The recognition banquet started with a networking mixer in the restaurant’s lounge. After the mixer, the nearly seventy attendees shuffled off into the main dining room for the first half of the recognition program before dinner. Elissa Nago, coordinator for the banquet, welcomed members and guests, and Bernard Wu and Janice Plado, as members of last year’s Election Committee, presented the 2008 Officers and Board of Directors. Michael Pitkin, Director of Membership, then gave the rundown on his committee’s goals for the year, especially that of getting corporate membership, before dinner was served.

During dinner, a slideshow presentation looped with pictures from the many events NAAAP-Phoenix has held – events ranging in scope from business development to cultural to humanitarian to social. Most of us were thoroughly stuffed after several dinner courses, upon which the heart of the recognition program began. Nearly thirty volunteers are numbered between the core membership and volunteer board of 2006, up through the event and activity coordinators for the twenty-plus events of the past year. Behind-the-scenes volunteers, such as the group’s legal advisor and the administrator and editors of the website, were also recognized. Those recognized were called up to the stage and presented with a certificate of appreciation and a small gift.

After each director briefly introduced their committee goals and forecasting for the year, the floor was opened to comments from members. Al Yee announced an upcoming event with the Tourism Board of China; Armin Iranshahr, the first official member of NAAAP-Phoenix, shared how NAAAP-Phoenix has had a positive impact on him and the community; and Attorney Barry Wong acknowledged how NAAAP-Phoenix’s continued collaboration with other professional organizations creates a more unified community.

The evening ended by raffling off the goldfish centerpieces, and everyone went home knowing how they have been part of an organization that is growing in membership and in its impact on the local community. The recognition banquet not only highlights the progress of these first two years, but focuses gratitude on how the active membership has been the real engine behind this organization’s success.

To find out how you can become a more active member of NAAAP-Phoenix, email Jason@naaapphoenix.org. If your involvement with NAAAP-Phoenix has had a positive impact on your professional or personal life, please email your story to info@naaapphoenix.org.

Janice Plado is a NAAAP-Phoenix member and a privately practicing life coach for singles and professionals who are ready to make lasting change in their lives. Janice is available for one-on-one coaching and for small group facilitations. Contact her today for your complimentary initial consultation, at janiceplado@cox.net or visit members.cox.net/janiceplado for more details.

NAAAP Career Center

Are you seeking... • A company that values diversity • A professional level position? • A career change? Join other Asian professionals and register on the NAAAP Job Board to make the connections necessary to catapult your career. The NAAAP Job Board matches qualified professional talent with real job opportunities. NAAAP partners post positions and search the NAAAP Job Board résumé database. The Job Board provides NAAAP members and job seekers access to new opportunities, professional connections as well the ability to search jobs with an easy-to use system. (More)

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