Momentum Building for New Asian Pacific Islander Group

It’s an idea more than three years in the making.

After much behind-the-scenes work, a group of employees is getting close to launching the County’s newest Employee Resource Group: the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE).

So far, they’ve got a core group of leaders. They’ve got the support of top County officials. And they’ve built an InSite page, website and a Facebook page.

Now, organizers are seeking input from you, their colleagues. They want to know how many of you may be interested in joining or even serving in a leadership position? Which kinds of activities are you interested in going to?

Organizers said APACE is asking employees to participate in this brief survey by Feb. 14.

“We’re trying to gauge interest in the group, and what employees are interested in” so that APACE’s leadership can plan effectively, said APACE Interim Secretary Mary Grace Sadile.

So far, in addition to a “core committee” of 20 employees, another 60 employees have expressed interest in joining.  

APACE Interim President Thai Sukrachan said organizers hope to expand that list in the coming months, leading up to a planned kickoff event in May, which is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. It’s still a ways away, but Sukrachan and Sadile said the event will offer multicultural food and costumes. Official elections and a meet-and-greet event are expected to take place next month. They are also starting to pursue non-profit corporation status.

“The momentum is continuing to build,” Sukrachan said. “It’s definitely a journey we’re on.”

The idea for the group first came about three years ago. That’s when Jose Mallari, a Filipino-American and an Administrative Analyst II in the Department of Public Works, first thought how great it would be to see a group of Asian Pacific Islanders, alongside the other employee resource groups at the County. Then, last year, he noticed the growth spurt of ERGs and decided to make the idea happen. Mallari is the group’s Interim Vice President.

The term Asian Pacific Islander describes people who come from or whose ancestors come from the Asian continent (including China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand), as well as Hawaii, Guam, Samoa and other Pacific Islands.

To participate in the survey, visit APACE’s survey website and for more information, visit APACE’s website or email them at APACE@sdcounty.ca.gov.