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Working Today for Our Community's Tomorrow

The Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States

Established 1991

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LUSUS
The Monthly Newsletter of PALCUS  
February 2012   
In This Issue
PALCUS Elects 2012 Board of Directors
PALCUS Internship Program, 2012: Application process is open!
Government Affairs Report: PALCUS on the Hill
2012 Leadership Awards Nominations
For Your Information
Names in the News
Community Calendar

PALCUS Elects 2012 Board of Directors

 

The PALCUS Board of Directors is a group of volunteers who not only undertake the governance responsibilities of oversight and policy making for the organization but also take on management duties and special projects.

 

2012 Officers and Committee Chairs, Coordinators and Liaisons

(Chairman of the Board is ex-officio member of all committees)

Standing Committees:
Executive Committee:
            Chair: Fernando Rosa
            Vice-Chair/Managing Director: Marie Fraley
            Secretary: Angela Costa Sim�es
            Treasurer: Manuel Geraldo, Esq.
            Asst. Treasurer: Mary Louise Nunes, CPA, MST
            Past Chair: John Bento 

 

Nominating Committee Chair: On�simo Almeida, Ph.D. 

 

Government Relations Committee: Rosa Alves, J.D. (Chair), Fernando Rosa, Nuno Ricardo, Marie Fraley, Cynthia Russo 

 

Community & Media Relations Committee:  

Chair: Angela Costa Sim�es

Newsletter Coordinator: Marie Fraley (Editor), Angela Simoes (Publisher),

On�simo Almeida, Nuno Ricardo 

Website Coordinator: Angela Simoes, Fernando Rosa, Marie Fraley 

Social Media Coordinator: Nuno Ricardo 

Press Coordinator: Fernando Rosa

 

Education Committee:
            Scholarship Coordinators: Fernando Rosa / Marie Fraley,
            Internship Coordinator: Cynthia Russo, Esq.             
 

Portuguese Language Coordinator: Angela Costa Sim�es
Adopt-A-School Coordinator: Odete Amarelo, Ph.D.

 

Ad Hoc Committees:

 

2012 Leadership Award Gala Committee
            Co-Chairs: Rosa Alves, Cynthia Russo, Antonio Gato
            Awards Coordinator: Marie Fraley
            Sponsors Coordinator: Fernando Rosa
            Program Booklet Coordinators: Fernando Rosa, Angela Costa Sim�es

 

By-Laws (inactive)

Liaisons: (may be held by directors or members)
            New Bedford Whaling Museum - East Coast: Alda Petitti
            New Bedford Whaling Museum - West Coast: Angela Sim�es
            San Salvador Rebuilding Project: John Bento
            The People's Museum - Washington, DC: Fernando Rosa
             Corporate Community: Antonio Gato

             Youth: Patricia Joseph            

PALCUS welcomed four new directors to the board late in 2011. Meet our new directors:

 

Rosa Alves 

Rosa M. Alves, J.D.

Assistant Dean for Special Projects

Seton Hall University, New Jersey

 

Mary Louise Nunes  

Mary Louise Nunes, CPA, MST

Principal, M.L. Nunes CPA, PC

New Bedford, Massachusetts

 

Nuno Ricardo  

Nuno Ricardo

Project Manager, Nielsen

Washington, D.C.

 

Patricia Joseph 

Patricia Joseph

Manager, Apple Retail

Virginia

 

Alda Petitti  

Thank you to Alda Petitti!

 

PALCUS also wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the departure of Alda Petitti, CPA, MST after 10 years of service to PALCUS as Chair of the Board of Directors, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. Her expertise, professionalism and steady leadership have contributed significantly to the success that PALCUS enjoys today. She will continue as a charter member and will serve as liaison to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Thank you, Alda, for your countless hours of work and your unflagging dedication to PALCUS' mission.

 

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PALCUS Internship Program, 2012: Application process is open!

 

PALCUS is seeking applications from college students for the 2012 internships. Please contact Cynthia Russo, Internship Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.

 

The PALCUS Internship Program, was established in 1994 to provide Portuguese-American students with work experience in their field of interest. Using its connections with government, civil-society and business leaders, PALCUS helps undergraduate and graduate students find internships which will give them the experience needed for success in a future career. Since its inception, over 130 internship opportunities have been provided to university students throughout the United States and Portugal.

