This year, TAP-NY is welcoming five new board members! Learn more about them here – and be sure to make it out to an event this month to meet them!
What drew you to TAP and why did you decide to join the board?
I’m excited to get to know the amazing community that TAP has fostered over the years, and to continue to build relationships with other community groups in New York City. I think it’s an exciting time to be Asian American and I hope that we can help amplify all the unique and diverse voices within our community and continue to push for more representation.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role? New event ideas?
As Tech Chair, I’m excited to help plan programming for the year and see whether there are any opportunities for some events to be spiced up with some tech enhancements!
What is your favorite aspect of Taiwan?
I find that I am continuously trying to better understand my identity as a Taiwanese American and what that means in the context of personal identity, family history, and our larger historical narrative. Through these struggles, I am reminded of and grateful for the freedoms that accompany being American, and have also developed a deeper appreciation for the process of democracy that Taiwan has established. It is humbling to remember that Taiwanese democracy is younger than me, and I am inspired by the work that so many engage in to keep Taiwanese democracy alive and growing, both here and in Taiwan.
What would our membership be most surprised to learn about you?
I can finish an entire large Dominos pizza by myself (plus some cheesy bread too…)
What drew you to TAP and why did you decide to join the board?
I was first introduced to TAP through a friend from another Taiwanese American organization (Taiwanese American Foundation). After learning more about TAP and realizing I already knew a few Board members and regulars, I got more and more involved in attending events and meeting members. The TAP Board has always been so warm and welcoming to myself and others that I decided to join board to do my part to continue that legacy for others!
What do you hope to accomplish in your role? New event ideas?
As the incoming Professional Chair, I hope to facilitate a greater professional network within TAP both in NYC and nationally as well as across other Asian American organizations. I look forward to learning about what spaces and industries all of our members come from and what events the community would like to see. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time with any ideas that you are passionate about!
What is your favorite aspect of Taiwan?
Food is easily the best option here – there is no debating that. You have the ability to eat incredible and delicious things from dawn to dusk, almost anywhere you go! Outside of that, I have great love for Taiwanese tea and cafe culture, Taiwanese hot springs, as well as vintage hunting across the island!
What would our membership be most surprised to learn about you?
If I were to be reborn into another life, I would hope to be some type of craftsman or artisan in a small town or village in Japan or Taiwan. The idea of living a simple life as a farmer, carpenter, or fisherman in a small village, working with my hands, and having dramatically different life priorities sounds fascinating and incredibly appealing!
What drew you to TAP and why did you decide to join the board?
TAP has enriched my New York experience through meaningful friendships and outlets to explore Taiwanese culture. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and I continue to learn so much from other members. By joining the board, I hope to play an active role in providing others with the same sense of community that I have found through TAP.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role? New event ideas?
I want to encourage members to voice which causes they are most passionate about, and to provide opportunities that participants find inspirational. I would like to continue our most successful outreach events, while also exploring new collaborations with other organizations.
What is your favorite aspect of Taiwan?
Night market games! The street food is an undeniable highlight, but the games really elevate Taiwanese night markets to their own tier.
What would our membership be most surprised to learn about you?
I seem to have a mental block against navigating public transit, so I walk a lot in the city.
What drew you to TAP and why did you decide to join the board?
I’ve always really enjoyed all community-building activities. Particularly in college, I was very involved in the Taiwanese American Students Association, and I had a really great time developing close bonds with other Taiwanese Americans who share the same kind of identity. Throughout the four years in TASA, I helped plan a variety of events that helped promote Taiwanese culture and political awareness. That said, I wanted to continue my involvement after college, and TAP is naturally the next step! After meeting many board members and other TAP members through a variety of events in 2019, I felt that I could be a good fit for the board.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role? New event ideas?
As the Cultural Chair this year, I hope to plan events that bring people together to celebrate unique aspects of Taiwanese culture, including holidays such as the celebration of Chinese New Year, 端午節, or special foods and customs. A cool new idea to explore could be an introduction to all the Taiwanese holidays! We could have the board and the members divided into teams, and each team would be responsible for setting up its own “holiday” booth, where anyone can learn about a specific Taiwanese holiday and taste the food associated with those holidays! Furthermore, I also hope to explore events that discuss the unique Taiwanese American identity with the general membership, through awareness events such as panels or open salons.
What is your favorite aspect of Taiwan?
I truly enjoy the two things that everyone loves about Taiwan – the food and the people! And for me, Taiwan is home – I was born and raised there for 18 years before coming to New York, so what’s there for me not to love about the island!
What would our membership be most surprised to learn about you?
One interesting fact about me is that Taiwanese is actually my first language! I used to live with my grandparents in the South when I was still in elementary school, so the only language we could really communicate in was Taiwanese. English is actually my third language after Chinese.
What drew you to TAP and why did you decide to join the board?
The members! I’ve attended a handful of events each year since I was introduced to TAP in 2016 and have felt so welcomed each time – they treat me like I attend events on a weekly basis. Over the years, I’ve developed some of my most meaningful relationships with TAP members. When the opportunity to join the the board presented itself, it was a no-brainer. If TAP had such a huge impact on me already by being a “fringe” member, I can’t wait what being a board member has in store for me!
What do you hope to accomplish in your role? New event ideas?
As Social Chair, my goal is simple: To connect our community and have our members develop lasting, meaningful relationships with each other. New York City is a fascinating place to live in, but one that can be difficult for any individual to reach their full potential. My hope is that we can create a support system for each of our members to rely on as they pursue their own professional & personal goals.
What is your favorite aspect of Taiwan?
The pride the people of Taiwan has for their country. Whether it’s the culture, food, or national baseball team – I love how Taiwanese people are so proud of what they have!
What would our membership be most surprised to learn about you?
I love reading fiction novels and make it a goal of mine to read a chapter or two prior to hitting the sack. I just finished reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and looking for a new book to read – open to recommendations!