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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 Online Newsletter of PALCUS 
April 2013 
 
  
In This Issue
UPDATE on National Survey: "Should Portuguese be considered Hispanic?"
PALCUS Directors Honored at Rádio Voz do Emigrante 25th Anniversary Gala
Reminders: Scholarship and Internship Applications EXTENDED!
PALCUS Interns: Where are they now?
PALCUS Named Constant Contact 2012 All-Star; Launches Newsletter Sponsorship Program
Upcoming PALCUS "FYI" Webinars
Save the Date! 2013 PALCUS Leadership Awards Gala
April Featured Artist and Author of the Month
PALCUS partners with Leadership Business Consulting on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Portuguese Speaking World"
Community Bulletin Board

 

 

UPDATE: PALCUS Conducts National Survey: "Should Portuguese be considered Hispanic?"

 

Earlier this year, PALCUS was approached with information from a reliable source that the U.S. Census Bureau was considering  including Portuguese Americans under the Hispanic  racial group in the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.  As the recognized national association representing Portuguese Americans, PALCUS was asked how Portuguese Americans would feel about such a categorization and  PALCUS' position on the issue.  Following its policy to represent the Portuguese American  community which it serves,  PALCUS launched  a survey to gauge the sentiment of its constituency on the issue.

 

The survey was disseminated nationwide and rendered over 8,100 responses. The survey, which is now closed, is being analyzed by an expert researcher in the field of sociology. The analysis of the 6,051 complete responses is preliminary and a full report will be forthcoming. However,  it is safe to say that the overwhelming majority of respondents reported that they had not self-identified as Hispanic in the 2010 U.S. Census (90.2%) and would not do so if Portuguese were added to the Hispanic category in the 2020 U.S. Census (74.0%).  Approximately 10% of respondents had self-identified as Mexican, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban or other Hispanic, Latino or Latino origin. It is important to note that the survey also generated over a thousand narrative responses which require further analysis.

 

Preliminary findings have been shared with Dr. Linda Marc, Convenor of the Race & Hispanic Origin Research Working Group, National  Advisory Committee, US Census Bureau informing her of our concerns and desire to be part of any upcoming deliberations.  In a conversation with Chairman Fernando Rosa, she indicated that the definition of "Hispanic" was under revision for 2020 and that Portuguese is not now under consideration in that definition.  Chairman Rosa shared the opinions expressed by Portuguese Americans in the survey and highlighted the many historical, political, linguistic and geographic points that distinguish the Portuguese from Hispanic populations.

 

The categorization of Portuguese as Hispanic has been a perennial discussion within the community with pros and cons debated on each side, however, the U.S. Census issue has created urgency around the topic.  PALCUS  has not only raised consciousness and opened dialogue on this issue but has made the community's position known to the appropriate authorities.   PALCUS will continue to monitor the situation and strive to keep the lines of communication open with the U.S. Census Bureau in the future.

 

PALCUS wishes to thank our research consultant, Dulce Soares Scott, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Anderson University, for contributing her time and expertise in developing this study.

 

 

 

Newsletter Sponsor

Morey Cellars
Morey Cellars Winery
"New World Wines Made From 200+ Years of Old World Tradition"

Visit us online at http://www.moreycellars.com/
PO Box 4261, Napa, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 226-2348


 

PALCUS Directors Honored at R�dio Voz do Emigrante 25th Anniversary Gala

 

Voz do Emigrante
Four members of the PALCUS Board of Directors were recognized on Saturday, March 16th by Frank Baptista, founder, producer and director of R�dio Voz do Emigrante of Fall River, MA at its 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea, MA.  The PALCUS directors were among 26 individuals recognized with the Outstanding Citizen Award for significant contributions to the Portuguese American community.  Over 1100 attendees were on hand to celebrate the anniversary, honor the awardees and enjoy the entertainment of Jos� Cid.
 
