Thank you for your interest in getting involved as a student leader in the Asian American Student Union! Please read through the application (linked above or detailed below) to learn more about the positions available and the elections and selections process.

The mission of the Asian American Student Union is to provide service, representation and advocacy for the APA community at the University of Maryland. The group will serve as the primary representative body of the APA community and thus will be called the AASU. The AASU will work to provide a coalition for the formation of consensus and joint activities among the various APA student groups. The AASU will also strive to cultivate an understanding of the diversity of the ethnicities that comprise the APA student community. AASU is an independent organization, which treats its constituent groups and individuals with the utmost importance, and which is not dominated by any single community, organization, political party, or individual.

Open Executive Board Positions
(click on position for a description and testimonials from current execs)

Officers
Vice President of Advocacy

Committee Chairs
Yuri Kochiyama High School Leadership Program

Selection Process and Timeline
All current open positions will be appointed by the officers. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the summer.

For More Information
If you have any questions, please email aasu-board@umd.edu.

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Article 7 - Responsibilities and Powers of the Executive Board
Every Board Member is responsible for attending all AASU Assembly meetings, AASU Executive Board meetings, and AASU-sponsored programs. An absence is excused only when an Officer contacts the VP of Administration with a valid reason for his/her absence prior to the day of the meeting or event. The President and the VP of Administration shall determine validity. If the VP of Administration cannot be present, the president shall assume the mentioned duties. The Executive Board shall appoint the Committee Chairpersons. The responsibilities and powers of the Executive Board of Officers also include, but are not limited to the following:

A. President
(read testimonial from current President)
1. Shall preside over all meetings, events and general assemblies, and is responsible for preparing relevant materials for such functions.
2. Shall be responsible for the overall efficient operation of AASU, and shall attempt to settle any disputes that may arise during the meetings.
3. Shall represent the concerns of AASU.
4. Shall represent the political voice of APAs at the University of Maryland, CP.
5. Shall oversee the Freshmen Council.

B. VP of Administrative Affairs
(read testimonial from current VP of Adminstrative Affairs)
1. Shall perform the duties of the president in the case of absence, inability to serve, at the President's request, or in the event that the chair is being considered for removal from office.
2. Shall maintain a notebook containing full minutes, agendas, calendars, and AASU policy and decisions.
3. Shall be responsible for the upkeep and development of an archival record or AASU materials and minutes.

C. Vice President of Programming
(read testimonial from current VP of Programming)
1. Shall coordinate all programs and events that AASU plans and/or sponsors.
2. Shall be responsible for coordinating the efforts for all social, cultural, and charitable functions.
3. Shall assist AASU member organizations with their programming in the role of a consultant.
4. Shall coordinate committees for FUEL, APA Regional Summit, and other similar conferences/summits.

D. Vice President of Finance
(read testimonial from current VP of Finance)
1. During recognition process, shall hold a meeting, coordinated with advisor to refresh SGA & OCP rules.
2. Shall be responsible for overseeing all financial activity in consultation with the APA coordinator, the President, the Vice President of Programming, and other officers related to financial transactions.
3. Shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual budget, maintain up-to-date financial records, and give financial reports when necessary.
4. Shall be responsible for the prompt payment of AASU bills and debts.
5. Shall be responsible for the financial development of AASU through fundraising efforts.
6. Shall provide guidance to AASU member groups on funding matters.

E. Vice President of Advocacy
1. Shall serve to promote awareness within the Asian Pacific American Community and others outside of the community about issues and concerns facing Asian Pacific Americans.
2. Shall serve as the contact person for any group requesting the support of AASU to address any injustices that a group or individual may have experienced.
3. Shall organize actions to address any racial harassment, discrimination, violence and/or other injustices that a student of color may have encountered.
4. Shall serve as an advocate for the Asian American Studies/Ethnic Studies program at the University and will organize efforts to recruit and retain APA students and Faculty.
5. Serve as SGA liaison
6. Shall have oversight of the WAASP and AASPIRE Committee Chairs

F. Vice President of External Affairs
(read testimonial of current VP of External Affairs)
1. Shall establish with other Asian Pacific American student groups at other universities across the country.
2. Shall maintain ties with the MAASU, ECAASU, APSU and other Asian Pacific American group consolidations.
3. Shall serve as a liaison to other organizations outside the University of Maryland, College Park and as a contact at various conferences at other universities.
4. Shall serve as a liaison between other major students groups of color.
5. Shall serve as liaison for the APA Alumni Association.
6. Shall have oversight of the Community Service and YK Chairs.

G. Vice President of Internal Affairs
(read testimonial of current VP of Internal Affairs)
1. Shall establish ties with all Asian Pacific American groups on campus and encourage them to actively participate in or join AASU.
2. Shall be responsible for the maintenance of all AASU e-mail groups and the AASU web site in order to maintain effective correspondence for AASU and its constituents.
3. Shall maintain an updated calendar of campus-wide APA events.
4. Shall facilitate intergroup activities among AASU member groups.
5. Shall coordinate the training and development of representatives from AASU member groups.
6. Shall have oversight of the PublicAsian Editor(s) and Liaison.

