Jump-start The New Year!

KAPS held its elections last month and announced the 2005 officers and board members at the annual elections meeting at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. The officers expressed high expectations this year, including working with first generation organizations, such as Seattle-Washington Korean Association and Korean Women’s Association, to study and establish a senior citizen’s home and care facility unit and incorporate more Korean American Adoptees within KAPS.

On Feb. 4, KAPS officers met with various Korean organizations at the first annual Korean leaders meeting at the Seattle-Washington Korean Association Office to discuss and implement new ideas and goals. Each organization shared goals and special events planned for this year and discussed the future of the Korean communities in Washington State. As more communities are going from first-generation to second-generation leadership, the four second-generation organizations, KCCC, KAVA, KABA and KAPS, are banding together to generate a second-generation leader to represent the Korean Community.

Tee Time!

Last year, KABA and KAPS raised over $6,000 for KCCC, a nonprofit organization that assists the Korean community, though its annual golf tournament. This year, the golf tournament will be held on June 4 at the Hawks Prairie Golf Course in Lacey, Wash. The goal is to have a great time with great people while raising $10,000! Stay tuned for more information to come! Questions can be directed to KAPS Secretary Jina Yun.

Council General Jae Gouk Kim, Senator Paull Shin and Ji Hak Yang at the first KA leaders meeting.

Third Annual KABA Dinner

On Feb. 2, KAPS was the silver sponsor of the third annual KABA reception at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. This year’s keynote speaker was Martha Choe, director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations. Choe emphasized how important mentors are no matter how old you are. As a young adult, she had great mentors who pushed her and allowed her to develop into a strong individual. She encouraged everyone to ask questions and be persistent.