Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Augusta, GA

Members, The COVID Pandemic has made this a trying year for our country, our community, our Association and our CCBA families. As the virus began to spread across the United States in January, the Board decided to suspend all CCBA activities out of concern for the health and safety of our members and their families. The Board met to discuss how we should proceed for the future and decided on the following measures that we felt were fair and reasonable.... Ø Election of Officers. TOPIC: Chapter XV ELECTION Section 1 of the Bylaws, states that: The election of Officers and members to the Board of Directors shall take place at the October business meeting on even numbered years. Traditionally the voting would have taken place at the Fall Dinner in 2020. BOARD’S DECISION: Since all activities are still on-hold indefinitely, the board decided to postpone the election until we feel it is safe to have a gathering. The current board has kindly agreed to continue serving. Ø Membership Dues. TOPIC: Handling Membership Dues. BOARD’s DECISION: We will not be collecting dues at this time. Members who paid dues for 2020 at the Oct 2019 Dinner or anytime thereafter shall be credited with dues payment once we resume regular activities and start collecting again. We remain optimistic that the situation will improve with the development of a safe and effective vaccine and look forward to being able to gather together for fun and fellowship. In the meantime, the Board hopes you will continue to stay healthy and safe and follow safety guidelines. If we can assist you in any way with Pandemic related matters, please reply to this email or contact a board member. If you have any concerns about these measures, please reply to this email by October 10, 2020. If none are received, we will proceed as planned. Please help get the word out to those without access to email. Thank you for your support. CCBA Board of Directors

The CCBA has supported the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group and fellow CCBA members Dick and Kathleen Reynolds the last few years by encouraging CCBA members, friends, and the public to participate in the annual POP (People of Parkinson’s) Walk. Because of the Pandemic, the Walk this year will be a virtual walk. Dick Reynolds has sent us a note explaining the format of this year’s walk and how you can participate. Please consider supporting this worthwhile endeavor. Copi...Continue reading

Hello Members, We would love to get more people to be a part of the "Augusta Remembers" documentary project by sharing your stories of growing up in Augusta. Perhaps there were certain events, experiences or people that helped shape your life that were especially memorable to you. Mark Albertin, a local documentary film producer, would like to interview older members of our Chinese community who grew up in Augusta on what it was like growing up in Augusta. Mr. Albertin i...s owner of Scrapbook Video Productions and has produced many documentaries revolving around the history of the CSRA and surrounding communities. Several of his films have aired on PBS. For more information on Mr. Albertin and the films he produces, his website is Scrapbookvideo.net. He produced a documentary titled Augusta Remembers years ago and is working on an updated version. Contact Gary Tom ( [email protected] ) or Danielle Moores ( [email protected] ) for additional information. Thank You, Brenda Mealing CCBA Secretary

It is with great sadness that we inform you about this announcement: 40th annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival - CANCELLED. We respect the decision from The Greater Augusta Arts Council for caring for the health of our community. https://www.wrdw.com//citing-covid-19-concerns-2020-arts-i

Hi All, Hope you are doing well at this time. It has been almost 6 months since we have been able to meet and socialize. We had hoped that the pandemic would be gone by the summer and that we would be able to resume activities. But that has not happened and we are in limbo. We will keep you informed. There is a podcast series that will begin June 29 on the Georgia Public Broadcasting system that might interest you. It is titled: Shots in the Back: Exhuming the 1970 Augusta R...iot. This year marks 50 years since the May 1970 Riot in Augusta. It is the South’s only major Civil Rights Era riot. It affected many of our CCBA members. Many businesses were looted, damaged, or burned. Here is a link to the 3 minute trailer for the podcasts: https://www.gpbnews.org//shots-back-exhuming-1970-augusta-

PBS will be broadcasting a 5 part series documentary that tells the story of Asians in the United States, "from the earliest immigrants through today's issues and challenges, through the stories of real people and their families". The series will be aired on PBS stations May 11-12, 2020. Episodes 1 and 2 will air on Monday, May 11 from 8-10 PM. Episodes 3, 4, 5 will air Tuesday, May 12 from 8-11 PM. Click on this link to learn more about the series: https://caamedia.org/.../asian-americans-documentary-series-/. PBS's description of the series: " Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh, perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played." See more

It's been while everyone! I hope you guys are doing great! To enforce social distancing, we are having our board meeting on zoom for the first time! Stay safe and wash your hands!

