National CAPACD’s 10th Annual Convention & 10th Anniversary Gala

In just over a month, hundreds of community organizers, CDC leaders, political leaders, social service providers, and funders will descend upon Washington, DC to attend National CAPACD’s 10th Annual Convention, June 3 – 5, 2009.

We have an exciting array of workshops and plenaries for the convention, and an additional unique event to our convention this year: the 10th Anniversary Gala.

National CAPACD will be celebrating the past 10 years at our Gala with over 400 people from across the country.  We will be honoring two of our Congressional Leaders who have made a huge impact on the lives of AAPI low-to-moderate income families across this country through their leadership and advocacy.  Congressman Barney Frank is confirmed to attend and receive the Power of Change Award.  We will also be presenting an award to Congressman Mike Honda called the Power of Unity Award.

Regular Gala tickets cost $200, and we are offering a $75 discounted ticket rate to National CAPACD members who register for the convention.  Come join us on this momentous occasion!

2) How to Use the National CAPACD Social Network

Earlier this year, National CAPACD launched an interactive online tool for members to engage and interact in an online space, expanding on our peer-to-peer learning model.  There are many opportunities for National CAPACD members, friends and allies to engage in a dialogue and share their experiences on the new social network.

For example, you can post events, community meetings, or webinars your organization is hosting or supporting, and get people to sign up for them. 

You can start a conversation in our online forum about the issues impacting your neighborhood or get access to resources that National CAPACD members and staff are posting online.  Here are some discussions you can talk about:

•    Learn about funding opportunities for community development groups
•    Find out how to become a certified foreclosure counselor
•    Talk about financial literacy and the CreditSmart Asian Curriculum
 
Is your organization hiring? Post your jobs online and spread the word.

Share photos and videos of your organization’s successes. 

And, there’s so much more!  Sign up for the National CAPACD Social Network.

3)  News from the Field: Asian Community Development Corporation Wins 2009 Digital Media and Learning Competition

Asian Community Development Corporation (Asian CDC) is one of 19 winners of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation global competition for innovative digital media and learning projects.  Asian CDC received $170,000 to create “Participatory Chinatown”, a project seeking to transform the planning practices shaping Boston’s Chinatown.  

Marrying physical deliberation, virtual interaction and web-input, Participatory Chinatown encourages residents of all ages without prior urban planning experience to participate in the collaborative design and development of their own public spaces.  Participants sit side-by-side in physical space and simultaneously co-inhabit a 3D virtual space where they engage in rapid prototyping and testing of urban design proposals.  Participatory Chinatown enables communities to articulate their vision and strengthen their internal and external bonds to produce better neighborhoods.  Participatory Chinatown is a collaborative effort of Asian CDC, Emerson College New Media faculty, and the Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

Congratulations to Jeremy Liu and Asian CDC!

SAVE THE DATE!

National CAPACD’s 10th Annual Convention

Celebrating a Decade of Unity: A Time of Change

June 3 – 5, 2009

Washington, DC

www.nationalcapacd.org