either position, send your resume with a reference and electronic clips to Editor Anh Do at nv2@nguoi-viet.com. Put 'NV writer” in the subject heading. If you prefer, send your information to Anh Do, Nguoi Viet 2, 14771 Moran St., Westminster, CA 92683.

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CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS

ASIAN AMERICA HISTORY AND CULTURE: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL FACULTY MEMBERS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

M.E. Sharpe, a New York-based academic and reference publisher, and East River Books, a reference book producer, are seeking contributing scholars for a two-volume reference work on the history and culture of Asian Americans. The project is aimed at the academic high school and undergraduate levels. The General Editors are Dr. Huping Ling of Truman State University and Dr. Allan W. Austin of College Misericordia.

The majority of the entry articles have been assigned and we are continuously seeking contributors for the remaining articles. Contributors will receive full authorial credit, a modest cash honorarium, and/or copy of the full encyclopedia set (depending on contribution length and contributor preference).

If you are interested in contributing to this exciting and important reference project--one we hope will be the definitive reference work on Asian America history and culture—please review the attached prospectus with a full description of the project--with deadline, compensation, and other pertinent information, including a table of contents. Please contact Allan Austin at aaustin@misericordia.edu.  if you are interested.

If you cannot contribute, please feel free to forward this email to any potentially interested scholars (either professors or graduate students).

Sincerely,

Drs. Huping Ling and Allan W. Austin, General Editors
Asian America History and Culture: An Encyclopedia

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SEAMAAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SEAMAAC, the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition seeks a leader to direct the delivery of services to the Delaware Valley's Cambodian, ethnic Chinese, Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities. Other immigrant communities are often included in services as well. The $2million organization is looking for a leader with at least a B.A.; a minimum of 5 years experience in nonprofit management, supervision and administration.

The full job description is available at www.seamaac.org.

Questions may be directed to Helen Cunningham , Search Committee at helenc@samfels.org.

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LEAP MANAGER OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) is a national, non-profit organization founded in 1982 to achieve full participation and equality for Asian Pacific Americans (APAs).  Unmatched in vision and scope, LEAP offers leadership training, publishes original policy research, and conducts community education to advance a comprehensive strategy of Asian Pacific American empowerment.

For the past twenty-two years, LEAP has been intent on “growing leaders.”  LEAP programs encourage individuals to assume leadership positions at work and in the community, to be informed and vocal about policy issues relevant to APAs, and ultimately, to become role models for future leaders.

LEAP is now seeking a trainer/instructional designer to manage and work on various programs related to Asian Pacific American community leadership development.  As the Manager for Community Programs and Services.  Successful candidate will manage the budget, planning, scheduling, and evaluation of the workshops and programs.  Interface with community leaders and constituents and trainers across the country to deliver the workshops and programs.  Report to Vice President of Leadership.  Supervise Community Coordinators.

Responsibilities
* Prepare annual program master plans
* Prepare the annual budget with the Vice President of Leadership, track ongoing budget status and provide quarterly updates Manage programs, workshops or interventions and supervise staff and external trainers Schedule programs, workshop and consulting services
* Manage a set of virtual trainers located across the country Conduct preliminary needs assessments in the community Plan, organize and lead meetings with community representatives, LEAP staff and trainers Design, develop and deliver LEAP training programs and workshops Develop standardized processes for delivery of the programs, workshops and interventions to reduce staffing/resource waste and duplication of effort Ensure all marketing, presentation and student materials meet LEAP consistency and quality standards
* Evaluate training curriculum and trainer performance Evaluate and tailor vendor/consultant materials. Evaluate the quality of coordinator and trainer delivery Team with other staff as necessary and/or required.  Assist with other duties as assigned
* Interface with community leaders and their staff to plan and deliver program, forums and workshops

Position Qualifications
* Knowledge of and familiarity with the Asian Pacific American community and its issues.
* Must be detailed oriented with excellent supervisory and organizational skills.
* Must be a self-starter, able to work independently or as part of a team.
* Proven experience in project management/budgeting/ coordination.
* Ability to work under pressure while managing multiple projects/tasks and deadlines.
* Excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills.
* Must be Mac or PC literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Filemaker Pro and internet communications.  Familiarity with desktop publishing a plus.
* Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.  Valid California Driver's license, auto insurance and access to a car.