 

Internships for 2010-11 were offered at embassies, consulate offices, U.S. senate and congressional offices, the PALCUS headquarters, large private companies, small businesses and practices, chambers of commerce, and other government agencies.

 

Previous interns have been given positions in Washington D.C., and at the hometown offices of Congressmen and Representatives such as Steny Hoyer, Devin Nunes, Patrick Kennedy, Barney Frank, Brian Bilbray, Lincoln Chafee, Albert Coutinho, and George Radonovich. Some have interned at Portuguese consulates in San Francisco, Newark, New York City and Providence. Others have interned at the Luso-American Development Foundation in Lisbon, as well as the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon. 

 

Interns receive a stipend to help cover their living expenses. Some of the internships also include travel and housing expenses.

 

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for an internship, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • are a college sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student
  • have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • are a member of PALCUS

 

REQUIREMENTS

Applications for 2010 internships are due by April 17, 2012. Along with their completed application (copy and paste below), students are required to submit:

  • current resume
  • three letters of recommendation
  • college transcript
  • written essay (any topic of importance to applicant) (no more than 500 words).

Students should mail their application and the other required documents listed above by the deadline, April 17, 2012, to:

 

PALCUS Internship Program

Attention: Internship Coordinator

9255 Center St., Suite 404

Manassas, VA 20110

Click here to download and print the PALCUS Internship Application

POSITIONS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE FOR 2012 INTERNS:

 

CONGRESSMAN JIM COSTA

WASHINGTON, D.C., and CALIFORNIA

Job Description: Answering telephone calls, assisting constituents in obtaining information from various state agencies, researching legislation, drafting responses to constituent inquiries, coordinating meetings and scheduling items, and attending district events.

 

PALCUS Social Media Manager

Location: Work from home

Description: PALCUS is looking for someone to help manage our social media outlets - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and YahooGroup mailing list.  The job will entail researching relevant information to post to these outlets, responding to posts and help grow our following.  Because this position is a work from home position, we need someone who is extremely detail oriented, a self-starter and trustworthy.  

 

PALCUS Newsletter Editor

Dates: Immediate Opening

Location: Manassas, VA or work from home

Description: PALCUS is in need of someone to help write it's monthly newsletter.  This job entails collecting information about the organization's activities, member accomplishments, interviewing individuals and writing articles.  Knowledge of the Constant Contact newsletter application is a plus.

NEED AN INTERN?   
Are you interested in having an intern work in your office for the summer or during the year? Providing internships to young Portuguese-Americans is an excellent way to help our youth gain valuable real-world experience that will prepare them for a successful career.

Please contact PALCUS with the details of any available internship positions you have in your office and we will help to find a student that is a fit for your team.

Send your internship job descriptions to [email protected] or fax to 202-466-4661

 

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Government Affairs Report: PALCUS on the Hill

 

On Friday, January 27, 2012, Chairman Fernando Rosa and Director Rosa Alves, Chair of the Government Affair committee traveled to Washington, DC to meet with the staffs of Senators Reed, Menendez and Toomey and representatives of the U.S. State Department. They were joined at several of these meetings by Director, Nuno Ricardo. The impetus for these meetings was as a result of an invitation to lunch extended by Doreen Maroney, U.S. State Department who attended the November 2011 Gala.

Topics of discussion focused upon maintaining full operations of the U.S. Consulate in Ponte Delgada, Azores; Portugal's continued involvement in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP); internships for university students of Portuguese descent through the PALCUS internship program; hosting of a PALCUS - DC Hill Day in June 2012; expanding membership of the Friends of Portugal caucus in the U.S. Senate (Menendez/Lautenberg - NJ; Kerry - MA; Schumer - NY; Boxer - CA).  

 

Following a full day of meetings, PALCUS hosted a networking reception with Washington staffers and PALCUS members in the evening.

 

Networking Reception: Washington, D.C.

 

A networking reception took place at the Capital Brewery, Washington, DC for PALCUS members and guests to meet, socialize and discuss topics of mutual interest in a convivial atmosphere. PALCUS hosts were Chairman Fernando Rosa, Director Rosa Alves and Director Nuno Ricardo joined by members Florentino Gregorio, Anchor Construction and Sarah Veloso Pope. Guests included Jos� Antonio Galaz, Embassy of Portugal; Gisela Padovan, Embassy of Brasil; Kerry O'Brien and Naz Durakoglu for Congressman William Keating (MA); Robin Roberts and Ben Goldeen for Congressman Dennis Cardoza (CA); Peter Tavares, U.S. Secret Service; Ricardo Ventura, Anchor Construction; and Christina Veloso Pope, student.

