ASPIRE: Empowering Asian American Women in Boston

1. Welcome www.girlsaspire.org A S P I R E Asian Sisters Participating In Reaching Excellence VOLUNTEER INTRO MEETING September 18, 2007

2. What is ASPIRE Asian Sisters Participating in Reaching Excellence (ASPIRE) A volunteer network of Asian American women (both students and professionals) in the greater Boston area dedicated to the career and leadership development of Asian American high school and college girls MISSION To empower Asian American high school and college girls with career development and leadership skills through shared experiences and mentoring

3. Agenda • Introductions – tell us about yourself! • Who’s ASPIRE for? How does ASPIRE work? • ASPIRE History and Structure • 2008 Asian American Women in Leadership Conference • ASPIRE Outstanding Woman of the Year Award • Youth Leadership Program (YLP) • Next Steps

4. Hi! Tell us about yourself… • Name • Hometown • College / Major / Year, OR Company/Industry • How did you hear about ASPIRE? • Who was your first mentor? • Favorite thing to do in Boston

5. Who’s ASPIRE for? ASPIRE aims to mentor and serve Boston-area high school and college Asian American young women who seek: • To better navigate the lifetime of opportunities and career choices ahead • To make the most of their academic and extracurricular college experiences • To learn from other Asian American women’s accomplishments and insights • To gain a better understanding of the working world, which is different from academia • To learn the importance of developing skills which will help them prepare for the working world

6. How does ASPIRE work? ASPIRE connects Asian American women of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and perspectives together to share their unique experiences. Through the continuous process of contributing and receiving knowledge, information and insights from one another during workshops, panels, conferences and events developed by ASPIRE - strong networks, relationships and friendships are developed over time to better serve the Asian American female community as a whole. • Young • Professionals / Graduate Students • Need mentors and peers for networking and professional development • Serve as support network/resources for younger women • High School • Students • Need resources for mentors and role models • Have the potential to provide extensive outreach to local and peer communities College Students • Need forums for learning, networking, and developing skills for leadership • Serve as valuable resources for high school students Experienced Professionals • Need to network and collaborate with peer group • Serve as mentors and role-models for younger women

7. ASPIRE History (Key Milestones) • 500+ members within network • 10+ YLP Scholars • 2008 AAWIL Conference • Completed 6 panels throughout the year • Became Incorporated • 1st fundraiser raising over $4,000 • Youth Leadership Program (YLP) started in 2005 • 2nd fundraiser raising over $8,000 Founded by Nellie Hsu Ling 2001 2002 - 2003 2004 - 2005 2006 - 2007 NOW • Received 501(3)(c) non-profit status • 1st Asian American Women in Leadership Conference in 2004 • 7 Panels, over 40 speakers, 200+ members within network • 2nd AAWIL Conference in 2006 • 3rd AAWIL Conference in 2007 • Developed the first series of “AA Women in Business” panels

8. ASPIRE Structure 2007-2008 Board of Directors (Responsible for the strategic growth and development of ASPIRE) Advisory Council (A network of professionals responsible for advising the Board on various aspects of ASPIRE’s growth and development) • Program Committee • (A network of volunteers responsible for the development and execution of ASPIRE programs); includes: • Youth Leadership Program • AAWIL Conference Team • Other programs *Indicate one-day events; **Potential part-time assistance

9. Volunteering Opportunities with Program Committee Leadership (High Commitment) CONFERENCE MENTORING Event based volunteering (Moderate Commitment) FUNDRAISER OTHER

10. Asian American Women in Leadership Conference The objective of the AAWIL Conference is to set forth a strategic dialogue on the importance of leadership for Asian American girls and women. Specifically, the conference will be designed to: • Explore various aspects of leadership, particularly as it relates to Asian American women • Evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership skills and styles • Create a network among attendees that will extend discussion and relationships beyond the scope of the conference • Raise awareness of ASPIRE, its mission and value to Asian American girls and women • Provide a forum for cross-generational Asian American to share experiences

11. 2006 AAWIL Conference In 2006, the AAWIL Conference explored the theme of: “Visibility and Leadership” • 150+ attendees, 30+ speakers • 7 panels and workshops addressing various aspects of the meaning of visibility and leadership • All panels and workshops were broken out by track for high school, college and professionals for relevancy • Key-note speakers: • Joy Wooden – Vice President of Diversity, Wal-mart • Atsuko Fish – President, Fish Foundation • Special Boston premiere screening of “Red Doors”, an independent film written and directed by Georgia Lee, winner at Tribecca Film Festival

12. 2007 AAWIL Conference In 2007, the AAWIL Conference explored the theme of: “Meaningful Leadership” • Hosted by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University • 200+ attendees, 30+ speakers • 6 panels and workshops • Key-note speakers: • Helen Zia – Award-winning journalist • Jeannie Park – Executive Editor, People Magazine • Conference addressed issues such as Meaningful Leadership through Media, Asian American Women and Globalization • Received close to $10,000 in corporate sponsorships from companies such as Deloitte, Raytheon, Putnam Investments, etc.

