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From APIAVote: Census Analysis of Asian American Electorate

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June 7, 2013                                     

Asian American Voters Continue Decade-Long Trend,
Add 500,000 New Voters
 
WASHINGTON—Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), and National Asian American Survey (NAAS) today issued the following statement on the release of census analysis on the voting participation rates in Election 2012:
 
The latest Census analysis confirms that the Asian American electorate is on the rise. In line with our estimates from the “Behind the Numbers” report released earlier this year, the Census Bureau shows that more than 3.9 million Asian Americans voted in the 2012 elections, accounting for nearly 3% of all voters. This was an increase of more than 500,000 voters from 2008.
 
Below, we highlight three important aspects about the Asian American electorate: continued rates of rapid growth at the national level; growing electoral relevance of the population in many states; and the ongoing need for survey data with Asian language support.
 
Key findings at the national level from the report and the associated data include:
 
  • The growth of the Asian American electorate was relatively steady between 2004-8 and 2008-12 (an increase of about 589,000 and 547,000 in each period). By contrast, the number of white voters rose by about 475,000 between 2004-8, and declined by about 2 million between 2008-12.
  • The biggest growth in the Asian American electorate was between 2000 and 2004, with 723,000 new voters. However, 2004 was also a year that saw an increase of 10 million white voters, thereby muting the electoral affect of Asian American’s growth.
  • The Asian American share of the voting population has been steadily increasing, from 1.8 percent of all voters in 2000 and 2.2 percent in 2004, to 2.6 percent in 2008, and 2.9 percent in 2012.
  • Voter registration remains a significant hurdle for Asian Americans, with only 56 percent of adult citizens registered to vote in 2012. This compares to registration rates of 72 percent and 73 percent among whites and blacks, respectively, and 59 percent among Latinos.
  • Once registered, however, Asian Americans turn out in rates comparable to other groups: 84 percent for Asian Americans, 82 percent for Latinos, 87 percent for whites, and 91 percent for blacks.
State data is in line with the national data, showing that the Asian American electorate is an increasingly important voting bloc.
 
Asian American voters in California and New York, states with the two largest Asian American communities, turned out at or above the national rate. 84% of registered Asian American voters in California and more than 86 percent in voters in New York voted in 2012 election.
 
In the 15 states that APIAVote, AAJC, and other partners supported organizations to increase civic participation, Asian American voters turned out at or above 84% in almost all 15 states. Asian Americans in Georgia and Washington turned out at about 95%, nearly 93% in Ohio, above 89% in Minnesota and Florida, and above 86% n Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia. Of the 15 states, Texas had the lowest turnout at 71.6% and Nevada at 81.7%, although these are all within the survey’s margin of error.
 
While we are pleased with the latest Census Bureau analysis, we remain concerned that it may not tell the full story of the Asian American electorate because its survey is conducted only in English and Spanish. For example, in “Behind the Numbers,” where more than 40% of the Asian American and Pacific Islander registered voters surveyed responded in an Asian language, we found turnout among those who had difficulty speaking English was 9% lower (75%) than those who did not (84%).
 
“Behind the Numbers” indicated that voter turnout varied significantly by ethnicity. For example turnout among Laotians and Cambodians was lowest in 2012 at 40% and 62% while turnout was highest among Hmong and Japanese at 89%. 
 
The steady increase in new voters and the high rates of turnout among growing Asian Americans communities across the country indicate that as more Asian Americans become naturalized citizens and as their U.S.-born children enter adulthood, Asian Americans will continue to grow as an important voting bloc for future elections.

For more information on this growing electorate, “Behind the Numbers” is available at: http://www.apiavote.org/sites/default/files/btn_final_singles_FINAL_0.pdf.  

Further details from the census report can be found at http://www.apiavote.org/sites/default/files/Census%202012%20Voting%20Rates.pdf

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On Friday, May 31, AABANY’s Membership Committee presented the second of its Get to Know AABANY Happy Hours, this time featuring the Corporate Law, Young Lawyers and Student Outreach Committees. More than 70 attendees gathered at K2 Lounge in the Rubin Museum of Art. Apart from mixing, mingling and networking with fellow AABANY members and friends, guests got to enjoy the Himalayan and Buddhist art collection at the museum, music provided by a live DJ, delicious finger foods and 2-for-1 drink specials. It was a great way to wrap up APA Heritage Month and a wonderful wind-down to a busy week. All who attended seemed to enjoy the space, the surroundings and the good company. Stay tuned for future announcements of upcoming Get to Know AABANY events!