 

PALCUS DC Reception 

 

Naz Durakoglu, Legislative Director for Cong. William Keating (MA), PALCUS Chairman Fernando Rosa, Ben Goldeen, Assistant and Robin Winchell Roberts, Chief of Staff for Cong. Dennis Cardoza (CA)

 

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2012 Leadership Awards Nominations

 

The PALCUS Leadership Awards are presented annually to outstanding Portuguese-Americans who have distinguished themselves by noteworthy achievement in their professions or service to the community.  Presentations are made at the annual PALCUS Leadership Award Gala where awardees are recognized for their personal accomplishments as well as for the honor that they have brought to the Portuguese-American community.

 

The PALCUS Board of Directors selects recipients with the objective of identifying and recognizing individuals from a broad and varied range of fields.

  • Any member of PALCUS in "good standing", i.e. paid dues for 2011 or 2012, may nominate an individual or an organization for an award in any category.
  • The process is confidential and candidates should NOT be notified of their nomination.
  • Currently serving Directors of the Board are not eligible for nomination.
  • Please use one form for each nominee.
  • Only one award will be selected per field.
  • Award selections are final.
  • Honorees must be present to receive the award.
  • Nominating application and supporting materials must be received no later than the deadline of Wednesday, February 29, 2012 to be considered.

Awards and criteria:

1) Achievement Awards recognize outstanding contributions and accomplishment in the candidate's  field which may  include any of the following:

  • Community Service
  • Public/Government Service  (elected or non-elected office)
  • Artistic Achievement   (performing arts, fine arts, literary arts)
  • Athletic Achievement
  • Education
  • Scholarship
  • Social Justice, Equity and Access
  • Philanthropy
  • Scientific Achievement
  • Humanitarian Service  (includes medicine)
  • Business Achievement/Entrepreneurship
  • Other: please specify   _____________________________


2) Young Portuguese-American Leadership Award recognizes a young Portuguese-American under the age of 30 who has demonstrated promise in their chosen field or outstanding service to the Portuguese-American community.

 

Please contact the PALCUS office to request an application form via email at [email protected]

 

Not a PALCUS member? It's easy to join on our website at http://palcus.org/join/membership-types and to pay by Pay Pal. Join today!  

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

A Cow for the Holy Spirit  by Rose Silva King is a novel about the life of a young boy from the Azores who dreams of coming to America. It centers on his promise to donate cows for the Pentecost festas should his dream come true. The story unfolds as he arrives in the United States and embraces a new way of life without letting go of his old values.

 

The book is available on Amazon and at portuguesebooks.org . (Also see www.rosesilvaking.weebly.com.)

 

Em portugu�s o livro chama-se Uma Promessa ao Divino Esp�rito Santo (A experi�ncia de um a�or-americano). Est� dispon�vel em Amazon.
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NAMES IN THE NEWS


PALCUS member Dr. George Perry, top 10 expert in Alzheimer's disease research and dean of the UTSA College of Sciences, has been named a foreign correspondent of the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, Portugal. Perry's addition makes him the only researcher to be included in the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences and the Mexican National Academy of Sciences. He is distinguished as one of the top Alzheimer's disease researchers with more than 900 publications, one of the top 100 most-cited scientists in neuroscience and behavior and one of the top 25 scientists in free radical research. He has been cited more than 38,000 times and is recognized as a Thompson-Reuters highly cited researcher
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

 

The Community Calendar is a free service provided by PALCUS. If you would like to post your event, please send name of event, date, time, location, price, details and contact information to [email protected].

 

 

AZOREAN WHALERS EXHIBIT: California Itinerary

A traveling exhibit on the Legacy Azorean Whalers, an introduction to a larger permanent exhibit at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, will be on display in three California cities from late February until the end of the first weekend in March.  Exhibits and Receptions are free to all attendees.

Sponsored by: The New Bedford Whaling Museum, A Direc��o Regional Da Cultura A�ores, and PALCUS

 

February 23-25, 2012: San Diego

Location: Point Loma Library, Hervey Branch, 3701 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA 92107

Time: 12:00pm on Thursday the 23rd until Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 2:00pm.

A reception will be held on Saturday from noon till 2:00pm at the library's Community room. 

