How a JACL chapter stays strong: a special chapters edition

Vol. 56, No. 17, April 26, 1963. 6 pages. View this issue

Chapters were the subject of this six-page issue. The front-page editorial, “Earmarks of a Successful Chapter,” pointed to Mt. Olympus, San Francisco and San Jose as examples, and the pages that followed offered advice for chapter leaders. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa wrote on what it takes to be a chapter president, K. Patrick Okura supplied a checklist of presidents’ duties, and Abe Hagiwara took up membership apathy. Kumeo Yoshinari, Jerry Enomoto and Dr. David Miura wrote on finances, youth and membership plans for 1964. The San Jose and Arizona chapters described their own histories.

Elsewhere, Oregon State Senator Thomas R. Mahoney apologized for his 1943 memorial against Japanese Americans. The issue also reported on fair housing laws in New York, California and Honolulu, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter turned to civil rights in Mississippi.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Earmarks of a Successful Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial introduces this special chapters edition and outlines the qualities that mark successful JACL chapters. It highlights examples from Mt. Olympus, San Francisco, and San Jose chapters.
• On Being Well Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial argues that chapter leadership must divide labor and coordinate work through organization and shared purpose. It emphasizes building good will and starting small while developing coordination gradually.
• They’re Still Killing Mockingbirds, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The Washington Newsletter examines the Civil Rights Commission’s call to withhold federal funds from Mississippi until it complies with the Constitution. The column details federal payments to Mississippi and the Commission’s concerns about state defiance.
• Nisei Article: Chapter Presidents, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 2. The article continues the discussion of chapter president qualities, focusing on human relations and cultivating tact and persistence. It urges presidents to delegate credit and carry out initiative.
• Enigma of Southern California, by Novo Kato, page 5. Novo Kato describes the difficulty of building JACL support in Southern California despite capable leadership in the Long Beach-Harbor chapter. He questions whether an intensive selling program is needed to reach the area’s Sansei.
• Pacific Citizen: It’s Your Paper, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 5. The Pacific Citizen board chairman urges readers to see the paper as their own publication and to submit criticism and letters. He notes that the paper and the National JACL are closely integrated.
• Financial Responsibility Implicit in Objectives of JACL, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 5. The JACL National Treasurer explains that the organization depends on budget income from membership and chapter quotas. He urges chapters to meet their financial obligations to sustain the national program.
• Chapter President Duties Checklist, by K. Patrick Okura, page 6. The National President lists practical duties for chapter presidents, including prompt correspondence, proper meeting agendas, and attendance at district councils. He stresses parliamentary procedure and encouraging member participation.
• Basic Ideas on Breaking Membership Apathy, by Abe Hagiwara, page 6. JACL faces membership apathy despite record membership and budget levels. The article proposes field visits, investment in youth leadership, and retaining veteran members.
• Asking Some $64 Questions on Youth, by Jerry Enomoto, page 6. The National JACL Youth Commission chairman explains the Junior JACL program objectives and requirements for chapter-sponsored youth groups. He argues that JACL offers a unique contribution to youth development through citizenship and cultural education.
• Membership Plans for 1964, by Dr. David Miura, page 6. The National Membership Chairman sets goals for 1964, including 20,000 members and a membership leaflet. He calls for concentrated effort in the Pacific Southwest District.

National

• State Senator Apologizes for 1943 Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Portland Democrat Sen. Thomas R. Mahoney apologized for his 1943 memorial calling on Congress to denaturalize Japanese Americans. The Portland Reporter editorial praised the gesture and noted the wartime hysteria behind it.

Military & Veterans

• Supreme Court Favors Negro in Job for Pilot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The unanimous Supreme Court decision allowed states to enforce fair employment laws on interstate carriers, overturning a Colorado ruling. JACL hailed the decision as affecting 25 other states with anti-discrimination hiring laws.
• Takeji Hayashi Read All of His Works First, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This article profiles the poet and his work on Japanese-American themes. It notes his connection to Japanese-language English poetry.

JACL

• What It Takes to Be Chapter President, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 1. The ideal chapter president needs knowledge of JACL, dedication, and the ability to plan and organize. The article also stresses human relations skills and the value of seeking help from national officers.

Community

• Most Honolulu Landlords Agree Against Race Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eighty-eight percent of Honolulu landlords listing with the Armed Services Unity Houses Office agreed not to discriminate on racial or religious grounds. The office initiated the survey after a Defense Department directive against discriminatory housing practices.
• Ontario High Students Elect First AJA Prexy, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Takao Okami was elected president of the student body at Ontario High, becoming the first Nisei to hold the post. The election marked a milestone for the community in the Snake River area.
• Brush Painting Finds Home in Utah, by Tomoko Yano, page 3. A brush painting by artist Takahiko Mikami was presented to Utah Governor George D. Clyde at the State Capitol. Henry Kasai made the presentation on behalf of the Japanese Consulate during a Hina Matsuri celebration.
• Democratic Caucus Supports Watered-Down Calif. Housing Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The California Assembly Democratic caucus endorsed an amended fair housing bill that would prohibit discrimination in most housing sales and rentals. The revised version removed provisions exempting owner-occupied units and fines.
• Rockefeller Signs Fairer Housing Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 4. New York Gov. Rockefeller signed a fair housing law prohibiting discrimination in sale or rental of most private housing. The law makes discrimination on racial or religious grounds an unlawful act.
• Growth of Chapter Reflects Attitudes of Leadership, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Jose Chapter attributes its growth to community acceptance built by leadership attitudes and cooperation with other organizations. It describes joint youth and history projects with local churches and groups.
• This Chapter Really Never Abandoned Its JACL Ideals, by James Ozasa, page 6. The Arizona Chapter describes a period of inactivity followed by renewed commitment to local community problems. The author argues that the chapter acted quietly as spokesman for Japanese Americans in Phoenix.

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