8 Rupees

This is the second blog post by Diogo Bernardo Lemos, PhD candidate in Political Science at GWU, recipient of the 2014 Sigur Center Summer Grant for Asian Field Research:

Mario Miranda's interpretation of Mumbai's trains.

I'd heard about Mumbai suburban railways' enviable reputation for crowds, accidents and thefts. To be sure, an estimated 7.5 million people ride its trains everyday, making this the world's second busiest rapid transit system. A quick survey online revealed a bifurcated appraisal: foreigners were advised either to entirely avoid it or to vigilantly embrace it. And so, for a moment, I too hesitated in jumping on its wagons to commute between South and North Mumbai. After all, the combination of cheap taxi fares and the fast route via the new 'Sea Link' viaduct ('shhhlik' according to one driver) made for an enticing alternative: why bother? But then again, I came to Mumbai to study its politics and few experiences provide better grasp of a city than its public transportation system.

So, there I was, one Mumbai morning in Grant Road station, negotiating my way across the gelatinous crowd towards a ticket booth. Seizing my precious audience with the seller, I inquired the fare to Bandra station. '8 rupees,' he said. I hopped on a train and, easily enough, arrived at my destination.

Emboldened by this experience, I then attempted to reenact it on the way back. Only, this time, the ride took place at rush hour. People, people all around me, people coming and going, people streaming by me as a tidal wave through the last standing tree. The thing about Mumbai's railways is that there are many lines and these change tracks frequently. So, unless you understand Marathi, you are in for a vigorous few hours of lapping in a human pool. After several failed requests for help, a lady (an 'auntie') pointed towards a train and said: 'It's that one. Quick - it's leaving!' As I flew across stairs and elbows, I heard her yell one last piece of advice: 'Take first class!' I would have forgotten this were it not for the coincidence that I plunged into a first class wagon. Or so I thought considering the much quieter and roomier car, which obviously led me to the conclusion that first class was the way to go with Mumbai trains.

The next morning, I planned to repeat the journey wearing the placid vest of experience. I returned to Grant Road station, validated coupons in the amount of 8 rupees, waited for the correct train to arrive, calmly searched for a first class wagon, and then proceeded to find a cushy seat inside. As the train began its slow march north, I remember vividly opening that morning's copy of 'The Times of India' and thinking to myself: 'I've become a Mumbaikar in a day.' The phone rang. It was my wife. 'Oh, what a perfect picture: I'm riding a Mumbai train, daily newspaper spread across my lap, and speaking with the wife on the phone.'

Few minutes later, I noticed for the first time a commotion on the other side of the wagon. Certainly, nothing too serious to drive my attention away from this cross continental phone call. The train pulled in the next station, commuters got off, commuters came in and I remained seated, conversing on the phone. The train jerked again into motion and only then I realized the reason for the commotion: a ticket inspector was steadily advancing towards me. A thought of doubt and disquiet burst into mind: was 8 rupees the fare for a second-class journey only? It was now too late to escape. I turned off the phone and prepared for impact.

I handed him the coupons. His deliberation took barely a second: 'You must pay a fine.' It's not possible. Yes, it is, he said. In fact, I was guilty of a double offense: I was not only riding first-class with a second-class ticket, but I also had less than the required 8 rupees. Somehow - believe it or not - I mixed-up the previous day's coupons with that day's and forgot to validate a new 5-rupee coupon. All in all, I was traveling first-class on a 3-rupees ticket. 'This is very serious. You must pay 500 rupees.' While I recognized I was in the wrong, I wondered whether the inspector was trying to take advantage of the situation. Lacking any better excuse, I apologize and said it was mistake. 'Yes, I know,' he smiled and punched, 'That's what I do: I catch mistakes.' Round 1 was his.

