Vol. 154, No. 1, January 20, 2012. 16 pages. View this issue
JACL’s leaders took stock of the past year and looked ahead to 2012. National President David Kawamoto wrote about the organization’s role in Washington, D.C., and National Director Floyd Mori drew on the Wright Brothers to argue that JACL can meet declining membership and changing demographics. Larry Oda reviewed the budget, and Gail Sueki asked members to say what their priorities were. Matthew Farrells outlined plans for a youth pipeline, and David Lin reported that 742 new members joined in 2011.
Also inside: Judith Aono on the Pacific Citizen’s year and its budget cut, and Ron Katsuyama’s response to a New York Times column about the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center. Chip Larouche described the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans, and Phillip Ozaki shared five membership strategies that worked. Six of the issue’s 16 pages carry New Year greetings.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- JACL: A Force in Our Nation’s Capitol, by David Kawamoto, page 2. JACL National President David Kawamoto reflects on JACL’s role as a leading Asian American civil and human rights organization with over 80 years of grassroots advocacy. He thanks chapters and volunteers for their work and emphasizes JACL’s credibility and influence in Washington, D.C.
- The Wright Brothers and JACL, by Floyd Mori, page 3. National Director Floyd Mori draws inspiration from the Wright Brothers’ perseverance to argue that JACL can overcome its challenges of declining membership and changing demographics. He calls for restructuring governance, expanding youth programs, and diversifying membership to sustain JACL’s mission into the future.
- JACLers Let Your Voices Be Heard, by Gail Sueki, page 3. Gail Sueki, VP for General Operations, provides updates on the national director hiring process and staff performance reviews, while sharing personal experiences navigating board decisions on hiring freezes and office space. She calls on JACL members to voice their priorities as the organization faces difficult financial decisions ahead.
- Fiscal Challenges in 2012 and State of JACL, by Larry Oda, page 4. National Secretary/Treasurer Larry Oda reviews 2011’s achievements including Day of Remembrance events, the national convention, and Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, while highlighting budget concerns and declining membership. He urges members to learn more about JACL’s financial state and to get involved in solutions for 2012.
- Creating a JACL Youth Pipeline, by Matthew Farrells, page 6. National Youth/Student Council chair Matthew Farrells reviews 2011 accomplishments including restructuring the council and launching NY/SC Leadership Summits. He outlines plans to build a stronger pipeline for youth involvement and expand partnerships with other AAPI communities and civil rights groups in 2012.
- Membership Recap 2011, by David Lin, page 13. David Lin reports that JACL’s 2011 membership decline was less than 3%, better than budgeted, with 742 new members representing an 11% increase over 2010. He highlights the formation of the new APA Gulf Coast Chapter in Louisiana and outlines plans to focus on renewing lapsed members and retaining youth in 2012.
- Best Practices for JACL, by Brian Morishita, page 13. Outgoing IDC governor Brian Morishita shares reflections on serving on the JACL national board, suggesting the organization adopt corporate best practices and invest in ongoing leadership training for board members. He thanks outgoing leaders including Larry Oda, David Kawamoto, and Floyd and Irene Mori for their service.
Commentary
- Prioritizing What’s Important: The P.C., by Judith Aono, page 2. Judith Aono discusses the Pacific Citizen’s accomplishments in 2011 despite a mandatory budget cut from national JACL, including expanding its website and archives. She urges JACL members to prioritize what matters most to them as the organization faces hard decisions about its future.
- JACL Mission Still Critical, by Ron Katsuyama, page 5. Ron Katsuyama critiques a New York Times column by Edward Rothstein that questioned the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center’s historical framing, arguing it perpetuates racial prejudice against Japanese Americans. He warns that the National Defense Authorization Act’s indefinite detention provisions echo past injustices, underscoring JACL’s continued mission to safeguard civil liberties.
- Membership: 5 Things That Worked for JACL in 2011, by Phillip Ozaki, page 13. JACL membership coordinator Phillip Ozaki shares five successful membership-boosting strategies used by top chapters in 2011, including social events, membership tables at events, and communicating the organization’s civil rights mission. He highlights success stories from Sonoma County, Florin, Portland, and New Orleans chapters.
- Highlight of 2011: Our Gold Medal Honorees, by Chip Larouche, page 14. Chip Larouche recounts attending the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans in Washington, D.C., calling 2011 the ‘Year of the Veteran.’ He praises JACL’s behind-the-scenes advocacy work in securing the honor and reflects on the sacrifices of Japanese American WWII veterans.
Obituaries
- Masato “Mauch” Yamashita, page 15. Masato ‘Mauch’ Yamashita, a lifelong Lodi resident and WWII 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd veteran who received a Purple Heart, passed away at age 86. He was a beloved local businessman and longtime baseball coach, with Lodi’s Kofu Park baseball diamond named in his honor in 2002.
- May Hideko Tanimura, page 15. May Hideko Tanimura wrote her own obituary two months before her death, detailing her family history including being the sixth of nine children born to Genta and Takeyo Yamamoto. She requested no funeral service and instead asked loved ones to remember her by saying ‘Happy New Year, May!’ on her birthday.
- Peter Noboru Hayashi, page 15. Peter Noboru Hayashi died Dec. 18 at age 85, survived by his wife Marilyn and three daughters along with several grandchildren. A memorial visitation and service were held in early January at Lakeview Funeral Home in Chicago.
- Masao J. Horibe, page 15. Masao J. Horibe died Dec. 29 at age 64, survived by four siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial visitation and service were held in early January at Lakeview Funeral Home in Chicago.
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