January 2007

Message from the President
January General Meeting
Advancement Committee Report
Community Service Committee Report
Scholarship Committee Report
Social Networking Committee Report
Membership Report
December General Meeting Recap
E-Board Minutes
Upcoming Events
2007 Executive Board
yKANer's Classifieds

UPCOMING yKAN EVENTS

Thursday, January 25, 2007 - January General Meeting @ Korean American Association of Greater NY
Saturday, January 27, 2007 - Anna Erica Visit in Staten Island, NY
Friday, February 9, 2007 - [yKAN] Lock 'n Key Valantine's Fundraiser

Dear yKAN,

Welcome to yKAN! Happy New Year greetings to all members and friends of yKAN. It is my great honor and privilege to serve as the president of yKAN this year.

When I received my very first yKAN newsletter three years ago, I felt as if I had found my favorite one-stop shopping place to expand my social networking and charity involvement. There were cultural events, happy hours, and general meetings with fascinating guest speakers that I will never get to experience in the work setting. And who can forget the community service events? The community service events were quite addictive and made me come back month after month. Later, I started to meet extremely thoughtful individuals with whom I knew it would be easy to build life-long friendships with.

After a few months, I realized that yKAN had become much more than my “fun place” to be after work, it had become a very special part of my life. As a 1.5/2nd generation Korean American leader, I found through yKAN an ambitious dream of making this community a better place. I believe we have a mission to find our next goal of where and how to strive for the advancement of our community. No matter what kind of interest you have as a Korean American, yKAN has been a great place to experience one’s heritage in full capacity.

I have a dream that together we all can be great leaders to guide the next level of yKAN and the community. With my fellow executive board officers, we can look forward to another fabulous year of making yKAN stronger than ever by creating valuable events.

I am proud to introduce to our exceptional team 2007:

• Brian Lee- Vice President
• Isabel Kim - General Secretary
• Matthew Im -Treasurer
• Janet Lee – Community Service Chair
• John Kim – Media / Web Chair
• Jin Lim, Audrey Lee – Social Networking Chairs
• Jonathan Carfield – Fundraising Chair, Designee
• Domina Park – Community Service Chair, Designee

In 2007, in order to continue the success of last year, I would like to bring out the best of yKAN by decorating our 2007 calendar with more exciting events. I am confident that by next year at this time, I will stand here and report that we have made great progress in the following areas.

First, I would like to focus on membership to bring more active members into yKAN. We have an average of 60 attendees at most of our major events and I hope to double that number. I also hope to keep 2006 yKAN president Jaz’s momentum going this year, by bringing informative guest speakers that we can learn from and relate to.

In January, we have already secured Dr. James Jinhong Kim to speak about the year of Golden Pig to open up a discussion about your personal goals for 2007 and it’s astrological background. I hope that you can bring your friends that night so that we can help you explore tips to help you achieve your new year’s resolutions.

Second, with my personal experience of organizing most of the community service events for the past three years, such as flu-shot drives, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Soup Kitchen, and Milal House events, I would like to bring more diverse community service projects such as delivering hot food to the elderly and painting homes for the physically challenged so that we can provide better hands-on service throughout the community.

Third, as we already had a 2007 Scholarship Kick-Off Party at our November GM, I would like to focus on bringing more funds and at least two corporate sponsorships to our yKAN programs and to our second annual scholarship project. Just like the high-achieving high school who won our first yKAN Scholarship last month, we would like to look after our hoobaes. Not only will they be proud successful Korean Americans in the future workforce, they are potential yKANers!.

Fourth, I would like to make a “young spirited” yKAN where our age will not interfere in achieving greatness of our community. I would like to see more involvement, bridging 1.5/2nd generation and our parent’s generation together to learn and understand each other by more interaction with other Korean American organizations.

Moreover, we are also adding more fun by coordinating yKAN ski trips, picnics, sports, and winery events. What is better than having quality time with fellow yKANers and developing great friends?!?!

With your help, we can make yKAN, even better. With your help, we can make our community a healthier place. With your help, we can achieve anything together.

Therefore, I feel tremendously honored to accept the presidency of yKAN 2007 and I invite you to another great year at yKAN and urge you to help us make yKAN a very special part of your life.

So, what will bring you to yKAN next year? Are you ready to have fun with us this year?

Yours truly,
Julie Cho
The 15th President
julie@ykan.org

yKAN January General Meeting

You may have heard that 2007 is the year of the Pig (or Golden Boar)... but what does that mean?

Join us for our January General Meeting and find out. Our guest speaker Dr. James Kim will describe how the Year of the Pig may be good for business, getting married, or other successes, and explain the history, origins, and meanings of Korean/Asian astrology.

