OCA National Convention
UPDATED: Friday, August 1, 2008
Workshops at the OCA National Convention are a popular venue for participants to come together and discuss ideas and issues. This year’s workshops addressed issues from APA civic engagement to globalization and APAs to the history of APA women in the US.
Moderator Leslie Moe-Kaiser (State Farm) and Charles Chen (SAI), AsianWeek’s own Ted Fang, and Barbara Wrigley (Women’s Business Development Center) discuss the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Samuel Mok (Condor International), Ginger Lew (former General Counsel, US Dept of Commerce), Paul Igasaki (Rights Working Group), Ben Wu (US-Asia Foundation), and moderator George C Wu during a panel on APA civic participation.
Priscilla Huang (National APA Women’s Forum), Joan Wages (National Women’s History Museum), and moderator Lily Qi discuss the history of APA women and the issues they face today.
Facilitator Nita Gupta (Sodexo) talks with participants about corporate employee resource groups.
Moderator Ken Lee, John Asher (US-China Business Solutions), Jade Zhou (A&C Group), James Cheng (former CEO, CHM), Priya Murthy (South Asian Americans Leading Together), and Ben Wu (US-Asia Foundation) on a panel on globalization and its effects on the APA community.
The Chapter Awards Luncheon is a chance for our chapters to strut their stuff–the Chapter Excellence Awards are given to OCA chapters with outstanding performance in Membership, Communications, Projects and Programs, Community Involvement, and Economic Development. The Chapter of the Year Award is given to the chapter that is best represented in all five categories.
OCA Summer Interns get ready to congratulate the Chapter Excellence Awards winners in a high-five line.
OCA-San Mateo chapter president Newsy Yan receives high-fives on her way to receive the Chapter Excellence Award for Membership.
OCA-Central Illinois chapter board members accept the Chapter Excellence Award for Communications.
OCA-Greater Seattle accepts the Chapter Excellence Award for Projects and Programs.
OCA-South Florida chapter president Winnie Tang accepts the Chapter Excellence Award for Community Involvement.
OCA-Westchester and Hudson valley chapter president Jeannette Wang accepts the Chapter Excellence Award for Economic Development.
OCA-New York, OCA-Central Illinois and OCA-Long Island share the 3rd Place Chapter of the Year award.
OCA-Westchester/Hudson Valley, OCA-Greater Houston share the 2ndPlace Chapter of the Year award.
OCA-New Jersey and OCA-Hawaii receive Special Achievement Chapter of the Year awards.
OCA-Sacramento chapter receives the 1st place Chapter of the Year award.
For over a decade, the Smithsonian APA program has improved the appreciation of the crucial roles that APAs have played and continue to play in US history. On Friday night, OCA recognized the APA Program at an evening reception at the National Museum of the American Indian.
The crowd gathers outside the National Museum of the American Indian.
Smithsonian APA Program Director Dr. Franklin Odo addresses the guests during the reception.
UPDATED: Monday, 28 July, 2008
Mark your calendars for the OCA National Convention, to be held on July 31 through August 3, in Washington, DC. The theme this year is Voices for Progress: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment, recognizing the role of OCA members and supporters in advancing the well-being of APAs in the United States.
There are many special things happening which will facilitate our theme of Voicing our Progress. Just a few examples of event happening at the convention are:
NEW EXHIBITION ON HISTORY OF CHINESE AMERICAN WOMEN
Chinese American women have a rich history in the United States of America, one that has often been overlooked in history. Join us for the opening of a new exhibition, Chinese American Women: A History of Resilience and Resistance. The exhibit discusses what it was like for these women during the first 100 years in the U.S., and will reveal the strength and resilience that characterized them as they adjusted to the challenges of their new lives and reflects on the contributions they made to American society and culture. The cyber exhibit will have a permanent home at the National Women’s History Museum’s website.
Read more about the exhibition here
REMEMBERING 1882 EXHIBIT
In 1882 Congress passed the nation’s first immigration legislation—a law to prevent people of Chinese descent from entering the United States. Remembering 1882 explores the historical debate around the Exclusion Act from its origins through its full repeal in 1968, the civil rights struggles of Chinese Americans and their allies and the historic importance of habeas corpus in the Chinese American community. This exhibit is presented by the Chinese Historical Society of America and will be on display during the convention.
More information about Remembering 1882
OCA 2008 National Convention and 35th Anniversary Celebration
VOICES FOR PROGRESS: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment
July 31 through August 3, Hilton Washington, Washington, DC
Latest Coverage on the OCA National Convention!