Education
Education typically, a Bachelor’s Degree.  Performing work in this occupational field typically requires knowledge and application of supervision, project management, coordination, budgeting, instructional design and training delivery.

Experience
* Three or more years of supervisory and stand up training experience required.
* Knowledge of the program coordination, Asian Pacific American community knowledge and experience preferred.  Instructional design experience desirable.

Travel
A moderate amount of travel is required.  Travel is primarily to the following areas:  New York, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Pomona, Santa Cruz, Washington D.C., and New York.  The employee will typically be given ample notice for all travel.

Compensation
Commensurate with qualifications and related experience.  Excellent benefits package, including 403(b), medical, vision, and dental.

Deadline
Until position is filled.

Application Procedure
Email, fax or mail resume with cover letter, writing samples and salary history to:
Grace Toy
Vice President of Finance and Administration
LEAP
327 E. 2nd Street, Ste # 226
Los Angeles, CA  90012
Email: gtoy@leap.org
Fax: 213 485-0050

Cover letter must include the following:
1.      Specific reasons for applying for the Manager of Community Programs and Services.
2.      Demonstrated alignment of experience and qualifications with the position responsibilities and qualifications.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!
For more information about LEAP, please visit our website at http://www.leap.org

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CULTURE QUESTIONS FROM THE VIETNAMESE

September 9, 2004

Interested in teaching others about U.S. society and culture?

The U.S. Indochina Educational Foundation, Inc. seeks U.S. residents to provide essay-length answers to questions about our country submitted by Vietnamese residents. The project is designed to strengthen understanding between the two countries. Up to 50 questions and answers, and a brief author profile will appear in a bilingual book to be published by a Vietnamese company in 2005.

For information, visit www.usief.org or e-mail usief@yahoo.com by Oct. 31.

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TIPS/RESOURCES

FREE WEB HOSTING, E-MAIL AVAILABLE TO NONPROFITS

Grassroots.org is offering web hosting, e-mail and other Internet services free of charge to charities and other registered nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada.

Grassroots.org, a nonprofit organization that is looking to change the world through use of the Internet at the local, national, and international levels, serves non-religious, nonprofit organizations involved in Addiction, Crime Control, Youth Issues, Education, Environmentalism, Humanitarian Relief, Fighting Disease, Homeless Issues, Political Freedom, Government Reform, Consumer Protection, and other like-minded, non-legislative causes.

By offering nonprofits free Internet services, Grassroots.org hopes to save the organizations money that can be used to help their constituents. The services are also designed to help charities become more efficient.

Organizations interested in the free web hosting and e-mail services should complete the Grassroots.org application form. In addition, organizations must submit proof of 501(c)3 status (United States) or their Charitable Registration Number (Canada).

www.grassroots.org

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NEWS

September 5, 2004

Vietnamese Cultural Center OKd, Despite Protest
Garden Grove gives preliminary approval to the $10-million project despite objections about its location from Korean American leaders.

By Mai Tran, Times Staff Writer

Garden Grove officials have given preliminary approval to plans for a $10-million Vietnamese cultural center along Garden Grove Boulevard despite the objections of Korean American leaders who say the project is too close to their local cultural hub.

The 3-acre parcel at Garden Grove Boulevard and 7th Street could become home to a proposed 80,000-square-foot Vietnamese cultural center that will include a library, a heritage memorial, a museum, a performing art center and conference rooms.

"The Chinese just put up one in Irvine," said Phat Bui, president of Nhan Ai Foundation's executive committee, the local group spearheading the project.

"The Koreans have one in Los Angeles. The Japanese and the Jewish have one. Definitely the Vietnamese need a center to come to. We're very excited."

Bui said he hopes the center will become a tourist attraction: "It's a way for us to preserve our culture and explain our culture and contributions to the United States to the communities at large."

The project is opposed by some Korean American leaders who say it would be too close to an area designated for Korean business and culture.

"It's awkward to have a Vietnamese cultural center next to the Korean Business District," said Euiwon Chough, chairman of the city-designated district.

