OCA - Orange County Chapter

Hello Everyone,

Having just returned from the OCA National Convention, I feel reinvigorated to develop OCA-OC. The convention in Washington DC was wonderful and very educational towards chapter development and personal development. On top of that, we were able to meet many of the the great members and officers from the other chapters around the nation. I just want to mention that the convention is open to any OCA-OC member and that in 2009, it will take place in San Francisco, making it much more accesible to all of you. I really encourage anyone interested to not hesitate to mention your interest in attending.

With the last third of the year approaching, now is the time that we look to grow our officers and board of directors and to start inquiring our members about their interest in joining our group. If anyone is or knows anyone that is interested in running for a position as a officer, please contact me. More information about this issue will be coming soon. I want to stress the importance of having a strong officer group and that you as members have the right to have a say in who is nominated and who is elected. No prior experience is necessary and it is a great way to get more involved with the community. I encourage you all to email me and ask questions about what being an officer entails. It would be my pleasure to share my experiences with you. I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Yao Lee
OCA-OC Vice President

Note: If you or your organization would like an event posted on our newsletter, please contact me at yaolee@gmail.com. Also, if any of you have news that you think would be beneficial or interesting to OCA-OC members, feel free to email me that as well. All requests will be reviewed before being posted. As a kind reminder to our members, OCA-OC officers are here to help you so feel free to contact us anytime. I am easily accessible through e-mail at yaolee@gmail.com. As you can see, the newsletter is constantly changing and always a work in progress. I am open to hearing from you regarding any topic: from our website and newsletters to suggestions you may have for our organization to how you can get more involved with OCA-OC. We are always looking for energetic individuals to help achieve our mission in empowering the Asian American voice in the Orange County and national community. The information found on this newsletter can also be found on our website here.
Upcoming OCA-OC Events
OCA-OC presents
Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor
at Bowers Museum

Bowers Museum Picture
September 5, 2008
4pm, 5pm, 6pm
Bowers Museum
2002 N Main Street, Santa Ana CA

The Bowers Museum offers free admissions on Friday nights for up to 100 visitors per hour at 4, 5, and 6pm. For a limited time only, Bowers Museum presents the largest exhibit of Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Army ever seen outside of China. This Terracotta army of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats, and animals silently remained underground for two thousand years. Until, in 1974, Chinese farmers digging a well made the startling discovery of a terracotta head.

Now is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the 20th century’s greatest archaeological finds, often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World.

Members and those interested: Please join us for casual dinner afterwards at the GREEN PARROT CAFÉ at 7:30pm directly across from the museum. Please RSVP for dinner by 9/1/08.

Green Parrot Cafe: 2035 N Main St, Santa Ana CA

For additional information, please contact Betty Chu at BettyC@oca-oc.org
Community News
Representative David Wu Ensures Longevity Of Historic Program For Asian American And Pacific Islander Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, H.R. 4137, which incorporates Congressman David Wu’s historic program to increase college opportunities and services for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. Congressman Wu first shepherded the program into law in September 2007 and has now extended and expanded it through this legislation.
The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) program provides grants to eligible colleges and universities that serve large numbers of low-income and AAPI students to help the schools improve and expand their services.
“For six years I have worked to see that colleges and universities across the country better assist underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are pursuing a college education,” said Congressman Wu. “This program, created last year and expanded today, does just that. Eligible schools will now be able to provide a variety of targeted services, helping AAPI students overcome barriers to a college degree and putting them on the path to success.” Services that may be funded under the program include:

* Curriculum development and academic instruction, including instruction in disciplines in which Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are underrepresented;
* Tutoring, counseling, and other student support services, including financial counseling designed to improve the financial literacy of students and families;
* Research and data collection for Asian American and Pacific Islander populations and subpopulations;
* Community outreach programs that will encourage elementary and secondary school students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education;
* Establishment of partnerships with community-based organizations serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders;
* Purchase of scientific or laboratory equipment, library books, and other educational materials; and
* Renovation and improvement of classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities.

