Dear UVSA Midwest community,

Summer has been coming to an end which means a brand new school year is starting up. There are already so many great events planned for the year from all the various VSAs in the Midwest. UVSA Midwest has also finalized dates for our upcoming events that we are excited to share with all of you.

The Leadership Retreat has traditionally been held in January, on the weekend of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. However, with much thought and after reviewing feedback from the retreat, we have decided to change the date to be in the fall, more towards the beginning of the school year in order to allow the various VSA leaders to take back from they learn from the retreat and apply it during the school year. With that said, it is our great pleasure to announce that the UVSA Midwest Leadership Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Purdue University located in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The purpose of the retreat is to help bring together all the leaders of our respective VSAs across the Midwest and discuss a variety of topics. This includes current VSA board members, future and/or potential leaders. Not only do we want to foster and strengthen the lines of communication between our schools in the Midwest, but this is a great opportunity for leaders to come together and discuss issues, problems, ideas, etc. concerning VSA as an organization. With this retreat, we hope to help you grow as a leader and help to better your own VSA. As with other UVSA Midwest events, this is a great networking opportunity, especially since this is more on an intimate and formal level. Meet other leaders of VSAs from different schools, share your thoughts/ideas, and build both professional and personal relationships. (http://uvsamidwest.org/leadership)

Ten years ago, the first ever VIA-1 Conference was held at the University of Cincinnati, and the theme was appropriately titled, “A Standing Start.” A decade later, not only has this conference grown from its number of attendees to the number of different schools that have been in attendance, but the creation of UVSA Midwest occurred at the 5th Annual VIA-1 Conference. Needless to say, this event has been a crucial part in giving the Vietnamese youth community a voice and a place to unite together. It is with great honor that we are able to reach this momentous milestone of ten years and hope to continue on this successful path for years to come. It is with great pleasure to announce the 10th Annual Vietnamese Interacting as One (VIA-1) Conference will be held at the University of Cincinnati, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 16-18, 2012.

UVSA Midwest would like to invite and encourage you to take part in the planning and execution of this great occasion that is the 10th Anniversary of the VIA-1 Conference. Not only would being on staff of this conference allow you to be a part of a historically documented event, but more importantly, it will provide a priceless leadership role, allow for team building experiences, help further professional development, create priceless memories, and many more valuable opportunities. We are extending this opportunity for you to take on this rewarding challenge of being on staff for the 2012 VIA-1 Conference. (http://uvsamidwest.org/2012-via-1-committee-directormember-application/)

UVSA Midwest Staff
staff@uvsamidwest.org
http://www.uvsamidwest.org

It’s that time of year again! UVSA-MW is proud to announce that the 2011 Summer Extravaganza will be this August 5-7, 2011 at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Spring Grove, Illinois.

Start looking for your sleeping bags and tents because this year will be bigger and better than ever! This year will be three days! That means more food, more fun, and more time for friends!

Check out the information page for more details and then head on over to registration! See you all soon!

Facebook Event

We are currently seeking someone to fill our Information Technology Director position who meets the following requirements:

• Open to anyone (you do not have to be Vietnamese or involved with VSA) between the ages of 16-26
• Knowledge of HTML, PHP, CSS, WordPress, FTP, MySQL, JavaScript, Google Docs
• Available to work up to 10 hours per week remotely

This is an unpaid, internship position. There are three terms for this internship: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and Summer. During the Spring Semester, the position also entails being the IT Director for the VIA-1 (Vietnamese Interacting as One) Conference.

To apply, fill out the application here and email résumé and portfolio (examples of websites, coding, etc.) to staff@uvsamidwest.org. Feel free to send any questions or concerns to the same email address.

Once your application, résumé, and portfolio have been reviewed, a test will be sent to complete for skill level assessment. Following the test will be a phone interview with the staff of UVSA Midwest.

