Burmese American Science and Engineering Society (BASES)

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Htamane Pwe Celebration

 

You and your family are cordially invited to the Htamane Pwe  sponsored by the families of some of the BASES members. The Htamane Pwe will be on Feb 15 (Sunday, 11am) at

 

Burmese Buddhist Monastery

710 Grand View Lane

La Puente, CA 91744

 

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (www.actfl.org), an organization dedicated to the teaching and learning of all languages in the United States since the 1960s, is currently recruiting linguists for several very interesting contract projects. Speakers of the following languages who meet certain requirements (below) are urged to apply:

 

Igbo, Cambodian (Khmer), Swahili, Hausa, Thai, Bengali, Burmese, Nepali, Pashto, Malayalam, Sindhi, Sinhalese, Turkmen, Lao, Somali, Tausug, Tagalog, Wu, Indonesian, Uighur, Amharic, Czech, Hungarian, Kurdish Kurmanji, Punjabi, Serbian Croatian, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Dari (Persian Afghan), Haitian Creole, Hebrew.

 

Basic Requirements: 

1. Must live and be allowed to work without restrictions in the United States.

2. Must have language translation, teaching and/or testing experience.

3. Must be a native speaker of the language and be fully fluent in English as well.

4. Must send a CV or Resume to: ilrworkshops@actfl.org.

5. Must read additional project requirements and apply on-line by copying and pasting the following links to a browser (do not click on them):

 

Candlelight Vigil for Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Victims
May 17, 2008
Cyclone Nargis Relief Committee (Myanmar American)
Text of “Thank You” Speech by Dr. Christopher Lee

 
Good Evening Everyone:

To night we held Candlelight Vigil for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.  We joined hands together

- prayed in memory of the people perished,
- prayed for the safety of many still missing, and
- prayed for divine blessing and sent metta to the suffering survivors

We did it in multiple languages and various religious customs.  Not all people here tonight are from Myanmar, and the folks from Myanmar are of diverse origin, nationality or race.  Thirty four different organizations, 16 religious organizations of diverse faiths and 18 non-religious professional, non-profit and social organizations are here.  When natural disaster strikes, it dose not discriminate race or religion.  For natural disaster, it is Human verses Mother Nature.  Therefore this evening’s congregation and ceremony transcends all races and religions. 

On behalf of Burmese American Science & Engineering Society, I like to express my sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones, relatives, and friends from the disaster.  To the missing victims I prayed for God’s mercy.  To the suffering survivors I pray for Godspeed help and recovery.  

On behalf of the “Cyclone Nargis Relief Committee (Myanmar American)” I like to express my deep appreciations to all the Buddha Sayadaws, the Christian and Islamic Clergymen, our California Assembly Member Mike Eng, and especially you all for coming and participating.  Moreover, all contribution to this immensely worthy humanitarian cause is greatly appreciated.  The prayers chanted, the goodwill expressed, the metta sent, and your compassion and care exhibited for the victims will make a difference to their survival and lessen their sufferings.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  In closing, I like to say, “May God bless all”.  Thank you very much.

The destruction by Cyclone Nargis to the highly populated Irrawaddy delta of Myanmar on May 3, 2008 was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the recent history of the world.  The estimated number of human toll and missing is enormous and estimated to far exceed 100,000. Over one and a half million people in the region are being affected and the victims need much help for their survival.  The aftermath is feared to be more lethal than the storm itself. 

The Burmese American Science & Engineering Society (BASES) is coordinating an effort to raise funds for the disaster victims.   We are appealing to all to join in and give a helping hand to our fellow human victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.  To achieve effective and broad-base coverage, the contributions received will be channeled through three charitable organizations as follows:

1.     50% of the contributions through Charitable Alliance of Burmese American (CABA) in coordination with B.K. Kee Foundation which will provide 100% matching gift up to $100,000.
2.     25% of the contributions through World Vision organization.
3.     25% of the contributions through Buddhist monasteries in Southern California which have coordinated relief efforts with local monasteries in the affected areas.

All the above organizations currently have staff members on the ground actively helping survivors in Myanmar.

Please send your generous contribution check payable to BASES (with memo: Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Relief Fund) to the following address:

                   BASES Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Relief Fund
                   27111 Diamondhead Lane
                   Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
                   Attention: Dr. Tin Win

Your contribution will be greatly appreciated.  For questions and information, please contact Dr. Tin Win at 310-377-9546, or Thura Zin at 310-431-5573.

