Who moved my cheese?

Leaders are agents of change. They look at change in a positive light responding to the needs of their organizations to grow and be successful.  And they are really good at managing change, too, ensuring those impacted will understand and accept the benefits of the change.  Now if you are undergoing change and need some information on dealing with change, you will want to read, "Who Moved My Cheese?"  It's a really great primer on change.



Visit the Red Tree Leadership and Development website for more: http://www.redtreeleadership.com/whomovedmycheese/

Regards,
Gil Gido
NAAAP Seattle
President

Politicians, Presidents, and Butter Miso Fish star at 2010 NAAAP member appreciation and membership drive picnic

As the final game of the World Cup games aired on July 11, 2010, approximately sixty people chose to come out for NAAAP-Seattle’s annual member appreciation and membership drive picnic at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle rather than watch Netherlands and Spain battle it out on the soccer field.

Included among the picnickers were 41st District State Senator Randy Gordon, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, and 11th District State Representative Bob Hasegawa.

Senator Randy Gordon said he wanted to show his support for NAAAP-Seattle. As a state senator, he said, “I want to be a representative for everyone.”

The guest who has the honor of traveling the farthest to attend the picnic was National NAAAP President Brad Baldia, who had flown in from Philadelphia the night before.

It was Baldia’s first trip to Seattle. He was impressed by NAAAP-Seattle’s enthusiasm and energy.

“The Seattle chapter is very involved with the minority community and the presence of politicians here today indicates that,” said Baldia.

Baldia said he wants to connect with local chapters throughout the United States because he knows that through local chapters, people get connected to NAAAP nationally.

The real star attraction at the picnic this year was the food. NAAAP celebrity chef Tanantha Couilliard of I just love my Apron fame designed a menu featuring tender chicken and tofu terkayi sandwiches, butter miso with red vinegar fish, and vermicelli salad.

“I think people really appreciated the food was homemade,” said Couilliard, who noted it took a team of four volunteers two days to prepare the meal.

Murmurs of delight over the food were expressed throughout the picnic.

King County Assessor Lloyd Hara was overheard saying, “This is good fish!”

NAAAP Seattle member John Hay of Burien Toyota renewed his membership at this year’s picnic.

“I’m having a lot of fun at this picnic,” said Hay. “I get to grill…and I think I’m pretty good at it too!”

Membership Chair Kevin Chang reported approximately 15 people signed up for new memberships and renewals at the picnic.

“Thank you to everyone who made it to Lake Boren Park and to all the volunteers who made the event possible,” said Chang. “We could not have pulled off the picnic without their time and energy!”

Photos: (top) 41st District State Senator Randy Gordon speaking to picnickers.; (middle) John Hay, right, and Don Lee, left, at the grill; (bottom) NAAAP-board members with NAAAP National President. From left to right, Claire Ke Ding, Casey Huang, Brad Baldia, Gil Gido, Julie Pham, Stacia Loo, David Eam, Hang-Ping Chen, Kevin Chang.

More Rice Raised from the Walk this year

Asian Counseling and Referral Services’ annual fundraiser “Walk for Rice” went into its 20th year on June 19, 2010. And this year’s NAAAP-Seattle team raised more than three times compared to last year’s year, with $1166.50. ACRS raised a total of $184,245.

Walk for Rice raises money for the ACRS Food Bank. Over 1,000 community members come to walk or run the 2.5-mile trail at Seward Park while raising money and awareness about hunger in King County. Among them were ten NAAAP-Seattle walkers, including Student Relations Chair Amy Duong, Professional Development Chair Hang-Ping Chen, and President Gil Gido.

NAAAP-Seattle did not just walk the trail. They also came out at 7am to help with the setup of the event, direct traffic and parking, and provide information for participants.

Nartia Ghumman, the development coordinator for ACRS, shared with Community Service Chair David Eam:

“We greatly appreciate NAAAP’s continued support for the event. Your organization has shown great leadership and support of APA community events, year after year. The enthusiasm from NAAAP volunteers at 7:00 a.m. at Walk for Rice is certainly inspiring! Rain or shine, we know that we can count on, thank you and your members for their support their local community fight against hunger.”

Because “every grain counts,” you can still visit ACRS website to make a donation.

Photo: NAAAP-Seattle member and volunteer Tai P. Chainarong holds a sign to direct Walkers.