FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2011
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.
Ever wanted to share your thoughts and ideas and give input about what should happen at the VIA-1 (Vietnamese Interacting as One) Conference? Do you feel like you have the skills, talents, and expertise to contribute in the makings of a large-scale conference? Are you able to rise up to the occasion to become a committee member or director for this highly anticipated annual event? Is there the drive and passion in you to give Vietnamese and Vietnamese American youth a voice and to show others what we, as young leaders, are capable of?
Considered to be one of the premier youth conferences in the country, the VIA-1 Conference brings together hundreds of undergraduates, graduates, and young professionals from around the Midwest region to participate in a multi-day event. The conference weekend is packed with activities to further develop leadership skills not only on the local level but also on the regional level and national level, to hold insightful discussions with notable speakers, and to explore critical issues that the Vietnamese American community struggles with.
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. Needless to say, this conference 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.
UVSA Midwest would like to invite and encourage your VSA to help host this great occasion that is the 10th Annual VIA-1 Conference. Not only would hosting this conference be a historically documented event, but more importantly, it will unite your VSA, bring your members and community even closer, provide priceless leadership roles, allow for team building experiences, help further professional development, create priceless memories, and many more valuable opportunities. We are extending this opportunity for your VSA to take on this rewarding challenge of hosting the 2012 VIA-1 Conference.
The new official bid packet can been found here: 2012 VIA-1 Bid Packet.
If you’re interested, please email staff@uvsamidwest.org with your intent to bid by 11:59pm CST on Friday, July 8, 2011!
Good Luck!
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
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