Monday, October 11, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #91
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

Note: Documents on this page or in this section may be in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. In order to read them, you require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is downloadable free from Adobe.

In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• National Congress of Vietnamese Americans
• Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy
• Groundspring
• Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
2. Promising Practices
• Disaster Recovery Planning
3. News
• City Strains to Meet Immigration Surge
• Community Gardens Nourish Those with No Land
• Banquet Honors Hmong Survivors of Domestic Abuse
• Refugees by Definition
• Last of Vietnamese Boat People in Philippines Start for United ...
• Still Seeking Refuge: Vietnamese After Katrina
• 'Her Story' Brings Women Poets to Cullowhee
• Minority Women Face Cultural Barriers
• There's No Business Like Nail Business
• Hmongs Invite Community to Two-Day New Year Celebration at ...
• Young Listeners Hear Message of Sacrifice
• Conference Touches Upon Cambodian Health Issues
• Theater Review: When Art Imitates Strife
• Esther Wu: Refugees Join New Exodus on Coast
• Exhibit Links Shoah, Cambodia Genocide
• An Interview with Ed Bok Lee
• Bay Briefs
• Mike Honda: 'I Was Outraged'
• Aging Well
• Hmong Refugees Give to Flood Victims
• Cruise Lines Set Their Sights on Asia
• Help Arrives for Vietnamese Storm Victims
• A Victim of Circumstance and Racism
• 6,000 Hmong Evicted from Town Face Uncertain Future
• After Years in Philippines, Vietnamese Refugees Reach California
• Family Is Reunited with Adopted Son
• Area Digest—Published October 2, 2005
• Vietnamese Immigrant Prospers the American Way—Fixing Cars
• Bus Fares to Rise Monday by 10-20 Cents
• Rescue at Kham Duc
• Hmong Festival Helps Preserve Culture
• Fresno Mayor Invites Refugees to a Town That Doesn't Want Them
• Asian American Community Calls on Government and Relief Agencies ...
• Market Value
• No Place Left to Hide—Deer-Hunter Case Strips Hmong of Ethnic ...
• Sick and Worried
• An Interview with Stephen T. Asma
• Fresno Cemetery in Court Over Hmong Burial
• City's Vietnamese Seniors Speak Out at Graduation
• Cambodia Is an Affordable Paradise
• Neenah Art Class Helps Ease Transition for Young Hmong Refugees to ...
• Hmong Nonprofit Must Close
• Asian Americans Topic of Conference
• Still Seeking Refuge: Vietnamese After Katrina
• Overseas Vietnamese Welcome Politburo Resolution
• Hmong Girls Shamed Into Silence
• VPS Gala 2005 in Southern California
• Listening to Rice Grow
• Sexual Assault in Hmong Community Concerns Many
• Vietnam, Laos Are Top Buys
• Oktoberfest Could Help Foster Cultural Understanding, 2004 ...
4. Funding Opportunities
• The Association for the Study and Development of Community
• The Echoing Green Fellowship
• Nonprofit Sector Research Fund
• Open Society Institute's U.S. Justice Fund
• The Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program
• The American Library Association
• Translating Proven Interventions for Underserved and Emergent High-Risk Populations
• The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People
5. Resources
• KnowledgePlex

I. Announcements

September 29, 2005

Invitation to NCVA (VERB Sub-awardee) 19th Annual Convention

Dear Friends,

We invite you to join the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA) at our 19th Annual Convention "Building a Stronger Community" on October 21-23, 2005 in San Jose, California at the Doubletree Hotel - 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose, California 95110 (408) 453-4000. This gathering will bring together members of the community, nonprofit and business sectors to collaborate on opportunities resulting in measurable impact.

This conference is free. Registration fee is only requested of those who wish to have access to meals (breakfast and lunch on Fri/Sat and banquet dinner only on Fri) - $40 students / $75 members / $100 nonmembers.

The dinner will be hosted by Nguyen Qui Duc of Pacific Times. The keynote speaker will be Congressman Mike Honda. NCVA will honor Van Lang Vietnamese Language and Culture Education Center and Immigrant Resettlement & Culture Center (IRCC) for their on-going activities in the Bay Area. Tickets for the dinner is $35 each / $350 for a table of 10 (table sponsors will be recognized in program booklet if known by 10/12/05). Please contact 877-592-4140 or rsvp@ncvaonline.org for futher details.

The convention theme of "Building a Stronger Community" is actualized through the following:

Empowering Neighbors

• NCVA continues its tradition of leadership through its signature Vietnamese American Youth Leadership Conference (VAYLC) by hosting training sessions to develop the leadership skills of young students and working professionals.
• Empowered neighbors become active citizens in a civil society.

