Apply for the Leadership Development Program 
Come join fellow Sikh American aspiring leaders for the Leadership Development Program, an all expenses paid opportunity in Washington, DC from October 7 – 10, 2011. Through an expert team of trainers and speakers, this program will maximize personal potential in order to facilitate community-based social change. Participants will form a diverse and cooperative network of effective leaders and agents of change. The application deadline is August 21. For more information and to apply, click here. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Panel 
On July 12 SALDEF Western Regional Director Bhupinder Kaur spoke at a seminar, titled “Worship in the Workplace,” hosted during the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Conference in San Diego, CA. The seminar, presented to over 140 employers, discussed Sikh holidays and employment accommodation, particularly regarding the turban and beard. Due to feedback and interest from the employers, SALDEF will work with these companies to conduct similar presentations about Sikhi and creating equality in the workplace at their places of business. To read more, please click here. Law Enforcement Trainings in MA and FL 
On July 13 SALDEF Regional Director Navtej Singh presented to over 60 members of the local and federal law enforcement in Florida as part of an Arab, Muslim, and Sikh American Training. The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges Sikh Americans face on a daily basis. This training also received coverage on NPR’s Morning Edition. On July 13 SALDEF Representative Jaswant Singh Channi presented to over 30 officers undergoing training at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Academy as part of SALDEF’s Law Enforcement Partnership Program. The training introduced officers to the Sikh faith and illuminated the challenges Sikh Americans face. Participants watched On Common Ground, a training film co-produced by SALDEF and the Department of Justice, to help articulate the steps officers can take to identify and respect members of the Sikh faith. Upcoming Know Your Rights Forum in Atlanta, GA 
SALDEF will conduct a Know Your Rights Forum for the Sikh American community of Atlanta, GA in cooperation with the Sikh Study Circle. The forum will give Sangat members an opportunity to become informed about their rights and connect with local and federal officials who can offer resources and assistance in the context of Employment Discrimination, Hate Crimes, Airport Screening, Government Issued Photographs, and School Bullying. SALDEF will be joined by representatives from the following agencies: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Atlanta Police Department, and the Georgia Department of Education. For more details, click here. Apply for Fall Internships! 
SALDEF’s Congressional Internship Program partners with congressional offices to offer Sikh American students internships on Capitol Hill. Apply now to spend a semester in Washington, DC interning with a member of Congress. Applications for a Fall position will be accepted on a rolling basis. To learn more and apply, click here. The SALDEF Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain direct insight into issues of civil rights, public policy, and the legislative process. Interns gain practical experience in community organizing, research and writing, legal issues, political action, and educational outreach. We are currently seeking a Legislative Intern, Communications Intern, and Media Intern for the Fall in our Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA offices. Learn more and apply now here. Upcoming Events:
- Training Long Beach Police Dept. Executive Leadership – Long Beach, CA, Aug 11
- U.S. Attorney Outreach at SEWA Gurdwara – Roswell, GA, Aug 12
- Know Your Rights Forum at Sikh Study Circle – Atlanta, GA, Aug 14
- Law Enforcement Partnership Program – Kansas City, MO, Aug 26
- Sikh American Challenges Post 9/11 at Univ. of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, IL, Sept 6
- Sikh American Challenges Post 9/11 at Univ. of Indiana – Bloomington, IN, Sept 7