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Abstract

d to adhere to the organization’s design from the past, or that form is more important than performance. I would propose that our perceived flaws are only opportunities to improve upon who we are and increase our effectiveness in meeting our mission.Let’s look at what we are doing and how we are beginning to re-establish the JACL as a major factor in the lives of our community. We have an effective teacher training program that has helped teachers and students understand the great necessity for a strong Constitution. We know that the Japanese American experience of World War II is a great lesson for our entire citizenry in the United States to understand. Our teacher training and curriculum guide continue to provide teachers with real lessons in patriotism, courage, and citizenship. The teachers, who receive this training, are able to share this knowledge with the young minds in their classrooms throughout the nation.We are responding to acts of defamation and using these experiences to develop a more tolerant and fair society. Yes, these issues of racism, discrimination, and prejudice still exist. We must be ever vigilant in order to combat them.We have increased our stride in advocacy by strengthening our coalition partnerships, increasing our visibility in the halls of Congress, and developing legislative relationships from the local to the federal level.The “New JACL” that is emerging is one with a major emphasis on youth programs. Our Leadership and Empowerment Workshops on college campuses, our new Community Awareness Program for high school students, and a Self Awareness Initiative for primary age children are expanding JACL’s image among our younger ranks.Becoming part of a society that desires and works for better health care and more equitable access to health services is a direction in which we have already embarked and which has an attraction to those trying to be healthier and striving to raise a healthy family.We are working toward new partnerships and joint ventures with other Japanese American organizations in preserving historical artifacts of our past as well as jointly implementing social programs for youth and the elderly.We are weaving new pan-Asian partnerships as we see many issues that we have in common. We ar

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e helping those groups which have recent immigrants facing similar problems to what our parents and grandparents faced decades ago.We are forging corporate partnerships in the hope of not only enhancing our financial base but to augment our organizational experiences with those of the business sector to help build a stronger organization that will withstand the pitfalls of social and economic change.<blockquote id="d1f5">The JACL is unique among most Asian American civil rights organizations. Our membership base with our structure of local chapters gives us the tools to be an effective grassroots advocacy organization. This same structure now allows us to implement new programs that improve our lives as Americans and to help newer immigrant populations avoid the barriers to full citizenship.</blockquote>Our challenge is to realize how powerful we are and can be as an organization and to take the necessary measures to enable us to continue to be an effective voice for social justice. Change is in the wind. We need to have the insight to ride this surging wave of change to improve what we can do as an organization.We need to look at our priorities as individuals and use our time and talents to give back to a heritage that has given us so much. We should help the younger generation to feel the pride of their heritage as Japanese Americans. We also want to be welcoming to all those who are interested in our organization who are not of Japanese heritage. The JACL is open to all.<blockquote id="36bc">I want to recognize the people who work very hard to give us the capacity to be a great organization, our JACL staff. Thank you also to the local convention committee with chairs, Silvana Watanabe and Reid Tateoka, who worked hard to make this experience valuable and enjoyable</blockquote>May I personally thank everyone here today for all you have done for the JACL and for taking the time to attend this National JACL Convention. Thank you for doing what you do best. That is, building better Americans toward a greater America. Have a great convention![This is an excerpt from the book, The Japanese American Story As Told Through A Collection Of Speeches And Articles, <a href="http://www.thejapaneseamericanstory.com]/">www.thejapaneseamericanstory.com]</a></article></body>

The Japanese American Story…Part 18

National Executive Director’s Report at Convention

Speaking at a JACL National Convention Opening Session

Salt Lake City, Utah, July 17, 2008

I am often asked if I like living in Washington. I always say that we love it in DC. It is not that the place itself is so wonderful, although it is pretty amazing, but it is because I really enjoy the work and the mission of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) in which we are engaged.

There is great merit in what we do in the JACL, and we do things that improve the lives of people. We do things that help our community members, young and old, to fulfill their life’s dreams and aspirations. We strive to educate others about our history and our goals. We also try to assist people of other communities.

