The Pride to Serve
Presented to
2008-2009 VAT BOD
June 17, 2008
by
Nghiem Phu Phuc M.Sc., P.Eng.
1
A Brief History of VAT
1.
Founded on October 14, 1972 in Toronto by a group of
Vietnamese students (Le Duy Can, Vo Van Truong, Nguyen Quan
Nghia, Hoa Van Suong, Vo Van Thanh, Nguyen Duy Noi, etc.)
2.
Main purpose: fostering mutual assistance and friendship among
Vietnamese living in Toronto, translating scientific books and
documents for Universities in Vietnam, sponsoring orphanages in
Vietnam, etc.
3.
Main activities: organizing picnics and sport events in summer,
parties for Tet and Christmas, translating books, raising funds to
help orphanages and people affected by floods caused by
monsoon in Vietnam, etc.
2
A Brief History of VAT … Cont’d
4.
Before 1975, the local Vietnamese community was less than 100
(the most elitist community in Toronto – Tom Gould, V.P. News,
CTV, 1974), comprising of graduate students and professionals
coming from France, U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
5.
Official name: Hoi Ai Huu Viet Kieu Toronto (Vietnamese
Fraternal Association of Toronto).
6.
First President for 1972-1973 term was Le Duy Can, replaced by
Vo Van Truong in mid-term (Le Duy Can moved to Ottawa in the
spring of 1973).
7.
First official address: International Student Centre, University of
Toronto, 33 St. George Street.
3
A Brief History of VAT … Cont’d
8.
First Constitution was a one-page document, first membership list
was one page.
9.
First membership fee: $2.00
10. First mailing address was a P.O. Box until 1978 when the first
office was opened at 8 York Street.
4
Important Milestones
1.
Ban Viet monthly magazine (first Vietnamese magazine in Toronto)
from Nov 1974 until early 1994.
2.
First Tet show for 300 guests at O.I.S.E. 252 Bloor St. W., January
1976 (Tet Binh Thin).
3.
First funding from Government of Canada ($2,000) under the New
Horizon Program, summer 1977.
4.
VAT had its official logo, designed by Nguyen Khac Phung in 1978.
5.
First VAT office at 8 York Street, November 1978.
6.
First funding from Government of Canada ($3,000) under ISAP
program, November 1978. Funding from Ontario Government started
in 1980.
7.
First part-time coordinator was Nguyen Phan Pha, November 1978.
5
Important Milestones … Cont’d
8. February 1979, VAT received the “charity and non-profit
organization” status (the only Vietnamese community
organization in Canada having such status).
9. First E.D. (full time) was Do Trong Chu, March 1979,
actively working with Operation Lifeline (Prof. Howard
Adelman of York University) and The South-East Asian
Refugee Task Force involving 3 levels of government.
10. March 1979, VAT began the sponsorship program, raising
more than $20,000 and sponsoring 5 families, the first one
arriving on June 30, 1979.
6
Important Milestones … Cont’d
11. First Hoi Cho Tet on Feb 13,1983 at Scadding Court
Community Centre, with Nguyen Ngoc Ngan as M.C.
12. VAT became member of United Way in Feb 1985.
13. VAT officially changed its name from “Hoi Ai Huu Viet Kieu
Toronto” to “Hoi Nguoi Viet Toronto” in early 1986.
14. On July 18, 1986, VAT officially moved to the 1364 Dundas
St. W. property (purchased in Dec 1985 with $150,000
matching funds from the Ontario Government).
15. North American Summer Game organized by VAT in
Toronto, Aug-Sep 1990.
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List of VAT Former Presidents

1972-1973 Le Duy Can, Ph.D. Economics, U. of T. and
Vo Van Truong, Ph.D. Physics, U. of T.

1973-1974 Nguyen Quan Nghia, M.Sc. Electrical, U. of T.

1974-1975 Nguyen Duy Noi, M.Sc. Chemical, U. of T.

1975-1978 Ngo The Hoanh, M.Sc. Electrical,
U. of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)

1978-1980 Nghiem Phu Phuc, M.Sc. Electrical,
Queen’s U., Kingston
8
List of VAT Former Presidents … Cont’d

1980-1982 Nguyen Don Phu. Ph.D. Mechanical,
Stanford U., California

1982-1986 Nguyen Huu Ky, B.A., Literature, York U.

1986-1988 Nguyen Van Phu, B.Sc. Computer Science,
U. of T.

1988-1990 Chu Van Vien, B. of Law, U. of Saigon

1990-1992 Nguyen Hoanh Khoi, M.D., U. of T.

1992-1997 Do Ky Anh, B.A. Math & C.A., U. of Waterloo

1997-1999 Dang Thanh Chi, B.A. Linguistic, U. of Ottawa
9
List of VAT Former Presidents … Cont’d

1999-2002 Eric Tran, B.A. Political Science, U. of T.,
LLB, Osgoode Hall

2002-2003 Pham Ngoc Thuan, M.S.W., York U.

2003-2007 Ho Van Thua, Ph.D. Electrical, McMaster U.

2007-2008 Nguyen Yen Xuan, N.D., Canadian College of
Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto

2008-2009 Maxwell Vo Ngoc Thach, MBA
10
List of VAT Former Presidents … Cont’d

2009-2010: Le Xuan Loc, Ph.D. Eng.

2010-2011: Nguyen Van Truong Quang, B. Eng.

2011-2012: Jaime Diep Dang Duy. B.A.

2012-2014: Pham Minh Tho, B.Sc., B. Tech.

2014-present: James Nguyen, M.B.A
11
PRIDE TO SERVE
 VAT has a long and proud history of serving the
Vietnamese community in Toronto
 VAT has solidly earned its “charity” status
 VAT has been always run by professionals
 VAT has always fostered the spirit of volunteerism and
adhered to its principles
 VAT has excellent codes of ethics and codes of conduct for
its volunteers
12
PRIDE TO SERVE … Cont’d
 VAT Boards have high level of integrity, honesty and
transparency
 VAT has a high profile in the Vietnamese community in
GTA
 VAT has a good reputation among other ethnic
communities in GTA
 VAT is recognized and supported by all levels of
government
 VAT has set a good example for other Vietnamese
Associations in Canada
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Serving on VAT board is a pride and a sense
of belonging that demands a high level of
discipline, dedication, commitment and hard
work.
It is important that all VAT boards adhere to
VAT’s Constitution and Bylaws as this will
bring legitimacy, respect and co-operation
from volunteers, the general membership as
well as outside organizations.
14