Monday, December 1, 2014

Discussion on NYCAC think tank vs an Association

Hi Everyone,
 
We had several meetings already and the idea of creating of NYCAC still doesn't take any shape yet. As I already told you yesterday that I'm always been a technocrat all my life and I've never been involved with any social or political organization before, so I can say that I'm a narrow minded person concerning this new group that we are proposing. My question is what is the audience of our Think-tank? Would it be better off for Cambodians in NY/NJ if we re-create a Cambodian Association of NY/NJ with clear objective and transparency policy to avoid future troubles relating to the handling of fund? I thank you guys for your confident with our Temple transparency policy that Kenny and I hold dear to our heart, a policy that makes a big impact on our Temple management to get support from our community and as the consequence of that trust we can raise more than $100K for our temple repair jobs. It's a record setting for our Temple in this small community.
 
I believe that an Association with a transparent policy can serve our people better because we will have a bigger support base and a better chance on influencing our people conduct and their thinking and as the consequence improving the image of Cambodian in this part of the States. If the leadership are clean and transparent I believe we will have support from our people. If we will be successful  then we can export our way of running an association to the other states. As good leaders in democratic society, Kenny and I will be more than happy to have other leaders take over the job from us if they can do a good job. Same thing will apply to the new association as well. We are here to serve our community, not to take advantage of it.
 
Best regards,
 
Mean

4 comments:

  1. This comment from Kenny via my email:

    Hi Bg Mean, Thank you for your email it's a great ideas. We should have the association first and make it transparent as you did a great job for our temple n we can produce our idea n leadership for our community n the thing is we need how to make our supporter trust n make the Job done for our community n our Khmer interest. As I see the disease for our community other states n can't successes when it come to the money always has the conflict because it not a transplant policy so later on losing support or fighting each other. As me n you believe anything that we serve the public services n getting using publics fund we need a transplant therefore we losing the supporter n not set a good model for our new generation to learn n i believed that we get together to growing n make our community strong as you mention not to take advantage from our community. Again, thank you bong we look forward to work together how much we can help our community a better n prosperity.

    Best regards,

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  2. Hi Kenny,



    Thank you very much for your support to my idea of creating a new Cambodian Association to help our community to achieve more cooperation and communication with each other.



    Nora, I chatted with David and Kenny today at John's wake in Queens and they think that an Association with a broader base of support is more beneficial to our Khmer community in NY/NJ than the think-thank as you propose. We are waiting for more responses from other people involved before we decide what to do.



    Best regards,



    Mean

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is Nora's comment via my email:

    I see,

    You guys seem to be wanting to create the not-for-profit civic organization like we had it in the old day. May be you all ought to have it since you live in the city.

    But that is not What Borng supharidh and I have in mind. The purpose of a think tank Organization is to Explore and collect good ideas, Challenge the mind and Educate the population of right and wrong, good and bad in the society etc... The Think Tank group do not need community support to survive but it needs membership that comprises of people with education, well established and caring about Cambodian heritage and well being. That is why it is a closed membership.

    Set a date for December and we will debate that MISSION STATEMENT. I’m open Saturday 12-06, 12-13 and 12-20. I prefer to meet at David’s house so it is not too far for me to travel. Yesterday, it took me 6 hrs because of 3 traffic jams and still late to the meeting. I got back home 12:30 am. Set it for 2 hrs meeting.



    Regards,



    Nora Bou

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  4. This Bong Suphatidth's comment via email:

    Hi Mean,

    Thank you for your message elaborating your feeling and opinion both at the outset as well as your reaction to Kenny's response.

    I believe that there is plenty of room among Khmers in NY to organize as many whatever associations/groups/clubs as they want, and nothing can stop their desire and willing. This being said, both "Nora/think tank" and "Kenny and you/association" can be created as 2 entities, and no one will be in competition with the other. I may dare venturing that you and Kenny have plenty of experience and credentials to undertake what you believe in. I will have no objection to it, but since I have never been involved in any cultural or social association, my participation will only be as a simple member. The bottom line in this option is that I firmly believe that Khmer American of nowadays have now been fully integrated into the American way of life. Khmer Americans in 2014, and soon 2015, are absolutely different from the Khmer refugees in the 70s and the 80s. Therefore, I would rather respect "their Americana" by staying away.

    As for "Nora/think tank", I have given deep and serious thoughts on this alternative for quite a long time and I still continue to do so. Time will tell how the idea could be translated/transformed into actions, small or otherwise.

    Best.

    Supharidh

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