VJCC: Center of Growth and Leadership

Concluding another successful Shinnen Enkai and Keiro Kai only reminds me of how privileged I am to facilitate the efforts of the wonderful group of dedicated people at this Community Center. It may have been due to the fine summer-like weather but the turnout far exceeded expectations. Excellent planning by the committee made it possible to quickly accommodate the surge without interruption. We also received praise for our wonderful entertainment.

Once a year, this event gives the community the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the longevity of the new Keiro members (senior members of the Center who are over 80 years old). This year we had 38 new Keiro honorees and we couldn’t be more pleased. Growth in the Keiro segment is shaping up to be a welcome trend in the years to come as people are living longer and in better health, and our Pioneer Project membership seems to reflect such growth.

The Shinnen Enkai and Keiro Kai also provides us with a forum to publicly recognize the dedicated leaders at the Center who have given many hours of personal and family sacrifice to help the Center become what it is today. This year we recognized Kunihiro Nishiya for Lifetime Achievement, Eric Inouye as Person of the Year, and Kazumi Ota for Distinguished Service. Also, Tosh Aiboshi received JACL’s George Inagaki Community Service Award. Congratulations to all of our recipients.

Kunihiro Nishiya - Lifetime Achievement

Eric Inouye - Person of the Year

Tosh Aiboshi - JACL’s
George Inagaki Community Service Award

Jim Akioka is recognized by
the Los Angeles City Council
for his service and commitment
to the VJCC

I also wish to recognize and congratulate Jim Akioka. He received a resolution from the Los Angeles City Council commending his long and continuing commitment and service to and support of the Center. These awards and commendations serve as a reminder that the Community Center is run by outstanding leaders and volunteers.

One of our objectives is to develop the leaders of tomorrow. We plan to do this by facilitating project assignments, group participation, and personal commitment and initiative. This year, we plan to have several projects that will help the youth in their interactive skills.

Another major objective is to achieve the needed expansion of the Center’s facilities. The Master Plan Committee has done an outstanding job developing a proposal to enhance and increase the Center’s physical plant to fulfill and sustain the Mission and Vision Statements for generations to come.

These special projects and other items will be discussed at our annual planning retreat. It will be held on Saturday, February 19, starting at 9:00 a.m. in Room 9 of the Community Center. The annual planning retreat helps us develop short range and long range activities, projects and initiatives as well as process improvement ideas. Over the years, many ideas have been developed at the retreat and implemented soon thereafter. The retreat will also help us to shape the direction we need to take and address the needs of the clubs, organizations and members. Everyone is welcome. Please call the office to sign-up (310) 822-8885. We strongly encourage you to attend and look forward to your participation.

Jim Nakagiri has been a familiar face at the VJCC for a long time. Before becoming an adult supporter of the Center, he was a Gakuen student in the 1940s. Jim was an early member of the Fishing Club, and as a parent he became involved with the Gakuen and VYC. Now we won’t let him get away. On a daily basis, we count on him to help keep the Center facilities in working order. On Thursdays, we let him take a recreation break when he dons shorts and kneepads to participate in Adult Volleyball.

As a grandpa, Jim’s vision for the Center extends far into its future. He feels the investment of time, energy and funds toward the expansion of the facilities, whether outward or upward, will enable the Center to serve the community in a greater capacity. The more people that can participate, the more likely the Japanese cultural events, activities and classes taking place at the Center will continue to be enjoyed by future generations, including Jim’s grandchildren: Tyson, Derek and Toni.