Friday, March 20, 2009

VIA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: STANFORD PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Stanford Programs is a division of VIA (formerly Volunteers in Asia), an independent, non-profit, educational exchange organization that provides US-Asia public service and educational exchange opportunities.

For 45 years, VIA has sent young American volunteers to work within Asian institutions. VIA's Stanford Programs evolved from VIA's growing connection with Asian institutions and for over 30 years has served as the mirror image of the volunteer program by providing in-depth, personal, and provocative cross-cultural experiences for Asians.

The Stanford Programs division develops and coordinates short-term, focused, cross-cultural study programs for students of Asia's top universities. These programs focus on specific themes such as health care, poverty & homelessness or volunteerism and also expose students to the diversity of the American society. In 2008, over 200 students from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China participated in five short-term programs. VIA's summer programs are multi-national while spring programs are currently focused on students from Japan.

VIA has offices at Stanford University and in San Francisco and the Stanford Programs Director will split time between these offices.Major Responsibilities of the Program Director• Design, plan and lead 2 programs (American Language & Culture Program and Exploring Health Care Program) per year• Create and manage program budgets • Act as liaison with various Stanford University departments and offices• Arrange transportation, lodging, meals, and other logistics for programs• Develop marketing campaign for programs, including production of brochures, flyers, and advertisements• Recruit, manage, and train Stanford student program coordinators in cross-cultural, leadership, and organizational skills• Travel to Asia to recruit participants and meet with partner institutions• Initiate and develop programs with Asian institutions, Asian university faculty, and participants• Participate in VIA-wide meetings, strategic planning, and trainingsQualifications• Commitment to cross-cultural education and public service; teaching experience highly regarded• Sensitivity to Asian culture and communication style; language ability a plus• Experience in Asia, especially Taiwan, Japan, Korea, or China• Demonstrated leadership ability, attention to detail, experience with budgets, strong organizational skills, dedication and ability to work evenings/weekends during programs• Program expertise highly regarded, i.e., knowledge and interest in issues surrounding health care, volunteerism; service-learning; curriculum development• Native speaker level English skills, including effective written and verbal communication skills• Desire and ability to work in a small, consensus-based organization• Familiarity with the San Francisco Bay Area preferred• Knowledge of computers (Microsoft Office, Joomla, Salesforce, and graphic design)• Willingness to obtain Class B Commercial Driver's license (for 15-passenger vans)•

Willingness to make a three to four-year commitment to working at VIA Salary/Benefits• Starting salary of $37,983 with annual increases based on length of service and cost of living adjustments• Full health, dental and vision insurance for employee and spouse/domestic partner and dependents • Disability insurance for the employee only• A 403(b) plan•

Full-time, exempt position with approximately 5 weeks of paid vacation, plus 2 weeks of office closure• Limited access to Stanford University libraries, athletic facilities, and other facilitiesTo ApplyPlease send the following:• Resume and cover letter• Three references (please state nature of your relationship and attach complete contact information)•

Program Proposal:You are interested in developing a new multi-national program focusing on health care issues. Write a two-page brief to be submitted as a "letter of inquiry" to a foundation. In your proposal, explain the goals and objectives, target population, the structure of program, study themes and activities to be implemented. You may include any other information you consider important.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2009

Interviews to be arranged in mid to late April, 2009. Expected Start Date: mid to late May, 2009For more information or to submit an application, please contact:Kazutoh Ishida, Senior Stanford Programs Director,VIA, P.O. Box 20266, Stanford, CA 94309Tel 650-723-3229Fax 650-725-1805Email kazutoh@viaprograms.orgWeb http://www.viaprograms.org--


Lillian Forsyth

Vietnam Program Director
VIA-Volunteers in Asia
965 Mission Street, Ste 751
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-904-8033
Fax: 415-618-0509

Thursday, March 19, 2009

SCAM ARTIST AND LOAN MODIFICATION

SCAM ARTISTS USING FORGED LETTERHEAD TO CON CALIFORNIANS

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. is warning consumers that scam artists are using the forged letterhead of major lenders to con worried Californians into paying thousands of dollars for non-existent loan modification services."Californians should be deeply skeptical of anyone who demands money up front and makes extravagant promises that they can save their home," Brown said.

Steps consumers can take to protect themselves from loan modification fraud are available at http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1697&.

Complaints may be filed with the Attorney General's Office at:

Office of the Attorney General - Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244,

or online at http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php.

Slow Voter Turnout in Santa Clara County for Midterm Election?

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