Creating Business Opportunities

• NCVA efforts to strengthen the community are concretely expressed in our activities to encourage greater diversity in the workforce and greater representation among the pool of minority suppliers.
• The success of Asian Pacific American businesses increases the economic self-sufficiency of the community.

Building a Sustainable Community

• NCVA believes that a community becomes sustainable when its citizens take an active role in policy, philanthropy, volunteerism and genuine giving from the heart to make a difference.
• A sustainable community exists when empowered citizens take an active role in their communities while being supported by the resources generated by members of the community.

Conference details and registration can be found online.

Sincerely,

Hung Nguyen
President/CEO
National Congress of Vietnamese Americans
Nghi Hoi Toan Quoc Nguoi Viet Tai Hoa Ky
202-691-6592 / 703-470-4864 cell
www.ncvaonline.org

****

HOST: Metro DC/Baltimore Chapter of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)

WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2005; 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: Flashpoint (916 G Street, NW, Washington DC, Gallery Place Metro)

Want to get more involved in the local Asian Pacific American (APA) community? Ever wondered what it's like to be a nonprofit board member? Here's your chance! Join us to learn more about nonprofit board service and meet representatives from APA-serving or APA-led nonprofit organizations.

The program will feature a panel on board service followed by a reception to celebrate AAPIP's 15th anniversary and connect potential board members with leaders in the APA community.

Moderator:

Rick Moyers, Program Officer, Nonprofit Sector Fund, Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation

Panelists:

• Anjali Nagpaul, Executive Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
• John C. Yang, Partner, Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP; Board Chair, National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium; and Co-Founder and Board Member, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

Space is limited. Please RSVP by October 25 to aapip.dc.baltimore@gmail.com with your full name, title, and organizational affiliation. Questions? Call Donna Ortega at 202-483-8294 or Rea Panares at 202-628-3030.

****

Online: Internet Academy - Last Two Series

The last two IA series of 2005 will begin October 4th and November 1st, respectively. The series includes an introduction to online fundraising, information on effective websites, driving web traffic to your site and effective email communications. Space is limited - signup today!

In-Person: Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland
November 8 and November 10, 2005

Groundspring.org together with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western Maryland chapter, is bringing our outstanding online strategy education class to the local community. Join us for a full day of online fundraising tips, techniques and strategies that are sure to help improve your online results. Register today!

See the calendar of trainings.

****

N-TEN, the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network, hosts the upcoming Regional Conferences - a great opportunity for you to delve into different topics related to nonprofit technology that affect your organization.

Connect with others in the field, share information and resources, and put what you learn to use immediately. Next up: Washington, D.C. October 11.

Learn more and register: http://www.nten.org/conferences

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II. Promising Practices

Disaster Recovery Planning

The Katrina tragedy reminds us that every single nonprofit needs a disaster recovery plan. If you came to work tomorrow and your office was gone, could you recover? Do you have backups of your data at home or some other location?

We urge all nonprofits to establish or review their plans to recover from a disaster - today.

The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York created a template that any nonprofit can use to start their own emergency preparedness plan. It is available on their website.

Check out these Techsoup articles:

• Disaster Recovery
• Tech Planning for Civil Emergencies

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III. News

City Strains to Meet Immigration Surge
Charlotte Observer
September 22, 2005

***

Community Gardens Nourish Those with No Land
Anchorage Daily News
September 9, 2005

***

Banquet Honors Hmong Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Wausau Daily Herald
September 26, 2005

***

Refugees by Definition
Minnesota Daily
September 26, 2005

***

Last of Vietnamese Boat People in Philippines Start for United ...
Voice of America
September 26, 2005

***

Still Seeking Refuge: Vietnamese After Katrina
Thanh Nien Daily
September 27, 2005

***

'Her Story' Brings Women Poets to Cullowhee
Waynesville Smoky Mountain News
September 28, 2005

***

Minority Women Face Cultural Barriers
Green Bay Press Gazette
September 28, 2005

***

There's No Business Like Nail Business
Pacific News Service
September 28, 2005

***

Hmongs Invite Community to Two-Day New Year Celebration at ...
Mercury-Register
September 28, 2005

***

Young Listeners Hear Message of Sacrifice
Arizona Republic
September 29, 2005

***

Conference Touches Upon Cambodian Health Issues
Lowell Sun
September 29, 2005

***

Theater Review: When Art Imitates Strife
Minneapolis Star Tribune
September 29, 2005

***

Esther Wu: Refugees Join New Exodus on Coast
Dallas Morning News
September 29, 2005

***

Exhibit Links Shoah, Cambodia Genocide
The Jewish Journal of greater L.A
September 30, 2005