"It should be more down in Westminster where the cluster of the Vietnamese community is. It would be more natural because it would be an anchor, a highlight for their community."

The center would be more than a mile east of the Korean Business District and about a mile north of the city's Little Saigon Business District.

Mayor Bruce A. Broadwater said the center fits in with the area, which has been designated as an educational center and includes Coastline Community College, a University of La Verne regional campus and a satellite campus of Cal State Fullerton.

The Nhan Ai Foundation has until year's end to submit design and financial plans for the project. If those are approved, the city would buy about a dozen homes to sell the land to the foundation, officials said.

The project's first controversy came last year when the Nhan Ai Foundation proposed to build the center in the heart of the Korean Business District, at Brookhurst Way and Garden Grove Boulevard. Korean American community leaders proposed building a Korean cultural center at the same spot.

However, in July, the City Council sold 16 acres that included the site to a developer to build homes and retail stores.

"They both wanted a part of the parcel," said Councilman Mark Leyes. "We wanted someone who could develop it all."

(http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-vietcenter5sep05,1,1169668.story?coll=la-editions-orange)

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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2004
Contact: Vana Tran 202-223-5500

OCA ANNOUNCES 2004 UPS FOUNDATION GOLD MOUNTAIN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Washington, DC - The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), a national Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) civil rights advocacy and educational organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates nationwide, has selected ten winners to receive the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship. This scholarship awards AAPI high school students who are the first in their families to attend an institution of higher education. The scholarship provides $2,000 to each recipient to be used for college expenses. Select scholarship winners also received an all-expenses paid trip to the OCA National Convention, held this year in Boston, Massachusetts from July 15-18, paid for by the UPS Foundation. The scholars who attended the convention were presented with their awards at the Gala Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 17.

The theme of Gold Mountain is based on the hopes and dreams of Asian immigrants to find the mountain of golden opportunity in America. Seeking to improve the lives of their families, Chinese immigrants left their homeland in search of Gold Mountain. The ten OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholars have carried on these hopes by being pioneers in their families to first reach the Gold Mountain of higher education.

"OCA is pleased to work with UPS to recognize these students who have taken such a large step towards achieving the American dream," stated Raymond Wong, OCA National President. "These students have demonstrated hard work, community involvement, and academic excellence."

"UPS and its employees have always been committed to serving the communities where we live and work," said Evern Cooper, president of the UPS Foundation and vice president of UPS corporate relations. "We apply both financial and human resources in our support of groups that address the educational and human welfare needs around the world. UPS's support of OCA signifies our shared focus and commitment to improve our communities."

"We congratulate the scholarship recipients on their dedication and perseverance in pursuing a higher education," stated Jean Wood Chang, OCA Vice President for Education and Culture. "OCA, in cooperation with UPS, is proud to afford these deserving students a chance to attain a higher education."

OCA is proud to announce the ten winners of this year's OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship:

Ronica Lu
Ronica Lu comes all the way from Honolulu, Hawaii, where she actively involved herself in her community, including tutoring students at Aliamanu Elementary and leading her school band's flute section as principle chair and section leader. She has also volunteered by collecting canned goods for the Hawaii Food Bank, collecting donations for the National Kidney Foundation, and being a 4-H Club Volunteer. Ronica is an Honor Roll student and plans to study Pharmacy at the University of Notre Dame.

Karen Nga
Karen Nga currently lives in Stockton, California, where she attended Benjamin Franklin High School under the International Baccalaureate Program, known for its rigorous pre-university course of studies. Karen has experience in leadership, having presided over Key Club and the International Baccalaureate Club. She also joined organizations such as Academic Decathlon, American Red Cross, MESA, and Science Olympiad. Karen hopes to major in Molecular Biology at UCLA, and eventually attend Medical School.

Michelle L. Pham
Michelle Pham lives in Antelope, California where she attended Center High School. There, she presided over the Asian Pacific Islander Club and was awarded Honor Roll, both of which spanned all four years of her high school career. Michelle was also a member of the California Scholars Federation, Early Academic Outreach Program, and the Future Business Leaders of America. As a reward for her academic excellence, Michelle was awarded the Golden State Award in Biology, Reading, Writing, as well as in Chemistry. Michelle will be attending UCLA.