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NAPABA 2013-2014 Board Elections – Call for Nominations

2013 Call for Nominations

The NAPABA Nominating and Elections Committee is accepting nominations for election to the officer positions of NAPABA for the 2013-2014 term. NAPABA is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization founded in 1989, representing the interests of over 40,000 Asian Pacific American lawyers, law students and judges throughout North America and abroad. For more information about NAPABA please go to our website, www.napaba.org.

The qualifications for NAPABA office are listed in the NAPABA Nominating and Election Rules, an excerpt of which is attached at Exhibit A. In order to be nominated as a candidate for a NAPABA officer position, candidates are required to submit a completed nomination petition form and a personal statement on or before July 1, 2013. (You may click here to download the form from the NAPABA website.) The nomination petition will require the following:

  • You will be required to specify a “home” NAPABA affiliate, of which you are a member. It is important that NAPABA leaders be familiar with and sensitive to the needs and concerns of NAPABA’s affiliates. If you are not a member of a NAPABA affiliate, you will need to include a statement explaining why you are not a member of an affiliate and how you might address any lack of familiarity with NAPABA affiliates and the needs, interests and concerns of affiliates.
  • You will need to submit a completed nomination petition that includes the signature (or other attestation) of at least 25 NAPABA members in good standing, other than the nominee. At least 10 of such NAPABA members must be either (a) not members of affiliates in the potential nominee’s state or (b) not members of affiliates in your NAPABA region. Also, at least 10 of the NAPABA members who sign your petition must be members of your home affiliate.
  • If you are not a member of a NAPABA affiliate, you will be required to submit a petition signed by at least 30 NAPABA members in good standing.
  • Signatories to your petition will be determined to be in good standing if those signatories’ dues are fully paid by July 1, 2013 and they meet all other requirements for membership as determined by their home affiliate. Good standing for NAPABA members who are not members of an affiliate will be determined to be those lawyers whose membership dues are fully paid by July 1, 2013, who are licensed and eligible to practice law somewhere in the United States or Canada or their territories, and any other requirements as may be set forth by the NAPABA bylaws.
  • Nominating petitions and personal statements must be received by email at [email protected] on or before 11:59 p.m. PDT on July 1, 2013.
  • Completed petition forms will not be made public.
  • Signing a petition form will not constitute an endorsement of the prospective candidate.
  • NAPABA members may sign more than one prospective candidate’s petition form, including signing petitions for two or more members who might be opponents in an election.

Personal Statements

Each candidate shall submit a personal statement that will be published in the election issue of the NAPABA Newsletter; the election issue will be mailed to the entire NAPABA membership. Statements from candidates for the position of President Elect shall not exceed 1,000 words; statements from all other candidates shall not exceed 750 words. The candidates may submit the statement in narrative form but are requested to respond to the following questions within the statement:

  • With respect to the position you are seeking, what goals do you have for NAPABA , and how do they align with or diverge from NAPABA’s most recent strategic plan?
  • What are the challenges and opportunities you see facing NAPABA in the coming year?
  • How do you anticipate accomplishing your goals?
  • What particular training or experience do you bring that would make you a strong NAPABA officer?

Candidates may submit a photo (high resolution digital image that is at least 300 dpi) and short bio along with their petition and statement if they would like a photo and bio to be included in the elections issue of the NAPABA newsletter.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Candidates may obtain a copy of the current NAPABA Strategic Plan by contacting NAPABA Executive Director Tina Matsuoka at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

As a NAPABA officer, you will be expected to attend all NAPABA Board of Governors meetings during the year. The tentative Board meeting schedule for next year is as follows:

Coincides with:

November 7, 2013 (Kansas City, MO)

NAPABA Annual Convention

February 8, 2014

ABA Midyear Meeting

May 2014 (Washington, DC)

APA Heritage Month / NAPABA Lobby Day &
Congressional Reception

August 9, 2014 (Boston, MA)

ABA Annual Meeting

Additional duties are identified in the Statement of the Board of Directors Duties & Expectations, which can be found here, and which must be signed by all Board members. The officer positions subject to election this year are listed below.