Article 11 - Task Forces and Services

Section 1. Description of Task Forces and Services

A. The Task Forces/Committees shall consist of working for an Asian American Studies Program (WAASP), Asian American Sisters: Pride, Integrity, Respect, Empowerment (AASPIRE), the PublicAsian, Yuri Kochiyama Awards Program (YK), and Community Service.

B. The Task Forces/Committees shall be created or terminated by the Executive Board.

C. Funding for these groups will be determined by the Executive Board as recommended by the Vice President of Finance.

D. It shall be the duty of AASU to advertise and support activities and to grant any reasonable requests to them in order to maintain quality service to the student body.

E. Individuals with appointed positions will be delegated based on the needs of AASU, and will be appointed by the executive board. The executive board will define the responsibilities and powers of appointed positions.

F. Committee Chairs are responsible for attending all AASU Assembly meetings, AASU Executive Board meetings, and AASU-sponsored programs. An absence is excused only when an Officer contacts the VP of Administration with a valid reason for his/her absence prior to the day of the meeting or event. The President and the VP of Administration shall determine validity. If the VP of Administration cannot be present, the president shall assume the mentioned duties.

Section 2. Working for an Asian American Studies Program (WAASP)
(read testimonial of current WAASP Chair)

A. WAASP shall consist of interested AASU members.

B. The WAASP Chair(s)/Representatives shall chair the committee and reports to the Vice President of Advocacy.

C. Purpose
1. To inform AASU and the campus community of issues related to Asian American Studies.

D. Powers and Duties of the Committee
1. To assist the WAASP Chair(s)/Rep.
2. To raise awareness of and coordinate act ivies with YK to recruit students to enroll in Asian American Studies classes.
3. To create and carry out programs related to Asian American Studies.

Section 3. Asian American Sisters: Pride, Integrity, Respect, Empowerment (AASPIRE)
(read testimonial of current AASPIRE chair)

A. AASPIRE shall consist of those interested in issues relating to APA women.

B. The AASPIRE Chair(s)/Rep. shall chair AASPIRE and reports to the Vice President of Advocacy.

C. Purpose
1. To serve as a self-exploration and discussion group about APA women.
2. To serve as a voice on issues relating to APA women.

D. Powers and Duties of the Committee
1. To coordinate and co-coordinate programming pertaining to issues relevant to APA women.

Section 4. The PublicAsian
(read testimonial of current PublicAsian Liaison)

A. The PublicAsian shall consist of an Editor-In-Chief, a Liaison, and other positions such as Associate Editor and Section Editors.

B. The Liaison shall report to the Vice President of Internal Affairs.

C. Purpose
1. To provide and publish monthly news and information pertaining to the APA community and available to the university at large.

D. Powers and Duties
1. The Liaison is responsible for communication between the AASU Executive Board and the PublicAsian staff.
2. To provide and publish monthly news and information of interest to the APA population at the University of Maryland.
3. To provide a medium especially for, but not limited to, APA students at the University of Maryland.
4. To distribute and make the PublicAsian available across campus.

Section 5. Community Service
(read testimonial of current Community Service Chairs)

A. Community Service shall consist of any interested AASU members.

B. The Community Service Chair(s)/Rep. Shall report to the Vice President of External Relations

C. Purpose
1. To promote and provide community service opportunities for AASU.

D. Powers and Duties of Committee
1. To create and carry out programs related to community service

Section 6. Yuri Kochiyama Awards Program (YK)
(read testimonial of current YK Program Chair)

A. The YK committee shall consist of any interested AASU members.

B. The YK Chair(s) shall report to the Vice President of External Relations

C. Purpose
1. To coordinate the YK high school outreach program.

D. Powers and Duties of Committee
1. To organize the YK high school outreach program.
2. To outreach to and recruit interested local area high school students.

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Extracurricular Activities/Availability:
1. What leadership or involvement experience have you had in other organizations (high school, college, community, church, synagogue, temple, etc.)? You may attach a resume if you wish.
2. What are your other anticipated time commitments for 2007-2008?
3. What commitments do you anticipate during Summer 2007? Please list any scheduled classes, trips or other commitments, including dates and times when applicable.

Position Interest (please select one):

Officer Positions:
Vice President of Advocacy

Committee Chair Positions
YK Chair

Questions:
These questions are designed to get to know you more on an individual level. Please write freely using as much space as needed on a separate sheet.

1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of _________________? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don't identify as Asian Pacific American?
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU's mission and how would you fulfill it?

Be aware that this position requires a significant time commitment to this organization.

Please submit this application electronically to

Dharma Naik (dnaik@umd.edu) or Bobby Truong (btruong914@gmail.com)

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the University of Maryland community!