Chris Angelo Valiente Roque
Chris Roque hails from Virginia Beach, VA, where he attended Green Run High School and took classes in Photography, Latin, Physics, and Computer Maintenance/Electronics II. During his spare time, Chris volunteers at Martha and Mary's Nursing Home, Prince of Peace Naval Submarine Base, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Public Library. In addition to Latin, Chris speaks Tagalog fluently and has studied Japanese extensively, apart from participating in swimming, track, and piano. Chris will be attending the University of San Francisco in the fall.

Aaron Truitt Saunders
Aaron Saunders attended Kea'au High School in the city of the same name, Kea'au, Hawaii. After school, Aaron worked as a student helper at the Hawaii State Public Library System, and participated in the Hilo High School Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps- Army, took leadership as Yearbook Business Manager at his school, was recognized by Who's who among American High School Students, and was chosen as the most outstanding foreign language student of the current school year, among other honors. This fall, Aaron will be attending the Northern Arizona University.

Cindy Wei-Yee Shao
Cindy Shao attended Irmo High School in Columbia, South Carolina, where she was actively involved in the Spanish Honor Society, Debate Team, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society, amongst many more. She was also in the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia, where she was worship/song leader, participant in a mission trip to DC, and teacher for Children's Sunday School. Cindy will be attending Clemson University.

Violetta Sachcha Taing
Violetta Sachcha Taing is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate at her high school in Las Vegas, where she was also Senior Class President. Violetta has won many prestigious awards, such as "Student of the Month" in the English Department, as well as Nevada Silver Scholar. After school, she enjoys being actively involved in the National Honor Society and Southern Nevada Water Authority Youth Advisory Council. Violetta also enjoys volunteering at Schaffer Heights Convalescent Home and Church Daycare. She also enjoys playing golf and bowling. She will be attending Stanford University in the fall.

Lie Vu
Lie Vu resides in California, in the city of Sacramento where she attended Sacramento High School. On top of being an excellent student, Lie has equal experience in extracurricular activities. She has assisted Sacramento's Central Library and the Sacramento Food Bank, as well as taken active membership in the school's Asian Pacific Islanders Club and Health Occupations Students of America. For several years already, Lie has also familiarized herself with the workings of the restaurant industry. In the fall, Lie will be attending the University of California - Davis.

Joyce Kaori Yagi
Joyce Yagi resides in Chula Vista, near San Diego, California, where she attended Hilltop High School. At school, Joyce was a Senior Class Officer and Senator and took part in the Varsity Girl's Tennis Team, participated in the Asian Pacific-Islander Student Alliance, presided over the Tenrikyo Student Alliance of North America and played fife 1 and glockenspiel in the America Canada Koteki Band. Joyce will be attending University of California - Irvine.

Sheng Er Yang
Sheng Er Yang of Maryland attended Westlake High School where she took part in numerous extracurricular activities, including taking on the roles of Teacher's Assistant with the Chinese Folk Dance Troupe, Visual Coordinator of the Next Step Organization, Tutor for the Summer Enrichment Program, Art Club Member, and a National Honor Society Representative. She has received many awards, most of which stem from her outstanding academic performance. Sheng Er will be attending Virginia Tech.

Thaying Yang
Thaying Yang, along with a fellow scholar, originates from Stockton, California and attended East Union High School where she took Advanced Placement Courses. On top of being an outstanding student, Thaying is responsible and hardworking, in school, at work, and at home. During what little spare time she has, Thaying enjoys helping those less fortunate, in such ways as reading to the elderly, or tutoring younger students so that they may also excel. Thaying will be attending UCLA.

Nancy Young
Nancy Young lives in Alameda, California and studied at Alameda High School. Aside from being an Honors/AP student, Nancy was also Assistant Coach at the school's Score Educational Center, and in her spare time, helped the community in various roles, including the Children's Hospital Oakland Volunteer, Reading Pal Volunteer, Library Tutor, as well as Teacher's Assistant. Nancy will be attending the University of the Pacific.