The AANAPISI program was created last September with $10 million in funding to be used during fiscal years 2008-2012. The program has now been integrated into the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which authorizes the program through fiscal year 2013 and increases the allowable funding to $30 million each year.
Overall, the Higher Education Opportunity Act would:

* Encourage colleges to rein in price increases and provide students and families with helpful information, such as tuition prices, graduation rates, and popular majors;
* Restore integrity and accountability to the student loan programs;
* Simplify the federal student aid application process;
* Make textbook costs more manageable;
* Expand college access and support for low-income and minority students;
* Increase college aid and support for veterans and military families;
* Ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities;
* Boost campus safety and disaster readiness plans;
* Encourage colleges to adopt sustainable and energy-efficient practices; and
* Strengthen our workforce and our competitiveness.

H.R. 4137 is a compromise between the House and the Senate higher education bills; it is expected to be passed by the Senate this week and go to the president for his signature.
Congressman Wu is a member of the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee and the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus’ Education Taskforce.
The Coolie Trade: The Traffic in Chinese Laborers to Latin America 1847-1874
by Arnold J Meagher PhD

A thorough study of the roots of modern human trafficking and Chinese emigration. Against the backdrop of China’s rapid advance to the forefront of the world economy and sharp scrutiny over global trends in human trafficking, Meagher’s exhaustive survey of Chinese indentured labor is a richly informative, timely release. His volume, much broader in scope than the Latin America in his subtitle indicates, is a careful examination of cultural, political and socioeconomic factors that contributed to this phenomenon. Meagher argues that the termination of the African slave trade, an urgent need for laborers in the West and a deteriorating Chinese economy conspired to spawn the emigration of more than a quarter million Chinese laborers to Latin America in the span of 28 years. Beginning in 1847, Chinese emigration quickly evolved into a prosperous black market cottage industry that, alongside the illicit opium trade, attracted enterprising, often dubious characters. These overlords relentlessly plundered China’s human resources to satisfy a labor vacuum in the West. Scheming brokers often used any means available - false promises, deceit and fraud - to lure prey aboard ships. Victims of kidnapping account for more than a quarter of the human cargo, while appalling prisonlike conditions, mutinies and disease resulted in a 12 percent mortality rate during the nine-month voyage. Great Britain and the United States abandoned the coolie trade in the mid 1860s after much public outcry. Trafficking, however, continued to flourish until 1874 aboard other ships sailing for Latin America, often destined for Cuba and Peru, where booming sugar, guano and mining industries demanded a steady flow of fresh workers. This authoritative account is acutely critical of the coolie trade as a means by which the slave trade continued in the West, but suggests it did have its advantages: challenging draconian Chinese taboos that once forbade emigration and introducing Chinese culture to Western society. The author’s fluid, conversational style elevates Meagher’s work from the weight that often bogs down other academic texts.
For more information, Xlibris offers a more thorough description and provides a method to purchase this book here.
Upcoming Community Events
FCC Logo
FCC Orange County Olympics Madness
Date: August 9th, 2008
Time: 1PM to 4PM Location: Cal State Fullerton Titan Student Union
800 N State College Blvd
Fullerton, CA 92834

Get your Olympics spirit revved up with an afternoon of Beijing fun at “The Pub” in the basement of Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Student Union. We will be showing the Olympics opening ceremony on a big screen with other Olympic events on small TVs all around the room. Kids can learn all about the “Friendlies,” play games, and win medals.

In addition to the fun planned by FCC in the Pub itself, parents can take kids to bowl, play ping pong, and other games offerred for a fee in facilities located adjacent to the Pub.

Parking is free at Cal State Fullerton on Saturdays. The best place to park is north of the Titan Student Union (TSU) in the parking structure off State College north of Dorothy Lane.

For more information, contact Debbie Kister at debbiekistler@sbcglobal.net or visit the website at http://www.fwcc.org/
Save the Date! “Summer Relief” Mixer
Date: August 16th, 2008
Time: 6PM to 10PM Location: Morono Kiang Gallery
218 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

OCA-GLA in association
Co-host with APEX, Chinatown Service Center, Families with Children from China, Garcia Calderon Ruiz LLP, Little Tokyo Service Center, Morono Kiang Gallery, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans and The Taiwanese American Professionals.
Community Sponsors: APABA, CAUSE, The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California and Friends

OCA-GLA is excited to be hosting Summer Relief, a community mixer to benefit the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquakes in China. This will be a perfect time of year to celebrate the summer, network with the community and contribute to a great cause.

Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Clara Chiu at OCA-GLA for more information.

Minimum Suggested Donation $15 to the American Red Cross

Artwork from Li Yan one of the leading artists from the Beijing art scene.
Musical Performances by Projekt Newspeak and a DJ.
Delicious drinks will be provided by Hypnotiq, PAMA and The Coca Cola Company.
Street parking is available and paid parking on 3rd Street between Hill and Broadway.
NAAAP Convention Logo
NAAAP National Convention
August 21-24th, 2008
Location: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is proud to be the host of the 22nd Annual National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Convention & Diversity Career Fair, which boasts the theme, “Leadership: Rising and Shining Stars.” The NAAAP National Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles from August 21-24, 2008.

The NAAAP National Convention will include a two-day diversity career fair, more than 40 workshops focused on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, diversity and community service, over 45 national and local workshop speakers, inspiring keynote speakers, Friday and Saturday dinner galas, valuable networking, and exciting entertainment.

SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOPS
Year after year, NAAAP has been graced with many high profile individuals who have donated their time and energy to speak and inspire our community.
Confirmed speakers this year include but not limited to:

* Representative Mike Honda, United States Congressman
* Scott Oki, philanthropist, former Senior Vice President, Microsoft
* Toby Dawson, Olympic Medalist Skier
* John Chiang, California State Controller
* Ambassador Sichan Siv, former United Nations Ambassador
* Helen Tse, author
* Sachi Koto, first Asian American anchor on CNN
* Roger Fan, actor
* Judy Chu, California State Board of Equalization
* David Ono, news anchor
* Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-chair, Panda Restaurant Group
* Far East Movement
* Charlie Woo, co-founder and CEO, Megatoys
* Angela Oh, Attorney and Political Activist
* J.D. Hokoyama and LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics)

Workshop and Panel Topics will include but not limited to:

* Leadership for the 21st Century
* How ERGs and BRGs are Good for the Bottom Line
* Finding Your Passion, Change the World
* Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Executives in the Entertainment Industry
* How to Work with the Media
* Open Space Technology
* Going for the Gold: Asian Americans in Sports
* Negotiations with a Killer Attitude
* Conflict and Dispute Resolution
* Impressive First Impressions: The Most Important 30 Seconds of Your Career
* Lead, Manage, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

CONVENTION EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

* 1 day intensive NAAAP Leadership Institute
* The NAAAP Golf Classic
* NAAAP National Awards Gala
* Thursday evening preview screening of Asian American independent film “Ping Pong Playa”
* Friday evening reception and film screening at Fox Studios
* Pre-Convention Activity: Chinese American Community Night at Dodger Stadium
* An opportunity to network with over 1000 attendees from the United States, Canada and the world
* And the finale, the Who’s Who in Asian American Communities Leaders and Legends Awards

CAREER FAIR - This year’s diversity career fair will take place in the California Showroom of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles on August 22 and 23 from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Exhibitors include: American Family Insurance, ARAMARK, The Coca Cola Company, Coors Brewing Company, Dell, Disney, EMC, JP Morgan Chase, Kaplan, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, Raytheon Company, Safeco, Sodexo, State Farm Insurance Company, Sun Microsystems, Verizon, Wachovia Bank, and many more!
Admission to the career fair is free. Simply register www.naaap.org/careers, attend the fair and land your dream career!

Please visit our www.naaapconvention.org for additional information and registration!

About NAAAP: Established in 1982, the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) is the largest and fastest growing North American Asian professional organization in the United States and Canada. NAAAP is a volunteer-based, non-profit, 501©(3), professional organization that promotes the career advancement and leadership development of Asian American professionals in all fields, through networking, respecting Asian multiculturalism, and supporting diversity and community service.
There are currently over 25 chapters, ventures, and affiliates across the United States and Canada and a growing North American membership of more than 3,000. For more information, visit www.naaap.org.

email: info@naaapconvention.org
web: http://www.naaapconvention.org
For volunteer opportunities for the day of the event, please fill out this form and email Billy Wang at volunteer@naaapconvention.org.
Volunteer positions needed:
Registraton: help assist checking in convention attendees
Career Fair - assist corporate recruiters with specific needs and/or tasks.
Speakers/workshops: help Speakers Coordinator with specific tasks and also handle technical problems and maintain the stationary camera during taping of the session.
Host/Hostess: meet and greet attendees and assist with directions in the convention area or ballroom.
Runners/’as needed’: ready to help at a moments notice to assist when called upon.
*Golf Tournament: help check-in golfers, drive golf cart to deliver drinks to golfers and assist with award ceremonies.

