Our Organization History Wichita Chinese Association was founded in 1994 by a group of enthusiastic Chinese immigrants from Taiwan and Hong Kong. For more than a decade WCA has devoted to promote Chinese cultural to the local community and to help its members to understand and appreciate American culture. Our membership has significantly increased by now. All the immigrants from Chinese-speaking background enjoyed the nice gatherings in our celebration programs. People from variety countries and races came to taste the delicious Chinese food and showed more interest in Chinese culture.   Our Mission To promote the value of traditional Chinese culture; To foster close relationship among members and the local community; To enrich the culture and social life of members; To introduce and promulgate Chinese heritage and arts. Objectives and Purposes To assist our members and new immigrants and students to better understand and appreciate American culture; To create and promote a greater exposure of Chinese heritage and culture in the community; To promote a harmony society and to assist in the elimination of prejudice and discrimination; To provide occasionally the educational and informational programs for the rapid changing environment.   Membership Our membership is open to any residents in greater Wichita area who is interested in our mission and purposes. Annual dues Family membership  $12 Single membership   $6 Senior membership, Couple $6, Single $3   Board of Directors The board of directors consists of five members: the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer and the newsletter editor.   Meetings We elect new officers at our annual meeting, usually around Chinese New Year’s Day. Two regular meetings include the Mid-Autumn Festival and a picnic around Mother’s Day. Other activities and programs are held from time to time.   Achievements Our organization has made significant contributions in promoting Chinese heritage and culture to the community. We support and provide programs in the annual Asian Festival in promoting cross-cultural understanding. Our members volunteer and sponsor the Wichita Chinese Language School in teaching local youth to learn Chinese language and culture. We held several lectures to help our members to understand and appreciate American culture. We encourage our members to involve in community services. Our members collected $500 for Red Cross to help the Katrina victims at our Mid-Autumn Festival last year. Most of them have already donated before that day. Members also presented programs with Chinese songs and dances at area nursing homes and different schools and ethnic events. The local newspaper reporters were always pleased to inquire Chinese culture and activities for their report stuff. Our recent Chinese New Year Celebration drew more than 350 people. And every attendant had a good time! We will continue to provide the opportunity for the members and the community to understand and appreciate Chinese culture in our regular activities.