About OCA The Organization of Chinese Americans, a national civil rights organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, was founded in 1973 to ensure the civil rights of the Asian Pacific American community. It maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

www.ocanatl.org

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September 12, 2004

Some in Orlando are skeptical of his agenda and anti-war activities

By Victor Manuel Ramos
Sentinel Staff Writer

When the spotlight was on Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry at his party's national convention about six weeks ago, his campaign strategists did not miss the opportunity to boast to the American public about his heroism in Vietnam.

Veterans who served with Kerry spoke of his valor, and Kerry himself tried to cement his image as someone with the experience to become the country's next commander in chief.

But there was another audience in Orlando and elsewhere with a stake in what Kerry, his supporters and opponents have to say about his service: Vietnamese refugees who fled their war-torn country to adopt the United States as their home.

Oddly enough, while most refugees say that they are grateful to the Americans who put their lives at risk for their country, some local Vietnamese residents seem at least skeptical of Kerry.

The reasons are as complex as all other Vietnam War issues.

Instead of remembering Kerry's war record, many of those interviewed spoke of him criticizing the war when he returned home.

Some said they resented that three years ago Kerry opposed the Vietnam Human Rights Act, which would have tied U.S. aid to human-rights improvements in Vietnam as is done to promote democracy in places such as Cuba.

Furthermore, some who remember the war against the Viet Cong guerrillas said they are similar in anti-communist zeal to the older generation of Cubans in South Florida, who see the Republican Party as more of an ideological ally.

Take Hoi Van Do, for example. Do, 62, was just starting his career as a doctor when he was drafted for military service with the South Vietnamese. He was on the front line with Vietnamese and American soldiers, and endured three years of imprisonment at a North Vietnamese camp.

For Do and others like him, those wounds are still fresh, and he sees Kerry's previous war criticism as siding with the communists.

"He said that American soldiers came to Vietnam to kill people. I think we are very upset about that," said Do, a community leader whose medical practice is in the Pine Hills area of Orlando. "That, we cannot forget."

Anti-war position criticized

Although Kerry campaign officials said that their candidate's record is more beneficial to Vietnam and its people than some have been led to believe, most of those questioned in the Colonialtown neighborhood, where many Vietnamese businesses thrive, seemed to know more about Kerry's anti-war positions than they did about his being injured while fighting the communists.

"He turned his back against us so I think myself that he is nothing," said Le Do, who is not related to Hoi Van Do and is the owner of Tien Hung Market on East Colonial Drive. Le Do, a Republican, said he has read Vietnamese publications in the United States that call Kerry's heroics into question.

The 2000 census counted about 7,600 Vietnamese residents in the Orlando metro area, more than double what it was 10 years before. Statewide, the Vietnamese population was tallied at about 33,000, but there is no data to show how many are U.S. citizens and registered voters.

"Most Vietnamese I know like the Republican," said Sean Nguyen, a restaurant worker who was a child during the Vietnam War but remembers funerals of men in his neighborhood who died fighting the communists. "I like that Bush fights the terrorists, who are like communists."

In fact, the Vietnamese Human Rights Project, a Houston-based organization, has publicly criticized Kerry's positions on Vietnam. "He has sided with the communists," said president Dan Tran, whose group favored the Vietnam Human Rights Act. "I think he is a traitor, because when he came back from Vietnam he stabbed his comrades in the back."

Another side of story

But Kerry campaign officials and supporters say that while some critics are very vocal, that kind of opposition is only one side of the story.

"There is no stronger advocate for the Vietnamese people than John Kerry. His record of fighting on behalf of the Vietnamese people speaks for itself," said Matt Miller, Florida's communication director for the Kerry-Edwards campaign.

"There's certainly no unanimity in the community. As with any community, there are people who support us and people who don't."

Some among the few local Vietnamese residents who said they favored Kerry and recognized him as a war hero preferred not to be quoted to avoid negative community reaction.

Lan Le, however, said she liked Kerry for his overall agenda, not just his war record.

"I will support John Kerry's candidacy simply because of the issues," said Le, an accountant who came from Vietnam in 1975. "There is no Vietnamese issues. This is about the candidates who will have to demonstrate to us, Vietnamese, Asian and American, that they are going to have American interests at heart."