Here’s a reminder that Asian Pacific Americans have established themselves in the United States: after its last visit 10 years ago, the largest convention focused solely on APA issues is landing smack-dab in the nation’s capitol once again, this time to celebrate its 35th birthday. Continue reading!
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UPDATED: Monday, 14 July, 2008
This year’s OCA National Convention theme is Voices for Progress: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment, recognizing the role of OCA members and supporters in advancing the well-being of APAs in the United States.
WHO ARE OUR VOICES FOR PROGRESS?
Our Voices for Progress are involved in every aspect of our community, giving their leadership and commitment in ways large and small, on the national stage and in everyday life. Our Voices for Progress exhibit courage in action, generosity of spirit, and dedication to community.
The OCA 2008 National Convention will bring together many Voices for Progress. Below are just a few…
SMITHSONIAN ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PROGRAM
In just 10 short years, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program has had significant impact on how the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum complex, is evolving to better reflect the diversity of our nation. Since 1992, the Program has provided vision, leadership, and support for APA activities at the Smithsonian, while serving as the Smithsonian’s liaison to APA communities. Join us Friday, August 1, at a Night of Recognition for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, as we recognize the Program as a Voice for Progress!
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program website
OCA PIONEER AWARD HONOREES
The OCA Pioneer Awards honor members of the APA community for their leadership and pioneering roles in helping to pave the way for Asian Pacific Americans in arts, entertainment, and civil rights. This year we are recognizing the work of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Arthur Dong; groundbreaking actress Nancy Kwan; the “Father of American Taekwondo” Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee; and OCA founder and civil rights advocate K.L. Wang.
Read more about the 2008 OCA Pioneer Awards and Honorees
UNSUNG HEROES
OCA’S OWN VOICES FOR PROGRESS
The OCA/General Motors Unsung Hero award is given each year to 10 OCA members whose tireless efforts and inspiring leadership help strengthen and build the OCA and APA communities. The OCA/General Motors Unsung Heroes are volunteers who exemplify the spirit of Voices for Progress.
Read more about the 2008 Unsung Heroes
OCA 2008 National Convention and 35th Anniversary Celebration
VOICES FOR PROGRESS: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment
July 31 through August 3, Washington, DC
REGISTER ONLINE at www.ocanational.org
Online registration closes July 20, 2008
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UPDATED: Tuesday, 08 July, 2008
OCA’s Voices for Progress will convene at the 2008 National Convention in Washington DC…
Hello AsianWeek Readers!
Welcome to our first OCA 2008 Convention update on the AsianWeek website!
I’m excited to tell you that our National Convention and 35th Anniversary is shaping up to be an exciting three day event full of informative panels and workshops, programs for students, and festive evening events.
The OCA National Convention is a 30 year old event which brings together the APA community and its supporters once a year to connect, educate, and celebrate. This year OCA is celebrating its 35th Anniversary with a special Convention in Washington, DC, the home of the OCA National Center.
True to the convention theme, VOICES FOR PROGRESS: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment, the convention will look back on OCA’s history and the history of the APA community while looking forward to the next 35 years… and beyond!
These are some highlights of this year’s Convention. Please keep an eye on this website for further updates and more information on specific events!
WELCOME RECEPTION Thursday, July 31 Kick off the convention with old and new friends, performances, and special speakers.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2 Workshops, panels, and roundtables address diverse issues from APA participation in the 2008 election, globalization and APAs, and APAs in business.
NIGHT OF RECOGNITION AT THE SMITHSONIAN Friday, August 1 OCA members and friends join us to honor the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Program for its role in advancing the visibility of APAs in the US.
CAREER FAIR and EXHIBIT HALL Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2 Learn more about OCA’s partners in the Exhibit Hall, including the debut of a new exhibit on Asian American women by the National Women’s History Museum!
GALA AWARDS BANQUET Saturday, August 2 Celebrate with us at our black tie-optional Gala Banquet! This year we will honor filmmaker Arthur Dong, actress Nancy Kwan, “Father of American Taekwondo” Jhoon Rhee, and OCA founder KL Wang, with the OCA Pioneer Award.
OCA 2008 National Convention and 35th Anniversary Celebration
VOICES FOR PROGRESS: Celebrating 35 Years of Leadership and Commitment
July 31 through August 3, Washington, DC
REGISTER ONLINE at www.ocanational.org
Online registration closes July 20, 2008