Specifically, scholar Dr. James Kim will address:

• Origins of the Asian zodiac (lunar calendar)
• Characteristics & personalities of the 12 Animal years
• Similarities & differences between Korean & Chinese astrology
• Why Korean parents look into astrological meanings before their children get married or give birth
• Who you are and aren't compatible with
• General background behind Asian astrology and related statistics
• Forecasts for 2007 (and why you should not necessarily believe all of them)

Please join the Young Korean American Network (yKAN) on Thursday, January 25, for our first General Meeting of 2007.

Dr. James Jinhong Kim
Rev. Dr. James Jinhong Kim is a graduate of Princeton and Columbia, where he received Master of Divinity in History and Ph.D. in East Asian Studies and Philosophy, respectively. He has been faculty at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary of Rutgers University since 1994, and also has taught at City College of New York and Columbia University. As an active "tentmaker missionary" Dr. Kim founded and is currently the president of NY (Tentmakers) Mission House, an education-focused service organization where Christian volunteers develop and run various programs toward building multicultural interfaith community in the metro New York area. Some of the programs include the Asian Adoptees' Network, the American Board of Chinese-Korean Mission, Hope of Harlem, and Para Esperanza. Dr. Kim is recipient of several awards and fellowships, including the United Nations Star of Harmony Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Advancement Committee Chair Position(s) Available, Get Involved!

The purpose of yKAN is to assist the Korean-American community to become a vibrant force in all areas of American life.

Through the activities of the Advancement Committee, yKAN intends to

• increase professional Korean-American man-power by fostering educational activities, programs and opportunities.
• participate in constructive activities to establish and enhance Korean-American representation at various leadership levels.
• foster the mutual understanding between Korean Americans and other groups.

Thank you for your support,
Advancement Committee
advancement@ykan.org

-UPCOMING EVENT-

New Year Greetings to all.

We have our first Community Service event on Saturday, January 27, 2007 from 11AM-3PM, for our annual luncheon with the Korean Senior Citizens residents at the Anna Erika Adult Home in Staten Island, NY.

Anna Erika is an elderly nursing home for those who are no longer able to care for themselves without assistance. Most of the residents are senior citizens and there are about 30 Korean residents. For over 11 years, yKAN has held annual visits to the retirement home and provided free Korean style lunches to the Korean-American residents. Since these elderly seniors often do not get a chance to eat their native foods as Anna Erika is a state subsidized retirement home, yKAN will bring catered Korean food and serve the residents.

Not only are we bringing Korean cuisine to their facilities, we are also going to provide gifts and entertainment! As we continue our annual event with Anna Erika, we need your help and participation. So please come and celebrate the New Year with the Senior Citizen residents at Anna Erika! yKAN is committed to serving 1st generation seniors, as well as the community that we love.

Attention: We are extremely in need of drivers. Please let us know if you can provide rides by contacting community@ykan.org.

What: Anna Erika Nursing Home Visit
When: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time: 11AM-3PM
Where: Anna Erika Assistance Living Home - 110 Henderson Avenue Staten Island, NY 10301
Meet at the Anna Erika parking lot by 11:00am
RSVP: via e-mail at community@ykan.org by Thursday, January 25th

Also, please let us know if you need a ride from Manhattan.

-Directions from NJ
From the NJ Highway/NJ Turnpike, take NJ Turnpike South/I-95 S. Take I-278 E to exit 13, Goethals Br / Verrazano Br. Then from Verrazano Br: Take the Exit 13, toward Clove Road/Richmond Rd. to Bard Avenue. Make a Right on Bard to Henderson Avenue. Make a Right on Henderson. The go straight down until you see the blue and white striped walled building. Please turn onto that building and parking lot is in the rear.

-Directions from Manhattan
From E. 34th Street, merge onto FDR Drive S. Toward Battery Pk. (FDR Drive S. becomes South St. Then South St. becomes W. Side Hwy/West St.) Merge onto Brooklyn Battery Tunnel via exit #2 toward I-278/Brookyn. Take Gowanus Exwy toward Hamilton Avenue. Merge onto I-278W. Take the Exit 13, toward Clove Rd/Richmond Rd. to Bard Avenue. Make a Right on Bard to Henderson Avenue. Make a Right on Henderson. The go straight down until you see the blue and white striped walled building. Please turn onto that building and parking lot is in the rear.