As with any incident involving a foreigner in India, this exchange was kindle for the curiosity of my fellow passengers. The inspector said we should get off at the following station to discuss the matter. I conceded the partial defeat. There, we found ourselves at the police station. This turned out to be an orderly, albeit spartan, chamber. We both made effusive display of our diplomatic skills: he repeated his indictment; I reiterated my defense (centered, at this stage, around my evident inexperience with the Mumbai suburban train system). We eventually drifted outside to the platform and I began to realize that I was winning through persistence. He had somewhere else to be. Finally, he uttered the magic words: 'This time, I'll let you go. But...' The condition involved validating a 5-rupee coupon and riding the rest of the journey on a second-class car. Moments later, I was back on a train holding the 8-rupee coupons on the way to Bandra. The taxi would have been more serene but it surely wouldn't have been this much fun.

This post is dedicated to the memory of Mario de Miranda (1926-2011).

Diogo Lemos

PhD candidate 

Department of Political Science 

GWU

Jackie in Japan

Hello again to all the readers of Asia on E Street!

This is Jackie Lareau, recipient of the Estelle Sigur Grant for Japanese Language Study in Japan. It's been a while since my last update and I've done quite a bit of adventuring now that we've settled into the summer, so I'll give you a peek at all the highlights.

One of the most exciting events of the last few months was the weekend trip to Kyoto and Nara organized by CIEE, the exchange program handling my semester abroad, for all of the exchange students. We spent two days in Kyoto, which was the former imperial capital for over one thousand years before the capital was moved to Tokyo. As a result, the city is extremely rich with historic, traditional, and cultural treasures, especially with its 2,000+ Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

With a couple friends of mine, we were able to have an action-packed day full of sightseeing around the city to see as much as possible. First we visited the Arashiyama bamboo forest, where we took plenty of pictures perfect for computer desktops.

Then after getting lost for a couple of hours in one of the rural rice paddy towns surrounding the city, we eventually found our way back to the action and visited Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple that is gilded with gold leaf and is one of the most popular attractions in all of Kyoto.

Following that, we visited the equally famous location of Fushimi Inari, a rather lengthy complex of Shinto shrines leading up a mountain. The shrine worships the Shinto god Inari, the god of business and commerce, and thus all of the iconic orange torii gates are each donated by various Japanese businesses and labeled as such. Aside from this, most of the shrines along the way are decorated with fox imagery and statues, which are seen to be the messengers of the gods. 

Pictured below are small wooden plaques called ema, on which worshippers write down their wishes and prayers with hopes that the shinto gods will answer them. As you can see, the ones at this particular shrine are fox-shaped and many people decorate them accordingly.

Finally, after exploring Kyoto, we traveled to the city of Nara which is about an hour away by bus, and also a former imperial capital during the 8th century's appropriately named Nara Period. There we were able to visit Todai-ji, a World Heritage Site and the home of Japan's biggest Daibutsu (bronze Buddha statue), even bigger than the one I previously visited in Kamakura. Not only were the grounds beautiful, but the sheer size of the temple and the masterpieces inside of it made all of us feel absolutely dwarfed and astounded considering they were constructed over one thousand years ago. 

However, the coolest thing about Todai-ji is probably the countless deer that roam the grounds and call it their home, thanks to their sacred status and generous tourists who feed them special "deer crackers" that you can buy from any vendor in the area. You're perfectly free to approach and pet the deer, although with caution because there's a good chance they'll go nosing into your bag and try to take the crackers by themselves. They're friendly enough to pose for photos, though.

The trip wouldn't be complete without a deer selfie.

After returning to Tokyo, my daily life has mostly consisted of going to classes and keeping up with classwork, attending circle and club events, hanging out with both Japanese and international friends, and spending time with my homestay parents. Altogether these activities keep me very busy, I have also had the time to partake in some traditional cultural activities as well. For example, I was able to attend my first sumo wrestling match and it was much more thrilling than I expected! The final match of the tournament featured a mid-ranking wrestler with a record of 5 wins and 5 losses versus a top-ranking wrester with not a single loss. It seemed like the results would be obvious but the underdog actually won, leading all of the audience members sitting in the front to throw their cushions into the ring, a gesture of respect shown when a wrestler beats a rival of a higher rank. I unfortunately wasn't able to catch this on camera, but I did take a picture of the precession of wrestlers lining up at the beginning of the tournament.

