Serve the APA Community by Joining the AABANY Community Response Task Force
AABANY’s Issues Committee is pleased to invite you to join the newly formed AABANY Community Response Task Force!
The Community Response Task Force (CRTF) is AABANY’s answer to the rapidly changing legal landscape and the need for quick, effective, and coordinated responses to the emergent issues that affect our communities. AABANY is firmly committed to being a strong voice and steadfast advocate on behalf of the Asian-American/Pacific-Islander community. In the past several months, we have all been witness to sweeping changes that necessitated powerful legal responses. While there have been some great triumphs, there were often times when it was difficult to obtain information, to find ways to contribute, or to organize a response quickly enough to be effective.
The CRTF is specifically designed to address these needs. The CRTF will serve as a central clearinghouse for information and coordination – tailoring the alerts sent to each volunteer based on that volunteer’s preferences and the needs of the community. Alerts and actions will range from emergency legal services to direct non-legal service actions and from workshops to rallies.
Furthermore, the CRTF will not simply be a reactive body but we will seek to proactively research and prepare for issues on the horizon by reaching out to experts and formulating effective responses. We will also be reaching out and collaborating with other organizing bodies in order to present a more united and broad-based response to issues that affect our communities.
So, where does that leave you?
The CRTF is seeking first and foremost to create a database of willing, ready, and able volunteers, like you, who want be a part of the response. We will activate volunteers based on the subject area, the type of response, and the interests of each volunteer.
We are also looking for people to become members of the Task Force itself, helping to research and anticipate possible future issues, reaching out to experts and developing toolkits, and coordinating with
other organizations.
If you are interested, please fill out the this form or feel free to email us directly at [email protected]
We keep all responses and information confidential in the Task Force Database. Information contained therein will not be shared with anyone outside of the Task Force and are solely for the purpose of organizing and coordinating Task Force activities.
To learn more about the Issues Committee, visit http://www.aabany.org/?page=154
Attorney Emeritus Program
Through the Attorney Emeritus Program, New York attorneys fifty-five years of age or older, both retired and still practicing, give back to their communities and to the courts through pro bono service. These attorneys have earned the status of Attorney Emeritus under the New York State Unified Court System, and their experience, guidance, and service benefit over 1.8 million pro se litigants, to the relief of both low-income individuals in the community and the court system itself. To become an Attorney Emeritus, you must have at least 10 years of experience, be in good standing as an attorney, and commit to a minimum of 60 hours of pro bono service. By working through Attorney Emeritus Program providers, Emeritus Attorneys can earn up to 15 CLE credits, and legal malpractice insurance is provided through the legal service organization for which they volunteer. Emeritus Attorneys empower their communities in a variety of ways, from legal assistance and information to providing full representation.
Enroll to become an Attorney Emeritus at anytime, or opt to do so the next time you receive your attorney registration form! Click the link above to apply, or for more information.
APALA AFL-CIO Community & Labor Reception
Monday, May 16
5:30-7:30 PM
Unite Here Local 6
New York Hotel Trades Council
305 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
Confirmed Speakers include:
- Fahd Ahmed, Executive Director, DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center
- Cathy Dang, Executive Director, CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities
- Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers (Invited)
RSVP at http://bit.ly/APALA-CLRNY
From our friends at the SABANY Pro Bono Clearinghouse, here is a great pro bono volunteering opportunity coming up:
SABANY Pro Bono Clearinghouse will be partnering with the Office of the NYC Public Advocate for an upcoming immigration legal clinic. Without amazing PBC volunteers, we would not have the capacity to reach our community and serve them, so thank you so much.
What: Immigration Legal Clinic for South Asians
When: August 9, 2014
Time: 12-4pm (can volunteer for 2 hour slots)
Where: PS 69 located at 77-02 37 Ave. Queens, NY (Near the E,F,M,R, and 7 trains).
Need: Immigration and Criminal Law Attorneys (please let us
know if you speak a South Asian language though not required)
A bit of an overview, the workshop is a session for members of the South Asian community to learn the basics of current immigration laws, available public services, interacting with law enforcement, and understanding their civil rights. Our attorney volunteers will be giving a quick 10-15 minute consultations over a 4 hour period. The program will begin with a short overview of the following:
Criminal
- Your rights regardless of their immigration status.
- How to speak to the FBI/DHS/NYPD/Joint Task force
- Your rights at the border
- Trigger language to use if stopped by the NYPD or JTF unit
- Home/work visits
- Immigration consequences of your criminal convictions
Immigration
- Requirements of filing for US citizenship
- Immigration options if you are out of status
- Agencies that will serve you regardless of status
- Current City legislative priorities or laws that related to immigrants (undocumented and documented)
It would be fantastic to have 6-10 attorneys on hand to help. Please reach out if you are interested in volunteering at [email protected] with your name, phone number, practice area and language background.
AALDEF Position Announcement – Voting Rights Organizer
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Voting Rights Organizer
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a New York-based national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans through litigation, advocacy and community education. AALDEF has a 17-person staff and is supported by foundations, corporations, individual contributions, and special events. For more information about AALDEF and its voting rights activities, visit our website at www.aaldef.org.
DESCRIPTION:
AALDEF’s Asian American Democracy Program seeks to promote fairness in the electoral process and invigorate the civic participation of Asian Americans, especially new citizens and persons not yet fluent in English. By expanding access to the electoral process for Asian Americans, AALDEF improves the quality of democracy for all Americans.
The Voting Rights Organizer is a one-year position and may be extended, subject to available funding. The Organizer will be responsible for mobilizing Asian American community groups for a non-partisan exit poll of Asian American voters and overseeing volunteers for Election Day poll monitoring in several states for the 2014 midterm elections.
The job includes recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers; working with community leaders; supervising the development, translation, and printing of materials; and giving educational presentations. The Organizer will also oversee post-election follow-up and assist in writing a report about Asian American voter participation in the 2014 elections.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to supervise volunteers and work with a wide variety of community leaders and organizations.
Strong knowledge of MS Access and other database systems.
Bilingual ability in an Asian language is desirable.
Strong communication skills.
Experience in community organizing is desirable.
Ability to travel and work on occasional weekends.
TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Voting Rights Organizer Search
AALDEF
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, NY 10013-2815
fax: 212-966-4303
Email: [email protected] (put “voting rights organizer search” in the subject line)
DEADLINE: Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until filled.
–AALDEF is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer–
NAPABA Annual Lobby Day and APA Heritage Month Congressional Reception
NAPABA Annual Lobby Day
and
APA Heritage Month Congressional Reception
NAPABA invites you to participate in the 4th Annual Lobby Day and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Congressional Reception on May 19-20, 2014, in Washington, DC.
Lobby Day is less than a month away! This is your opportunity to educate members of Congress and congressional staffers on issues of importance to the Asian Pacific American community and to meet other NAPABA leaders from around the country.
Lobby Day Event Schedule:
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Lobby Day Training Webinar (part one of three)
Monday, May 19, 2014
Lobby Day Onsite Training (part two of three)
NAPABA’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Congressional Reception with Honorary Chair and Featured Speaker, Senator Mazie Hirono
Confirmed speakers also include Congresswoman Grace Meng and Congressman Mark Takano
Click here to RSVP for the Reception.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
NAPABA Lobby Day: Onsite Training Breakfast (part three of three)
Member Visits, Participant Debriefing & Happy Hour
*Breakfast and Happy Hour hosted by Jones Day
There is no cost to attend.
Please visit our website for more information or email Melanie Robinson at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in May!