Spanish Linguist, Writer, Translator & Editor

Nominate a woman that you know who is smart, creative and inspiring for one of the 2012 Women of the Year Awards to be presented by the YWCA of Greater Austin. The awards for outstanding achievement and leadership in the five categories, as well as a $1000 scholarship for a Young Woman of Achievement between the ages of 15 and 20, will be presented on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

Categories

~ Racial Justice

~ Women’s Economic Empowerment

~ Young Woman of Achievement (15 -20 years old)

~ Leader of Promise (21-40 years old)

~ Lifetime Achievement

Nomination forms here.

The Politics & Policy Convention of the Latino Community

Dear Community Leaders,

We reiterate our invitation for you to participate in the 2012 National Latino Congreso that will take place May 17 though19 at the Arturo Velazquez Institute located at 2800 South Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60608. The objective of the National Latino Congreso (NLC) is to create an open and inclusive space to explore the policy and political agenda of Latino communities in the USA, including the international/Latin American perspective.

The upcoming National Latino Congreso in Chicago represents the first time the National Latino Congreso will take place outside of the U.S. Southwest region. This year, we will focus on three over-arching themes: Economic Justice, Immigration/Migrant Rights, and Latino Vote/Civic Engagement.  Sessions will also discuss a range of related topics such as: Youth, Education, Art, Culture, Environmental Justice, Transnationalism, Gender Equity, and Community Health and Well-being.  The national convening organizations will prepare concept papers about the central themes with the purpose of promoting dialogue and developing a set of resolutions for consideration by the Congreso participants.  Resolutions may also be presented and discussed in any of the simultaneous workshops/panel sessions.

ORGANIZE A CONCURRENT SESSION (PANEL, WORKSHOP, etc)

DURING THE CONGRESO

We ask for organizations and leaders to take part in the dynamic decision making process by organizing an activity during one or more of spaces that have been designated for concurrent (simultaneous) sessions.  This activity could be a panel, workshop/discussion space, book presentation, or other activity related to the overarching themes, and cross-cutting issues of the Congreso. By hosting a concurrent session, your organization will have the opportunity to lead conversations based on the issue of your organization’s choice, take leadership, and promote activities. Concurrent sessions may last up to 90 minutes, and they will take place both in the morning and the afternoon of Friday, May 18. A panel of convening organizations and local host groups will select up to eight sessions for each of the two time slots from all the proposals that are received by the deadline.  The deadline for any submissions is April 5, 2012. For more information on organizing a concurrent session please send us an email at nlc-info@nalacc.org or call us at (877) 683-2908 ext. 7

BE AN ACTIVE PART OF THE NLC

Please support this important event by inviting your networks to participate in this engaging decision making process that will help define coordinated strategies for policies that affect the Latino Community in the United States.  Below are various ways to be part of the National Latino Congreso. Please advise us on your decision to participate by May 1, 2012.

• Co-convener, $1000.00- Co-convening entities will receive four (4) voting delegate passes and 15 observer passes; also a 1/4 page space for use as you choose in the program (ad book).
• Organizational Endorser, $250.00. -Endorsing entities will receive one (1) voting delegate pass and 10 observer passes. Their names/logos will be displayed in the program book.  (non-profit organizations, businesses, unions, religious institutions, government offices, and networks are cordially invited to be an organizational endorser of the 2012 National Latino Congreso.)
• Individual Observer $50, An individual with observer status will have full access to the Strategy and Plenary Sessions.  Please note, under this pass you will not receive voting privileges.
• Student  $20, An individual with a student pass will have full access to the Strategy and Plenary Sessions.  Please note, under this pass you will not receive voting privileges.
• Program/Ad Book Inclusion, Your organization can be included in the NLC Program book given to all participants. Full page- $400, ½ page- $250, ¼ page- $150.

Exhibit table

• $100

 Please make checks payable to: National Alliance of Latin-American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC) 1638 S. Blue Island Chicago IL, 60608 

VOLUNTEER FOR THE NLC

We need your help in making the NLC a success. If you wish to volunteer, please e-mail us at nlc-info@nalacc.org.

We are very excited about the opportunity that the NLC represents, and know that with everyone’s contribution we will advance in uniting the Latin American immigrant community and help build a better United States for everyone.

15th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival

Now is your chance to get involved in an international event that unites amazing films, talented filmmakers and passionate audiences in Austin, Texas.

Cine Las Americas offers a range of volunteer opportunities for qualified individuals. From helping at the box office, to assisting with production, operations and much more, volunteers are a major part of the festival.

Get Involved, become a volunteer in 3 easy steps!

1) Browse our list of Volunteer Opportunities to find out how your talents could become a valuable asset to one of our volunteer crews.

2) To apply, fill out the Volunteer Form. Some positions may require that you submit an additional cover letter, resume or portfolio link for the position.

3) Attend the mandatory volunteer sign-up meeting on Thursday March 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the George Washington Carver Library (1161 Angelina  Austin, TX 78702) and the volunteer training meeting on April 19th at 5:30 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC, 600 River Street, Austin TX 78701).

Volunteer Sign-Up Meeting

When: Thursday, March 29 from 5:30 – 7:30pm
Where: George Washington Carver Library (1161 Angelina  Austin, TX 78702).
This meeting is mandatory for all volunteers and will include a brief orientation introducing the various volunteer roles and will allow volunteers to sign-up for volunteer shifts. Volunteers will be able to choose their shifts on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins welcome.

Volunteer Training Meeting

When: Thursday, April 19 from 5:30 – 7:30pm
Where: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC, 600 River Street, Austin TX 78701).
A volunteer training meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at the Mexican American Cultural Center. This meeting will include an introduction to the festival, your volunteer crew leaders, and training for the various volunteer positions. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know the people you will be working with during the festival.

Volunteer Benefits

- Twelve (12) total hours of work = 1 all access film pass
- Twenty (20) total hours of work = 1 all access film pass + *1 additional all access pass to share with a friend or family member

Dulce Book Club

The sweetest virtual book club has commenced. Grab your sweet bread and your coffee/tea and sit in your favorite chair for Dulce’s First Cultural Read, The Bolero of Andi Rowe, by Toni Margarita Plummer. Head over to Goodreads, take a look, and join the literary conversation, otherwise known as #LitCharla. You got it, members are invited to contribute to the Goodreads discussion, tweet about their favorite passage using #LitCharla, or anything else that comes to mind. Reading now through March 31^st. Disfruten!