Something attendees should look out for is uNAVSA’s scholarship that rewards outstanding community leaders free airfare and registration. Individual sponsorship packets are also available to help fund the fantastic trip! The t-shirt contest is another great way to save money. Create a design for the official t-shirt worn by attendees and get registration for free if your design is chosen! Make sure to read all the rules and guidelines that apply to each contest on the conference website.

Until Sunday, June 5, 2011, the early bird registration period will be open and only last for a short period of time! Registering now allows you to lock into the lowest rate. And we are proud to keep the rates the same as our previous conferences despite the current economic situation. Remember, the early bird rate is only $65 while the regular registration rate is $85.

Don’t delay, register today! Don’t wait, pay the early bird rate! Don’t procrastinate, you’ll pay more if you’re late!

Want to go to uNAVSA-8 for FREE? You can! Here are the ways:

Apply for the Student Leader Scholarship!
Design the official conference t-shirt!
Raise money for yourself! It’s easy!

Stay updated with information about the many exciting features of the conference through our social networking sites. We hope to see everyone in Denver, Colorado!

uNAVSA-8 Conference Directors and Executive Board
http://conference.unavsa.org

The Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations (uNAVSA) is proud to present the 8th Annual Leadership Conference, “Blueprint of Our Legacy” in Denver, Colorado. The conference will span from July 28 – July 31, 2011.

Each year, the organization’s conference hopes to be a catalyst motivating and inspiring the Vietnamese youth in North America to take initiative for change and awareness, ultimately building leadership skills while giving back to the community. uNAVSA also tries to partner with other major cultural based organizations in hopes of building a stronger voice and representation in the Asian community as a whole.

In trying to build a stronger Vietnamese network for the youth, uNAVSA conducts a Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP) that raises funds and awareness to jumpstart another non-profit organization. This year’s beneficiary is The Blue Dragon Children’s’ Foundation against human trafficking. Funds go to victims of human trafficking and to residential facilities, centers, and programs that give children and youth a new chance in life. They aim to break the poverty cycle by offering education, training, and job opportunities to those who need them the most: street kids, child victims of trafficking, and the rural poor.

The conference theme, “The Blueprint of Our Legacy”, encourages attendees and potential attendees to explore their rich history through culture, and stories of the past generations. With lessons learned from the past, they support Vietnamese Youth in current challenges and conflict. uNAVSA-8′s goal is to educate and encourage attendees to successfully lead with dedication, courage, and perseverance.

Over the four days and 3 nights, the conference program is filled with educational workshops that pertain to career building, youth organization best practices, and awareness of current issues within the community as a whole. The conference also includes a culture show, showcasing talent from across the country and a gala to end the festivities on a high note.

Lodging arrangements are available for all attendees at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Denver. The central location of this hotel makes travel and sightseeing a breeze. Attendees will easily be able to explore the entertainment and business districts and also enjoy the many beauties and attractions of this wonderful city.

Please join uNAVSA and many others across the nation for four days of leadership building, networking, inspiring workshops, motivating speakers, exciting entertainment, and lifelong memories. Stay tuned for more announcements pertaining to the conference!

uNAVSA-8 Conference Directors and Executive Board
conference.executive@unavsa.org
http://conference.unavsa.org

On behalf of the Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP) Committee, it is my pleasure to bring you Exciting news from the 9th Annual Midwest Vietnamese Interacting As One (VIA-1) Leadership Conference. Each year, the conference draws students and young professionals together, collectively working as one group towards educating, and spreading awareness with issues within the Vietnamese Community. At the same time the conference promotes networking with one another to give back to the Vietnamese Community through philanthropic efforts.

The 2011 VIA-1 conference was held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from March 18th – 21st. The theme “A Story of Our Own”, encouraged attendees to explore their split identity as Vietnamese-Americans while keeping root to their culture and upbringing. This years event drew some of the highest numbers for the regional conference at 300 plus attendees.

