CALL TO ACTION - SDAFF urgently needs your help

The following was sent to me yesterday. I hope that you will take the time to read through all of it and do something. In all my life, SDAFF has been one of many of the organizations I've been involved with. But the impact it has had on my life is incomparable; it has become part of my identity and means SO much to me. I hope that you will do this. Thank you.

Dear Members and Friends of SDAFF,

If there is ever a time we would ask for your help, this week is it! There are two political things going on that will directly affect SDAFF and every San Diego nonprofit.

1) TUE, MARCH 23
There is a HUGE issue coming up at County, and it WILL affect us tremendously regarding our funding. On March 23, the board of Supervisors will decide on whether or not to cut their Neighborhood Reinvestements funds by 50% (millions of dollars). These funds have long supported hundreds of nonprofit orgs, especially arts organizations. And during a time of recession, we need these funds more than ever before. We received about $40k in funding each year from the county, and if that is cut, it will put SDAFF in jeopardy.

I have attached a letter that Lee Ann drafted -- feel free to use it, modify it, or write one of your own. Please email/fax/mail it to each of the FIVE supervisors below as soon as possible, before Tuesday, March 23... it WILL make a difference. Thanks and again, sorry for the inconvenience, but this kind of advocacy must be done on behalf of the nonprofits.

Please pass this on to anyone else you think would help.

*************
County Board of Supervisors - Contact Information

Supervisor Greg Cox
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335
San Diego, Ca 92101
Fax: 619-235-0644
Email: greg.cox@sdcounty.ca.gov

Supervisor Dianne Jacob
County Administration
Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
Fax: (619) 696-7253
Email: Dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov

Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price
County Administration
Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
Fax: 619-234-1559
Email: Pam.Slater@sdcounty.ca.gov

Supervisor Ron Roberts
County Administration
Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
Fax: 619-531-6262
Email: Ron-Roberts@sdcounty.ca.gov

Vice-Chairman Bill Horn
County Administration
Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
Fax: 619-685-2662
Email: Bill.Horn@sdcounty.ca.gov

2) THU, MARCH 25
9AM Downtown City Hall
As most of you know, there are plans to destroy the Hazard Center theater (our festival home) to make room for a parking lot, and those plans are moving forward next Thursday, March 25 at the Planning Commission Meeting. There will be Mission Valley residents there to voice strong opposition to this project, but we'd also like to have a decent turnout at this planning commission hearing to show our concerns about the renovation of Hazard Center. Whether or not you decide to speak, we'd love to show support in numbers when Lee Ann speaks at the podium.

Thank you all for your continued care and support! Fingers crossed for positive outcomes next week!!

Best regards,
Mye

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Sample letter:

March 19, 2010


Dear Supervisor :

My name is ____ and I am a supporter of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, along with many other arts organizations in San Diego County. Since 2000, the San Diego Asian Film Foundation has enriched the lives of tens of thousands of residents through culturally enriching programs, along with generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourism through its annual film festival. The SDAFF has not only become a cultural institution, but it has put San Diego County on the map as a cultural arts destination. In fact, the SDAFF has grown its festival to become of the largest exhibitions of Asian film in North America.

I am writing to you out of grave concern about the proposed funding cuts to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. Especially during a time of economic hardship for all residents of San Diego County, cutting funds to this program could be devastating to hundreds of local organizations who serve hundreds of thousands. As you know, it is the passion and sweat of nonprofits that not only enrich our community, but provide important services that the for-profit sector cannot.

Please, I urge you to do the right thing, and keep the funding for the Neighborhood Reinvestment program.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Email address