LHANDHOM Community Report UTAH TIBETAN ASSOCIATION (UTA) Financial Report Fiscal Year 2010-2011
The UTA executive members take pride in serving our Utah Tibetan community. MISSION STATEMENT The Utah Tibetan Association will: preserve Tibetan culture and identity assist local Tibetans in becoming productive citizens of Utah, and promote an awareness of the plight of Tibet Currently, the following 10 elected UTA executive committee are on board serves between 2 years to 4 years: President Pema Chagzoetsang Vice President/Treasurer Tenzin Chodar Secretary - Lhaksam Chodon Accountant - Tenzin Dichukhang Public relations Samten Chagzoetsang Public relations Tsering Tashi Graphic Design - Lala Norgyal Cultural Development Officer- Choe Gyaltsen Cultural Development Officer Tawang Cultural Development Officer Kalsang Accomplishments in 2011-2012 This year has been exceptionally joyous for Utah Tibetan community for the following accomplishments and community contribution: As one of own community members, Pema Chagzoetsang successfully nominated His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the most prestigious TEMPLETON PRIZE which brought international recognition of His Holiness for His extraordinary contributions to humanity. (Visit Templeton Prize website): http://www.templeton.org/signature-programs/templeton-prize Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker proclaimed His Holiness the Dalai Lama s birthday July 6 th as the TIBET DAY. (Attached Proclamation) Utah Tibetan community pledged $1,000 annual scholarship commitment to sponsor one Tibetan student through Department of Education, (CTA) The Utah Tibetan community is more than 20 years old. We are a thriving community with growing number of children. We have over 200 Tibetans living in Utah. In the past 20 years, local Tibetans have come a long way from learning a new language to assimilating into a diverse cultural environment. Now there is an imminent danger of losing our cultural identity. As in all immigrant communities, the challenge to preserve one s culture is an ongoing effort. It is particularly important for the generations of children born in
the United States. It has become clear there is a critical need to pay special attention to our Tibetan youth who are torn between cultures, to provide them with a focused and structured curriculum about Tibetan customs and language. With the increasing growth of the Tibetan community and the substantial increase in the number of Tibetan children, we need to have our own Tibetan community center to facilitate our cultural activities independently. Currently, with the generosity of the community we are able to meet the needs of our local community in terms of facilitating some events and Tibetan cultural programs. We have encountered, however, challenges in arranging the venue for cultural and educational classes due to financial constraints. At times when funds are low, community members have volunteered their homes/car garages as surrogate classrooms and venues to hold social events and other activities. To overcome the challenges of renting a venue to hold cultural celebrations and activities, we are now on a journey to secure our own community center. Each Tibetan individual pledged $200 seed money toward the community center. We hope eventually to secure a viable community center that will help impact our mission for our ever growing community. The community center will: Facilitate preservation of Tibetan culture Support local Tibetans educational, economic, health, and social needs Promote diverse community involvement and development Increase community awareness of Tibet There are 3 target groups within the Tibetan community, each with unique needs and challenges: Tibetan Youth: The younger Tibetan generation is struggling to maintain their Tibetan culture. Many cannot read or write in the Tibetan language. Without a focused and structured curriculum of cultural teaching, there is an eminent danger of losing their cultural identity. Working-age Tibetans: These mid-life Tibetan immigrants need English language assistance and referrals for resources to enhance their livelihoods and careers. They also need culturally sensitivity assistance with integration into mainstream services. Senior Tibetans: Senior Tibetans face challenges of learning a new language and assimilating in a foreign country. They need a place to participate together through various activities and initiatives. There is no venue to enjoy cultural social-get-togethers for youth, mid-life and elder Tibetans. We are very proud that we have been a responsible and contributing Tibetan community.