Donor List as of May 21, 2008:

1 Thura Thant Zin & Manu         $200
2 Kevin K Win                    $100
3 Charles & Lena Yang            $100
4 Tin Nwe & Aye Aye Than         $100
5 Tin & Irene Htut               $100
6 Tin Htet & Yin Aye Sein        $100
7 Aung & Win May Khin            $200
8 Khin Maung Lay & Heather       $100
9 David Tun Tin & Tin Tin        $100
10 Christopher & Pamela Lee      $100
11 David Tan                     $200
12 K.M.Tint & Sandra Tint        $100
13 Ye Htut Aung & Aye Khin Khin  $200
14 Derek & Nora Chen             $1,000
15 Tin & Lily Win                $2,000
16 Dhananjay Thakare &           $100
17 Moe M. Myint, M.D.            $1,000
18 Maroko & Shwe, Inc.           $1,000
19 Tin and Yvonne Htwe           $100
20 BASES                         $4,000
21 Eric Tha                      $100
22 Taik C. Chu                   $2,000
23 Sungli Wang                   $100
   Total                         $13,100

Executive Committee meeting

September 28, 2008

At La Puente Monastery

 

Attendees:

 

1. Dr. Tin Win                           President

2. Dr. Kyaw Win                        Vice President

3. Utin Nwe                              Secretary

4. Ko Thura Thant Zin              Joint Secretary

5. Dr. Christopher Lee              Joint Treasurer

6. U Soe Aung                           EC member

7. Dr. Kyaw Min Hlaing             EC member

8. U Tin Htut                             EC member

9. Ko Khin Maung Lay                EC member

10. Ko Lucas Lee                        EC member

11. Dr. Zaw Win Lwin                 EC member

12. Ko Tin Oo Myint                   EC member

13. Ma Wai Wai Ohn                   EC member

14. Ma Zin Mar Oo                     EC member

15. Ko James Shwe                     EC member

16. U Kyaw Tha                          EC member

17. Dr. Khin Maung Tint             EC member

18. Ko Charles Yang                   EC member

19. Ma Thiri May Zin                  EC member

 

Absentees:

 

1. U Tin Htet Sein         Vice President                                 

2. Ko Myat Ko               Joint Secretary

3. U Tin Htway              Treasurer

4. Ko Tun Lin Aung       EC member

5. Ko Win Naing            EC member

6. U Tun Tin                  EC member

 

 

BASES Meeting Minutes

   

12:45  p.m. – Opening Statement from President - Dr. Tin Win

 

Dr. Tin Win expressed appreciation to every one who participated in the last Election Dinner. He welcomed every EC member to provide opinions on the good and bad aspects of the past Election Dinner and suggestions for improvement at the coming Annual Dinner.

 

Ko Khin Maung Lay appologized to all EC members who might have been copied the e-mail from his son to Dr. Christopher Lee. He said his son’s email, in responding to an email that his son considered as a criticism of his religion, included some comments that Ko Khin Maung Lay thought might have been interpreted by some as an insult to those who had visited and enjoyed his hospitality at their home. He said that his son had intended the email as a joke, and not to take it seriously. He said all his guests are very welcome as usual in their home.

 

The Burmese Student Association (BSA) at UCLA requested to make a presentation at the beginning of the meeting. Jenessa Oo, Entertainment Coordinator, Myo Kyaw Thant, President, and Keith Hlaing, Vice President talked about a fund raising concert called “Helping Hands” which will be held on Nov 16th at UCLA, for the benefit of the victims of Cyclone Nargis. It is the first ever Burmese event at UCLA in history. Myo Kyaw Thant requested BASES to sponsor BSA.  Four sponsor packages, namely Presenting ($5000), Platinum ($1000), Gold ($700) and Silver ($500) are available. He stated that all the funds received would be donated through Thitague Saya Daw for helping the victims of Cyclone Nargis.

U Tin Htut said helping and organizing students was one of BASES goals.

Ko Lucas asked whether BSA was involved in politics. Janessa Oo answered that BSA was non political.

 

BASES account record (01/08 to 12/08) was presented by Dr. Tin Win to EC for review.

- BASES currently has $ 13,148 in the account.