I was also able to try my hand at making traditional Japanese sweets, wagashi, which are made of sweet bean paste and molded into various shapes like flowers. The one I made can be seen below, and is supposed to replicate the appearance of a chrysanthemum, the Japanese imperial flower. It's definitely more challenging than it looks, so it's understandable why the craft and its stores are passed down within families for generations.

This ties up most of the cultural events I've been taking part in here in Tokyo, and with only about a month left before I return to the States, I'll be trying to fit in plenty more!

Wish me luck, and until next time, またね！

Young Professional International Career Dinner Series

The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) invites you to YP International Career Dinner Series. The International Career Dinner Series is a signature, annual event inviting young professionals to engage with Washington's top professionals in their chosen field.

The event begins with a networking reception at the UN Foundation, followed by topical dinners held in private homes throughout the DC Metro Area. Each dinner features distinguished speakers who will share their stories, answer your questions, and offer advice based on their experiences in the industry.

Dinner topics include careers in:

-       The State Department

-       Women in International Affairs

-       International Law

-       International Advocacy

-       International Disaster Relief

-       International Organizations

-       International Development

-       International Communications

When

Networking reception: 5 - 6:30 pm
Individual dinners: 7:30pm

Saturday April 12, 2014

Cost
Member = $50

Non-Member = $60

Please find more information on the event below.

http://www.unanca.org/news-events/upcoming/209-yp-international-career-dinner-series-registration-open

Student Organization: US-China Dialogue

US-China Dialogue, an emerging GWU student initiative for US-China relations, is hosting an info session this Friday. The U.S.-China Dialogue will serve as a model student simulation of bilateral negotiations (such as Strategic and Economic Dialogue), and is open to students from all disciplines.

Please come to the information session today! 

When: Friday February 28, 2014— 4:30 p.m.                                              Where: Marvin Center

US-Pakista​n Program Fellowship Exchange

The US-Pakistan Program is a comprehensive approach to US-Pakistan relations, focusing on the key areas of security, economic development, and public policy. An important component of the Program includes a Fellowship Exchange, in which two fellows are selected from both the United States and Pakistan to visit the respective country as a part of improving research exchanges.

The fellowship brings newly established experts in one of the three issue areas of the program to the respective country for an intensive ten day trip. Selected fellows will meet relevant stakeholders, perform on-the-ground research for an issue brief, host a panel discussion to further their work, and also advance thought on the key pillars of our program, as well as US-Pakistan relations more generally. The fellowship serves the greater program goal of combating the transactional mentality in current US-Pakistan relations, and encouraging great mutual understanding to allow for a positive bilateral relationship.

The US-Pakistan Program is looking for individuals who are:

·         Newly established expert between 30-45 years of age 

·         Have a vested interest in improving ties with the United States/Pakistan

·         Citizens of, and currently living in, either Pakistan or the United States

·         Affiliated with an organization/network of individuals in your home country with whom you can share the knowledge and experience you have gained through the fellowship

·         Able to communicate clearly and effectively in English

(Knowledge of Urdu or other Pakistani languages is a plus, but not required)

The deadline for submission is April 1, 2014.

Application and instructions can be found at:

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/us-pakistan-program-application.

For more information about the US-Pakistan Program or the South Asia Center, please visit http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/south-asia-center. 

EU Funded Doctoral Fellowship on Rising Powers

Applications are invited for 3 Early Stage Researcher (ESR) positions in the Marie Curie Initial Training Network PRIMO – Power and Region in a Multipolar Order.

PRIMO is a European Commission funded doctoral training network that involves universities in Germany, the UK, Turkey, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Russia, and Portugal, as well as non-academic institutional participants. It develops innovative research training in the field of International Relations, in particular with respect to the growing importance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in international politics and the global economy. The programme combines theoretical approaches, a rigorous mixed research methodology, practical training, and the acquisition of substantial empirical expertise on regional and emerging powers, with career opportunities in academia or the private sector.

3 open PhD positions are soon closing:

German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Hamburg (Deadline: February 28)

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (Deadline: March 11)

University of Hamburg, Hamburg (Deadline: March 11)

All PhD positions include:

·         Generous salary (country specific) according to the EU Marie Curie framework for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs)

·         Attractive secondment opportunities to other partners in the network

·         State of the art training in methods and transferable skills.

