theculturalconnect.com

Non-Profit

South Asian Awareness Network (SAAN)

Founded

January 2001

Website

www.saanconf.org

Name, Title

Ashish Shah, Co-Chair

Age

Hometown

Novi, Michigan

Current residence

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Education

University of Michigan, Economics, 2007

Ethnicity

Indian-American

About the non-profit

The South Asian Awareness Network is a student organization at the University of Michigan. SAAN's primary function is to establish an annual South Asian conference for South Asian and non-South Asian students alike nationwide. SAAN's broad goals include: educating participants and raising awareness about issues affecting South Asians that are often overlooked or not discussed, inspiring young South Asians to become leaders by promoting activism, encouraging unity, and maintaining a network of South Asians in across the nation.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

The chairs are responsible for overseeing the entire conference planning process. We assist any of the 10 committees in any way possible. We are also responsible with working with the University administration and other officials.

Most notable milestones

SAAN's most notable milestones are reflected in the high caliber speakers that attend the conference every year and in thought-provoking workshops that challenge, break boundaries, and inspire participants to reevaluate their views and misconceptions about the issues discussed.

Some of our previous speakers include Dr. Sanjay Gupta - Lead Medical Correspondent CNN, Ms. Indra Nooyi - CEO PepsiCo, Kal Penn - Actor, and Gopal Khanna - CFO Whitehouse.

This year some of our speakers include:

Rajiv Chandrasekaran - Former Bureau Chief in Iraq for the Washington Post, assistant managing editor for the paper, and best selling author.
Urvashi Vaid - Former Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and served on the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi - Human Rights activist; biographer and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi
And of course The CulturalConnect's very own Raymond Rouf and Sumaya Kazi!

What's the biggest challenge?

SAAN is a nationally renowned conference with the potential of inspiring and empowering youth from coast to coast as well as having the ability to bring in even more prominent speakers. However, to realize these goals further financial support is needed.

As a non-profit student organization we rely on funds from the University, which unfortunately has been declining.

To continue to attract a diverse group of participants, we strive to keep registration fees at minimal $35. However, this barely even covers the cost of our formal, which is just one small part of our three-day conference. The unique part of SAAN is that we are completely student-run and do not have any parties associated with our conference. Which is sadly the focus of many other South Asian "Conferences."

What's in store for the future?

Even though we are a nationally renowned conference and have grown significantly to achieve this status, SAAN still mostly attracts participants from the Midwest. In the future, we hope to have participants that come from across the nation. To have the support where we do not have to limit the number of speakers and overall the quality of the conference.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

People who believe in our mission and are interested in empowering today's younger generation. More specifically, anybody who wants to get involved in the planning of the conference, would like to participate in the conference, or would like to support us financially or any way you can.

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Best way to keep a competitive edge

Keep bringing new ideas and understanding what issues need to be addressed. As well as developing workshops that present issues in unique and innovative ways.

Guiding principle in life

Last year's SAAN Keynote, Mr. Gopal Khanna, could not have said it any better, "Let tomorrow's idealism be today's realism." I have always believed that whatever you dream can become a reality with hard work.

Yardstick of success

There is an indescribable feeling on the last day of the conference. Participants and speakers congratulate you and tell you how impressed they are with your work. For me success would be when every central planning team member felt the same mixture of emotions. They also finally realize what all their hard work and time was going toward. In addition, they look back at the exepereince and recognize that it was not only fun, but also very rewarding.

Best practical advice

In whatever you choose to do make sure you have fun doing it. There are always things that will frustrate you and challenge you, but if you can't laugh at it in the end, you are doing something wrong.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

One of my good friends once told me that, "it's not the work you do, but the people you work with." I have always believed that while your group is accomplishing its goals it is just as important to build strong relationships.

What motivated you to get started?

Last year, I applied to be a programmer for the conference. It in this position I sought to challenge myself as well as participants by fully researching and understanding South Asian Issues, networking with distinguished speakers, and develop the entire content of the conference.

Like best about what you do?

I love the learning opportunity that this organization provides. Everything from researching a speaker or an issue to leading the central planning team has been an incredible learning expereince. I have become glued to websites such as The CulturalConnect.com and SepiaMutiny to discover new ways to educate not only myself but also the entire central planning team.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I remember I had borrowed one of my friend's NASA Space Camp videos and begged my parents to send me. I had always wanted to become an Astronaut. I even remember doing the thumb thing that Tom Hanks did from Apollo 13.

What was your first job?

I worked as a cashier at Tj Maxx.

“There are always things that will frustrate you and challenge you, but if can't laugh at it in the end, you are doing something wrong.”

Biggest pastime outside of work

Addicted to news and blog websites on the internet and sending anything I find interesting to SAAN CPT.

Person most interested in meeting and why?

I would want to meet Marc Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. He has revolutionized the way college students navigate the web. It is amazing that the average facebook member visits the site about seven times a day.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. Bad Speller
2. I got Lasik Eye Surgery two weeks ago
3. I am obessed with Entourage on HBO

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Charismatic
2. Funny
3. Laid-back

Three greatest passions

1. Learning - I am very passionate about learning new things and sharing what I learned with others.
2. Detroit Sports
3. Health Awareness

South Asian Awareness Network (SAAN)

Credits

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