PALCUS would like to congratulate Frank Baptista for 25 years of outstanding broadcast service to the Portuguese-speaking community of southeastern New England and now streaming live via internet throughout the world at www.radiovozdoemigrante.com

The PALCUS Directors honored were:

 

Fernando Rosa Fernando Gonsalves Rosa, Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2010 and member since 1995, was recognized for his extensive community service in the Greater Hartford area as well as on the national level.  He is Deputy Executive Director of HEDCO, Hartford Economic Development Corp., a correspondent for Luso-Americana and co-hosts two radio programs. Mr. Rosa has served on numerous non-profit boards and is a promoter of Portuguese culture.  Among his many awards and distinctions is the Order of Merit "Comendador" presented by President of the Republic of Portugal Cavaco Silva in 2012.

 

 

 

 

Marie Fraley
Marie Ray Fraley is presentlyVice-Chair of the PALCUS Board of Directors and additionally serves as its Managing Director. She is employed as the Interim Director of the Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies at Rhode Island College and has been instrumental in promoting the development of Portuguese Studies at RIC.  In addition to her volunteer service to PALCUS, she has been a member of the organizing committee of the Day of Portugal celebrations in RI since 2006, serving as its president in 2008.  She was responsible for integrating the 2012 Day of Portugal celebration into the WaterFire lighting and torch procession in downtown Providence on June 9th raising the visibility of the Portuguese community in RI.

Onesimo Almeida
On�simo Teot�nio Almeida, Ph.D., is aprofessor in the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies at Brown University, Providence, RI where he has taught Portuguese and Intellectual History since 1975. He was recognized for his extensive scholarly works and publications as well as his contributions to the body of knowledge regarding Portuguese cultural and intellectual history. Professor Almeida is well known in the community through his service on numerous non-profit boards, promotion of the Portuguese culture through the media and support of numerous programs for Portuguese Studies education. Among his many local, national and international awards and recognitions is the prestigious "Oficial da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique" presented by the President of Republic of Portugal.

Odete Amarelo Marie Odete Cordeiro Morgado Amarelo, Ph.D.,  is a professor of Portuguese at Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA., however, her life's work has been devoted to advocating for literacy for Portuguese immigrants. Through her own personal educational journey and exemplary career in Bilingual Education in the Fall River School Department, she has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community. She has served on numerous boards and worked for countless educational and cultural initiatives.  She has served on the PALCUS Board of Directors since 2003 and has been a PALCUS member since 1996.



Reminders: Scholarship and Internship Applications EXTENDED! Fast Approaching!

2013 PALCUS National Scholarship: Deadline - April 30, 2013

 

The PALCUS Scholarship Program was established with the purpose of providing nationwide, merit-based scholarships in support of Portuguese American students in the pursuit of their higher education goals. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students of Portuguese ancestry who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their academic careers and who show a commitment to completing an approved plan of study.

 

There will be two scholarship awards of $1,000 each awarded at the 2013 gala: one scholarship for a matriculated undergraduate and one scholarship for a graduate student.

 

Click here for the 2013 Scholarship Application 

 

The first scholarship was awarded at the 16th Annual Leadership Awards Gala at the Hilton - Short Hills in Short Hills, New Jersey in October, 2012 to Dennis De Almeida, a Juris Doctoral candidate at the Seton Hall University School of Law. This first award was funded by the Rosa-Sim�o Family Scholarship Fund.

 

Please help us to build the PALCUS National Scholarship Fund.  A scholarship award may be made in the name of an organization or individual for a donation of $1,000.  Donations of any amount are welcomed and may be made through the PALCUS website. Click here to donate 

 

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PALCUS Internship Program: Deadline EXTENDED - May 1, 2013

 

To date, 136 Portuguese-American college students have been placed in PALCUS sponsored internships in the U.S. congressional offices, Portuguese Consulates, and with Portuguese-American professionals and businesses. Established in 1994, interns have been able to gain valuable experience and networking opportunities in their field of interest. The program has been most consistently funded by the generous of support of the J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust in addition to other donors such as St. Francis Health Care, Hartford, Ct.  