For more information & application instructions, please visit:

http://www.wiso.uni-hamburg.de/projekte/primo/start/

Chinese Embassy Visit--This Thursday

When: Thursday 2/27 2:30pm-4:00pm

This Thursday, February 27th, 2:30pm-4:00pm, Professor Dawn Murphy has arranged an opportunity for GW students to visit the Chinese Embassy in DC. The visit will last about 90 minutes (30 minute tour of the Embassy, followed by a 60 minute presentation and Q&A focused on China-US relations delivered by the Political section of the Embassy). The Embassy is very close to the Van Ness metro station.

If you are interested in participating, please sign-up online ASAP.

Link to register:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-george-washington-university-student-tour-to-chinese-embassy-tickets-10608469217

Password: DawnMurphyclass

Sign-up for tickets labeled as “Reserved Ticket for Prof. Dawn Murphy's Class.”

There are only 8 tickets left! 

Registration must be completed by midnight, Monday 2/24.

PRIMO (Power and Region in a Multipolar Order): PhD Fellowship Program

PRIMO is a global PhD programme studying the rise of regional powers and its impact on international politics at large. Funded by the European Commission, the network consists of 11 partner institutions and 3 associated partners from the academic, business and think tank world. PRIMO includes 12 PhD and 2 Post-Doc-Projects.

All PhD positions include a generous salary (country specific) according to the EU Marie Curie framework for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), attractive secondment opportunities to other partners in the network and a state of the art training in methods and transferable skills.

PRIMO studies the actions, relations, processes and mechanisms of BRICS states’ interactions, both in their own regions and with well-established powers, multilateral institutions and non-state actors. PRIMO will account for processes of identity construction, the formation of foreign policy goals, and the strategies of regional powers at the regional and global level. This knowledge is highly relevant for the formulation of European foreign policies and strategies in multilateral institutions. As a network of public and private partners with an ambitious outreach strategy, PRIMO aims to directly infuse this knowledge into the policy process.

The PRIMO PhD programme includes:

•           novel theoretical approaches to the study of regional powers,

•           an encompassing training in new qualitative methodology,

•           practical skills such as academic management, grant applications or the writing of risk assessments for the private sector,

•           the acquisition of empirical expertise on regional and emerging powers,

•           concrete practical career opportunities in academia or the private sector.

3 open PhD positions closing soon

•           German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Hamburg (Feb. 28, 2014)

•           Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (Deadline: March 11, 2014)

•           University of Hamburg, Hamburg (Deadline: March 11, 2014)

For more information please visit the application website

2014 Japan Travel Program for Future U.S. Leaders

First-year graduate students (U.S. citizens) who are or have been engaged in Japan studies - as well as those who have not had previous experience with Japan, but demonstrate a serious interest in engaging with the country in the future - are encouraged to apply for the 2014 Japan Travel Program for Future U.S. Leaders.

Join graduate students from across the United States on a ten day study-tour through Japan, with site visits to Tokyo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Achieve a greater understanding of Japan and its roles in global affairs by engaging in dialogue with academic experts, national- and local-level policymakers, and leaders in the NGO/NPO community.

Features of the Program:

The itinerary enables participants to acquire first-hand knowledge of Japan and incorporate this knowledge into their studies and future careers. The itinerary may include, but is not limited, to the following elements:

• Meeting experts in the fields of politics, economics, and civil society;
• Visiting government ministries, think tanks, policy institutes, businesses, and non-profit organizations;
• Conducting self-organized research day in Tokyo in small groups;
• Enjoying cultural excursions.

After the study-tour, participants write a policy brief incorporating knowledge gained through the program. CGP provides round-trip economy airfare between the U.S. and Japan, all in-country (Japan) travel expenses, hotel expenses, and meals. Participants are responsible for costs of ground transportation to and from the airport in the U.S., personal shopping, and other incidentals.