It is with great pleasure and honor to announce that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today has appointed Judge Carla Wong McMillian to the Georgia Supreme Court. Judge McMillian has served on the Georgia State Court of Appeals since 2010. Judge McMillian will become the first Asian-American woman in the Southeast to serve on a state's highest court. She is the daughter of CCBA member Betty Wong and sister of CCBA members Danielle Wong Moores and Mark Wong. Congratulations!! H...ere is the link to the announcement in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: https://www.ajc.com//kemp-appoints/jzOqqOxk2cRqdfZqRDvyjP/ Here is a link to the announcement from Channel 12 WRDW: https://www.wrdw.com//Augusta-native-selected-to-serve-on- See more

Dear CCBA Members, I am resending the March update in case something was missing in the quoted content. Brown Bag Presentation - Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 12:30 Augusta Museum of History 560 Reynolds St. Augusta, GA. ... Mary Kathryn Rufo will give a presentation titled "From Asia to Augusta. The Ins and Outs of Chinese Cuisine." Lecture runs from 12:30 - 1:00 in the auditorium. Admission is $4 for non-museum members (free for museum members.) No reservations required. Attendees can bring their own lunch and eat in the rotunda as early as 11:30. Museum will only be providing beverages. Please come to show our support for Kathy. Fun Night. Because of the ongoing flu season and the Corona Virus concern, there will be NO Fun Night in March. Dragon Boat Event. Due to falling participation and attendance over the last few years, Goodwill will no longer host the Dragon Boat Races/Festival. Please help get the word out to those without access to email or social media. Thank You

Please join us in congratulating Lilian Wan! We are so proud of her! Thank you for those who came and supported!

Press Release from Corey Rogers, the historian for the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. The museum is honoring Lillian Wan, one of our members with its 2020 historian award. We will see you TODAY at 5:30 at the Museum (1116 Phillips St). This event is free and open to the public. Please come and support Lillian if you are able.

Dear CCBA Members, The CCBA Board of Directors held a special meeting to discuss concerns regarding the recent outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan and out of concern for the health and well-being of our members, families and friends, the CCBA New Year Celebration originally scheduled for Sunday Feb 9, 2020 is CANCELLED. We regret the cancellation, but felt that due to this constantly changing situation, it is in the best interest of everyone that we take these precautions.... Once the situation has settled, we will look at rescheduling another date for a celebration. Please help get the word out to those without access to email or social media. Thank You

With deep regret, the Augusta Chinese Associations (ACA) have canceled the 2020 Chinese New Year Gala which was scheduled for this Saturday, January 25 at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theater on the Augusta University campus. We apologize for this short notice. Because of the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in... hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. The situation is evolving and has caused the ACA and many other Chinese organizations across the United States to consider canceling their Chinese New Year events. Most have canceled their events. Just in the last few days, it has become apparent that this is an extremely serious escalation. The worry among Chinese organizations in the United States is that Chinese members of their groups have traveled to and from China and/or have been in contact with friends/family who have traveled. In the Augusta community, this would be true for attendees/performers who would come to our event. We have been notified by many members that they will not be attending this year’s event. After much discussion and for all the above reasons, the 2020 Chinese New Year Gala is canceled. Please forward this info to family/friends who were interested in attending this year’s event. We deeply appreciate all the effort that the performers, volunteers and our lovely kids have been made in the past months and thank you for all the donators from Augusta University, Chinese community and sponsors. Thank you All. See more