Summary of NACA Programs & Activities/Summer 07-Summer 08
Bridging Cultures
* In May 2008, NACA hosted a fundraising event for the China Earthquake relief efforts at its annual general member meeting. Over $25,000 has been raised as of June 15th, 2008 and one hundred per cent of the donation goes to the Red Cross in China.
* In April 2008, NACA co-sponsored the Fourteenth Georgia Tech Global Business Forum focusing on post-Olympic China business opportunities and challenges for U.S.-based firms. Mr. John Frisbie, President of U.S.-China Business Council (Washington, D.C.), and Mr. Wang Jinzhen, Secretary General and Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), gave the keynote speech.
* In April 2008, NACA co-hosted the China Townhall forum, moderated by the National Committee on United States-China Relations, with the Southern Center for International Studies at the Atlanta venue.
* In March 2008, NACA Chair Lani Wong accompanied Governor Purdue, General Consul Qiao Hong on the inaugural flight from Atlanta to Shanghai. Ms. Wong was also a key member of both Governor Purdue’s and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s delegations to China in the latest effort to strengthen the ties between the State and China.
* In March 2008, NACA hosted a dinner banquet for President of China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), former Chinese Ambassador to the U.K. Mr. Ma Zhengang. Deputy Consul General Yu Boren and Consul Chen Guangda also were present at the banquet. Mr. Ma gave an insightful speech regarding the development of U.S.-China relations.
* In March 2008, NACA Chair Lani Wong received the 2008 Pioneer Women of Georgia Award presented by the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL).
* In March 2008, NACA Chair Lani Wong received the “Women Putting Their Stamp on Atlanta” Award from the United States Postal Service.
* In February 2008, NACA and Georgia China Alliance (GCA) co-hosted the Georgia China Day. Consul General Qiao Hong and key delegates were invited by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle to enter the State Senate Chamber and Madam Qiao was introduced to the members of the Georgia Senate by Senator Judson Hill. Consul General Qiao Hong and her delegation were also invited by Mr. Glenn Richardson, Speaker of the Georgia State House of Representatives, to address the House of Representatives. Both the State Senate and House passed a resolution to celebrate China Day and to endorse good relations between China and Georgia.
* In January 2008, NACA hosted the Chinese New Year Banquet to celebrate the Year of Rat. Special guest, Consul General Qiao Hong, and guests from the High Museum of Arts, Troutman Sanders, Delta Air Lines, ING and many other influential organizations attended the banquet. NACA donated $19,000 in total to Georgia Perimeter College, Good Shepherd Services and Zoo Atlanta.
* In January 2008, NACA Chair Lani Wong received in Beijing the very first Annual International Luminary Award from the GlobalEXEC Women Magazine. The Magazine’s International Council is comprised of members of the Consular Corps, trade associations, and international chambers committed to promoting the leadership roles that executive women play in international business.
* In December 2007, NACA hosted its annual Christmas Party. Deputy Consul General Zhou Ding was invited as a special guest. Representative from Global EXEC Women also attended this party.
* In November 2007, NACA hosted the delegation of Chinese business executives representing marine shipping companies, storage, transportation, railway express, logistics, and other third party logistics providers. Captain Qian Yongchang, President of China Communications and Transportation Association of Beijing, led the delegation. Also attended the dinner Lt. Governor Cagle’s Economic Development Officer Bob Cucchi, State Director of Senator John Isakson’s Office, and representatives of Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
* In October 2007, NACA co-hosted the China National Day Celebration. Consul General Qiao Hong attended this celebration as a special guest.
* In July 2007, NACA officers had dinner with Chinese Ministers in Washington, D.C. On July 27, NACA Chair Lani Wong and President Henry Yu attended a dinner hosted by Minister Zheng Zeguang. Minister Zheng expressed his excitement about NACA’s growing leadership role in bridging China and Georgia in many aspects, including education, tourism, business exchanges, etc. On July 28, Minister Madam Xie Chuanqin also hosted a lunch for Lani Wong.
* In July 2007, NACA hosted a private dinner for the new Consul General Madam Qiao Hong whom NACA Chair Lani Wong had previously met during the Chinese Parliament sessions. Madam Qiao visited several key business and community leaders during her first visit to Atlanta. At the dinner, Madam Qiao delivered a powerful speech in both Chinese and English about the importance of U.S.-China relations, contributions of overseas Chinese to the cordial relationship between two countries, and the importance of both harmony and respect for differences in perspectives. She specifically thanked NACA for its leadership role in community services and in helping enhance the U.S.-China relationship, as well as promoting the exchanges between the two countries in culture, economy, trade, tourism, and education.
* In June 2007, NACA hosted a dinner to welcome the Honorable Mayor Li Xiansheng of Wuhan City and his delegation, which included key officials in the areas of transportation, trade, and economics. The delegation met with senior executives from major companies in Atlanta, such as the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Home Depot, etc., to discuss potential partnership opportunities between the two cities. Mayor Li was very appreciative of NACA hosting the delegation’s visit and the work NACA does to promote the U.S.-China relationship.
