Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA)

Asian/Pacific Islander American High School Conference at U of M, provided free for interested high school students  3/22/08

Application deadline: 3/15/08.

Click for informational packet and registration form.

Granholm Signs Driver's License Bill, Restores Ability of Legal Residents to Obtain Licenses
February 15, 2008

Contact:  Liz Boyd 517-335-6397

Addresses concerns of international, Michigan businesses

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation into law that restores the ability of all legal residents to obtain drivers' licenses.  Governor Granholm sent a letter to state lawmakers in January asking them to move quickly in resolving the issue to avoid a detrimental impact on the state's ability to attract jobs and investment to Michigan.

"As we work to recruit international business and investment to Michigan, we need to ensure that the employees of those international companies can conduct their business and personal lives while they are residing and working in Michigan," Granholm said.  "This legislation sends the right message to businesses and workers from around the globe:  We want you to come and do business in Michigan."

The legislation amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to address concerns raised by Michigan businesses and foreign governments regarding an opinion issued by state Attorney General Cox on December 27, 2007.  In that opinion, the attorney general determined that only permanent residents may obtain a driver's license in Michigan and that individuals living here legally, but on a temporary basis, must be denied a license.  That opinion led to a decision by the secretary of state to require first-time applicants for a Michigan driver's license to prove they have established a permanent legal residence in Michigan.

In signing the legislation that restores the ability of all legal residents to obtain drivers' licenses, Governor Granholm applauded lawmakers for their bipartisan cooperation in passing the legislation.

There are approximately 400,000 foreign business people, students, and their families in Michigan on visas, many employed in the auto industry and other important sectors.

The new law is Public Act 7 of 2008 (HB 4505).

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Direct link at, http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192--185632--,00.html

Splendor of the East (May 2, 2008)  - Call for Volunteers!

 

As you know, CAPA will be presenting its annual “Splendor of the East (SOE) 2008” on May 2 (Friday). SOE is the only Asian Multi-Cultural performance in Michigan. As members of CAPA, this is an opportune time to get involved with the show and volunteer your time and effort to the CAPA organization. If you are interested in volunteering for one of the positions below, contact the SOE 08 Production Committee (Toni Martinez at joey33@comcast.net or Ning Xue at ning_xue2003@yahoo.com ).

Runner (1 Person):

• Liaise with      Stage Manager regarding performance timeline. 
• Relay      communications between Stage Manager and Performing Groups
• Organize      backstage movement of Performing Groups according to show timeline during      group rehearsals and performance.

 

Assistant Runner (1 Person):

• Organizes      Rehearsal Area and Performance Dressing Rooms to assure each performing      group is allotted space for storing their possessions
• Takes      Performing Groups from Point of Contact to Allotted Storage/Waiting      Area/Dressing Rooms.
• Notifies      groups of progress of show timeline during rehearsal/performance
• Assists Runner      in lining up performing groups
• Must attend      ALL rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performance

 

Props/Scenic Manager (1 Person):

• Aid with      material acquisition: must liaise with Alex Carr and Scott (Sponsorship      Coordinator)
• Oversee      transport of all scenic elements
• Liaise with      Alex Carr regarding scheduling of staffing for scenic painting and      building
• Assure      Rehearsals have appropriate materials that can represent staging

 

Props/Scenic Assistant (2-4 People):

• Aid with      transport of props/scenery
• Help with      painting and building of scenery
• Help with      scene changes during rehearsals and performance

 

Stage Manager (Alex Carr + 1-2 People):

• Alex is      writing Script Outline & Show Order
• Stage      Managers will liaise with Runner for bringing Performing Groups to      backstage area.
• Oversee      schedules and job duties of Props/Scenic Manager, Runner, Point of Contact      Person, and Assistant Runner
• Liaise with      venue and venue staff

 

Costume Quick Change Manager (1 Person)

• Liaise with      performing groups regarding costume requirements and numbers of performers      needing quick change assistance.
• Create      backstage list of costume change requirements
• Organize/Oversee      backstage area for quick changes

Costume Change Assistants (2-3 People)

• Assist Quick      Change Manager when needed.

 

Sound Assistant (1 Person)

• Collect      music from performing groups
• Organize      music order according to show timeline
• Operate cd      player during all group rehearsals
• Sit with      Venue Sound Engineer during dress rehearsal and performance, wear headset      to relay show communications to sound engineer.

 

Ushers/Usherettes (7 People)

• Welcome and      assist event guests and attendees to their seats
• May act as      security support in the lobby and backstage.

A New Generation of Leaders in Michigan:
Diverse young leaders and college students get paid entry-level positions with progressive organizations in Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan – February 5th, 2008 – The Center for Progressive Leadership’s (CPL) 2008 New Leaders Program is connecting diverse young leaders from all over Michigan with full-time, paid positions at leading political organizations. Along with the paid position, the CPL Michigan New Leaders will join other emerging progressive leaders from across the country for a week-long conference in Washington, D.C. where they’ll work with some of the top political leaders and experts in the country to become more effective leaders.  Click here to read complete Press Release.

Application deadline:  March 15, 2008.

Interested applicants should apply online at: http://www.progressleaders.org/states/michigan/minewleaders.htm

Tom Watkins Blog - Building Bridges

Tom Watkins, CEO of  TDW & Associates, has been in China in recent weeks working on creating educational connections between Michigan and the Asian nation. While there, Tom has been writing a blog on his travels and meetings. He was also appointed Special Consultant to  the China Art and Culture Institute in Beijing recently.

An Interview with Tom Watkins: Back to China

Michael F. Shaughnessy
Senior Columnist EdNews.org
Eastern New Mexico University

Current Issue:
Attorney General Opinion No. 7210 that  issued on December 27, 2007:

Only a permanent resident is eligible to receive a driver's license in Michigan.

The below letters show that the Michigan Governor and the MEDC (MI Economic Development Corporation) CEO Jim Epolito are quite aware of the problems caused by AG Cox's opinion and trying to find solutions.

Michigan Governor letter
MEDC CEO letter