President-Elect. The President-Elect will serve for a one year term and thereafter succeed to the Presidency of NAPABA for a one year term. The President will serve on the Board of Governors for NAPABA for one year as Immediate Past President after his or her term as President. The President-Elect will assist the President in the discharge of those duties as the President may direct and will perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President or the Board. In the absence of the President or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the President-Elect will perform the duties of the President and when so acting, be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.

The President-Elect also: chairs the Nominations and Elections Committee; assists in fundraising; serves as the Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors; sits on the Board of the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF); and oversees planning for the Annual Convention.

Vice-President for Finance and Development. The Vice-President for Finance and Development will be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for considering the financial resources of NAPABA, making recommendations to the Board, and seeking corporate and other institutional funds. The Vice-President for Finance and Development will also perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President or the Board.

The Vice-President for Finance and Development also: chairs the Finance and Fundraising Committee; coordinates all fundraising activities; prepares and implements NAPABA’s financial strategic plan; sits on the Board of the NLF; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

Vice-President for Programs and Operations. The Vice-President for Programs and Operations will be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the programs and operations of NAPABA, including overseeing the listing of programs and activities contained on the NAPABA website.

The Vice-President for Programs and Operations also: works and coordinates with NAPABA affiliates and Committees on programs; assists in fundraising; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

Vice-President for Membership. The Vice-President for Membership will be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for communications with the members and prospective members of NAPABA, including overseeing the membership information contained on NAPABA’s website and maintaining NAPABA’s mailing list.

The Vice-President for Membership also: chairs the Membership Committee; works with NAPABA affiliates on membership issues; works with the Treasurer on dues issues; assists in fundraising; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

Vice-President for Communications. The Vice-President for Communications will be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating and producing NAPABA’s newsletter and coordinating NAPABA’s external relations with the media.

The Vice-President for Communications also: chairs the Newsletter Editorial Board; coordinates and oversees the newsletter and website; assists in fundraising; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

Treasurer. The Treasurer will be the principal accounting and financial officer of NAPABA. He/she will: (a) have charge of and be responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for NAPABA; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of NAPABA, and be responsible therefor, and for the receipt and disbursement thereof; and © perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President or by the Board.

The Treasurer also: serves as a member of the Finance and Fundraising Committee; coordinates and oversees the NAPABA budget; prepares financial reports for quarterly board meetings; prepares and finalizes the annual budget for the February board meeting (for approval by the Board at the February meeting); handles NAPABA dues with NAPABA affiliates; assists in fundraising; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

Secretary. The Secretary will record the minutes of the meetings of the members and of the Board, see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law, be custodian of NAPABA records and of the seal of NAPABA, and perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary.

The Secretary also: maintains, during his/her term, Bylaws and NAPABA records for permanent storage in the National office; prepares and maintains master lists of Board members, Committee Chairs and Affiliate contacts; coordinates and distributes the agenda for Board meetings; assists in fundraising; and serves as Executive Committee liaison to designated NAPABA Committees and Regional Governors.

For a more complete description of the duties, please refer to the NAPABA Bylaws.

EXHIBIT A: Excerpt from Nominating & Elections Rules

  1. Qualifications for Candidates for NAPABA Office. NAPABA seeks outstanding individuals of high integrity with proven leadership skills. The following criteria must be met by a candidate in order to run for a NAPABA office, and the Committee is responsible for determining whether a particular candidate meets these qualifications:
  1. Leadership. Candidates must have demonstrated proven leadership skills in their work for NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates or in their other professional activities. Such leadership may be demonstrated in connection with serving as an officer for a NAPABA affiliate, and, in the case of a candidate for President-Elect, serving as the president of a NAPABA affiliate.
  2. Commitment. Candidates must have demonstrated a proven commitment to the work of NAPABA. Such commitment may be demonstrated by prior service on the NAPABA Board or on a NAPABA committee or by otherwise serving the national body or a NAPABA affiliate.
  3. Personal Integrity and Trust. Candidates must have demonstrated in all of their professional and personal activities the highest standards of personal integrity and trust.
  4. Public Relations Skills. A key objective of NAPABA is to advocate for and promote interests of Asian Pacific American lawyers nationwide. Accordingly, all candidates for officer positions must have demonstrated outstanding public speaking, advocacy and public relations skills.
  5. Prior Board or Committee Service. A candidate for President-Elect must first serve on the NAPABA Board as an officer or as a Regional Governor for at least two full years as of the time his/her term as President-Elect would begin. A candidate for a vice presidential position must first serve at least one year on the NAPABA Board or as the chair of a NAPABA committee. But in exceptional circumstances, the Committee may deem a candidate eligible to run for President-Elect or a vice presidential position even where the candidate does not satisfy this prior service requirement when the candidate’s other strengths and experiences (whether or not enumerated herein) overcome any perceived deficiency that may exist due to the candidate’s lack of prior NAPABA Board or committee experience.
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Passing along an announcement from the Asian American Business Development Center

Don’t miss the 12th Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award Gala!