Tom Vallely, a Vietnam program director at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, said Kerry has a record of service in Vietnam unmatched by President George W. Bush.

Vallely, who supports Kerry, said Kerry only opposed the human-rights act because it would have blocked progress in releasing hundreds of prisoners held by the Vietnamese government.

Further economic sanctions, he said, would have also hurt the Vietnamese people.

"John Kerry had some doubts about going to Vietnam, but he went and fought in it. George Bush was for Vietnam, but he chose not to go to South Vietnam. That is a big difference," Vallely said.

The young also skeptical

Among younger Vietnamese in the Orlando community's business area, the feelings on the war issues and Kerry's candidacy seemed more ambivalent, although they, too, were skeptical of his heroism.

John Ly sipped from a bowl of warm vegetable soup as he took a break from his job at the Phuoc Loc Tho Super Oriental Market. He said he came to the United States when he was 13 and did not really keep track of the issues affecting Vietnam.

"I don't know what Kerry is about, but I think he is using strategy to look as a war hero. The Vietnam War is the past already," said Ly, 36. "The past is just an ugly memory of what happened."

Victor Manuel Ramos can be reached at vramos@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6186.

(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-locvietnam12091204sep12,1,6924931.story)

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September 13, 2004

'Girl talk' redefined

HAIRDRESSERS RECRUITED TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

By Truong Phuoc Khánh
Mercury News

No other public setting invites intimacy like that of the hair salon, a place where secrets are shared and confidences exchanged. Capitalizing on the sisterhood of stylists and clients, San Jose is recruiting hairdressers in its campaign to reach an often isolated group: battered women.

The Hairdresser's Project, piloted earlier this year, resumes its outreach effort this month, once again using San Jose State University student interns to knock on the doors of hair and nail salons and even some barbershops. Better than billboards and more personal than a public service announcement, hairdressers also often speak the language of their clients.

San Jose is the first Bay Area city to link a government agency, a domestic violence advocacy group and cosmetologists in a public campaign against what, for many, is still a private shame.

``Your clients come to you and tell you things they wouldn't tell a friend. There is a lot of trust,'' said Gina Garcia, owner of Halo Salon and Boutique in San Jose. ``It's a comfort zone, it's girl time. You can come in and talk about anything.''

In the decade that Garcia has been cutting hair, the San Jose stylist occasionally has seen bruised arms or hair missing from clients' scalps.

``You can feel your client. You know when something is wrong,'' said Garcia, 35, and mother of two. ``It happens frequently and you don't really come out and ask, `Is this happening in your home?' ''

Instead of asking, Garcia discreetly leaves informational brochures listing crisis hotline numbers and shelter information in the changing room and restroom of her salon. The brochures are also printed in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Halo Salon was one of about 65 businesses that agreed to display crisis hotline cards (800) 799-SAFE (799-7233) from the Hairdresser's Project, which began in January and ended in May. Six college interns -- undergraduates and graduate students majoring in social work -- reached more than 100 beauty professionals in San Jose, which has 800 licensed hair and nail salon businesses.

``We know hairdressers wear many hats. They're counselors; they're therapists. What we didn't know was the intimate level and detail that people share,'' said Eve Castellanos, San Jose's domestic violence prevention coordinator.

Castellanos trained the interns, whose work was supervised by Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, an advocacy agency for victims of domestic abuse.

Nearly one out of three American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey. Battering is the single largest cause of injury to women in the United States, according to a national violence against women survey.

Shellie Taylor considers herself a survivor.

``I tried to hide all the bruises. I'd lie about what happened to me: `Oh, I fell on the stairs. Oh, my son hit me with a bat,' '' said Taylor, 34, of San Jose. ``You feel embarrassed, ashamed, afraid. It was just an awful way to live for three years.''

So when she heard about the Hairdresser's Project, Taylor -- who is now happily married -- immediately signed up Phat EFX, a salon owned by her sister. Taylor is the salon's manager.

Many Phat EFX clients spend an entire day at the salon, Taylor said, and the proximity breeds familiarity. That hairdressers turn into confidants doesn't surprise her, Taylor said.

