Vietnamese-American Association of Maine-VAAM
is a non-profit organization that was found in January, 2009. VAAM is a volunteer
organization that serves the Vietnamese community in Maine.
Our Vision: to have an organization cultivating the spirit of
giving, sharing, and enriching the lives of the Vietnamese American
throughout Maine.
Our Mission to preserve and enrich our culture heritage through
social services initiatives. To promote cross-cultural interaction
between the Vietnamese community and other communities. To
create awareness of our culture and unify our community among
with other communities in Maine. To offer social and educational
programs to young Vietnamese Americans growing up in Maine.
OFFICERS (effective 02/01/2009)
Executive Director-
Cuong V. Do
2yrs term
Deputy Director-
Timmy Tang
2 yrs term
Director of Public Affair-
Trung Huynh
2 yrs term
Scretary-
Ha T. Tran
1 yr term
TreasurerThao D. Tran
1 yr term
The consensus was that officer can be impeached by the majority
votes if he or she does not perform his/her job based on group
expectations and standards. This can occur at anytime during his
or her term.
Committee- consists of the following active members.
1. Cuong V. Do
2. Long Hang
3. Trung Huynh
4. Vinh Le
5. Chanhda Ly
6. Quang Nguyen
7. Thuy Nguyen
8. Timmy Tang
9. Loan Kim Thai
10. Ha Tran
11. Thao Tran
12. MyLinh Tu
13. Thai An Vu
Advisors: Lan/Dung Tran-9 BlackPoint Rd, Scarborough Maine-T
Thien Huynh-18 Greenleaf St, Portland Maine-C
Ricky Ho-56 Gateway Commons Dr. Gorham Maine-C
Dung Huynh-144 Iffley St, Portland Maine-T
Hung Nguyen-60 Yale St, Portland Maine-C
Hoa Nguyen-Interpreter Tim
Nhat Truong-T
Duc Trinh-C
Anh Thu Truong-Facebook
Nhi Nguyen-Facebook
James Nathaniel-7 Old Colony Ln, Scarborough Maine-C
Jamie Hibbards-73 Old Pool Rd, Biddeford, Maine-C
Mike Wilson-Tim
Troy Clark-T
Victoria Hershey-T
Shawna Oum-Tim
Grace Venezuela-Tim
Special Considerations
Cost Sharing:
1. Find sponsors who are willing to fund a portion of the cost
of the project.
2. In kind contributions-from our group. These contributions
can be money, time spent on the project, materials, and
space for meeting. Most important is commitment and
energy.
3. Seek for donation from local business or community.
4. Grant from the State or the City of Portland.
5. Fund Raising events: eggrolls drive, bottles drive and
special manicure fundraising event.
Significance: we have to show how the community will benefit
from this work and how unique we are.
Experience: we need to show that we are well qualified for this
important task and willing to go forward to achieve these
objectives. We need to involve both elder audiences and younger
generations seeking for their advices and inputs. These individuals
will serve as the advisors NOT the decision makers.
Activities: family activities, community fair, traditional
celebration, family entertainment and social services. This is the
major responsibility and collaboration.
Volunteers: Seek for volunteers. We should target both adults
and teenagers. High school students would be a perfect target.
Short Term Goal: we have to set a realistic goal. There will be
two events this year.
1. Social Gathering- this event will be coordinated by Vinh
Le. This event will open to all members plus other
potential members through networking.
2. Tet Festival- this event will be in February 2010. These
are the potential locations for this event, The Portland Elk,
Howard Sport, and Tuan’s and Than’s wedding hall.
Tet will be the major event for our committee. This event will
demonstrate our creditability, commitment, energy, and
collaboration. It will be a huge challenge and requires advanced
preparations.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
local band-from Boston
at least one well known singer
coordinate with Manchester Vietnamese community.
Mua Lan
traditional dance-other communities are welcomed
traditional games
traditional foods
involve other communities
Achievements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cultural preservation.
Host Tet celebration yearly.
Host Super Bowl party yearly.
Education: citizenship class, computer training, and
Vietnamese Language Class for Tre Em.
5. Establish charitable events (giup do tre em).
6. Social services: Social Security/Medicare issues, investment,
real estate and health care.
Did you know?
According to the 2000 U.S. Census State Population Data, the
Vietnamese population in the State of Maine ranked at 41 with the
population of 1323. That was almost ten years ago. I am expecting
this number to be double when 2010 census comes out.
http://www.navasa.org/html_stats/Ranking_State_50.htm
Meeting Agenda
I.
7pm-
Opening Remark & Welcome
Trung
II.
7:15pm
Review Logo & Title of Our Organization
CD
Thuy will help with taking notes throughout this
meeting.
III.
7:45pm
Review the vision and mission statements
CD
IV.
8:00pm
Introduce Officers and terms in office
Discussion of future nominees
CD
V.
8:15pm
Review Special Considerations
CD
VI.
9:00pm
Vote for Officers
Share your vision/Contributions
CD
VII.
9:15pm
President and Vice President Remarks
Assign tasks and duties
Discussion of Future Meetings
CD
VIII.
10:00pm
Group pictures & Adjournment
CD
IX.
10:30pm
Clubbing in the Old Port.