Membership

What is yKAN?

The Young Korean American Network (yKAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization of 1.5 and 2nd generation Korean-Americans who strive for the advancement of all Korean-Americans in the mainstream of American society.

Officially inaugurated on August 30, 1990, the organization’s membership has grown over the past two decades. Our members are Korean-American professionals, representing every industry and academic field.

With over 2 decades of professional Korean Americans passing through yKAN's network, we have members in many of the top companies represented in many sectors.  For a list, click HERE

Our Mission:

Our mission is to elevate Korean-American professionals by fostering educational programs, community service, and networking opportunities. Through these activities yKAN addresses the issues of our community and provides a forum for those who share common experiences and face similar challenges.

Through our combined efforts, yKAN will undoubtedly lead to a better standing for the Korean-American community and open doors of opportunities for current and future generations.

Our Objectives:

• Create a professional network to facilitate the even exchange of ideas and common goals among all Korean American professionals
• Foster a professional Korean-American presence in our community by sponsoring educational programs and opportunities
• Promote social awareness and activism through community service
• Foster mutual understanding between Korean-Americans and other ethnic groups
• Promote greater opportunities for the current and future generations of all Korean Americans

What does yKAN do?

yKAN pursues its mission by fostering educational programs, community service, networking and other events and opportunities throughout the year. In this way, yKAN provides a forum for those who share common goals, challenges and experiences. Through the combined efforts of its members, yKAN aims to further the interests of the Korean-American community and open the doors of opportunity for current and future generations.

How do I get involved?

yKAN holds various community service, networking & social events throughout the year, including General Meetings which are held on the third Thursday of every month. While the topic of the general meetings will vary from month to month, the purpose is always the same--to provide a venue for Korean American professionals to network and learn about community service, advancement, social and cultural issues and opportunities.

Committees:

Advancement Committee:
The Advancement Committee was created to increase Korean American resources by promoting, encouraging and fostering educational activities, programs and career opportunities; and to participate in various political activities to establish, solidify and enhance Korean American status in the United States.
Community Service Committee:
The Community Service Committee was created to offer services to the communities to augment yKAN's fundamental spirit, that is, the advancement of Korean American values as we serve others. It is for this spirit that yKAN and its subsidiary committees were born and it is for this spirit that the members of the Community Service Committee continue to sacrifice their time and efforts - in the quest of advancing all of us. The role of the Community Service Committee is to monitor the needs of different communities; to devise a scheme to fulfill those needs; to implement the plan with the cooperation of yKAN's members; and to continue to monitor for other needs.

Fundraising Committee:
The Fundraising Committee of yKAN acts as the official body within the organization charged with raising funds for various y-KAN activities and events. Utilizing the non-profit status of the organization, the Fundraising Committee seeks financial sponsorship and endowments from corporations, organizations and individuals in order to advance the causes of yKAN.
Media & Web Committee:
The Media Committee’s primary role focuses on publishing and distribution yKAN’s monthly publication, yKANSpirit, which informs members of upcoming events, committee events, and guest speakers. This committee also develops and maintains internet services.
Membership Committee:
The Membership Committee was created (Article II, Section 5&6) by the original drafters of the yKAN Constitution. Sixteen executive board members took part in the frame-work of our original Constitution which was amended and approved by the general members at the second annual meeting. Drafters of the Constitution had a specific goal in mind when the Membership Committee was created:
1. To include a body which manages and regulates its members in respect to its Constitution.
2. To insure that the rights and duties of all members are honored as specified in the Constitution.
3. To create and develop a true "network" among its members.
Social & Networking Committee:
The Social & Networking Committee's function is to provide an atmosphere for social and professional "networking" among yKAN's members and constituents.  In today's cosmopolitan environment, the Social & Networking Committee recognizes the need of the 1.5 and second generation to have a forum for meaningful networking among peers in order to fulfill our social aspirations as well as maintain contacts with associates in our chosen and related career paths. In order to meet these needs of yKAN's members, the Social & Networking Committee sponsors several networking events throughout the year.

Join!

Feel free to use the "Contact Us" form on the top right if you would like to inquire how to help and become a member of the yKAN team!  If you would like to receive announcements regarding upcoming events, please subscribe to our mailing list using the Newsletter subscription area above and to your right. We look forward to your participation!