13. 2008 AAWIL Conference - April 26, 2008 Exploring the theme of “Balanced Leadership” • Aiming to get Kennedy School at Harvard to host the conference again • Potential Key-note speaker: • Suchin Pak of MTV • Panels and workshops will address various aspects of balancing all aspects of leadership within the community, throughout career and personal life • Will incorporate ASPIRE Outstanding Woman of the Year Award, working with Audrey Magazine • Volunteer Needed: • Marketing Communications Manager, responsible for developing marketing plan for the 2008 conference

14. Presented at the 2008 AAWIL Conference Call for nominations in Jan/Feb issue of Audrey Magazine Selected by a panel of judges including the keynote speaker Nominations > 10 Semi-finalists > 5 Finalists Prizes will be awarded to: National Winner 1st Runner Up 2nd Runners Up 2 Honorable Mentions ASPIRE Woman of the Year Award

15. She is: A young woman in high school or college. A leader in the community, with the initiative and determination to make a change. A role model for Asian American women, committed to ASPIRE’s mission of empowerment! Who is ASPIRE’s Woman of the Year?

16. Youth Leadership Program (YLP) The ASPIRE Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is a year-long leadership program specifically tailored to the cultural and developmental needs of Asian American (AA) high school girls in the greater Boston area. 1) Leadership Training – Customized training to develop leadership in areas such as communication skills, organizational ability, strategic thinking and civic engagement 2) Hands-on Leadership Experience – Leadership experience by serving as an intern on a committee of ASPIRE’s Advisory Group and assist in developing and managing ASPIRE programs 3) Mentorship – Each YLP Scholar will be paired with multiple ASPIRE mentors to facilitate leadership and career path development. 4) “ASPIRE Ambassadors” – YLP Scholars will promote and raise awareness of ASPIRE programs in their schools and communities.

17. Past Workshops Have Included: Public Speaking and Communication Skills with Gary Berman of the Speech Improvement Company Confidence and Marketing Yourself with Deb Rosenbloom of Next Step Partners Personal Identity and Self-Esteem with Judy Shen-Filerman of Shen-Filerman Consulting Personality and Career with Monica Lee of Harvard Business School The Power of Yes and Teambuilding with Improv Boston How to Give a Great Speech with Mark McCarthy of Harvard Kennedy School of Government Teamwork and Bonding on Thompson Island with Thompson Island Outward Bound Youth Leadership Program (YLP)

18. Some Previous YLP Scholars: Youth Leadership Program (YLP) Name: Hui Feng, ’05-’06 Scholar School: Boston Latin School ’07 Currently: Attending Harvard University Name: Christine Khamphilavanh, ’06-’07 Scholar School: Lowell High School ’08 Name: Shixin Su, ’06-’07 Scholar School: Josiah Quincy Upper School ’08 Name: Angela Truong, ’06-’07 Scholar School: John D. O’Bryant High School ’08

19. Open Position: YLP Coordinator ASPIRE’s Youth Leadership Program is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic and organized volunteer Program Coordinator for the ‘07-’08 school year The Program Coordinator will be responsible for assisting with community and high school outreach, YLP publicity, event planning and logistics, and working with and mentoring the YLP Scholars There will be opportunities for input on the program's curriculum and future events, and candidates may have the opportunity for a larger leadership role in the program (the position will prepare the Program Coordinator to transition into the Director's role) Candidates should have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and be interested in issues affecting young Asian American women Ideal candidates will have had some experience with youth and/or mentoring and Asian American issues. Time commitment for the position will be approximately 15-20 hours a month. This is a volunteer position, but YLP-related expenses such as food, transportation, and events are covered by ASPIRE. Youth Leadership Program (YLP)

20. Community/Corporate Partners We attain ambitious goals despite limited resources by recognizing our strengths and collaborating with community organizations

21. Next Steps • Fill out information sheet • Decide on Level of Involvement • High – Leadership Team • Moderate – Committee / Member at Large • Many other ways to contribute • ASPIRE will contact you in the next week • Get-together at Grace Niwa’s (Board Director) home on Saturday, 9/29