COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

In a 2001 re-organization of the Grand Lodge committee structure, external and internal communications were entrusted to a Communications Team placed under the leadership of a Communications Chair, Grand Executive Carolyn Chan. Continuing Goals of the Communications Committee To enhance national presence through external communication of the mission and position of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance on behalf of the Grand President and the Grand Board .a.) by establishing collaborative partnerships with governmental agencies, the White House and the Congress, coalition-building with Asian American organizations, and civil rights organizations through an established keyperson network b.) by official representation at important national conferences c.) by participation in letter writing, e-mail, and telephone campaigns d.) by participation in public and patriotic celebrations (i.e., Asian Pacific (i.e. Asian Pacific Islander Month, Martin Luther King Day celebration, ethnic festivals, lectures on Chinese American culture, etc.) e.) by disseminating timely news releases and statements on behalf of the Grand President to external electronic and print media and on the National C.A.C.A. website that reflect the position of the Grand Board f.) by presenting National Recognition Awards to recognize Chinese Americans and others who have contributed significantly to the progress of Americans of Chinese ancestry. First Spirit of America Awards presented to Hon. March Fong Eu, Stewart Kwoh, JD, and Michelle Kwan on August 9, 2003. To provide current internal communications to members of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance so they can share ideas and take informed, effective action with decision makers on behalf of the Alliance through a.) e-mail correspondence b.) direct mail of press releases to major newspapers and television networks c.) teleconferences (when necessary) d.) the Grand Lodge Report e.) the National Website and Links to Local Lodges To encourage each local lodge to heighten its public profile by a.) providing timely press releases to local media, including Chinese language newspapers and television stations b.) suggesting public interest stories that celebrate the accomplishments of individual members and/or your lodge to the media. c.) maintaining an exhibit of Chinese American history and the role of the lodge's contributions to the public welfare d ) publicizing events sponsored by the lodge (essay contest, Chinese New Year celebration. Moon Festival, workshops and cultural events, health fair. Food Faire, Miss Chinatown contest) or co-sponsored with mainstream organizations (March of Dimes, etc.) e ) nominating lodge members who fit the criteria for mainstream public recognition awards f.) listing your membership and service to the Chinese American Citizens Alliance when submitting your resume for consideration for local, state or national board appointments such as arts, cultural, scientific, museum, human r^s civil rights boards, and editorial and advisory boards of newspapers and television stations g.) submitting articles reporting local lodge activities to the Grand Lodge Report Government Relations can be expanded to assigning key individuals who can develop relationships with key legislators at federal, state and local levels to apprise them of issues important to us as Americans, and not limited to those issues of an ethnic nature. David Leong, chair of that sub-committeem has done an excellent job of providing us information to which we have responded. We need adequate lead time and a budget for Executive Board level representatives to attend important conferences, after determining the reason for attending and the desired results before committing the financial resources. Public Relations This sub-committee provided guidance in innovative ways to enhance our image in our respective communities. Lucille Young and Dick Young shared their vision with us. Visitations to local lodges by the Grand President and/or Grand Officers or Board members help cement the bond of our fraternal organization. Local press coverage exposes the general public to our mission and boosts the credibility of the local lodge. Press Relations Most of the news releases have been generated through e-mail, fax and snail mail. As I travel often, Munson served as English language back-up so we are covered at all at all times. For the future, I suggest a similar backup for Chinese language coverage. Faye Lee has done an excellent job with Chinese language papers. (An ad in the Portland Lodge convention booklet listed additional Chinese language newspapers. Perhaps we could have each lodge provide us mailing addresses and editors for Chinese language papers in their cities. At the suggestion of Phoenix Lodge Grand Rep Leung Eng, Chinese language press releases are faxed or e-mailed when appropriate, to the local lodge president.  Communications Committee The following indivuals have helped the Alliance achive many of our goals the past two years and we express our gratitude to them for their work, concern and support of the Alliance. Their efforts have been vital to our organizations growth. Carolyn H. Chan, Chair, Communications Committee Sub-Committees: Public Relations Lucille Young Dick Young Government Relations David Leong Gino Wang Linda Lee Press and Media Relations Carolyn Chan (English language) Munson Kwok (English language) Faye W. Lee (Chinese language) Information Technology Wallace Ahtye Albert Fong Websites and more Bulletin Vera L. Goo The Alliance gained most media mileage from on-going participation with the press and media on behalf of the Wen Ho Lee case and the Anna Guo case and from stating our positions on the tragedy of 9/11 and racial profiling of Arab Americans. The committee chair served as a conduit to share numerous articles about Chinese history, cultures, incidents and achievements. This created a shared unity and inspired greater interaction and particiaption. Semi-monthly reports for this committee are on file with Grand Secretary and have been provided electronically to each Grand Board member. The reports are available by contacting the Committee chair at carochan@aol.com It is hoped that the achievements of the past tow years are a foundation on which to build greater success. Meeting the challenge to lead to achieve is truly the Spirit of America.