* In June 2007, NACA hosted a dinner to welcome a Wuhan City delegation led by the Vice Mayor Liu Shunni, which included key officials in the areas of culture and tourism. NACA was instrumental in helping present the Wuhan Urban Photo Exhibition from June 21-22 at the Fulton County Government Center. The Fulton County Commission, joined by NACA, City of Atlanta, and other major companies, proclaimed Thursday, June 21, 2007 as “WUHAN URBAN PHOTO EXHIBITION DAY” in Fulton County, Georgia.
* In June 2007, NACA hosted a dinner for a Jiangsu delegation accompanied by the former U.S. Ambassador in the Clinton Administration, Mr. James Sasser. The delegation exchanged experiences with various Atlanta groups on its development strategies, administrative processes, and its dedication to attracting investment to the region.
* In March 2007, NACA Chair Lani Wong attended the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, as a non-voting delegate representing overseas Chinese. Ms. Wong was the only Chinese-American from southeastern U.S., and one of only five Chinese-Americans in the entire U.S. invited to attend the session. CPPCC is the top advisory body to the National People’s Congress (NPC), Parliament of the Chinese government, providing policy recommendations in such areas as businesses, education, social and economic development, foreign investment, trade, and culture. During the two-week sessions, Ms. Wong actively promoted Atlanta, Georgia, and the U.S. to key Chinese officials, with the goals of strengthening the relationship between the two sides and encouraging more business and cultural exchanges.
Building Leaders
* In May 2008, NACA held its annual election for the new board for 2008-2009. Five new members joined the board this year and will bring new ideas to NACA and better service to the community.
* In March and April 2008, NACA presented leadership seminars to the Chinese graduate students at Georgia Tech. Mr. Tom Waldon, Executive Vice President of ING America, and Mr. Jung Mar, a former Nortel executive, spoke at the April seminar.
* In February 2008 and August 2007, NACA hosted mentorship programs for Chinese students at Georgia Institution of Technology. Successful Chinese Americans were invited to share experiences and provide invaluable suggestions and guidelines on career development.
* In October 2007, NACA hosted the 4th Annual NACA Mentorship Program for Asian-American Professionals. Harvey Coleman, President and founder of Coleman Management Consultants (CMC) Inc. of Atlanta and regular guest speaker at Emory University’s executive MBA program, gave a keynote speech on proven systematic approach to career development and advancement in Corporate America.
* In July 2007, NACA hosted a college student mentorship party. Also at the party were students visiting from the Zhuhai Campus of Jilin University in China, who were visiting Atlanta for a two-week summer camp from July 16 through July 28. As a strong proponent of nurturing future generations of leaders, NACA is happy to see students visiting from China and getting acquainted with their American counterparts through such visits that lay a good foundation for them to become competent leaders in the global marketplace.
* NACA continued its mentorship program, known as Future Leadership Initiative Program (FLIP), for high school students. The program aims to provide students with guidance to become successful future leaders in the global markets. Many expert speakers have volunteered their time and efforts in this program.
Benefiting Communities
* In April 2008, NACA sponsored Singer Janie Chu at the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) Spring Concert for Georgia Tech international students.
* NACA continues the funding for the Center of International Language and Culture, the Chinese language studies, and the Nursing scholarship for the School of Nursing at Georgia Perimeter College. In January 2008, NACA donated $12,000 to Georgia Perimeter College, with the fund to be used for nursing scholarship, endowment fund, and other programs of GPC’s International Center for Language and Art. In March, Ms. Mei Xue became the recipient of the 2008 NACA Nursing Scholarship; the $2,000 scholarship covers tuition, fees, and is awarded to an applicant with Asian language skills in order to meet the health service needs of Asian communities in Atlanta.
* NACA continues to be a supporter of Good Shepherd Services, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to Asian refugees. In January 2008, NACA sponsored the Good Shepherd Services’ goal to help Asian refugees in education, after school activities, etc., via a $5,000 donation, extending the support to this group since the late 1990s.
* NACA continued support for the Zoo Atlanta panda research project with a $2,000 donation.
* NACA supported the King Papers Society to bring the King Papers home to Atlanta, and throughout the year, also supported many community organizations working for minority culture preservation and diversity development in Atlanta.
* In July 2007, NACA attended the 2007 Georgia Woman of the Year Dinner, which honored Ingrid Saunders Jones, Senior VP of Global community Connections at the Coca-Cola Company, and Chair of Coca-Cola Foundations. In addition, six scholarships were awarded to outstanding young women, who have completed their freshman year, have at least a 2.5 grade point average, exhibit leadership capabilities, and have participated in community campus activities.
* In May 2007, NACA participated in the Asian American Heritage month celebrating the diversity and the cultural heritages of different Asian ethnic groups.
* In May 2007, NACA attended the Atlanta Policeman Foundation Ball. The Foundation raises funds to support the Atlanta Police Department for better serving the entire metro Atlanta community.
* In May 2007, NACA Chair Lani Wong and NACA President Henry Yu were once again named among the 25 Most Influential Asians in Georgia by Georgia Asian Times. Both Wong and Yu were recognized for the second time for their leadership in community services.