2008 Annual Report

To promote multiculturalism, hence fostering understanding, interaction and harmony between the Chinese community and the society-at-large

To promote active citizenship and provide support to other local non-profit and charitable organizations and community projects

To identify and address relevant social, cultural, educational and recreational issues and needs

A G E N D A

§ Chinese New Year Fundraising Dinner on February 7, 2009 in support of Yee Hong Geriatric Care Centre in Mississauga

Minutes of

2007 HRCCA Annual General Meeting

Mary Lui opened the meeting and thanked all members and guests who attended despite the snow storm and the poor driving conditions.

A motion by Allan Lo/Ronald Cheng to approve the minutes was unanimously carried.

Mary Lui reported that 2007 was a very successful year with significant achievements including the launching of the HRCCA Scholarship Award Program for Halton graduates entering post-secondary education. Much of HRCCA’s increased visibility also resulted in more invitations from local government and social service agencies to provide support and community partnerships. HRCCA hosted two Chinese New Year celebrations in February to promote cultural understanding in the community. A Scholarship Fund was established with the Community Foundation of Oakville. Throughout the year the Association organized educational and recreational programs and continued to provide networking opportunities to our members and non-members. Mary expressed her heartfelt thank you to all the Directors for their commitments and leadership and to all the volunteers who have contributed enormously to achieve the successes the Association have enjoyed. In closing she also expressed her sincere gratitude to Dr. Paul Wu, a retired founding Director, for his long standing support and contributions in the Association’s development over the years.

The fiscal year ended at July 31, 2007 showing net assets of $14,513.13. A motion by Howard Ng/Eddie Shao to accept the Treasurer’s Report was unanimously carried.

A motion by Doris Wong/Cindy Chen to elect the above nominees as the 2008 Board of Directors was unanimously carried.

Members were asked to continue their support of the Association by renewing their membership and participating in upcoming events and activities, which are regularly posted on the Association website: www.hrcca.ca.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 pm, following a motion by Louis Tsai/Allan Lo that was unanimously carried.

Activities/Events	Frequency
Saturday Mandarin Class	Weekly - Blakelock High School
Sunday Recreation	Weekly - Brant Hill Recreation Centre
HRCCA Scholarship Program	Annual - Award
Chinese New Year Fundraising Banquet	Annual - Summit Garden Restaurant
Burlington Sound of Music Festival - HRCCA Band	By Invitation
Oakville Dragon Boat Festival - HRCCA Team	Annual - Kelso Conservation Park, Milton
Mid Autumn Festival	Annual - Different locations
Halton Police Chief Forum	2-3 times per year
Asian Heritage Month Celebration	By Invitation - Hosted by Halton Regional Police Service
Calligraphy Demonstration	By Invitation
Summer Picnic	Annual - Coronation Park
Christmas Luncheon & Annual General Meeting	Annual - Different locations

Message from the President

I am very pleased to present to you our 7th Annual Report. I believe that HRCCA has had another successful year in 2008. With the enthusiastic support of our excellent volunteers, we have accomplished many goals. HRCCA continued to play a significant role in building bridges and promoting cultural understanding between the Chinese community and the community at large. We have selected four rotating beneficiaries for our future Chinese New Year fundraisers with the provision for a fifth “open” beneficiary agency that the Board may identify based on unforeseen circumstances. The four charities of choice are a local chapter of the United Way, the Yee Hong Geriatric Care Centre in Mississauga, the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital and the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

Along with the generous support of our members and friends, we have received additional financial contributions to our HRCCA Scholarship Fund and as a result it allowed us to establish a permanent endowment for the HRCCA scholarship with the Community Foundation of Oakville. Over the past year, we have forged many valuable community partnerships and have began to set a course for the future. We continued to organize educational and recreational programs and provided networking opportunities to our members and non-members.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the directors for their commitments and exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, especially to our retiring secretary Connie Lee and retiring director and past treasurer Chiang Wong, who have contributed endlessly to achieve the successes the Association has enjoyed.