Application Process:

Current first-year graduate students at the Elliott School who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Students graduating Spring/Summer 2014 are not eligible. The selection process includes nomination by Angella Griffin, Director, GSCD and a final selection process by APSIA and CGP.

Please check Elliott School Career Connection (http://www.elliottschoolcc.com) for more information about the application process and eligibility details.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: Trans-Pacific Student Contest 2014

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs announces its second Trans-Pacific Student Contest, a pioneering exercise in U.S.-Asia collaboration. The contest is part of Ethics for a Connected World, a three-year global education project to mark the Council's 2014 Centennial.The contest will be conducted via Carnegie Council's online Global Ethics Network, a social media platform for people across the world who are committed to exploring the role of ethics in international affairs through joint projects, ongoing dialogues, and the creation of collaborative multimedia resources.

The contest is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students only, and entries must be in English. Each entry must be a collaboration between a student who is a citizen of the United States and a student who is a citizen of one of the following: Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.Contest winners will receive a free trip to New York City in October 2014, to participate in Carnegie Council's 100th Anniversary Celebration and Fourth Global Ethics Network Annual Meeting. 

Essay or Video Topic: What are shared or different values between your and your contest partner’s home country? Please illustrate these values using current or historical developments from each country.

For more information visit the Trans-Pacific Student Contest Homepage

Application deadline is April 30, 2014.

Asia Society Intern Opportunity

The Asia Society’s Washington, D.C. office is seeking an exceptional intern with a demonstrated interest in the social, political, and economic challenges facing the United States and countries in Asia. The selected intern will support the Asia Society’s policy research, outreach and administrative work in Washington. They are currently seeking an intern with strong research/writing skills and interest in the following areas:

1. The dynamics in energy relationships among Asia-Pacific countries and potential changes in next 20 years.

2. International development assistance in Asia.

3. Deepening economic engagement between the United States and countries in Asia.

4. The dynamics in the relationships among the United States, China and India, and the effects of the changes in those relationships on other Asia-Pacific countries.

Responsibilities:

Tracking and researching current developments in Asia, and on Capitol Hill, related to the issue areas above; assisting with administrative and logistical duties; writing, editing, and proofreading reports, event/meeting summaries, and content for Asia Society's website; providing conference/event coordinating support; and attending and reporting on meetings at embassies, Capitol Hill, and various NGOs in Washington, DC.

Education and Prior Experience Most Suited for this internship:

Previous internship or work experience preferred; familiarity with Capitol Hill, global issues, and/or Asia through academic study and/or work experience; initiative and drive to work independently on research projects; strong research, writing, and editing skills; excellent attention to detail; reliable and able to work under tight deadlines; proficiency with Microsoft Office, and knowledge of MailChimp; and flexibility with handling diverse tasks.

Schedule:

Internships are unpaid positions. Please note that we do not provide visa support. Candidates are required to commit to a minimum of 12 weeks, and at least three days per week, or the equivalent of 24 hours per week. Full-time and longer commitments are generally preferred. Evening availability once or twice a month for events may be requested.

How to apply:

E-mail:  

1) a cover letter, indicating your interest in the position and the days and hours you are available to work 

2) a resume

3) a writing sample (2-3 double-spaced pages) in Word or PDF format with the subject line "Global Policy Programs Internship, DC, Winter 2014"

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Due to the large volume of applications, they are only able to contact those candidates selected for an interview. Please regard your resume as having been received unless your email is bounced back. No phone calls, please. Position is open until filled.

Asia Society Washington Office E-mail: washingtonjobs@asiasociety.org

Location: Washington, D.C.

Department: Global Policy Programs

Date Posted: January 2014

Scholarship for Service in India

AIF Clinton Fellowship for Service in India

The AIF Clinton Fellowship for Service in India is an immersive, 10-month service program matching a select group of young American professionals with high impact NGOs and social enterprises across India based on their interests and skills. Fellows work on scalable and sustainable development projects in the fields of education, livelihoods, public health, and human rights. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a deep interest, passion, and commitment to social and economic development in India. Visit the AIF Clinton Fellowship for Service in India website to apply. Application deadline is February 1, 2014.

