80-20 Initiative

Announcements

80-20 Board Election, November 12-16, 2011

From 11/12 to 11/16, please cast your vote for new Board Members and Officers (each serving a 2-year term).

As you vote, please take into consideration:
1) a candidate's service to 80-20,
2) his /her service to the APA community, and
3) diversity in ethnic background, gender and geographic distribution.

Please click on each candidate's name to find out information regarding the above items 1, 2, and 3.

Candidate Statements/Biographies

Board of Directors
7 candidates are listed below. The 5 with the most votes will be elected to the Board of Directors.

Ruth Chang (New York)
Haibo Huang (California)
Edward Lin (Florida) - incumbent
Yin-Long Qiu (Michigan)
Hongyu Song (New York)
Vivek Swaroop (Florida)
Sanford Yu (New York)

Board of Directors

7 candidates are listed below. The 5 with the most votes will be elected to the Board of Directors.

Ruth Chang (New York)

Ruth Chang is currently a professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. She has a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Oxford University.

She was a federal appointee to the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 2002-2005, where she was a co-author of a handbook of civil rights organizations for citizens of New Jersey still in use today. She has also served as a member of the American Philosophical Association Committee on the Status of Asian and Asian- American Philosophers, the Association of Chinese Philosophers in America, and the Women in Philosophy Task Force.

She has been a member of 80-20 since 2001 and has volunteered her services to 80-20 as an editor. Most recently, she chaired 80-20's Ad Hoc Committee on Outreach. She investigated whether 80-20 could operate as an umbrella organization for the many Asian American groups spread throughout the U.S. With the help of a graduate student, she researched nearly 400 Asian-American groups and contacted 100 of them.

Ruth’s aim, if elected, would be to help formulate and achieve discrete, attainable goals whose realization would benefit the Asian-American community.

Haibo Huang (California)

I am a physicist with a Ph.D. from Harvard. My wife and I are Family Life Members of 80-20. We strongly believe that Asian Americans must be actively involved in the broader issues in order to advance our community interest. The responsibility starts with each individual. Examples of our community involvements include:

In 1996, coordinated a campaign by many organizations protesting NBC's Olympic coverage containing racially insensitive remarks; co-authored an advertisement in the New York Times. Together we induced NBC to issue a public apology.
In late 1990’s, actively contributed to the early expansion of 80-20 mailing list, recruited over a dozen members, received Level 1 Contributor certificate from 80-20.
In early 2000s, my wife volunteered as the web master, served as the first VP for 80-20, and received distinguished service award.
Recently, conducted investigation for 80-20 regarding the impact of race-based affirmative action on Asian American college admission.

If elected, I would devote 5 hours a week on areas of AA community concerns, particularly in achieving merit-based equal opportunity in higher education for our children.

Edward Lin (Florida) - incumbent

Physician, inventor and founder of Ingenious Technologies; Family Life Member and Founding Patron of 80-20;
Completing my 3rd term on the 80-20 Board, and seeking re-election to continue my committed service to Asian Americans;
Served in various capacities, including ad hoc chairman, and as a convention delegate.
Actively supported our mission by assisting in ongoing projects, including writing and calling Congressional leaders, lobbying in person at the Capitol to advocate the enforcement of EO11246, the nomination of AsAm federal judges and helping with important communications and outreach.
Focusing efforts to enable AsAms to enjoy equal employment and career advancement opportunities and justice.
Instilling via mass emails to AsAms, the importance of political awakening, unity and empowerment via bloc voting; nurturing transformation of our community from political apathy to active civic and cohesive engagement, and inspiring a can-do spirit that we must become the force for change that we wish to see in this world.
Walking the talk by serving on the boards of Asian American Federation of FL (AAFF), US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA), Sarasota Chapter, and as co-founder and Chairman emeritus of the Gulfcoast Chinese American Association (GCAA). Throughout my careers, I sought to improve the lives of my patients, my community and now, my nation, through equality and justice for all.

I’m grateful for the privilege to have helped achieve the landmark progress of recent years and renew my pledge to serve to the best of my ability. Thank you for your continued confidence in me.

Yin-Long Qiu (Michigan)

Can 80-20 make a difference for Asian Americans’ life in the US? I believe WE CAN!

I have worked hard with several like-minded community leaders and founded the 80-20 Southeastern Michigan Chapter this year (I am the founding president). Our chapter at the founding has nearly 100 members from diverse cultural and ethnic background – the largest in the history of 80-20!
If elected, I am going to work with Asian Americans in selected universities across the country to organize local chapters and to discuss with the university administration about the glass ceiling faced by Asian Americans in academia.
I have worked in the Association of Chinese Professors at the University of Michigan for several years, which promotes integration of the faculty of Chinese descent into the campus academic life.
Professionally, I am an associate professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, a co-chief editor or associate editor of several international journals, and a recipient of the Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation. I have also served on committees of Botanical Society of America, and American Society of Plant Taxonomists.

Hongyu Song (New York)

Do not vote for me. I am running for 80-20's Board to help fulfill a Bylaws requirement. They require contested elections in which at least 2 candidates will not be elected. 80-20 has found some incredibly dedicated individuals who are willing to serve our community. But it still had difficulty finding enough candidates to meet the contested election requirement. I am running to help fulfill that requirement. This is not the best situation, however. I hope that more dedicated people will volunteer as candidates in the future. Do NOT vote for me.

Vivek Swaroop (Florida)

Board Member, Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF) And Coordinator of its South Region (Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties).

Coordinating various programs and activities to facilitate the vision &amd; mission of the Federation: to improve collaboration among culturally diverse APA community and organizations in Florida. AAFF, a statewide organization, includes more than 70 Asian faith-based and community-based organizations, businesses and media.

President of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) South Florida Chapter

Dedicated to mobilize the financial, intellectual and professional resources of People of Indian Origin (PIO) for their mutual development and advancement. To promote the interests and aspirations of the Indian communities, to assist PIOs who face human rights violations, To encourage interaction between communities of Indians abroad on a global level to deliberate and decide on common issues and problems and seek their resolution.

Partnership Specialist – US Census Bureau – Dept. of Commerce - Florida Main Competency- Public Affairs, Public Outreach, Community Relations, Marketing &amd; Recruiting

Recruited and registered 400+ businesses and organizations across Florida to promote 2010 Census. Reached out to South Asian Groups and communities in Florida.

Developed partnerships with all Asian community organizations, faith-based groups, schools, media outlets, businesses and other grassroots entities in the area. Conducted workshops, seminars, exhibit booths, etc. to support the 2010 census. Developed targeted promotional materials to best reach the partners, stakeholders, community leaders, and the public.

Sanford Yu (New York)