JACL’s Legal Counsel Ken Massey, Executive Director Lilly Simmering, National President Larry Oda and Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan Okamoto interact with delegates during the National Council session on July 30. (Photos: Darrell Miho)
The time is now for JACL to decide who it really wants to be.
By Allison Haramoto, P.C. Executive Editor
In a town known for taking chances and rolling the dice, Las Vegas turned out to be the ideal setting for JACL as the organization took its biggest gamble yet during its annual National Convention: betting on itself.
JACLers convened at the Paris Hotel & Casino from July 29-Aug. 2 to discuss how to get the 97-year-old organization back to its roots, decide who it really wants to be and then be the change to see it through the many challenges that lie ahead for the organization as it sets its sights on its 100th anniversary in 2029.
NATIONAL BOARD MEETING
In Larry Oda’s final meeting with his National Board on July 29, he reflected on a rocky four years as president, having navigated JACL through uncompleted financial audits and gross overspending, the absence of a clear strategic plan, dwindling membership numbers and having to let go of five JACL staffers in a year’s time. Nevertheless, following a comprehensive assessment of the organization by new Executive Director Lilly Simmering, Oda acknowledged that JACL is finally on the right path forward.
“This is what Lilly is dealing with now. We have a legacy to uphold, and we don’t have any resources to do it,” he said. “We’re trying to balance things out. I think it’s incumbent on the board, not only the board but the districts, chapters, to generate members. Membership is our largest source of unrestricted revenue. So, that’s something I’m leaving you with. A thought: a business development person, getting corporate grants, diversifying our funding stream. . . . I’m very happy that Lilly is here to help guide us.”
Addressing the board, Simmering said resolutely, “We’re going to have to really question ourselves. . . . How are we going to change this narrative? . . . You have been in a place that was really tough, but . . . we’re going to move forward, as we have more opportunities to be really great again.”
Larry Oda with Gary Yamauchi, who gifted JACL the gavel belonging to his father, George Yamauchi, who served as the first president of Gardena Valley JACL in the 1930s.
Prior to the start of the meeting, Pacific Southwest District Gov. Nancy Takayama introduced Gary Yamauchi, who presented JACL with the gavel his father, George Yamauchi, used as the first president of Gardena Valley JACL when it was formed in 1930.
“Thank you all for doing what you do,” said Gary Yamauchi, a former writer for the Pacific Citizen under Editor Harry Honda in 1959. “I know you volunteer a lot of your time for free, and it takes away from family and loved ones, but you do it because you want to help other people, and that’s a great way to live your life.”
NATIONAL COUNCIL
Following an introduction by Oda in which he gave full confidence in her ability to turn things around for JACL, Simmering addressed the National Council on July 30 and spoke candidly about the road ahead.
“I’ve come to accept that challenges are opportunities. . . . I go 110 percent on things that I believe I can be successful in, and when I go, I go,” Simmering said.
She also acknowledged the work of her immediate predecessor, Saki Mori, who would be exiting her time as director of operations on Aug. 14.
Regarding business matters, Northern California-Western Nevada Pacific District Gov. Mariko Fujimoto made a motion for JACL to host a 2029 convention to commemorate the org’s centennial, which was then seconded by Pacific Northwest District Gov. Sheldon Arakaki. (Due to budgetary constraints, there will be no National Convention in 2027, and ’28 will be virtual.)
The motion was seconded and carried with a unanimous National Council vote as announced by VP of General Operations Ryan Yoshikawa.
The National Council also approved three resolutions overwhelmingly:
- R-1: A resolution of the National Council of the JACL in support of immigrant communities targeted by ICE.
- R-2: A resolution of the National Council of the JACL relating to the implementation of a strategic plan for the 2029-2030 biennium.
- ER-1: A resolution of the National Council of the JACL relating to the closure of the National Archives Centers in San Bruno, Calif., and Chicago, Ill.
During the meeting’s budget discussion, Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan Okamoto introduced fractional CFO Piero Broccardo, who is now working alongside Carly Scheuer to sort through JACL’s financial records, rebuilding the first half of 2026 directly from bank statements and forecasting out the remainder of the year.
Broccardo brought some positivity to JACL’s overall outlook compared to months previous where talk of nearly a $1 million deficit loomed large over the organization. “When we get to the end of 2026 as a business, we are just about $100,000 negative. . . . We feel pretty comfortable that it is where we’re going to hit at as a slight deficit compared to what we have had in the past. . . . We will go through a full rebuild of your financials . . . and we’re currently starting your 2025 audit.”
Following lengthy discussions and separate meetings during convention, the JACL National Council passed the next biennium budget, which passed by a vote of 64 yes votes and 1 abstention.
Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan Okamoto explains the new biennium budget.
In remarks to the Pacific Citizen, Okamoto said, “The recently approved 2027/2028 biennium budget represents a continuation of JACL’s pivotal shift into our second 100 years. It continues to build upon a fiscally prudent mindset where revenue and expenses MUST align.
“Our 2027/2028 budget was designed to give our new Executive Director Lilly Simmering the financial latitude to deliver results in both the revenue and policy facets of our organization,” he continued. “Lilly was actively involved throughout the final stages of the budgeting process and participation from all the key members of JACL helped us deliver this budget where all appeared happy with a near-unanimous approval vote.”
And in its final order of business, the National Council elected a new National Board, which was announced formally at the organization’s Sayonara Banquet.
Arakaki received 61 votes, far more than the 31.5 votes required to win. Also elected was Carol Kawase, who will serve as JACL’s vp for public affairs. She received 51.5 votes, with 33.5 needed to win.
Seia Watanabe, who had served as vp of public affairs, received 55 votes with 11.5 abstentions to be elected vp of membership. Dominique Mashburn, who had served as vp of membership, ran uncontested for the office of general operations but received 28.5 votes, falling short of the required minimum vote total of 33.5 votes, with 38 abstentions. According to the Nominations Committee, the position remains vacant.
Alex Tokita was elected National Youth/Student Council chair, and Simon Kutz was elected NY/SC rep., with each receiving seven votes.
Arakaki was also awarded a Ruby Pin for 20 years consecutive service to JACL, in addition to Deborah Ikeda of the Fresno JACL chapter and Mark Kobayashi of the Silicon Valley JACL chapter. Gary Nakamura, vp for planning and development, was awarded the JACL’s Sapphire Pin for a minimum of 10 years consecutive service to JACL.
And during its July 31 awards luncheon, JACLer of the Biennium honors went to Calvin Kobayashi, president of the New Mexico chapter, and the George Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award was given to the Washington, D.C., chapter. (More Awards Luncheon coverage will be featured in the next P.C.)
Convention sponsors included State Farm, Comcast, AARP, Verizon, US Bank, Caesars Entertainment and National JACL Credit Union.
The JACL National Council votes on the 2027-28 biennium budget. (Photo: Allison Haramoto)