Along with the exciting bonding activities and informative workshops, the VIA-1 conference conducted one of the most successful fundraising activities supporting the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations’ (uNAVSA) CPP Campaign, *VIA-1 Pho-reezing Race*. Individuals that participated in the race were first nominated online representing a school, state, or organization. Friends and family were able to donate online to the individuals and whoever had the most funds then would go through the race with a grueling obstacle course. With the fundraising efforts of all the VSAs within the region, the Pho-reezing Race had surpassed the goal of $5000 and finished at $5848.

• University of Illinois – $913
• IVSU – $744
• University of Cincinnati – $743
• Purdue – $608
• MAUVSA – $525
• VSAM – $496
• Michigan State – $415
• Loyola – $375
• University of Wisconsin-Madison – $237

All the funds will go towards uNAVSA’s 2011 CPP Beneficiary, The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (BDCF). BDCF fights against human trafficking, particularly children and teens of the Providences in the city of Hue. The organization not only unites families but helps build sustainable lifestyles through education and building homes that are safe environment for the victims.

Thank you to the Midwest UVSA and their VSAs for their significant contribution to the CPP Fundraising Campaign. Let’s continue the momentum and reach the over all goal this year!

Sincerely,
Doan Trinh & The 2011 Collective Philanthropy Project Committee

The Vietnamese Student Association at the Ohio State University proudly presents our 12th Annual Culture Show: A New Day/Một Ngày Mới where it will be held on Saturday, May 14th, 2011 at the Union. Doors open at 6:30 PM and it begins at 7 PM. It will feature modern/traditional dances, a skit, a fashion show and of course a variety of Vietnamese dishes to be sold at intermission and before the show!

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL OSU STUDENTS WITH BUCK ID!
$5 for non-OSU student tickets
$7 for parents/adult tickets

Address:
Ohio Union, Performance Hall
1739 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43210

All proceeds will go towards supporting the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in its mission of reaching to out to kids in crisis throughout Vietnam to give them a new chance in life. If you have any questions or comments, contact Thanh Nguyen at nguyen.804@osu.edu.

Hello UVSA Midwest Family!

Thank you again for those who were able to make it out to the the 9th Annual Vietnamese Interacting as One (VIA-1) Conference at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this past March. New friendships were formed, existing bonds were strengthened, leaders were inspired, talents were showcased, and we all came together for the common goal of inspiring, motivating, and taking the next step in leading our generation to success.

One of the most important events that happened at this year’s VIA-1 Conference was the election of new State Representatives for UVSA Midwest. Not only are these the faces of each state and the VSAs within the state, but these individuals are important aspects of our organization and play a crucial role in our successes. On behalf of the UVSA Midwest eboard, it is with my great pleasure to officially announce the new State Representatives for the 2011-2013 term.

Illinois > Neda Huynh (neda.huynh@uvsamidwest.org)
Indiana > Hung Ly (hung.ly@uvsamidwest.org)
Iowa > Lynn Nguyen (lynn.nguyen@uvsamidwest.org)
Ohio > Jen Nguyen (jen.nguyen@uvsamidwest.org)
Michigan > Jeremiah Song (jeremiah.song@uvsamidwest.org)
Minnesota > Dan Doan (dan.doan@uvsamidwest.org)
Wisconsin > Jessica Phan (jessica.phan@uvsamidwest.org)

Please welcome these special individuals to the UVSA Midwest family!

Also, I would like to announce that UVSA Midwest has official 501(c)(3) status! We are now officially recognized as a nonprofit organization. Thank for you for all those who helped to make this possible.

On the final note, I would just like to remind everyone that we always have volunteer positions available if you would like to take part of UVSA Midwest and see how things are run and how everything works. A reminder that next year, for the 10th Annual VIA-1 Conference, we will be electing new executive board members. For more information, please read more here: http://uvsamidwest.org/about/elections/.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us at: staff@uvsamidwest.org.

Jacklin Nguyen
Internal Vice President
UVSA Midwest
http://www.uvsamidwest.org