``You're trusting somebody with your hair, with your secrets,'' said Taylor, ``and you're trusting they will keep it to themselves.''

Unlike law enforcement officials or social workers, beauty professionals don't have to report abuses they see or hear about, which eases the fear victims commonly have of being reported to authorities.

There were salons that didn't want any part of the Hairdresser's Project, said intern Thuy Tran, who is studying for a master's degree in social work.

In the Vietnamese community, Tran said, ``It's a hush-hush thing.''

The Hairdresser's Project, which doesn't aim to turn stylists into interventionists or counselors, is similar to a national campaign called Cut It Out, launched in 2003, which has trained nearly 1,000 beauty professionals in 11 states to recognize the signs of abuse in their clients, and how to respond.

All too often, the stereotypes of abuse victims focus on the obvious signs: black eyes, bruises, broken arms. But other symptoms of an abusive relationship, Castellanos said, include, ``When your partner is threatening you, stalking you, controlling who you see, how you dress.''

For Castellanos, it's easy to see why San Jose spearheaded the Hairdresser's Project, which cost $5,000 in materials.

``We're always talking about being one of the safest cities in America,'' Castellanos said. ``In order to be a safe city, we need to have safe homes.''

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
To participate in the Hairdresser's Project, contact the city at: (408) 277-4000.

Contact Truong Phuoc Khánh at tkhanh@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-2729.

(http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/9650536.htm)

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September 13, 2004

NEVADA’S E-VOTE FREE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS

RACHEL KONRAD
Associated Press

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Alarmed by software glitches, security threats and computer crashes with ATM-like voting machines, officials from Washington, D.C., to California are considering an alternative from an unlikely place: Nevada.

Silver State voters cast electronic ballots Tuesday on a $9.3 million voting system with more than 2,600 computers and printers in every county. The primary was free of serious problems that have embarrassed registrars in Florida, California, Maryland and other states with touchscreen machines.

"They were incredibly organized," said Marc Carrel, assistant secretary of state in California, where several counties are preparing to install similar equipment next year. "I think California could pull off a similar election if we had adequate training and education programs for poll workers and voters."

Credit the training in Nevada, and credit the printers - which give computer scientists and voter-rights advocates assurances that elections can be fully audited. As many as 50 million Americans elsewhere will use paperless touchscreens this November, and critics say hacking, malfunctioning and other problems in only a few counties could have huge implications in a tight presidential contest.

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein co-sponsored legislation that would force hundreds of counties using touchscreens to install printers by requiring all voting machines to produce a paper trail by July 2006. An aide to the California Democrat said Nevada's election marked a turning point in the contentious debate over touchscreens.

"The Nevada election demonstrates that you can have efficient electronic voting machines yet at the same time have a paper trail so voters can be assured they've voted accurately and their vote is being recorded accurately," Feinstein spokesman Howard Gantman said.

Many registrars oppose paper ballots, insisting that printers - which cost about $800 each - are prone to jamming and too complicated for poll workers. They require counties to purchase ink and paper, negating key cost advantages of paperless systems.

Kathy Rogers, the Georgia elections director who monitored voting in Las Vegas, said printers are not a panacea and could have unintended consequences: Unethical poll workers could use the printed ballots to determine how individuals voted.

"We seem to have traded a secret ballot for this piece of paper," said Rogers, whose state has no plans to abandon paperless touchscreens. "In a small precinct, it would be easy to sit and observe what order people voted in."

Few would have predicted that Nevada would become a flash point for voting technology. Seven of 17 counties used old-fashioned punch card machines in the previous election.

One poor, isolated county in eastern Nevada, White Pine, had to rent storage space for the newfangled gizmos; it kept its punch card machines in a cave. Douglas County is storing touchscreens in the fireproof server farm formerly rented by Harvey's Casino.

"Nevada shows that maybe, just maybe, government can get things right after all," Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller joked.

In 16 of 17 counties, every voting terminal includes a small black printer with a 300-foot roll of paper inside. Registrars will keep the paper for 22 months and randomly select a small percentage of machines to compare printed records with memory cartridge results.

