We’ve come a long way in just four years. What started out as just an idea to create a simple starting point to find Taiwanese American organizations and events on the web has now grown to something bigger and better with the help of some amazing and dedicated volunteer staff members!
During the weekend of March 26-28, 2010 at the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA) Midwest Conference hosted by UT Austin, the collegiate attendees may notice several young professional TaiwaneseAmerican.org board and staff members running some parallel meetings, discussions, and workgroups alongside their conference sessions in addition to serving as speakers for a couple workshop sessions. This is actually an important moment for us, and hopefully for the Taiwanese American community also, because during this weekend our board will be voting to establish the first set of bylaws guiding a new registered non-profit organization behind TaiwaneseAmerican.org.
Historic? We think so. In the past two decades, the only other time a national Taiwanese American non-profit organization was created solely by the 2nd generation was when ITASA was first established in 1993 and later formally incorporated in February of 1998. Though there are several organizations today that are comprised of and lead by the 2nd generation, most of those were established originally by our parents’ generation and transitioned over to the next generation of visionary leaders.
I reflect back to 2006 when I sat in a Berkeley café and conceived of this “web portal” for the community, and even I am amazed that TaiwaneseAmerican.org has come such a long way in a short time. I imagined that this website would serve as a starting point for people to discover the many 2nd generation organizations and events around the nation. I dreamed that it would build bridges within our community and inspire a sense of pride among young Taiwanese Americans in all corners of the country. Although we still have much more to accomplish, I do believe at the very least we’ve helped propel the Taiwanese American consciousness and identity forward just a little bit more forcefully. And really, it’s all thanks to supporters like you.
So, if you have time, stop by this year’s ITASA Midwest Conference – historic itself for being the first time it has taken place in the South! We’re so pleased that our first TaiwaneseAmerican.org national board and staff meeting is taking place side by side with their conference! The dozen staff members and collaborators who are in attendance hope to meet you and hear your ideas, too! Our afternoon sessions are open to all, so stop by, say hello, and take a moment to dream with us as we move TaiwaneseAmerican.org into the future!
Sincerely,
Ho Chie Tsai
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