Lunar New Year Banquet this Saturday at the Wing Luke

As we start off 2009 with this Saturday’s Lunar New Year Banquet at the new Wing Luke Asian Museum, I hope you will join the chapter officers in supporting diversity in journalism. We are witnessing the toughest economic times in at least a half century, and even Poynter columnists are suggesting work outside journalism. It’s more important than ever that AAJA members support each other, and the chapter is doing its best to help members find work. Through professional workshops (like the one held last weekend at the UW), scholarships, job listings and networking events, AAJA makes a real difference in promoting greater diversity in the profession.

I invite you to attend our Lunar New Year Banquet this Saturday at the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Karen Johnson, Seattle magazine’s web editor, is chairing the event and doing a remarkable job. Come drink, eat and mingle with cool people from a variety of backgrounds. We’ll have entertainment and some sought-after items in our silent auction, and all the proceeds benefit AAJA Seattle’s scholarships and professional development programs.

Save $5 by getting your tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets, or pay $35 (members)/$40 (non-members) at the door. See you there!

– Sanjay Bhatt, AAJA Seattle co-president