News from OCA-New England Chapter

On behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau, we are asking our partners to join us in making history by helping to boost the mail back participation rates across the Nation and in your community during the 2010 Census.

During each Decennial Census, the Census Bureau undertakes the count of every person residing in the United States, as mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. To encourage everyone to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 simple questions on the 2010 Census form, we are launching the "Take 10" campaign. Through "Take 10," you can visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ to get updates on the proportion of households that have mailed back the 2010 Census forms. You also will be able to view differences between your community's participation rates and those of neighboring communities or other areas across the country.

The "Take 10" Challenge - Tools to Inspire the Mail Back Participation Rates for the 2010 Census

During the 2000 Census, 72 percent of occupied households mailed back their forms. In 2010, we are challenging communities to do even better. The Census Bureau's "Take 10" campaign gives you a wide range of tools to inspire your community to meet our challenge. These include:

You can play an important leadership role in encouraging your community to mail back their forms. Most 2010 Census questionnaires are delivered from March 15-17, 2010. From the time the forms are delivered until the closing of the mail campaign at the end of April, you have the opportunity to remind your area residents of the importance of mailing back their census forms. We believe that you can encourage participation through speeches, special events, and challenges.

The stakes are high; an accurate count of the local population helps to ensure that your community receives its fair share of federal funding. This funding includes resources for services, such as health care, education, and roads.

Your constituents must complete and mail back their census forms between March 15, 2010 and April 15, 2010. The good news is that the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest in history-just 10 questions that only take about 10 minutes to complete. We hope we can count on you to encourage participatation in the 2010 Census. Visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ now to see your area's 2000 Census mail participation rate and check the site daily for updates beginning March 22.

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Opportunity, Achievement, and Responsibility

Representing the OCA New England Chapter, I recently attended the Annual OCA National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards (CAA) event on October 19, 2007. It was a meaningful and memorable evening filled with inspiration, celebration, and friendship.

The OCA National APA Corporate Achievement Awards are dedicated to celebrating and recognizing Asian Pacific Americans in the corporate sector who exemplify not only excellence in their profession, but also leadership and commitment in their respective communities. It is the only national program of its kind to recognize corporate achievement and service to the community among APIA corporate employees. Honorees must be nominated by their respective employers, and then selected by a panel of judges.

The event also showcased the importance of diversity initiatives within Corporate America. With inspiration and opportunity, leadership can be well achieved. Contribution to community is essential, and is each individual’s civil responsibility.

In 2007, the following twelve amazing honorees have been chosen to receive the prestigious awards.

In addition, the hosting Las Vegas Chapter also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rozita Lee for her dedication and commitment to the APIA community.

To learn more about the honorees and the event, please go to OCA National’s web site www.OCANational.org. The event pictures and information will be available soon.

If your employer would like to nominate any outstanding APA employee for future CAA awards, please contact OCA-NE or OCA National.

Future Major OCA-NE and OCA National Events

OCA New England Journalism Workshop for High School Students, details on events page.

OCA New England Annual APA Heritage Celebration, May 2009, details on events page.

Empowerment Through Involvement

Let’s light the torch for the next generation

On January 12, 2007, OCA美华协会 made history with the dedication of the National Center for Asian Pacific American (APA) Leadership in Washington, D.C. I was invited to the grand opening ceremony as the president of OCA New England Chapter, and witnessed the amazing historical event. Among the 300 attendees, there were dignitaries such as Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Congressman David Wu, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Congressman Albert Wynn, U.S. Department of Labor Chief Financial Officer Sam Mok (representing U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao), OCA Founders, corporate partners, colleagues, community friends, OCA leaders and members from across the nation.

Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans 美华协会, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) in the United States. OCA members were among the first APA groups to knock on the doors of Congressional representatives to advocate on legislative issues impacting the APA community.

OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

The OCA National Center for APA Leadership’s web site (www.ocanationalcenter.org) lists the numerous victories in the OCA history. The success stories range from legislative advocacy, justice cases to heritage and cultural promotions. Here are just a few of examples:

Up Coming OCA Events

Contact Information

www.ocanewengland.org www.ocanationalcenter.org www.ocanational.org

Washington, DC Another historic chapter in the annals of OCA was made today with the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new OCA National Center for Asian Pacific American Leadership.

OCA National President Ginny Gong formally dedicated the building that will also become OCA s permanent headquarters in the nation s capital. The over 300 attendees included dignitaries such as Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Congressman David Wu, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Congressman Albert Wynn, U.S. Department of Labor Chief Financial Officer Sam Mok (representing U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao), OCA Founders Kung-Lee Wang and Alex Mark, corporate partners, colleagues, community friends, OCA leaders and members from across the nation. The ribbon cutting ceremony and reception at the new Center located in Dupont Circle followed the formal dedication held at the National Broadcasters Association.

For more than three decades, OCA has continually demonstrated its leadership at the local and national levels, said Gong. We have been a passionate voice for Asian Americans throughout the nation and visionary in our efforts to facilitate the gathering of hearts and minds. Once again, we had set our sights on a new horizon and have succeeded, she added.

OCA National Center Campaign Chair and OCA Past National President Claudine Cheng remarked, "With the establishment of the OCA National Center for Asian Pacific American Leadership, OCA is reaffirming to Asian Pacific Americans nationwide, our commitment to advancing the interests of the community at the national level. On behalf of the fundraising campaign committee, I thank the OCA chapters and all the contributors from around the country whose support has made it possible for OCA to acquire a permanent presence in Washington , DC . This has truly been a grassroots campaign in the spirit of leaving a legacy for future generations and for the betterment of the entire community.

During the dedication, a special announcement was made by Leslie Moe-Kaiser. State Farm s Corporate Relations Manager for Asian and Pacific Islander American Communities. State Farm announced its decision to award OCA with a $500,000 grant for education programs in the areas of financial literacy for families and business development for entrepreneurs hosted at the OCA National Center .

Special guest and Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta thanked OCA founders Kung-Lee Wang and Alex Mark for leading the way. He commended OCA as an organization that has historically served as a convener for the community for more than three decades. Thirty-three years ago, no one had an idea that OCA would have their own headquarters in Washington , DC , he said. The center of gravity has now changed to 1332 18th Street .

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Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA, a national organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, is dedicated to advancing the social, economic, and political well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

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Contact:	Michael Lin - Executive Director
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2008 Lunar New Years Featured Speaker