History In early 1983, Topjor and Pema Chagzoetsang were the first Tibetans to settle in the State of Utah. There was no federal or state funding to help resettle Tibetan immigrants. The Chagzoetsang family and local volunteers applied to be a host city to receive Tibetan refugees under the special visa program. With the help of hundreds of local volunteers and sponsors, refugees began arriving and a Tibetan community was formed in 1992. The success of the resettlement project was due to a dedicated and compassionate Utah volunteers and organizations that provided medical, legal, housing, and associated services to the new arrivals. Tibetans have always been good Utahns and appreciate Utah s recognition and appreciation of Tibetan culture. In fact, the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA) ranked The Salt Lake City Tibetan Resettlement Project as the most successful Tibetan Resettlement Project in the country, in terms of immigrant assimilation and selfsufficiency. Since the Salt Lake City Tibetan Resettlement Program began, the Tibetan population has increased to over 200 in 2011 with a demographic breakdown as follows: Adults over 18yrs old 150 College &University students over 18 20 years old Total Adults 170 High School Students under 18 years old 20 Junior High and Younger 25 Total Under 18 yrs old 45 TOTAL 215 Since 1984 to date: 50 children = High School graduates 30 students = College gradates 1 graduated from MIT with Master Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. 1 graduated from Stanford University at 22 years old with Master Degree in Psychology 4 Registered Nurses Employment: Hospitals, State Offices, Private Firms, Law Firms, Factory, Restaurant owners Professionals: Nurses, Restaurant Managers, State employees Businesses: 3 Tibetan Restaurants: 1. House of Tibet 2. Café Shambala 3. Everest Tibetan Restaurant
UTA OBSERVES & CELEBRATES ANNUAL TIBETAN FESTIVALS/RELIGIOUS EVENTS AS FOLLOWS: LIST OF TIBETAN FESTIVALS DATES Tibetan New Years (Losar) Lunar Calendar 1959 Tibetan Uprising day March 10 th H.H the 11 th Panchen Rinpoche s Birthday April 25 th Templeton Prize - His Holiness the 14 th Dalai Lama May 14 th Salt Lake City Living Traditions Festival May TBA Sa-dhe Due-chen (Buddha Shakyamuni s Birth, Enlightenment) Lunar Calendar Utah Asian Festival June 11 th Birthday of H.H the 14 th Dalai Lama July 6 th Democracy Day of Tibet September 2 nd United States Congressional Gold Medal Award - H.H. the 14 th Dalai October 17 th Lama Nobel Peace Prize - His Holiness the 14 th Dalai Lama December 11 th Activities: The Tibetan community members diligently invest their time and knowledge in preserving Tibetan identity and culture through various activities and initiatives. Classes: Regular Saturday Tibetan language classes: o Tibetan history, culture, religion o Tibetan traditional dances, music and songs classes o Writing, reading o Tibetan Language Youth Mentoring Program: Provide leadership trainings to nurture leadership skills. Offer resources to connect with supportive services: medical, employment, education, and business opportunities, etc. Lhakar (Wednesday observation) Youth activities: Sports: Soccer, Basket Ball etc. Collaboration with other ethnic communities and encourage dialogue The hosting & organizing talks & exhibitions to promote Tibetan art, dances, songs, music, Tibetan medicines, etc. Organization of special prayers Outreach service to the homeless people provide food & clothing donations. COLLABORATION/PARTNERSHIPS 2008 2012 The Utah Tibetan community has enriched Utah s cultural diversity by participating in the local communities cultural programs. Throughout the year, we actively participate in multiple events organized by different groups list below: 1. Living Tradition Festival: The Salt Lake City Arts Council organizes Utah s annual Living Traditions Festival, a celebration of authentic and traditional folk and ethnic arts. For the past 20 years, our Tibetan youths have performed the Tibetan Dance. Also, we have a Tibetan family who demonstrate Tibetan rug weaving. 2. Asian Festival: The Asian Festival brings together the entire Asian community and offers the platform to showcase our ethnic cultures in the state.
3. Salt Lake Library Event: Public talk on Tibet & Interfaith to bring awareness about the Tibetan plight and Tibetan religious beliefs. 4. Asian Civic Dialogue: Organized by Asian council to address concerns ranging from education to local voting rate concerns. 5. Collaboration with the Chinese community: We have a cordial relationship with the Chinese community. We have paved the way to continue developing a viable relationship with the Chinese community. UTA joined the Chinese community s fundraiser for the Sichuan and Yushu earthquakes. The Chinese community leaders were very respectful and wholeheartedly received the Tibetan community. REVENUE: COMMUNITY CENTER Each Tibetan adult has pledged $200 as seed money to start the community center, totaling approximately $24,800. This amount is set-aside in a separate UTA account and earmarked for the community center. PROSPECTIVE INCOME UTA dues: UTA membership fee is $24 per person annually. 100% of our community members contribute which helps in organizing events and provide incentives to school graduates and honoree fees, etc. Fundraising Donations Festival & Fairs participation UTAH TIBETAN ASSOCIATION CASH AVAILABLE SOURCE AMOUNT Proposed Community Center start up fund $24,800 Checking $13,714 Savings Balance $42,903 Total $56,617 Grand total $81,417