KAC-WA June 2018 Update
Welcome to our June 2018 Newsletter ! This monthly newsletter highlights KAC-WA news and updates, upcoming events, community news, and a spotlight on members.
KAC-WA Hosts Korean American Grassroots Conference Regional Seminar
KAC-WA had the honor of hosting the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) Regional Seminar in Tukwila, WA on May 19-20. The conference was a great opportunity to engage with elected officials, learn about our local and national civic and legislative priorities, and network with Korean Americans who are helping to build a grassroots movement in Washington state. Thank you to the elected officials, speakers and moderators, KAC-WA board and committee members, and all of the supportive guests who attended and contributed to an engaging weekend!
KAC-WA Receives King County Voter Registration Grant
The Voter Education Fund is a government, philanthropic and community partnership led by King County Elections and Seattle Foundation to remove barriers to voting in underserved and underrepresented communities. Through this partnership, 33 organizations (including KAC-WA) are receiving grants totaling more than $460,000 to increase voter engagement in underserved communities.
Seattle Votes Campaign
KAC-WA attended the community briefing on the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Seattle Votes campaign, one of the largest City-led data gathering initiatives examining immigrant and refugee voter registration, voting, and civic engagement in Seattle/King County. We were also able to hear from Julie Wise, King County Elections Director, on the efforts she is leading to remove barriers to voter registration and voting.
KAC-WA was one of 109 partnering community organizations, all of whom were instrumental in the collection of 5,566 surveys from immigrants and refugees from 130 countries. We will use the learnings from this study to help inform our civic engagement strategies in the Korean American community.
Starbucks Civic Social During May's Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
KAC-WA participated in the Starbucks Pan-Asian Partner Network’s civic engagement social! We heard an inspirational speech by Mia Su-Ling Gregerson-Dahle, a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 33rd Legislative District.
The event also featured an interactive photobooth, which encouraged participants to write about why they vote and how they engage civically. There were a lot of shout outs to the #8080campaign, which is driving towards 80% voter registration and 80% voter turn out in the Korean American community!
Attend a KAC-WA Voter Registation Event!
KAC-WA hosted a Voter Registration Drive at the 2018 Korea Times Walkathon and at the H-Mart in Federal Way on June 2. Voter Registration Drives will continue throughout the summer, around the community and at many of the upcoming Korean American events. In King County, voter registration forms are also available in Korean! If you or anyone you know would like assistance registering to vote, please come to an event or contact KAC-WA!
Upcoming Voter Registration Drives
June 14 at the KAC-WA Professional Mixer (see event information below)
June 23-24 at the Shoreline Arts Festival (see event information below)
For More Information on Elections and Voter Registration:
Volunteers Needed at the 28th Annual Shoreline Arts Festival (June 23-24)
Korean American Historical Society (KAHS), in collaboration with the Korean American Coalition, is hosting a Korean and Korean American heritage, culture, and arts room during the 28th Annual Shoreline Arts Festival on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and June 24, 2018 at the Shoreline Center.
Fun activities and demonstrations in the room for the whole family will include JongiJulpki (paper folding), making Jangseung (guardian spirit poles) using paper towel rolls, playing the game of Yut, writing your name in Korean, and coloring activities for younger visitors. Everyone will enjoy playing with Korean drums, and wearing traditional Korean clothing. We will also feature a performance by Ooleemm on the center stage on Saturday.
We need volunteers to help welcome visitors, try on Hanbok, and lead the Yutnori game.
Volunteer Times Available:
Saturday: 11-2 pm, 2-3 or 3-5 pm
Sunday: 11-12, 12-2 or 2-4
Other Upcoming Events
June 14: KAC-WA Professional Networking Mixer
This month, we'll be gathering at the Pine Box in Capital Hill. Come with friends, come alone...either way, you'll meet some cool new people at our monthly event!
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: The Pine Box
Address: 1600 Melrose Ave, Seattle WA 98122
Price: Free to attend + appetizers, drinks on your own
Link to Facebook Event
Link to Eventbrite Event
June 30: ACRS Walk for Rice
Walk for Rice is a family and pet friendly event featuring lion dancing, a martial arts demonstration, Japanese taiko drumming and a performance by the Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team before a 2.5 mile walk/run around Seward Park. Come take part in this long-standing and beloved community tradition and help raise money to fight hunger in our community.
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: Seward Park
Address: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle WA 98118
Price: Free
Join or Donate to the KAC-WA Walk for Rice Team Here!
July 11-13: National Korean American Grassroots Conference
The largest nationwide network of Korean American voters, the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) hosts its 5 th annual national conference on July 11 th through July 13 th , 2018 in Washington, D.C. Last year’s conference drew over 500 community members of all age groups from 24 states. 18 members of Congress joined their constituents in celebration of the Korean American community’s efforts for civic engagement from the grassroots and of the robust U.S. – Korea relations.
More Information at www.kagc.us
July 14: KAAW Member Art Exhibition Reception
The Korean American Artists Association of Washington State (KAAW) Member Exhibition will be held at the Washington State Convention Center from June 30, 2018 through September 25, 2018, with a reception on Saturday, July 14 . The exhibition is a great way to see beautiful art shared by Korean American artists residing in Washington State who are pursuing artistic endeavors to enrich personal and community life.
Date: Saturday, July 14, 2018
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue: Washington State Convention Center
Address: 705 Pike Street, Seattle WA 98101
Price: Free
More Information at www.kaaw.net
Save the Date:
2018 Korean BBQ Cook Off: Saturday, September 1, 2018 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Seward Park
2018 KAC-WA Gala: Saturday, November 2, 2018 at the Westin Bellevue
Member Spotlight: Rachel Kim Tschida
Rachel is a Korean American adoptee, born in Seoul and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After earning a BA in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Rachel spent the majority of her career in various marketing and category brand management roles at Target Corporation, Amazon, and Starbucks. At Starbucks, she was able to re-connect with Korea leading the Asia-Pacific regional merchandise and packaged coffee team for the past 5 years.
She is currently completing her master's degree in Public Affairs, with a concentration in social policy. This has enabled a recent career transition to the Global Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility team at Starbucks. In addition to KAC-WA, Rachel is engaged in the community through Asian Adult Adoptees of Washington (AAAW), Asian Counseling & Referral Service (ACRS), Corporate Asian Giving Circle Leaders (CAGCL), and the Korean Community Service Center (KCSC).
In the Community
Corporate Asian Giving Circle Leaders Hosting Networking Fundraiser for ACRS Walk for Rice
Corporate Asian Giving Circle Leaders (CAGCL) is a network of successful, dedicated, and civic-minded Asian leaders who work at corporations across the Seattle area. Together, they address complex social issues, lead volunteerism and philanthropy, and drive action among corporate leaders. CAGCL envisions strong Asian communities where corporate leaders partner across sectors and industries to drive collective change through philanthropy.
CAGCL, in partnership with the Asian American Pacific Islander professional networks and employee resource groups at Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, Boeing, EY, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be hosting a networking fundraiser on Friday, June 15th from 4:00-8:00 at Optimism Brewing . All proceeds will go to Asian Counseling & Referral Service (ACRS) Walk for Rice.
