Announcing October as “Membership Month”
Join us to appreciate the heart and soul of our organization – our dedicated members. We are proud to announce October as "Membership Month," a month-long celebration of our members.
“Our members are the backbone of our organization. Their tireless efforts, passion, and dedication allow JACL to make a positive impact on the Japanese American, AAPI, and civil rights communities,” says VP for Membership, Dominique Mashburn.
“When I first started here, Bridget Keaveney (our previous Membership Coordinator) remarked how our members have hearts of gold. I couldn’t find that to be more true. From decades-long members to our newest and youngest advocates, I am so grateful to have such passionate, courageous, and kind people on our side,” says Membership Manager, Ashley Bucher.
“Working at JACL for 7 years, I’ve been thinking we need a dedicated time and greater creative spaces to honor our members because we wouldn’t be JACL without them. We decided on October to commemorate the founding history of our organization,” says Director of Membership and Fund Development, Phillip Ozaki.
October is a significant time for JACL as it is the founding month according to Volume 1, Number 1 of the Pacific Citizen according to the Digital Archives. View 94 years of the Pacific Citizen Digital Archives here: www.pacificcitizen.org/newspaper-archives.
Membership Month highlights include:
1. Member Spotlights:
We will feature the stories and achievements of our members and volunteers.
To be feature, please take our testimonials form: https://forms.gle/MWafmdwSDKoZPj389
2. Member Benefits:
We will refresh and remind you of your perks and surprise you with a few new ones.
Check these out at our new webpage at www.jacl.org/benefits.
3. Member Surveys:
We are launching a few more member surveys especially for our Couple/Family, Premium, and Life categories so that we can learn more about you and serve you better. Plus, all survey-takers have a chance to win a $20 gift card (we’ll draw 5 winners).
Couple/Family Members: [Survey is Now Closed]
Life Members: [Survey is Now Closed]
Premium Members (Thousand, Century, and Millennium Clubs): https://forms.gle/FnedSRdDxGAALKEp7
Testimonials form (anyone): https://forms.gle/MWafmdwSDKoZPj389
4. Special Events
October 15: Membership Drive Day.
We proclaim October 15 as Membership Drive Day to invite more friends and family to join our community. This day is significant because on October 15, 1929 we launched the first issue of The Pacific Citizen (then called The Nikkei Shimin).
October 19: New Member Orientation.
How can you make the most of your JACL membership? Join us with special guests Garrett James of Ryoko Rain (a fashion all-star and community advocate!) and returning artist Sam Hamashima. Hear from JACL leadership, meet other new members, and find out all JACL has to offer. For new members since 2022 but all are welcomed to join. We will have prizes!
TBD: 50th Anniversary of the JACL Headquarters Building (virtual event info TBD).
In 1973, JACL bought the land at 1765 Sutter Street in San Francisco to found its National Headquarters. Join us to celebrate this momentous occasion. More information TBD.
5. Free Streaming Brought to You by Tadaima: A Community Virtual Pilgrimage.
We work in collaboration with the Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages to feature three films with JACL connections as part of their digital film festiva.l The films are:
Removed by Force from the JACL Honolulu Chapter, steamable from October 17 to 31.
Shorts from Mitchell Matsumura, JACL member and collaborator, for the whole month.
Hito Hata, a film from Visual Communications, our National Convention sponsor and film fest partner, from October 23 to 28.
The link for streaming is here: www.jampilgrimages.com/films-2023
Thank you to all of our members!
Membership Month is a time to reflect on our shared journey to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and unity at JACL. Thank you for being an essential part of our story, and we can't wait to celebrate with you in October!
JACL Membership Department
Please write mbr@jacl.org for quesitons, comments, and feedback about Membership Month and the JACL Membership Benefits Program.