All information can be found here as well.

IMELDIFIC!
A Concert to Benefit The New York Premiere of IMELDA: A NEW MUSICAL
Date: August 24th, 2008
Time: 2:00PM
Price: $250 - VIP, $100 - Orchestra, $50 - Balcony

“Remember the glitz! Remember the glamour!” Spread the glitz and glamour to New York. Help bring the show to the Big Apple. The cast of Imelda and East West Players’ Divas and Tenors present an afternoon of song and Imelda memories to let New Yorkers share LA’s secret: It’s got talent! Whether in sneakers or sequined high heels, in sensible shoes or outlandish boots, join us for an afternoon “filled with love, laughter, and above all entertainment.”

Directed by MARILYN TOKUDA
Musical Direction by NATHAN WANG
Featuring Original Cast Members of IMELDA: A NEW MUSICAL and
KERRY CARNAHAN ~ ANTOINE REYNALDO DIEL ~ RANDY GUIAYA ~ ETHAN LE PHONG ~ MAEGAN McCONNELL ~ JENNI SELMA ~ KATHY VILLANUEVA ~ LITO VILLAREAL

ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Imeldific! Ticket Order Form

More info at www.EastWestPlayers.org or calling 213.625.7000
100% of the proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards the New York-bound original musical produced by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, in association with East West Players. It is scheduled to open in fall 2009 at the spacious Julia Miles Theatre.
Annual Pacific Southwest 12th Annual Awards Dinner
PSW’s Heroes of Redress: 20 Years of a Living Legacy
Date: September 13th, 2008
Location: Grand Events Center
4101 E Willow St
Long Beach, CA 90815

The dinner will include a live band, silent auction and awards for those outstanding Pacific Southwest members who made such a large impact during Redress.

The annual dinner is the districts’ largest fundraiser, funding district youth programs, such as Project: Community!—a high school youth advocacy program, and Campus Leadership—a collegiate leadership training. Aside from these programs, the annual dinner will help support district initiatives on public policies and advocacy work as well.

For more information, please contact the district office at 213-626-4471 or email at psw@jacl.org.

Southern California Edison Presents
The 2nd Annual Harvest Moon Mixer
Date: September 16, 2008
Time: 5:30PM - 8:30PM
Location: The Villa
15081 Beach Blvd
Westminster, CA 82683

You are cordially invited to:

* Learn about energy savings programs
* Participate in business-to-business networking
* Celebrate the delights of the holiday with delicious Chinese cuisine and door prize

You will be able to meet Frank Quevedo, Vice President, Equal Opportunity and Erwin Furukawa, Vice President, Customer Program & Services, and SCE representatives from Supplier Diversity, Customer Services, and Public Affairs organizations at Edison.

It will be a true business-to-business networking event where you will make new business contacts, learn the latest energy saving programs for small businesses, enjoy the festivities and great food too!

RSVP by September 11, 2008 to Liz Cañadas at (626) 302-1156 or Elizabeth.Canadas@sce.com

Although this is a FREE event that is open to the public, space is limited and walk-ins will not be allowed. All attendees MUST RSVP except for our VIP guests.
OCA GLA Awards Dinner
OCA-GLA 17th Annual Image Awards
October 3rd, 2008
Omni Hotel, Lost Angeles

Additional information to come in the near future…
Check for updates here.
Irvine Global Village Festival
Irvine Global Village Festival
Date: October 4rd, 2008
Time: 10AM - 6PM
Location: Bill Barber Park
4 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
Price: Free

Make plans to travel the world at the City of Irvine’s Annual Global Village Festival on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Bill Barber Park. Boasting artistic cultural performances on three stages, the Festival’s live entertainment is a mosaic of music and dance representing more than 50 cultures from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Immerse yourself in cultural displays, world religion and demonstrations, indulge in international cuisine, explore our world marketplace and keep the little ones in motion with hands-on art projects, games and activities in a giant, interactive Kids Village.