-Directions from LI
From the Cross Island Pkwy S. Continue towards Belt Pkwy/Brooklyn/KennedyAirport. Take the I-278 exit #3, towards Verrazano Br./NJ/SI. Merge on I-278W. Take the Exit 13, toward Clove Rd/Richmond Rd. to Bard Avenue. Make a Right on Bard to Henderson Avenue. Make a Right on Henderson. The go straight down until you see the blue and white striped walled building. Please turn onto that building and parking lot is in the rear.

For more detailed directions: Directions: mapquest.com.

Thank you and hope to see you there.

-THANK YOU from yKAN Community Service -

On Saturday, December 16th, 2006, Julie Cho and Isabel Kim visited Milal House and dropped off all the gifts that a lot of yKAN members generously donated. yKAN has volunteered with the Milal House for many years and we thank everyone who helped make the 2006 Milal House Christmas Gift Drive a success.

Thank you to our donors:
Veronica Lee, Kate Lee, David Camitta, Jane Hwang, John Hwang, Peter Suh, Hanna Park, Grace Im, Matt Im, Stephen Tang, Ryan & Jacky Choi, Isabel Kim, Jaz Park, Maria Lee, Duncan & Lucy Ahn, Eubin Kim, Hwi Kyong Kim, Jean Soo Park, Kay Lee, Julie Cho, Mrs. Hyowoo Lee Cho, and Jayne Jun.

And special thanks to Julie Cho, Isabel Kim, Jonathan Carfield, and Brian Lee for keeping all the gifts at your house and arranging gift pick-ups from our donors.

Best,
Janet Lee and Domina Park (Designee)
Community Service Committee
community@ykan.org

Annual Valentine's Fundraiser 2007

Seeking special someone? Want to expand your network? Want to win a free date or even a iPOD? Come out to this year's annual Valentine's fundraiser!

For the evening, we will be featuring the following programming:

• Lock & Key
• Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction (date sponsored by yKAN sponsors)
• Raffle Prizes (Grand Prize: iPOD)

Proceeds will help fund yKAN community service programming, including the yKAN Scholarship program.

Thank you,
Audrey Lee and Jin Lim
yKAN Social Committee
social@ykan.org

Membership Committee Chair Position(s) Available, Get Involved!

The Membership Committee was created by the original drafters of the yKAN Constitution (Article II, Section 5-6). Drafters of the Constitution had a specific goal in mind when the Membership Committee was created:

• To include a body which manages and regulates its members in respect to its Constitution.
• To insure that the rights and duties of all members are honored as specified in the Constitution.
• To create and develop a true "network" among its members.

Thanks,
Membership Committee
membership@ykan.org

On December 12, 2006, yKAN held its December 2006 General Meeting at the Korean American Association of Greater NY (KAAGNY), where yKAN was proud to announce and award the winners of the inaugural yKAN Scholarship program. The $1,000 yKAN Scholarship Grand Award was awarded to Elizabeth S. Jeong, and the three $500 yKAN Scholarship Finalist Awards were each awarded to Yoonhee G. Park, Michael G. Kim, and Ha Kyun Jung. Following congratulatory remarks from yKAN Chairman of the Board Gary Park, and 2006 yKAN President Jaz Park, yKAN elected its 2007 President, Julie Cho. Congratulations Julie! After Julie's inaugural address, members ate, networked, and celebrated the end of a great yKAN year. Thank you to all of our members for your continued support and interest.

Thank you to everyone who attended,
Brian Lee
Vice President
brian@ykan.org

Please click on the link for the e-board minutes which took place on January 5th, 2007.
www.ykan.org/news/minutes/jan07minutes.doc

Here is the list of exciting upcoming events for next month.
You can keep up-to-date with the latest happenings at yKAN and other organizations on our calendar.

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yKAN Classifieds

Artist Han Yoon Jung Exhibits at Agora Gallery (NY) Through January 23

Award winning printmaker Han Yoon Jung uses animal iconography to compose surrealist metaphors that point at meaning yet never define one. Han often creates her prints by combining several processes, including silkscreen, lithography and woodcuts. This procedure results in a dense, multi-layered composition textured with bold lines, dotted patterns and loose scribbles. The translucent quality of her colors reveal the painterly workings below, particularly useful for creating dreamlike seascapes inhabited by fish and other aquatic creatures. Han’s interest lies in memory and dreams, her work is a study of the symbols created and contained within the scope of the human mind. After receiving her BFA in Korea, Han came to the United States to complete an MFA at SUNY New Paltz, where she went on to teach printmaking. She is an active member of several artist associations based in Korea and has exhibited both there and in the United States.

Han Yoon Jung's prints will be on display from January 2 to January 23 in The Color of Motion, Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York. The reception takes place on Thursday, January 4, 6-8 PM.

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