In closing, I encourage you to share our commitment and passion for developing a strong community and consider joining our Board of Directors as I seek to retire as President this coming summer. I shall continue to serve on the Board as Past President and as a founding member.

Sincere wishes for a safe, happy holiday season to all of you and your families.

Treasurer’s Report

On a program basis, the Association took on an operating deficit of $765.80 in 2008, mainly as a result of a significant contribution towards the Scholarship Endowment Fund. Indeed, a number of programs such as the Gym Program, Chinese New Year Event and the Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration managed to turn a profit to balance losses in the other programs.

Overall, the total assets of the Association improved from our 2007 position of $25,640.73 to $33,237.84 for 2008. This is the result of generous contributions to the Scholarship Endowment Fund by some anonymous donors, to whom we are most grateful.

2008 Highlights

Chinese New Year Fundraising Dinner for United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton

HRCCA held its seventh annual Chinese New Year Fundraising Dinner at the Summit Garden Restaurant and launched its Scholarship Award Program. Our theme “Dance & Music Extravaganza (妙舞輕歌賀新歲)” featured a Lion Dance, Chinese traditional dances, Latino & Ballroom dances, a Chinese calligraphy demonstration, and our HRCCA live band performances. Over 300 guests attended the banquet dinner and many were VIPs from different levels of government. Special guests included Mayor Cam Jackson of Burlington, Mayor Rob Burton of Oakville, Mrs Joyce Savoline, MPP Burlington; Mr Mike Wallace, MP Burlington; Chief Gary Crowell of the Halton Regional Police Service, Mr. Trivi Mehendale, President of Halton Multicultural Council, Mr. Rusty Baillie, CEO of Community Foundation of Oakville, and Mr. Darrel Skidmore, CEO of United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton. Through ticket sales, silent auction, karaoke, raffles and donations, the event raised $9,219.55 for the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. Special thanks go to our event co-chairs Louis Tsai, Alice Popovich and Ho Wong.

Bonita Tsai of Burlington Central High School was selected as the winner of the 2008 HRCCA Scholarship Award. Bonita is an outstanding all-round student who volunteered generously her time and had made significant contributions to the community. As president of the Burlington Central High School Student Council, she was a distinguished leader who interacted effectively with her peers and participated extensively in many extracurricular programs and projects.

Bonnie Yuen of St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School of Oakville was also selected as the recipient of the Honourable Mention Award under the HRCCA scholarship program. Overcoming language barriers as a new immigrant, Bonnie has adjusted well to the new Canadian culture at school and in the community. As an immigrant from Hong Kong, she has brought with her a good knowledge of Chinese culture and arts. Bonnie has shared her Chinese calligraphy talents at various multi- cultural events. Currently Bonnie is attending McMaster University pursing her undergraduate studies in the School of Social Works. Special thanks go to Mrs. Laila Eriksson and Ms. Sharron Stasuik who served on the selection panel and to our Scholarship Committee for their recommendation.

For more information about the HRCCA Scholarship, please visit www.hrcca.ca. Tax deductible receipts can be issued by the Community Foundation of Oakville for any donation amount over $50. If you wish to make a donation in honour of your loved ones, please contact us. For a donation of $1000 or more, the donor can request to have the Scholarship Award named in honour of an individual.

The Association’s Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at the Burlington Senior Centre was another great success this year. It was a fun and cultural evening filled with entertainments and a delicious buffet dinner catered by Red Maple Restaurant. The event was well attended by over 140 members and guests including many families who have adopted children from China. Lantern riddles were displayed to challenge the minds of the audience. Children participated in lantern craft activities. The evening featured a variety of cultural performances included songs by Wendy Leung, erhu playing by Mr. Lai and performance by our HRCCA band. The evening was also highlighted by the presentation of the legend and history of the Festival and the appearance of Chang Er. Members and guests danced the night away to the beat of our HRCCA band.

2008 Annual Report

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2008 Annual General Meeting