Contact:
Nurten Ural, President ATAA
Allison Block, Advocacy Director, ATAA
Tel: 202.483.9090
E-mail: president@ataa.org

Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots: MILWAUKEE

MILWAUKEE, March 19, 2008 - As part of its Public Outreach Plan, ATAA held its fifteenth Grassroots Networking meeting in Milwaukee in cooperation with the local Turkish American association. Attendees and honored guests, including Turkish Consul General from Chicago Mr. Kenan Ipek, gathered in the community room of a local condominium complex. The event began with opening remarks by Consul General Ipek. ATAA President Nurten Ural then gave a presentation on ATAA and the Turkish American community, followed by a presentation by Advocacy Director Allison Block, with a presentation on advocacy tips for Turkish Americans and information on the legislative process. After the presentations, the audience and ATAA representatives exchanged ideas for effective grassroots organizing in the area, from which a grassroots committee was established for the Milwaukee area.

While in Milwaukee, ATAA representatives accompanied the local community members on visits with the National Public Radio Station in Milwaukee and Esperanza Unida, a non-profit organization whose primary function is immigrant assistance and building international relationships, including a Sister City program with Manisa, Turkey. Both meetings served the purpose of educating the audiences about the Turkish American community in the greater Milwaukee area, the population of which is approximately 1000.

About "Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots":

This meeting is part of a series titled "Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots," and is planned for more than 30 cities across the United States geared at activating the Turkish American community, as well as sharing information with the community on how to be more civically active citizens. The presentations by ATAA representatives last for about one and a half hours, and include presentations by ATAA President Nurten Ural, ATAA President-Elect Gunay Evinch, and ATAA Advocacy Director Allison Block. The program begins with a presentation by President Ural, sharing general information about ATAA, its strategic and public outreach plans, and new ideas for the Turkish American community. ATAA Advocacy Director Allison Block in her presentation goes into further detail about specific skill sets and methodologies for Turkish Americans to be more effective advocates for Turkey and Turkish American issues. President-Elect Evinch closes out the seminar with an informative, detailed and fact-based presentation on issues that are currently confronting the Turkish American community. The presentation is followed by a Q&A session, where attendees can ask pertinent, timely and engaging questions. Often the audience is honored by the presence of Regional Turkish Consul Generals or Honorary Consul Generals.

More importantly, during these visits, ATAA staff assists in arranging meetings for constituents with their local representatives in Congress. Due to the fact that many members of the Turkish American community are new to such processes, ATAA makes the facilitation of this process one of its top priorities.

For a complete schedule please contact Allison Block, Advocacy Director, at the ATAA Headquarters at: 202.483.9090.