OCA is on a nationwide search for undergraduates and recent graduates for the 2011 Summer Internship Program in Washington DC!

Purpose: To cultivate future leadership for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community by providing opportunities to work in the public sector and learn about issues affecting APAs. Based in the nation’s capital, interns will build relationships, engage in weekly discussions on APA issues, go on legislative visits and participate in OCA’s National Convention in New York on August 4-7.

All are welcome to apply. Students of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Southeast Asian descent are highly encouraged to apply.

Deadline: All materials must be received by Monday, April 4th at 11:30 pm EST.
Stipend: $2,500 for 10 weeks of full time work
Requirements:
1. Undergraduate student (Minimum age of 18. Seniors are eligible)
2. U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
3. Demonstrated interest in APA issues
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills
5. Commitment to work 10 weeks in Washington DC within the period of June 6 – August 19
6. Completed Application Package including:
- Completed Application Form
- Résumé
- Unofficial academic transcript
- Exactly two letters of reference
- One-page essay (12 pt, single-spaced, 500 words maximum) addressing the following: How will OCA’s summer internship benefit you and your community?

Procedure
1. Submit entire application package by deadline
2. Applications will be reviewed by a committee
3. Personal or telephone interview will be scheduled
4. Accepted interns will be notified by April 29. A firm commitment will be required at that time to secure placement.

Online, early and complete application submission is highly encouraged. Visit www.ocanational.org for more information, please refer to our Internship FAQ page or email internship@ocanational.org.

For the past twelve years, SEARAC has held annual Leadership and Advocacy Trainings (LAT) in Washington, DC and regionally. These trainings provide a forum for Southeast Asian American community leaders to participate in three days of advocacy education, leadership strategizing, collaborative networking, and relationship building with decision makers on issues that are specific to the Southeast Asian American community. These trainings are open nation-wide to all members of the Southeast Asian American community and/or individuals currently working with the Southeast Asian American community.

SEARAC held two leadership and advocacy trainings in the summer of 2010 in Washington, DC and Long Beach, CA. Each training brought together dozens of community leaders who spent two intensive days focusing on specific policy issues and strategizing for an advocacy meeting. Participants then spent the last day visiting the offices of elected officials with their well-honed messages. Participants learned about and advocated on issues in immigration, education and health policy. Check it out for yourself!

To view an agenda from last year’s training, click here, then check out the videos below to hear what last year’s participants had to say about the training.

SEARAC is pleased to announce its Thirteenth Annual Southeast Asian American Leadership & Advocacy Training. This year, SEARAC will be convening in two strategic locations:

- New Orleans, LA: May 22-24, 2011
- Washington, DC: July 24-26, 2011

For more information and to apply online, click here.

- The application deadline for the New Orleans, LA training is March 20, 2011.
- The application deadline for the Washington, DC training is May 1, 2011.

Please contact Riamsalio Phetchareun at riamsalio@searac.org or (202) 667-4690 with any additional questions.

Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT)

Ready for the experience of a lifetime?

VIET Fellows is looking for mature, motivated, and inspiring people to be a part of the Class of 2011.

The Vietnam Involvement and Engagement Tour (VIET) is a multifaceted effort to invest in the leadership of young Vietnamese Americans in order to improve the quality of life of communities in the US and Vietnam. The VIET Fellows program is an example of how to engage Vietnamese Americans in civic participation and their drive to give back to the community.

As a VIET Fellow, you will:

• Learn about issues affecting Vietnamese Americans,
• Explore environmental and health disparities in Vietnam,
• & Become a leader in your community.

Applications are due Thursday, March 31. For more info, visit VIET Fellows