 

Do you have an internship opportunity to offer a promising Portuguese-American student? Please contact us at [email protected] at your earliest convenience.

 

For Students: Find more information and download the 2013 application by visiting the Internship Program page on the PALCUS Website, or click here to download the application directly.  

 

 

PALCUS Interns: Where are they now?

 

Each month, LUSUS will feature an interview with a former PALCUS intern. Learn more about the value of the internship experience in their own words.  Did you benefit from a PALCUS internship?  Let us hear from you by contacting us at [email protected]

Briana Medeiros

Brianna Medeiros, Graduate Student in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, Brown University

 

When did you intern and where?

2009- Consulate of Portugal in Providence, RI

2010- Pousada de Juventude, Ponta Delgada

 

Tell us a little about your internship

At the Portuguese Consulate, I would aid in daily tasks, such as attending to clients and filing documents. It was an amazing opportunity to come into greater contact with the Portuguese community of Providence.  At the Pousada de Juventude, I worked to create a link between the hostels in the Azores with the Azorean diaspora in the US and Canada. I also did a bit of translation work-- with documents, social media, and advertisement. Finally, I was able to travel to the hostels in Pico and Terceira to serve as a mystery client in these locations.

 

How did the PALCUS internship program influence your life?

As a student of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, both experiences contributed immensely to my language learning. Further, I also learned a lot in regards to consular work and advertisement, respectively. Perhaps most importantly, both experiences allowed me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Portuguese communities-- not only did I create important contacts, but I constantly learned more and more about my own roots, culture, and history, which was incredibly rewarding on a personal level as well.

 

What are you doing now?

I am currently in my second year of graduate student work, working towards my Ph.D. in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies at Brown University. Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to teach Portuguese at various institutions. Further, I have become increasingly more active in the Portuguese community of Providence. Once done with my graduate work, I hope to teach the language at the university level. My dream is to be able to teach Portuguese to other Portuguese-American students that also grew up without knowing the language-- I know firsthand how important and rewarding it is to be able to get closer to our culture than ever before through language!

 

What advice would you give young Portuguese-Americans today?

Don't settle for anything-- follow your heart and do what makes you happiest. While doing so, don't forget about where you came from-- always remember your Portuguese roots.

 

 

Newsletter Sponsor

  

 

PALCUS Named Constant Contact 2012 All-Star; Launches Newsletter Sponsorship Program

Constant Contact All-Start
PALCUS is very happy to announce that we have been named a Constant Contact 2012 All-Star for our work in communicating news and events to our members and the community through our newsletters.  We couldn't have done it without the support from all of you, and we and express our gratitude to you for receiving this honor. Our emails, events and survey are made with our members and supporters in mind, so thank you for engaging and interacting with us.

This recognition demonstrates how our email newsletter, the LUSUS, has been effective in communicating our initiatives, successes and general news to our membership, and the general community.  We have grown our newsletter mailing list to over 5600 contacts.  And while growing our list is great, it also increases our costs.  And as PALCUS is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, we are launching a newsletter sponsorship program in an effort to help offset these costs.  The current levels of sponsorship are:

 

Lead Sponsor

  • $75 per newsletter
  • Top spot - the first sponsor after the first article
  • Includes company logo, company tag line, company website and contact info

Supporting Sponsor

  • $50 per newsletter
  • Second spot - the second sponsor after the second or third article
  • Includes company logo and link to company website

Basic Sponsor

  • $25 per newsletter
  • Bottom spot - after the last article
  • Includes company name and either company website or phone and email

 

If you are interested in becoming a newsletter sponsor, please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support!


Upcoming PALCUS "FYI" Webinars

As part of our mission to serve as a resource for the Portuguese community, PALCUS has partnered with various organizations and businesses to host a series of webinars to provide information about programs and initiatives that exist to benefit Portuguese-Americans and help to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Portugal.