U.S-Japan and U.S-Korea Relations Student Conference Applications Now Open

The Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) was founded in 1934 by Japanese students who were concerned about the deteriorating relations between Japan and the United States. Patterned after the JASC model of a student-run Conference, the first Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) launched in 2008. For either month-long program, students will participate in discussion groups called Roundtables, visit sites, attend lectures, and present the conclusions they reached during their discussions at a final forum. The conferences enable students to grow as leaders, build mutual understanding, and forge life-long friendships.

We invite students of all studies and backgrounds to participate in the 66th JASC and 7th KASC; no background in Japanese or Korean studies or language is necessary. Early application deadlines are due January 31, 2014 for the Summer 2014 conferences. 

International Student Conferences Staff Contact
www.iscdc.org

202-289-9088

jasc@iscdc.org

kasc@iscdc.org

12th Annual Graduate Research Conference: Dynamics of the Twenty-First Century

The Graduate Society for International Studies, in collaboration with the Graduate Program in International Studies, is pleased to announce the 12th Annual Graduate Research Conference to be held at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA on February 21, 2014. The conference title this year is "Dynamics of the Twenty-First Century."  

The event welcomes abstracts from programs including political science, economics, communications, humanities, history, public administration, business studies, criminology, women's studies, modeling and simulation, foreign languages, and intercultural studies. The conference is intended to be a forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas among students interested in examining the challenges that the twenty-first century brings to the international system, and our increasingly interconnected societies and cultures.

If you would like to participate, please send a 250-300 word abstract to the Conference Coordinator, Scott Duryea, at: sduryea@odu.edu. Include a cover sheet with the following information: name, mailing address, telephone number and email address, academic affiliation, and paper title.  

For more information, please visit the conference website at http://al.odu.edu/gpis/conference.shtml.

Public Affairs and Communications Internship Opening for NBR

Public Affairs and Communications Internship
Washington, D.C.

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is recruiting a Public Affairs and Communications Intern for its Washington, D.C., office, to support activities that interact with Congress, the media, the corporate sector, the diplomatic community, and the Obama administration. This unique experience provides exposure to a range of NBR research and programs, as well as introduces the intern to NBR’s network of scholars and stakeholders. Interns will learn how to effectively communicate research on critical Asia issues to U.S. policymakers, the media, and the corporate community, as well as help contribute to the policy-relevance of NBR’s work.

The Public Affairs and Communications Internship is an unpaid, volunteer, part-time (15 to 20 hours per week) position. The intern will be a key member of NBR’s Outreach team for 3 to 9 months, beginning January 2014. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Outreach. The internship, though volunteer, pays a nominal stipend of $350 per quarter. Students are also encouraged to apply for credit or funding through their home institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide background research for staff meetings and briefings on Capitol Hill and with the corporate community
• Assist with planning Outreach events, including briefings, discussions and conferences
• Draft social media posts and implement social media strategies to increase NBR’s reach
• Assist with media outreach, including drafting press releases and other materials
• Develop new content for NBR’s website
• Support NBR Washington, D.C. public events and other office needs as necessary
• Answer incoming calls to the organization

Qualifications

• Current BA/MA student or recent graduate, working toward or holding a relevant degree
• A strong interest in learning about public affairs and communications
• Excellent written, oral, research, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as substantive expertise and interest in U.S. foreign policy toward Asia
• Motivated self-starter who can work independently or as part of a team, pay acute attention to detail, and demonstrated organizations skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required
• Experience working with Congress, the corporate sector and/or academia preferred
• Experience using social media tools in a professional setting preferred
• Familiarity with SharePoint, and knowledge of web/graphic design are a plus

Application Process

The deadline for applications is Friday, October 25, 2013; however, qualified applications received first will be given priority. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply, submit the following to NBR:

• Application form: PDF or MS Word
• Cover letter that details your qualifications and availability
• Resume
• Brief writing sample on a topic related to your field of study
• Contact information of three references, including name, title, affiliation, relationship to you, phone number, and email address

Please send applications by email to: Ms. Kailani Cordell, Director for Human Resources, email: employment@nbr.org, phone (206) 632-7370.