Seeking Volunteers for the OCA National Convention

OCA is seeking for volunteers for the 2009 OCA National Convention!

Every year, OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) convenes a National Asian Pacific American (APA) Convention where OCA members and supporters from across the nation come together to discuss the state of APA affairs. This year's theme is "Call To Action: Empowering Asian Pacific American Voices". Prominent APA elected officials, celebrities and public figures usually attend the Convention. In addition to the keynote speakers and workshops, there will be a Community Health Fair, Senior Day, College and Youth Days, and a Job Fair.

This year’s OCA National Convention is in San Francisco, CA
August 6-9th at the Westin St. Francis Hotel
Located at 335 Powell Street (between Post and Geary) across from Union Square.


OCA is looking for volunteers to help implement the Convention’s various workshops and events. This is a great opportunity to network within a national APA advocacy organization, and to contribute to the larger APA community. Volunteers will assist with: General convention and gala registration, setup for meal events, convention bag stuffing, transportation, pick ups/deliveries, exhibit/job fair area, escorting, crowd control, ushering, security, and floater duties for the four days. Volunteers are also welcome to sign up to help on a committee for tasks and logistics prior to the convention on-site.

We are preferably seeking volunteers at least college-aged.

For more information and/or to RSVP as a volunteer, please contact Michael Lok at michaeljlok@gmail.com.

When you RSVP, please Include:

* Name
* Contact Info: Phone, Email
* Organization (If you are representing an organization or group)
* Days and approximate times of availability for volunteering.

DEADLINE: Friday, June 5th, 6pm

There will be orientation meetings before the convention dates to get an overview on task assignments, logistics, and any pre-convention tasks that need to be completed: Dates/Times To Be Announced (TBA).

Other details about OCA and the Convention can be found at the OCA National website: www.ocanational.org

Thank you very much,

Michael Lok
Volunteer Coordinator,
2009 OCA National Convention

______________________________


OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is engaged in organizing its 80-plus chapters and college affiliates across the nation to develop leadership opportunities and community involvement. OCA’s chapters and college affiliates are establishing strong local programs in all parts of the country.

To fulfill its mission, OCA has adopted the following goals:

* To advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment;
* To promote civic participation, education, and leadership
* To advance coalitions and community building; and
* To foster cultural heritage

Visit the website for more information about OCA and the Convention: www.ocanational.org

AEA Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner

OCA-East Bay sponsored a table for the 2009 Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Dinner held by the Asian Employees Association at the Port of Oakland on May 1, 2009.

The night started off with a lion dance performance by the Asian Youth Services Committee a non-profit organization coached by Sifu Robert Lee. ayscliondance.com. Guest speakers included Victor Uno President of the Port Commissioners and Kim-Dung Nguyen a recipient of the AEA scholarship in 1999 and currently a teacher at Oakland Unified School District. Joe Wong, Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Oakland was presented with an award for his help in founding and guiding the Port AEA.

The main highlight of the night was the presentation of 17 exceptional high school students. The AEA awarded them with scholarships ranging from $1500-$3000. Stanley Kiang the VP of OCA-East Bay presented a $4000 award to our first Frank Kiang Scholarship recipient Ms. Fanny Hoang.

Mr. Kiang is a co-founder of OCA-East Bay and founder of Metropolitan Bank, a community bank based in Oakland. He passed away last year, following years of community service including leadership positions on the Board of Commissioners at the Port of Oakland and the Board of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. A scholarship in his name will be awarded on an annual basis to young people who demonstrate strong leadership potential.

Asian Pacific Heritage Festival at OACC

	Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival 2009 May 2 – May 30

Seasonal Dishes Workshops A focus on traditional food culture driven by seasonal and local ingredients. May 2 10:00am – 1:30pm: Fresh Bamboo Soup and Watercress Salad, Laos May 16, 10:00am – 1:30pm: Banh Xeo and Spring Herbs, Vietnam June 6, 10:00am – 2:00pm: Demystifying Chinese Greens, China (Sold out) July 18, 10:00am – 1:30pm: Riot of Summer Vegetables and Korean Sides, Korea July 25, 10:00am – 1:30pm: Green Curry from Scratch, Thailand $5-$30 suggested donation.* Contact April Kim, 510/637.0462 to register. Film Screening Mosque in Morgantown May 27th 6:30pm – 8:30pm Directed by Brittany Huckabee, this documentary follows an Islamic woman’s fight for equality in a West Virginian Mosque. Screening is co-presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). $5 suggested donation.* *No one will be turned away for lack of funds.	APA Women Writers Literary Night May 28th 7:00pm A writers showcase, guest-curated by the editors of Writing the Lines of Our Hands, the first anthology of South Asian American poetry. Featuring Diana Ip, Summi Kaipa, Neela Banerjee, Maya Khosla, Aimee Suzara, Mimi Lok, Pireeni Sundaralingam and more. $5-$20 suggested donation.* Asian Arts Together May 30th 12:00pm – 1:00pm Make cultural art activities like Lunar Year Ox puppets, Tet Dragon Mobiles, & Korean Kites for the whole family! Free. Dances of Asia May 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm Performances by the Sahiyar Dance Company, DowneFx, OACC Artists in Residence Jay Loyola, AYPAL, Kyoungil Ong and other performers to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! $3-$20 suggested donation.*
Oakland Asian Cultural Center 388 9th Street, Suite 290 Oakland. CA 94607 Tel: 510.637.0455 Fax: 510.637.0459 www.oacc.cc With Community Support from Hypen Magazine Narika, South Asian Sisters, South Asian Studies Institute SFSU, Asian American Studies Program UCB Media Sponsors APEX Express (KPFA 94.1) KOIT Radio (96.5) For more information Please visit www.oacc.cc or contact April Kim Programs Director Tel: 510 637 0461 Email:akim@oacc.cc
OACC would like to thank the generous sponsors and donors of our Asian Pacific Heritage Festival 2009. The James Irvine Foundation, the Alameda County Arts Comission, the City of Oakland, East Bay Community Foundation, U.S. Bank, NCB, Halton Suen, D.D.S. Asian Network, Comerica Bank, and other donors.