Leadership
Leadership Development
The goal of the JACL leadership programs is to develop and maintain a source of effective leadership for positive social change. To accomplish this, the JACL offers opportunities for young leaders to learn about the issues that affect Asian American communities through an intensive leadership seminar in Washington, D.C. The JACL offers fellowship opportunities to work in JACL and in congressional offices as a way of providing experience-based training to individuals who have demonstrated an interest in Asian American community activism.
The internships and fellowship are largely successful due to Southwest Airlines. We thank them for supporting the youth of JACL to become better leaders.
JACL/OCA Washington, D.C. Leadership Summit
Established by the JACL in 1984, this four-day program has the goal of introducing potential community leaders to the national policy-making arena. Co-convened with the OCA National (formerly the Organization of Chinese Americans) since 1994, the JACL/OCA Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference is structured to provide a broad overview of the decision-making process at the federal level, including meetings and briefings by public officials, key policymakers who serve in Congress, the White House, a variety of federal agencies, advocacy organizations and the media. Participants also will be briefed on legislative issues affecting the Asian Pacific American (APA) community and will examine the role Asian Pacific American civil rights organizations such as JACL and OCA National play in affecting public policy and pursuing civil rights legislation in the nation’s capital.
Internships and Fellowships
John Moy & Southwest Airlines Congressional Internship
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is now accepting applications for the John Moy & Southwest Airlines Congressional Internship program. During the program's inaugural cycle in Summer 2011, interns were placed in the offices of Representatives Xavier Becerra (CA-31) and Mike Honda (CA-15). JACL is proud to continue providing experience-based training for emerging young leaders through this program.
Duties and responsibilities will be outlined by the congressional member's office in which the intern is placed. Placement offices have yet to be determined. Congressional interns will have a unique opportunity to experience the policymaking process and gain exposure to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues.
This internship program is made possible by a generous donation from John Moy, longtime supporter and member of JACL, and roundtrip tickets provided by JACL's official airline, Southwest Airlines.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for two eight-week, paid internships beginning in Winter 2012. Preference will be given to rising undergraduate juniors and seniors and recent graduates. If you have any questions, please contact (202) 223-1240 or policy@jacl.org
Fill out the online application form.
Download the paper application.
Mike M. Masaoka Congressional Fellowship
The Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship Fund was established in 1988 to honor Mike M. Masaoka (1915-1991) for a lifetime of outstanding public service in promoting justice, civil rights and human dignity. The purpose of the Fund is to develop leaders for public service by providing opportunities for college seniors or students in graduate or professional programs to work for a Member of Congress or a Senator. The Fellows’ assignments include a variety of tasks where they will be exposed to all facets of the work of the Representative or Senator and his/her staff. Applications and one (1) letter of recommendation should be sent to:
JACL Washington, DC Office
1850 M Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
dc@jacl.org
Ford Fund Program Fellowship
The Ford Fund Program Fellowship was established in 2006 by the Ford Motor Company to enhance and develop skills of an emerging JACL leader by providing an opportunity to work on National JACL programs in the JACL Midwest Office located in Chicago. The Fellow will be assigned tasks and projects on programs related to education, hate crimes and leadership as well as taking part in community outreach activities within the local Asian Pacific American community. This program provides a stipend to a recent college graduate to work at the JACL Midwest Office for one year. For information on the Ford Fund Fellowship, contact the JACL Midwest Office at 773.728.7170 or Midwest@jacl.org
Norman Y. Mineta Fellowship
The Norman Y. Mineta Fellowship was established in 2007 and is sponsored by State Farm Insurance Company. The Fellow will assist the Washington DC JACL office on public policy issues important to the Asian American community, working under the direction of the JACL Director of Public Policy. In addition, the Fellow will coordinate JACL/OCA chapter activities related to child/teen auto safety programs promoted by State Farm. The Fellowship is awarded to a qualified student who has completed their undergraduate degree for a period of 10 to 12 months. For information on the Norman Y. Mineta Fellowship, contact the JACL Washington, DC Office at 202.223.1240 or policy@jacl.org
Daniel K. Inouye Fellowship
This fellowship will be focused on public policy advocacy as well as healthcare programs and issues of importance to the Asian Pacific American (APA) community at large. The fellowship is named for the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, current United States senator from Hawaii. The fellow will monitor key legislative initiatives pertaining to healthcare, civil rights and social justice of importance to the JACL mission and design and implement JACL-sponsored health fairs and other programming among other tasks and duties. This fellowship is awarded to a JACL college graduate for a period of four (4) to ten (10) months. For more information on the Daniel K. Inouye Fellowship, contact the JACL Washington, DC office at 202.223.1240 or policy@jacl.org