 

February 29 - March 1, 2012: Turlock

Location: Vasche Library, second floor foyer, California State University Stanislaus, One University Circle,
Turlock, California 95382

Time: A reception will be held on February 29 at 5:00 p.m. in the second floor foyer of the Vasche Library. 

There is free parking is available for this event. Refreshments will be served. 

For more information, contact Elmano Costa, 209-667-3638 or [email protected]

 

March 3 - 4, 2012: San Jose

Location: History Park San Jose, Pacific Hotel, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112-2599

Time:  opens at noon on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, closing at 4:00 PM each day. 

A reception and presentation will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday.  Refreshments will be served.

Free admission to the Park and Exhibits.  The Park pedestrian entrance and the City Paid Parking lot ($6.00) are on Phelan Ave.

For more information, please contact Al Dutra 650 575 9951 or [email protected].

____________________________

 

February 25, 2012: Crab Feed Dinner and Dance Fundraiser for Scholarships

Sponsored by: Luso-American Education Foundation 

Location: Oakley Hall, 520 2nd St., Oakley, California

Time: Cocktails @ 5:30 p.m., Dinner @ 6:30 p.m.

Donation: $40 (Children under 12 - $20)

For reservations, email [email protected] or call Bela Ferreira-Gon�alves at 925-828-3883 or Emidio Fonseca at 925-254-4454.

 

February 25, 2012: Jantar de fevereiro da Academia do Bacalhau

Location: Restaurant Lusitania, NY

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Contact for Reservation: [email protected]

http://academiadobacalhauny.com

 

April 1, 2012: Annual Palm Sunday Breakfast

Sponsored by: Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

Place: Cranston Portuguese Club, 20 Second St., Cranston, RI

Time: 8:00 am - 12 noon

Tickets: TBA

For more information: http://www.dayofportugal.org

 

April 22, 2012: Festival Gastronomia e Folclore

Sponsored by: Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

Place: Portuguese Social Club, 131 School St., Pawtucket, RI

Time: 12 noon - 6:00 pm

Tickets: prices per plate For more information: http://www.dayofportugal.org

 

April 28, 2012: Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese-Speakers (MAPS) 2012 Annual Awards Gala

Place: Marriott Hotel in Cambridge, MA

Time: TBA

Tickets: TBA

 For more information: http://www.maps-inc.org/events/annual-gala/2012-gala/

 

May 20, 2012: Miss Day of Portugal Pageant

Sponsored by: Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

Place: Our Lady of Fatima Church Hall, Cumberland, RI

Time: TBA

Tickets: TBA

For more information: http://dayofportugal.org

 

June 9 & 10, 2012, Day of Portugal Arraial and Parade, Providence, RI

Sponsored by: Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

Place: Arraial - Bank of America City Center, Kennedy Plaza; Parade - RI State House to Bank of America City Center

Time: TBA

Free and open to the public

For more information: http://www.dayofportugal.org


June 9, 2012, Dia de Portugal Festival, San Jose, CA 

Sponsored by: Portuguese Heritage Society of California 

Place: History San Jose, Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose 

Time: Gates open at 10am 

Free and open to the public

For more information: http://www.diadeportugalca.org

Join Our Mailing List

Contact Information

 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.palcus.org

Phone: 202-466-4664

 

9255 Center St., Suite 404

Manassas, VA 20110  

 

Follow PALCUS on Facebook, LinkedIn, YahooGroups and Twitter!

 

For daily news and infomation on events and all things Portuguese, subscribe to Angela's List on YahooGroups, officially sponsored by PALCUS.

 

PALCUS Mission

In order to create a singular voice to advocate  for the Portuguese American and Luso-American communities at large, the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States Inc. (PALCUS) was founded in 1991  as a 501 � 3 non partisan, non profit, organization headquartered in Washington D.C.
 
The PALCUS mission is to address domestic and international concerns of the  Portuguese American Community.
 
The Council conducts an expanding program of educational and public affairs activities on issues of interest to the Portuguese American community and of salience to the Luso-American Relationship.
 
PALCUS is committed to serving the community through increasingly active government relations efforts, the promotion of a greater awareness of ethnic accomplishments and encouraging stronger ties between Portugal and the United States. In this role PALCUS advance the community professionally, politically and culturally while working to ensure that issues directly affecting our community are addressed through our network of government and community leaders.

PALCUS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.  Donations are tax deductible to extent allowed by law.