Festival admission and parking are free. Food court tasting tickets are available for purchase at the event. Bill Barber Park is located adjacent to the Irvine Civic Center on Harvard between Barranca and Alton.

Additional information can be found at their website: http://www.irvinefestival.org
For question, email festival@ci.irvine.ca.us.

2008 Asian Global Sourcing & Procurement Conference
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: The Paradise Pier Hotel
1717 So Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
TAKEAWAYS
* A Unique Look at Sourcing in China, India, Korea, Philippines, & Vietnam
* Asia Trends, Risks & Opportunities
* Real-World Case Studies in Global Goods & Services
* Interactive & Compelling Sessions
* Procurement Opportunities

GLOBAL SOURCING
Asian Global Sourcing, targeting buyers and sellers of goods & services from China, India, Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam. Diverse industry expert panel speakers who are directly engaged in the Asian markets are invited to share ideas on real-world issues and experiences dealing with these Asian markets.

PROCUREMENT
The Procurement segment of the conference is designed to provide large corporations, small businesses, government agencies, and the business community, the opportunity to network & access available procurement resources on contracting, purchasing, distribution, and supplier development relationships with Asian-owned businesses and other diverse companies currently dealing with Asian and/or US markets.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Enterprises with an interest in China, India, Korea, Philippines, & Vietnam.
Service companies in the global transportation, financial, legal & trade insurance sectors.
Corporations with an Asia strategy.
Companies interested in selling to our line-up of corporations.
Networking for professionals.

GLOBAL SOURCING DETAILS: Quanta Consulting, Inc. www.QuantaCo.com/seminars.html Seminars@QuantaCo.com

ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.abaoc.org
APALC
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California Presents
25th Anniversary Dinner
Date: October 21st, 2008
Time: 5:30 pm Reception and Silent Auction
7 pm Program and Dinner
Location: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
404 S. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Black Tie Optional

Come join APALC as they recognize over 50 individuals, corporations, law firms and foundations that have supported the Asian Pacific American Legal Center over the years. The event will be held at the magnificent Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites.
The event will feature a silent auction where you will be able to bid on items and gift bags generously donated to support APALC. Click here if you are interested in making a donation to the auction. Silent auction and gift bag donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law
The silent auction will be followed by the program and dinner. Reserve your seat today!

Tickets - Individual tickets will be available for purchase soon.

For information on Table sponsorhips, please visit here. Sponsorship forms are available here.

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Contributions over the fair-market value are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The fair-market value of each dinner admission ticket is $60.

For more information on the 25th Anniversary Dinner, please contact Clayton Yeung, Director of Special Events & Corporate Relations at (213) 977-7500 ext. 201.
Click here to learn more about the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.
Additional Opportunities
ViFF Logo
ViFF 2009
The Fourth Edition of the biennial Vietnamese International Film Festival

PRODUCTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION: Feature-length and short productions of any content (not necessarily related to Vietnam or Vietnamese) by persons of Vietnamese descent living anywhere around the world or productions about Vietnamese people or culture in the following categories:

* Narrative
* Documentary
* Experimental
* Animation

NO ENTRY FEE!

ENTRY DEADLINE: Entries MUST BE POSTMARKED no later than December 31, 2008. We will announce the final selection at the end of February 2008.

Download ViFF 2009 Entry Form (Word format)

For more information and a PDF of our entry form, please visit www.VietFilmFest.com. Please email vietfilmfest@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

ViFF’s mission is to support, celebrate, and project a diversity of visions and voices from filmmakers of Vietnamese descent and films by, for, and about the Vietnamese people and culture.

The Vietnamese International Film Festival (ViFF) is an eight-day event uniquely showcasing films made by Vietnamese and Vietnamese diasporic filmmakers. Presented biennially since 2003 by the two non-profit organizations Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) and Vietnamese Language & Culture (VNLC), ViFF has featured films from all over the world, including but not limited to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Poland, United States, and Vietnam.

ViFF is held mainly at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), with some screenings at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Westminster, Southern California. Each edition, ViFF attracts around 4,000 people coming from all over the world.