IACA - Indiana Association of Chinese Americans

Flashback

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Happy New Year! IACA and FCC celebrated the Chinese New Year on Jan. 19, 2000. This is the Year of the Dragon and the year 4698 in Chinese calendar.

The evening kicked off shortly after 6:30 p.m. despite less than perfect weather. More than 200 people braved the wind and snow to join in the celebration. That included our honored guest, Mr. George Ong, president of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), who flew in from Washington, D.C. earlier that day. Mr. Ong addressed the audience on the mission of OCA. The evening was filled with fun and entertainment. The IACA Lion Dance team, the attraction of the evening, danced to the delight of the audience, especially the children, who could not wait to "feed" the lion. IACA member, Mr. Jeff Wang, demonstrated Tai Chi on stage to the sound of birds and the music of a spring garden. Then the whole dining hall was filled with beautiful Chinese melodies with the clarinet performance by Ella Yung, and piano by Phillip Hou. Children from FCC, in beautiful Chinese costumes, sang and danced which brought cheers and laughter from everyone. The evening concluded with the drawing of door prizes, which included gift certificates, floral arrangements and FCC year 2000 calendars. Of course all children received "Hong Bao", the lucky red pocket money from David and
Lillian Wang.

We owe the success of the evening to Lissa Garrison, Patrick Pun, Rose Hawn, Vicky Ko and all the volunteers, who put in a tremendous amount of time and effort. We also thank Yummy Restaurant who provided the delicious food for the evening and a generous donation of four $25.00 gift certificates.
Rudy Yung

IACA State of Organization Report, 1999

The New Year is not so new anymore. However, for we who have served on the IACA council last year, the task remains unfinished until we have delivered an account of the events and accomplishments of 1999. Equally important, we would like to share our collective thoughts and visions about the future of our organization. Patrick Pun, our treasurer, will report separately on the financial standing of our organization.

Last year, IACA changed its name from Indianapolis Association of Chinese Americans to Indiana Association of Chinese Americans. In so doing, we strive to be more inclusive of friends living outside the immediate Indianapolis area.

In February, we celebrated the Chinese New Year. For the first time, we brought together members from all three major ethnic Chinese organizations, IACA, ICPA and CCC. In addition, our dear friends from FCC (Families with Chinese Children) also contributed much effort to bring the event about. The attendance exceeded 600 guests. While the spirit of solidarity was tremendously refreshing, the inexperienced organizational effort was less than complimentary. For this, I will bear the responsibility.

On May 3, 1999, a nice party was given for the new high school graduates and new members. The turnout was lower than expected, especially with the graduates. Perhaps the date was set too close to their actual graduation dates. We will take that into consideration in planning the graduate recognition this year.

On May 20, 1999, IACA volunteers Lillian Wang, Frances Russell and Vicky Ko presented a cultural exhibit at the Gifted and Talented Fair which took place at the Education Service Center of Indianapolis. Also in May a canoe trip saw a few IACA outdoor enthusiasts shooting the rapids on Sugar Creek; great fun for those who were there, regrets for those who missed the breathtakingly beautiful experience.

In June, the Father's Day/ Dragon Boat Festival celebration was a great success; over a hundred turned out for the picnic and BBQ at Eagle Creek. Arts and crafts and games were popular among the youngsters, and everyone had a chance to go on a short boat cruise of the Eagle Creek reservoir.

On June 12, a dozen or so IACA volunteers took part in the city's 11th Annual Rivers and Greenways Clean Up. If the White River looks better to you, it is because IACA, representing the Chinese American community, has done its share.

In July, IACA sent representatives to console the parents of a Korean student tragically killed by a racist gunman. IACA representatives attended the Festival of Ideas on July 24, 1999, sponsored by Mrs. O'Bannon at the Governor's Mansion.

In August, the IACA website officially came on-line: http://www.iacaonline.org.

In response to the catastrophic earthquake in Taiwan on September 24, 1999, IACA promptly responded with relief fund raising.

On September 25, 1999, the Mid Autumn Moon festival saw about 70 IACA and FCC members turn up at the White River State Park. On that enchanted evening, strolling along the west bank of the river, we watched in awe a pale yellow moon rising over the Indianapolis downtown skyline, to the accompaniment of our children's lanterns and songs. Moon cakes were served.

This year's International Festival on Oct 14, 15 and 16 has been said by many to be the best in its 27 year history. It is an occasion that brings together citizens of different ethnicity to celebrate their cultural diversity and common humanity. IACA won the first prize in the cultural/educational exhibit category, the second time to do so in as many years. Competition was keen, but we prevailed. Fulfilling one of IACA's stated missions, we educated the public on Chinese culture, history and contributions to mankind. It was a joint IACA/ FCC project, so we are also most grateful to our FCC partners for their effort.

The leadership retreat in November was well attended by current and new members, young and old, bringing a wealth of experience, insight and fresh ideas. The most important recognition was that IACA cannot thrive unless all members partake actively. A proposal therefore has been made that future activity and functions will be structured under four committees. These are a) cultural/education, b) organizational development, c) community outreach/public relations and d) social/recreational. All members are encouraged to indicate their interest in any or all such committees and to take part. For the new millennium, let us invigorate our organization with your involvement. Expect a call from us.

In December, an IACA cultural exhibit titled "Chinese New Year" went on display at the downtown main library, which lasted through January 2000. The Indianapolis Children's Museum has also invited IACA to give a half day Chinese Culture Show in early February.

The attendance at the Christmas Tea Party/Annual Membership Business Meeting was disappointing. December understandably is a tough time to schedule a business meeting even with Santa Clause thrown in for a draw. This will be kept in mind when we schedule events this year.

Personally, to serve as your IACA president in 1999 has been a profoundly enriching experience. I have learned to observe, to express and, above all, to listen. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I only regret that for so much gained I have so little to give back. Thank you for the honor.
Benny Ko, Past President

Lion Dance Team's Busy Season.

The IACA Lion Dance Team danced in November at the Presents of Mind Show at the Children's Museum. This has become an annual event for the lion dance team. All shows stopped for ten minutes so that everyone could watch us and "everyone" means a lot of people! Over two thousand kids of all ages attended this free event from six to nine PM. I hope that IACA children will attend the show next year. Always on the first Thursday of November, it is full of wonderful eclectic presentations ranging from ethnic groups to the Indianapolis symphony orchestra.

For the Chinese New Year Season, the lion team danced on January 29th at the IACA New Year Celebration. On February 5th, the team traveled for the first time "out of town" to perform at a special Chinese New Year Party organized by Julietta Ng, a junior at DePauw University. It was great to see Christopher Setcos busy helping Miss Ng and both of them, as well as the couple of hundred attendees, welcomed us warmly. Their librarian Wu Pei Ling, an IACA member, was a great advisor to Ms. Ng.

After the DePauw engagement, the team danced at the Asian Arts Society at the Art Museum during their annual Lunar New Year Dinner on February 7th. The ten members of the team who danced this season are: Darrel Allen, Isak Allen, Jeannie Allen, Hope Casey-Allen, Janet Casey-Allen (a DePauw graduate, a fact that was loudly applauded), Larry Casey-Allen, Jackson Hui, David Russell, Frances Russell and Alison Yum.

On February 17th, Janet Casey-Allen and Frances Russell gave a Chinese New Year presentation at the Girls School where Janet is the Chaplain. Frances spoke about Chinese traditions, and Janet directed a group of girls in two Chinese style dances and a lion dance. This was an opportunity to participate in yet another educational function to share our culture with people who otherwise would not be exposed to it.
Frances Russell

Lion Dance Team's Busy Season.

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