We thank you for your continued support of the Asian American Business Development Center. AABDC is a non-profit organization and it relies on the support of sponsors and table sales to fund and organize this outstanding event.

We welcome any additional donations to help support our organization. Similar to last year, all tickets and donations are tax-deductible. Click here to purchase your tickets and make your donation.

Please RSVP to&nbspStefan Rajiyah at [email protected]. Deadline to purchase discounted tickets is Friday June 7.

Also, please enjoy our new promotional video for the Outstanding 50 Gala. I hope to see you at the event. Thank you!

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2013 Michael Oshima Diversity Essay Competition

PALS Logo White on Blue

The following opportunity may be of interest to Law Students

                        

THE 2013 MICHAEL OSHIMA

DIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION

The City Bar Committee on Minorities in the Profession is now accepting applications for the 2013 Michael Oshima Diversity Essay Competition. Monetary awards will be made to 3 candidates on the basis of their essay and their having demonstrated significant personal achievements and strong community involvement. The first place winner will receive an award in the amount of $1,500, second place will be $1,000, and the third place winner will receive $500.

 

For Eligibility Requirements, Process & Instructions, please visit: www.nycbar.org/oshima

The deadline for the submission/receipt of all materials is

 May 31, 2013. Prize winners will be notified in July 2013.

 

The Michael Oshima Diversity Essay Competition was established in honor of Michael Oshima, an individual who dedicated much of his legal career to ensuring that our profession remains diverse and open to all people no matter their race, ethnic or national origin, sex or sexual orientation. Michael contributed countless hours to the betterment of the legal profession and he served on a number of bar committees, including as Chair of the Committee on Minorities in the Profession of the New York City Bar Association. The Committee on Minorities in the Profession is sponsoring this scholarship to honor the life and memory of such a worthy man.

Before his untimely passing, Michael was Deputy General Counsel at Safe Horizon Inc., an organization that provides support, prevents violence, and promotes justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities. Prior to joining Safe Horizons, he served for six years as the Administrative Partner for the New York office of Arnold & Porter LLP. At Arnold & Porter, Michael counseled corporate officers and foreign governments in Latin America and around the world in securities offerings, lending transactions, loan restructurings and corporate governance matters. Michael was also very active in pro bono work and, for example, helped a battered woman who was not a citizen of the U.S. obtain a self-petition to remain in this country under the Violence Against Women Act. In addition, Michael championed initiatives to increase diversity at Arnold & Porter. During his tenure as Administrative Partner, the New York office twice received (in 2003 and 2005) the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s Thomas L. Sager Award, which recognizes law firms’ efforts to improve diversity.

Born on April 4, 1957, Michael was raised in Kona, Hawaii and was a graduate of Brown and Harvard universities. Michael received his J.D. in 1987 from New York University School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Annual Survey of American Law. Michael was also active as a Board member of the Asian American Arts Alliance, Inc. and the Japanese American National Museum. In his biography, Michael described himself as an experienced leader and attorney with strong interpersonal skills, a sense of humor and a grace under fire. He could not have said it any better. The legal community suffered a great loss when Michael passed away suddenly on July 11, 2008.

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Karen Wu recognized as Outstanding Young Lawyer by ABA Nonprofit Organizations Committee

Karen Wu recognized as Outstanding Young Lawyer by ABA Nonprofit Organizations Committee

AABANY congratulates past Pro Bono and Community Service Committee Co-Chair Karen I. Wu on her recent recognition as an outstanding young lawyer by the Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section. This award is given each year "for distinguished service by an attorney in the nonprofit sector who is under the age of 35 or has been in practice less than 10 years.“ (Follow the link in the title to read the press release.) Karen was also recognized in 2012 by the New York State Bar Association as an Outstanding Young Lawyer (photo below). Congratulations, Karen, and well done!

Karen Wu receives NYSBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award