Nevada's primary wasn't glitch-free. A power outage delayed results in Pershing County. Clark County had a software glitch that showed vote totals of zero for all precincts, though countywide numbers were posted on time. A damaged computer cartridge resulted in lost data and temporarily delayed results in Nye County.

But those pale compared with problems elsewhere. In 2002, New Mexico's Bernalillo County drew 48,000 early voters - but only 36,000 were initially counted due to a glitch in the software used to tally votes from the paperless touchscreens. In North Carolina that year, a software bug deleted 436 electronic ballots from six machines in two counties. The machines erroneously thought their memories were full and stopped counting votes, even though voters kept casting ballots.

Because of such mishaps, Illinois will require a paper record of every ballot in 2006. Although most of Illinois' 110 election jurisdictions use optical scan equipment, two of the largest - Chicago and the remainder of Cook County - are considering touchscreens.

Dianne Felts, director of voting systems and standards for Illinois's elections board, said Nevada's primary impressed her.

"It heartened everybody here because we were all so worried that the printers would jam," Felts said. "It seemed to work very well there. Obviously it can be done elsewhere."

But DeForest B. Soaries Jr., chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, questioned whether more populous, diverse counties in other states can pull off as smooth an election.

Nevada has unique advantages.

Its abundance of retirees generates a big supply of poll workers - volunteers who complete a three-hour training course and spend the day setting up equipment and helping voters. By contrast, other states struggle to recruit and train workers, and some volunteers must speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and other languages.

When strapped workers in California's San Diego County couldn't cope with computer problems in the March primary, 573 of 1,038 polling places failed to open on time and disenfranchised an unknown number of would-be voters.

Turnout in Tuesday's primary was low to begin with - roughly a quarter of registered voters - and a large number voted beforehand by absentee ballot or special polls for early voting. Thus, volunteers had time to help confused voters and quickly replace broken computers.

(http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/9647591.htm)

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September 14, 2004

Governor urged to free voting funds
MONEY SOUGHT FOR USER GUIDES

By Dion Nissenbaum
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Voting-rights activists are peppering the state Capitol with letters and e-mails urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to release funding for millions of easy-to-use voter guides that have been ensnared in a political dispute engulfing Secretary of State Kevin Shelley.

The Schwarzenegger administration put a freeze on about $45 million in federal funds after concerns surfaced that Shelley was handing out no-bid contracts to former campaign aides and other Democratic allies.

Under pressure from county elections officials and voting-rights groups, the administration released $15 million, but is still blocking $30 million more until the state auditor completes a review of Shelley's spending.

Because that investigation is not likely to be completed before the Nov. 2 election, the freeze has prevented elections officials from spending money on everything from the simplified voter guides to educational projects for soldiers in Iraq.

In letters sent late Friday to the administration, Shelley and a top aide urged Schwarzenegger to release the money so they can move forward with the projects.

``This funding is necessary to help ensure that the November 2004 General Election is conducted fairly and securely,'' Shelley wrote.

Schwarzenegger administration officials said Monday that they were reviewing the request and hope to make a decision in the next few days.

``We want to make sure locals have the essentials they need to make the November election run smoothly,'' said H.D. Palmer of the Department of Finance, which froze the funds last month.

Among the projects held up is a long-running program that distributes millions of simplified voter guides to libraries and community groups around the state. The 16-page Easy Voter Guide takes the complex November ballot and condenses the information from the official 164-page voter guide into an easier-to-use packet.

``There are many, many people in this state who cannot negotiate the official ballot without the Easy Voter Guide,'' said Susan Clark, director of the project at Common Knowledge, a San Francisco company that produces the guides. ``They are, in effect, shut out from information.''

Common Knowledge is ready to print 2 million guides in five languages -- English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean -- but Clark said the company may be able to print only half unless the funds are released today or Wednesday.

In recent days, the group and its partners at the League of Women Voters have launched a concerted campaign to urge Schwarzenegger to release the money.

``It would be tragic if this kind of help for elections can't go forward,'' said Trudy Schafer, a program director at the League of Women Voters of California.

Contact Dion Nissenbaum at dnissenbaum@mercury news.com or (916) 441-4603.

(http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/9658542.htm)

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About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.