***

An Interview with Ed Bok Lee
St. Paul Asian American Press
September 30, 2005

***

Bay Briefs
Asian Week
September 30, 2005

***

Mike Honda: 'I Was Outraged'
Asian Week
September 30, 2005

***

Aging Well
San Diego Union Tribune
September 30, 2005

***

Hmong Refugees Give to Flood Victims
The Capital Times
September 30, 2005

***

Cruise Lines Set Their Sights on Asia
New York Times
October 1, 2005

***

Help Arrives for Vietnamese Storm Victims
WLOX
October 1, 2005

***

A Victim of Circumstance and Racism
Asian Week
October 1, 2005

***

6,000 Hmong Evicted from Town Face Uncertain Future
Seattle Times
October 1, 2005

***

After Years in Philippines, Vietnamese Refugees Reach California
San Jose Mercury News
October 2, 2005

***

Family Is Reunited with Adopted Son
Poughkeepsie Journal
October 2, 2005

***

Area Digest—Published October 2, 2005
Stockton Record
October 2, 2005

***

Vietnamese Immigrant Prospers the American Way—Fixing Cars
Sioux City Journal
October 2, 2005

***

Bus Fares to Rise Monday by 10-20 Cents
Charlotte Observer
October 2, 2005

***

Rescue at Kham Duc
Air Force Magazine
October 3, 2005

***

Hmong Festival Helps Preserve Culture
Enterprise-Record
October 3, 2005

***

Fresno Mayor Invites Refugees to a Town That Doesn't Want Them
San Jose Mercury News
October 4, 2005

***

Asian American Community Calls on Government and Relief Agencies ...
UVSASC
October 4, 2005

***

Market Value
Village Voice
October 4, 2005

***

No Place Left to Hide—Deer-Hunter Case Strips Hmong of Ethnic ...
Pacific News Service
October 4, 2005

***

Sick and Worried
Philippine News Online
October 5, 2005

***

An Interview with Stephen T. Asma
Bookslut
October 5, 2005

***

Fresno Cemetery in Court Over Hmong Burial
Fresno Bee
October 5, 2005

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City's Vietnamese Seniors Speak Out at Graduation
San Francisco Examiner
October 6, 2005

***

Cambodia Is an Affordable Paradise
Alameda Times-Star
October 6, 2005

***

Neenah Art Class Helps Ease Transition for Young Hmong Refugees to ...
Appleton Post Crescent
October 6, 2005

***

Hmong Nonprofit Must Close
Minneapolis Star Tribune
October 6, 2005

***

Asian Americans Topic of Conference
St. Paul Asian American Press
October 6, 2005

***

Still Seeking Refuge: Vietnamese After Katrina
Asian Week
October 7, 2005

***

Overseas Vietnamese Welcome Politburo Resolution
Nhan Dan
October 7, 2005

***

Hmong Girls Shamed into Silence
Minneapolis Star Tribune
October 8, 2005

***

VPS Gala 2005 in Southern California
UVSASC
October 8, 2005

***

Listening to Rice Grow
Globe and Mail
October 8, 2005

***

Sexual Assault in Hmong Community Concerns Many
WCCO
October 9, 2005

***

Vietnam, Laos Are Top Buys
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
October 9, 2005

***

Oktoberfest Could Help Foster Cultural Understanding, 2004 ...
LaCrosse Tribune
October 9, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   The Association for the Study and Development of Community

   The Association for the Study and Development of Community is announcing a small grants and capacity building program, funded by the C.S Mott Foundation, to help understand and promote the value of diversity in neighborhoods or other communities. Community and neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and local foundations are eligible. The Request for Proposals describes the program, resources available, and application process and materials.

   For more information: contact: buildingcommunity@capablecommunity.com.

   Deadline: October 31, 2005

2. (National)
   The Echoing Green Fellowship

   The Echoing Green Fellowship supports emerging leaders with innovative ideas for tackling seemingly unsolvable social challenges. Fellows receive two years of financial support and strategic counsel to help them develop and test their ideas.

   Each year, Echoing Green holds an open application process through which anyone who meets the program's eligibility criteria and has a compelling new idea for social change is welcome to apply.

   Echoing Green offers fellowships to individuals and to partnerships of no more than two individuals. Individual Fellowships provide $30,000 per year for two years for a total of $60,000. Partnership Fellowships provide $45,000 per year (per project, not per individual) for two years for a total of $90,000. The stipend can be used for any purpose related to the start up of the organization or project. In addition to the two-year stipend, Echoing Green offers a monthly stipend for health insurance.