The work of the JACL involves a multi-faceted process of identifying issues, developing plans to solve problems, and finding the resources to accomplish our goals. The JACL is a classic model of citizenship in action with results-oriented objectives.

The mission of the JACL tells us that social justice and human rights are critical for our society to function effectively. Our mission also tells us that we place great value on our Japanese heritage. So, all elements of our organization work to the end of preserving both civil rights and the values embodied in our heritage.

The base or foundation of the JACL is built upon individual members who are committed to this mission. Although we do not always agree on all issues, chapters and districts give strength in a unified voice and are able to provide the important social aspect of the JACL.

A talented and dedicated staff enables us to implement programs that embody the mission of the JACL.

While we assess the performance of the JACL, it is easy to pick out flaws if we ignore the actual work that we do. Some may say that our foundation of members is getting weak or that we don’t have adequate staffing to implement programs. Others may feel that we need to adhere to the organization’s design from the past, or that form is more important than performance. I would propose that our perceived flaws are only opportunities to improve upon who we are and increase our effectiveness in meeting our mission.

Let’s look at what we are doing and how we are beginning to re-establish the JACL as a major factor in the lives of our community. We have an effective teacher training program that has helped teachers and students understand the great necessity for a strong Constitution. We know that the Japanese American experience of World War II is a great lesson for our entire citizenry in the United States to understand. Our teacher training and curriculum guide continue to provide teachers with real lessons in patriotism, courage, and citizenship. The teachers, who receive this training, are able to share this knowledge with the young minds in their classrooms throughout the nation.

We are responding to acts of defamation and using these experiences to develop a more tolerant and fair society. Yes, these issues of racism, discrimination, and prejudice still exist. We must be ever vigilant in order to combat them.

We have increased our stride in advocacy by strengthening our coalition partnerships, increasing our visibility in the halls of Congress, and developing legislative relationships from the local to the federal level.

The “New JACL” that is emerging is one with a major emphasis on youth programs. Our Leadership and Empowerment Workshops on college campuses, our new Community Awareness Program for high school students, and a Self Awareness Initiative for primary age children are expanding JACL’s image among our younger ranks.

Becoming part of a society that desires and works for better health care and more equitable access to health services is a direction in which we have already embarked and which has an attraction to those trying to be healthier and striving to raise a healthy family.

We are working toward new partnerships and joint ventures with other Japanese American organizations in preserving historical artifacts of our past as well as jointly implementing social programs for youth and the elderly.

We are weaving new pan-Asian partnerships as we see many issues that we have in common. We are helping those groups which have recent immigrants facing similar problems to what our parents and grandparents faced decades ago.

We are forging corporate partnerships in the hope of not only enhancing our financial base but to augment our organizational experiences with those of the business sector to help build a stronger organization that will withstand the pitfalls of social and economic change.

The JACL is unique among most Asian American civil rights organizations. Our membership base with our structure of local chapters gives us the tools to be an effective grassroots advocacy organization. This same structure now allows us to implement new programs that improve our lives as Americans and to help newer immigrant populations avoid the barriers to full citizenship.

Our challenge is to realize how powerful we are and can be as an organization and to take the necessary measures to enable us to continue to be an effective voice for social justice. Change is in the wind. We need to have the insight to ride this surging wave of change to improve what we can do as an organization.

We need to look at our priorities as individuals and use our time and talents to give back to a heritage that has given us so much. We should help the younger generation to feel the pride of their heritage as Japanese Americans. We also want to be welcoming to all those who are interested in our organization who are not of Japanese heritage. The JACL is open to all.

I want to recognize the people who work very hard to give us the capacity to be a great organization, our JACL staff. Thank you also to the local convention committee with chairs, Silvana Watanabe and Reid Tateoka, who worked hard to make this experience valuable and enjoyable

May I personally thank everyone here today for all you have done for the JACL and for taking the time to attend this National JACL Convention. Thank you for doing what you do best. That is, building better Americans toward a greater America. Have a great convention!

[This is an excerpt from the book, The Japanese American Story As Told Through A Collection Of Speeches And Articles, www.thejapaneseamericanstory.com]