 

The live webinars will be 30-60 minutes in length and include time for a live question and answer session. All webinars are FREE to attend, and open to the public. The webinars will be recorded and posted to YouTube for viewing at any time. 
 
If you would like to participate in a webinar as a presenter, have a suggestion for a future topic, or would like to sponsor a webinar please contact us at 
 
 
Upcoming Webinars
 
Portuguese Language Programs in the U.S.
April 25th @ 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET 
Presenters: Antonio Oliveira, Elmano Costa, Diniz Borges and Jose Luis da Silva 

Webinar Sponsor: Luso-American Education Foundation and  APPEUC/NAPTA 

View event on FaceBook

Register for this Webinar

Fullbright Study Abroad Program in Portugal 

May 9th @ 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET
Presenter: Ricardo Sequeira   

Webinar Sponsor: We still need a sponsor!

View event on FaceBook

Register for this Webinar    

 

Immigration Update on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

June 13th @ 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET 

Presenter: Cynthia Marques Russo

Webinar Sponsor: We still need a sponsor!

View event on Facebook 

Register for this Webinar

 

View Past Webinars:

 

Portuguese Integration into American Society

 

  
Save the Date!  2013 PALCUS Leadership Awards Gala 

PALCUS is excited to announce that the 2013 Leadership Awards Gala will be held in San Diego, California! Mark your calendars to be there on November 1 & 2, and stay tuned for more details to come soon!

San Diego  
 
Culture: April Featured Artist and Author of the Month

Featured Artist - Jose Santos 

Jose Santos

Jos� Santos received his Bachelors of Fine Arts and Masters of Science in Art Education from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA. He has worked for a number of years as an art educator in the Somerville, MA public schools and is also a professional artist. He currently resides at the Artist Building at 300 Summer Street in Boston, MA where he lives and works in a vibrant artist community. In 2007, Mr. Santos was the recipient of a $5,000 art renewal grant for teachers which allowed him to travel and work in Portugal over the summer. He was also an artist-in-resident at Byrdcliff Arts Colony in Woodstock, NY. Mr. Santos been part of numerous solo and group art exhibitions in museums, universities, and galleries and in 2004, the Fogg Art Museum in Cambridge, MA purchased three of his pieces for its permanent collection. Visit website: http://www.joselsantos.com/about_jose.htm

 

Mr. Santos' work is also featured on the Red Roof Studios Portuguese Art Gallery website sponsored by PALCUS. See more: http://www.redroofstudios.org/jose-santos.html

 

Experience Jos� Santos' workat an exhibition sponsored by the 

Boston Portuguese Festival

Friday, May 3, 2013 at  7:00 p.m.

Sloane Merrill Gallery, 75 Charles St., Boston, MA, 02114  (617) 227-1775

For more information visit: http://www.bostonportuguesefestival.org/#!painting-exhibition/c409

Featured Author - Millicent Borges Accardi

Darrell KastinMillicent Borges Accardi, a Portuguese-American poet, is the author of three books: Injuring Eternity (World Nouveau), Woman on a Shaky Bridge (Finishing Line Press chapbook), and Only More So (Salmon Press, Ireland 2012).  She is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the arts (NEA), the California Arts Council, Barbara Deming Foundation, Canto Mundo, and Formby at the Special Collections Library at Texas Tech. Her work has received three Pushcart nominations.

Millicent is also responsible for the many "Kale Soup for the Soul" literary readings that have been held in multiple states, and are the first mainstream Portuguese-focused literary readings held in the U.S.

Past artist residencies include Yaddo, Jentel, Vermont Studio, Fundaci�n Valpara�so in Mojacar, Milkwood in Cesky Krumlov and Disquiet in Lisbon. 

Published Works
Chapbook: Woman on a Shaky Bridge, purchase on Amazon
Full-length collection, Injuring Eternity, purchase on Amazon
Millicent is also a contributing writer for the Portuguese-American Journal

Website

 

If you would like to feature your artwork or written works on these sites, please send your bio, images and other information to [email protected].