- EC has no comments for the BASES account records.

 - Dr. Christopher Lee mentioned that the last EC added about $3000 to the BASES funds by selling sugarcane juice, selling raffle tickets and getting donations at dinners. He emphasized his opinion that each EC should try to raise funds as much as possible during their term.

Dr. Tin Win reported following summary of responses received for survey questionnaire sent out on 08/26/2008

 Most popular choices are the following:

- Annual Dinner date 11/15;

- Want picnic; Picnic date 3/21;

- Picnic location Whittier Park;

- Picnic. Food Pot Luck;

- EC meetings at restaurant, each attendee paying for own food.

 

Ko James Shwe kindly offered his conference room for EC meetings in future.

Address: 1106 B Magnolia Blvd,

Burbank , CA 91506.

Tel: No. (818) 840-0280.

Many members provided opinions on the good and bad aspects of past dinners, as well as suggestions for the future dinners. Some of the noteworthy opinions include:

-     Need improvement of check-in or registration procedure

-     Difficulty in finding and acquiring a suitable location

-     Selection of food difficult and most restaurants offer same/common taste.

 -    Too much restriction on time available for the event.

 -    Guests do not enjoy entertainment, only want to stay for raffle.

 -    Need to provide opportunity to facilitate mingling among guests.

 -    Need improvement of sound effects.

 -    People traffic to get food at buffets creates distractions to what is happening

      on stage.

 -    Good and bad experience to be recorded for future reference.

 -    Life members should be charged to attend dinners to raise funds. (To be discussed    at a future meeting)

 -    Should take opportunity to try to update member information at dinners.

 -    Should try to supervise table arrangements.

 -    Should have group photographs taken.

 -    Scholarships should be offered to deserving students. (To be discussed at a future meeting.)

-         Should consider having people self introduce at dinners

  

 Following consensus decisions were made for the Annual Dinner:

 -    Dinner date 11/22/08;

 -    Location at Torrance Civic Center - Toyota Meeting Hall;

 -    Food that would suit Burmese taste to be catered.

-    Henry to arrange for food in consultation with Tin Win and some other EC’s as he deems needed.

 

Agreed on following guidelines for selling tickets, invitees, etc.:

 

Dinner tickets will be sold at $25.00 each, both for members and guests.

    - 2 guests will be invited from each of following Societies:

      Ex RIT, BAPS, Dental, Physicians, Myanmar, Chinese, BSA(UCLA), Muslims.

    - Henry will be granted up to $750 to invite entertainment performers and to use for appreciation awards to same.

 

Following decisions for entertainment program voted with indicated results:

      Dance floor to be provided – 12 Yes/0 No

      Hire professionsl singer -    3 Yes/6 No    

      Model Show -                     1 Yes/ 9 No

      Use Amateur Comedians -   6Yes/1 No

      Amateur Dancers -             12 Yes/0 No

 

Entertainment Sub Committee was formed consisting of Ko Khin Maung Lay, Ko CharlesYang and Ma Zin Mar Oo.

 

In consideration of Webmaster’s advice, Ko Thura was nominated as Web Content Author.

 

 It was decided that all identified employment opportunities and employment seekers are to be advised to Dr. Tin Win.

 

It was confirmed that BASES will contribute at deaths of members, their spouses, their children and parents (including spouse’s parents).

 

Decision was made for BASES to sponsor BSA (UCLA) at the gold level. A check payable to BSA (UCLA) for $700.00 was handed to Jenessa Oo.

 

 Ko Lucas kindly offered to produce a map showing how members’ residential locations are distributed over LA County. Ko Thura suggested showing dots scattered in accordance with Zip Codes. Addresses are not to be shown on the map.

 

It was decided that a meeting will be called as needed prior to the Annual Dinner to review status of plans and to implement any needed decisions.

 

Notes taken at the meeting were not read and confirmed at the end of the meeting because there were only a few attendees (9) left at the end of the meeting.

 

On behalf of BASES Executive Committee, Dr. Tin Win expressed his appreciation to U Soe Aung and his family for having made it possible, a productive meeting at their  soon kyway at La Puente Monastery. He expressed that all of the EC members enjoyed the very tasty monhinga and accompanying goodies and thanked him for his generosity.

 

Adjourned meeting at 3:40 p.m.

Regards,

U Tin Nwe

BASES Secretary