Greetings at Cherry Blossom Time

Stan Lou
April 1, 2009

 With the beauty of one of Washington's greatest features dominating our local scene, I wish to update you on what the DC Chapter has been engaged with recently.  The most significant event to report is that we held a retreat for all the board members and other interested members on March 14 at the OCA National Center.  For over four hours we bonded and worked together to chart the course for the type of chapter we wish to be and will work towards being.  It was a rewarding meeting that turned out many wonderful thoughts and plans for our future.  We will continue to make those hopes and dreams come to fruition in the months ahead.

We have been engaged in several activities, including contacting our Congressional representatives to support Congressman David Wu's legislation for funds for the Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) program.  This is an excellent opportunity to secure grants for universities that serve large numbers of low income students, particularly underserved Asian Americans.  We are also preparing various annual reports regarding membership and chapter interests for the National office records and for the April 18-19 national board meeting in Atlanta.

In the near term future, we will be participating in the Asian American Business Conference at the University of Maryland on May 5 and the Fiesta Asia celebration on Penn Avenue in DC on May 16.  We will have informational booths at both events.  We invite all members to participate in both events and to visit our booths.  It would be great if you could help us staff those booths, as well.  We are also encouraging attendance at Montgomery County's Asian American Health Conference on May 20.

Regarding activities further in the months ahead, we will have our Picnic and General Membership Meeting on July 18 and our annual Awards and Scholarship Gala on November 21.  We have started planning for these two signature events and will work to make them memorable for us all. 

For all of our activities, we need the support and participation of all of our membership.  Check this website periodically to find details of our events.  Please join with us in not only attending the above mentioned events, but we also invite you to volunteer your assistance at these events.  We will be providing opportunities for members to offer your ideas and suggestions as to how you can be actively engaged with the board.

Stan Lou

Co-President

April 1, 2009