   Fellows also receive a range of support through a variety of media and activities, including the Internet, conferences, site visits, and phone contact. The program offers guidance in strategic and financial planning, staff and board development, fundraising, legal and accounting practices, and many other aspects of starting and building a nonprofit organization.

   Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must be willing to make a full-time commitment to the proposed project's development. Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens. Projects must be the original idea of the individual applying and must be in start-up phase.

   Deadline: December 1, 2005

3. (National)
   Nonprofit Sector Research Fund

   The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, a grantmaking program of the Aspen Institute, annually offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship. Through this program, the fund seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues relating to philanthropy, voluntarism, and nonprofit organizations.

   The scholarship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are members of minority groups. The Hearst Scholar serves as a summer intern with the fund. In his or her summer internship, the Hearst Scholar undertakes general research and program support for the fund's grantmaking and outreach efforts. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience.

   A scholarship grant of between $2,500 and $5,000 will be awarded, depending on the recipient's educational level, financial need, and time commitment.

   Deadline: March 16, 2006

4. (National)
   Open Society Institute's U.S. Justice Fund

   The mission of The After Prison Initiative, a program of the Open Society Institute's U.S. Justice Fund, is to work against the criminalization of race and poverty by promoting public policies that support successful reentry of people returning from prison. The Initiative funds programs that promote investment in community infrastructure instead of prisons; encourage civic participation by formerly incarcerated people; remove legal and other barriers to work, housing, education, health care, and political participation; and create neighborhood-based restorative reentry strategies to replace the surveillance orientation of parole and other community penalties.

   The After Prison Initiative does not fund direct service projects.

   Deadline: Inquiries are accepted on a rolling basis.

5. (National)
   The Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program

   The Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program is committed to improving the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents within the communities the bank serves in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

   The bank provides support to nonprofit organizations that contribute to educational, civic, cultural, health and human care needs in bank communities.

   Deadline: Open

6. (National)
   The American Library Association

   The American Library Association is partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities for the third We the People Bookshelf project.

   Part of the NEH's We the People initiative, the Bookshelf is a grant program created to encourage young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history. This year's theme is "Becoming American."

   The grant initiative will award sets of fifteen books for young readers that address the theme of "Becoming American" to one thousand libraries across the country. Libraries selected to receive the grants are required to use the Bookshelf selections in programs for young readers in their communities.

   Applications will be accepted from all public libraries and school libraries (K-12), including public, private, parochial, or charter schools, in the United States and its territories. Multiple libraries within a library system or school district may apply for a Bookshelf, but an application must be submitted for each individual library. Libraries may also collaborate with other (non-library) organizations to develop and deliver programs; however, the applicant must be a library. Individuals and organizations other than libraries are not eligible to apply.

   Applications will be accepted online from September 6, 2005, through January 17, 2006. Unlike past We the People Bookshelf projects, there will be no second deadline for "Becoming American."

   Deadline: January 17, 2006

7. (National)
   Translating Proven Interventions for Underserved and Emergent High-Risk Populations

   WHO: Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply.

   WHAT: The purpose of this program is to translate the protocols for effective HIV prevention interventions and create curricula and technical assistance guidance materials for HIV prevention providers who want to adopt interventions that have already been developed, evaluated, and shown evidence of effectiveness.

   WHEN: Letters of intent are due October 18, 2005. Applications are due December 5, 2005.

   ANTICIPATED AWARD AMOUNT: Two awards totaling $440,000.

   CONTACT: Carolyn Guenther-Grey at CYG8@cdc.gov or (404) 639-1908.

8. (National)
   The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People

   The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People is prepared to establish partnerships with groups in the United States or other countries who:

   • are oppressed by poverty or social systems,
   • want to take charge of their own lives,
   • have organized or are organizing to do something about their own conditions,
   • have decided that what they are going to do will produce long term changes for their lives or communities,
   • will control the programs they own and will benefit from them directly.

   Partnerships are initiated by applications to the Self-Development of People Committee and are evaluated against Self-Development's funding criteria.

   • Applications are accepted at any time
   • Funding Decisions are made in January and September 2005. In May and November after 2005
   • To initiate partnerships with Presbytery and Synod Committees, contact them directly.
   • Contact the Synod and Presbytery SDOP Committee for their deadlines and methods of submission

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V. Resources

KnowledgePlex recently launched DataPlace —a free, online source for housing and demographic statistics about your community, your region, and the nation. For example, you can look up demographic, economic, housing, and mortgage lending data from the decennial census, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Section 8 Expiring Use, and other data sets. Or you can display key statistics on any location in the United States through colorful, customizable maps, charts, tables, and rankings.

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If you wish to contribute to the VERB Weekly e-Digest, please send all materials to sophy@searac.org