  

PALCUS partners with Leadership Business Consulting on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Portuguese-speaking World" 

GSI
The population of Portuguese speaking countries represents 3.6% of the world population (250 million people) and 4.6% of the world's GDP, growing at a faster rate than the world economy. Portuguese is the most widely spoken language of the Southern Hemisphere. These economies are making strong strides in innovation and entrepreneurism, wherein a new wave of bright and talented entrepreneurs is emerging. 
 
As such, PALCUS has partnered with Leadership Business Consulting on their Portuguese Speaking World Pitch Event and Best Leader Awards Dinner, on April 26th in San Francisco. Follow this link for more information.   
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Newsletter Sponsor 

Costa & Associates
Life Insurance, Estate Planning and Group Health
Contact us at (209) 941-8068 or [email protected]  

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Community Bulletin Board

 

Festival da Gastronomia e Folclore

Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013,  12 noon - 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Cranston Portuguese Club, 20 Second Street, Cranston, RI

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

Please join us in sampling the most treasured dishes in the Portuguese community of RI while enjoying the colorful sounds and sights of traditional Rancho Folcl�rico performances.

Tickets at the door vary by menu.

For more information, contact Connie Silva at (401) 619-0389,

 

Valente 28th Annual Rogers Celebration of Portuguese-speaking Peoples and Their Cultures

Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Venue: Valente Branch, Cambridge Public Library, 826 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA

Join us for a multicultural celebration featuring music by Brazilian musician Fernando Holz and stories about family, food and Portuguese culture from the Portuguese American writers group Kale Soup for the Soul.

 

Mass Poetry Festival 2013

Date: Saturday, May 4th, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Venue: Peabody Essex Museum Bartlet, 161 Essex St Salem, MA 01970  (978) 745-9500  www.pem.org

Visit: http://masspoetry2013.crowdvine.com/talks/29689

Presence/Presenca, a collective of North American writers of Lusophone descent, has designed a program in conjunction with the Peabody Essex Museum for ekphrastic poetry. Massachusetts poets of Portuguese ancestry will read and discuss poems in response to "The Invention of Glory," the PEM exhibition of four 15th century tapestries depicting the military exploits of Portuguese King Afonso V in North Africa. Don't miss what promises to be a lively reading and interactive discussion.

Speakers
JARITA DAVIS
OONA PATRICK
Jose Gouveia
MEGAN FERNANDES
MARYBETH RUA-LARSEN
NANCY VIEIRA COUTO

 

 

Portuguese Fraternal Society of America announces 2013 Festas Schedule in California

View an extensive schedule of festas throughout California from April, 2013 through January, 2014: Click here to download the complete schedule.

 

Congressman Devin Nunes seeks Interns for Visalia, CA and Washington, DC Offices

For more information, visit: http://nunes.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm

 

Portuguese Heritage Publications of California launches The Power of the Spirit

To purchase or for more information, visit: http://portuguesebooks.org/2012/11/power-of-the-spirit-a-portuguese-journey-of-building-faith-and-churches-in-california/ http://nunes.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm.http://nunes.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm.

 

IJPDS: InterDISCIPLINARY Journal of Portuguese Diaspora Studies

 

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PALCUS would like to have you as a member!

 

Membership in PALCUS strengthens our national voice and provides opportunities for Portuguese-Americans. Please join, renew or upgrade your membership to the next level today!

 

Please register and send your contribution via our website: http://palcus.org/join  OR

Mail a check payable to PALCUS, 9255 Center St., Suite 404, Manassas, VA 20110

 

Questions?  Contact us via email: [email protected]  or phone: (202) 466-4664.


Newsletter Archives

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Read past issues of the LUSUS Newsletter at 
http://palcus.org/community/news-events 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jobs for Portuguese Speakers

Jobs for Portuguese Speakers
If you want to put your Portuguese language skills to use in your next job, there are many opportunities out there! Visit the
Jobs for Portuguese Speakers Facebook page to see some job openings.
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.