President’s Message
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative projecWhen I became president of this association over three years ago, our goals were to develop programs focused on networking and cultural appreciation. We were known to host wonderful banquets, Meet and Greets, annual Heritage Day and Fish Fry. Over the last two years LACAAEA (pronounced La-Say-Ah) has been on a journey to determine what benefits we needed to provide to add value to a LACAAEA membership.
Initially, we focused on career development events for our members, like hosting networking events and workshops to learn more about county exams, improve resumé writing and practice interviewing skills. We also collaborated with other Asian employee associations and the Secretarial Council to celebrate the retirement of our last AAPI CEO, Sachi Hamai. It was a demonstration of what a united coalition of employee associations could do when we work together.
Encouraged by the success of 2019, 2020 was to be an optimistic year. Instead, with the global pandemic there were many challenges to planning events, but it also brought to light some of the ugliest hatred for AAPIs. These challenges have spotlighted how we must evolve to help our County workforce be aware of implicit biases and how we can support the AAPI community in its effort to combat racism and hate. Together, we can overcome it by teaching, collaborating, networking, advocating and building trust amongst each other.
That is why we begin 2021 with new programming focused on four strategic priorities: Advocacy, Community Service, Career Development, and Connecting. These strategic priorities were formed as a result of planning sessions by your new Executive Board members over the last several months. As part of the strategic priority, our Board authored an open letter to the County to give voice to the pain suffered by Asian Americans after the hateful shooting in Atlanta, Georgia. This letter is supported by every County employee association.
In this inaugural newsletter edition, I am excited to announce the appointment of the new Executive Board. In the following editions, we will introduce you to the new Committee Chairs and Liaisons, also part of the Board.
Please continue to support us through your membership and involvement, as we embark on the journey of stamping out hate and being a more inclusive County.t to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Edward is a Director of Operations at the Office of the Assessor. He manages staff in the Assessment and Public Services subdepartment. He is also responsible for the Assessor’s Communications and Public Affairs Unit. Prior to joining the Assessor, Edward was a Principal Deputy County Counsel at the County Counsel’s office. Before joining the County work force, he was an attorney in private practice. In addition to working long hours, Edward enjoys playing basketball and anything USC. He even named his kids after the school, Scarlett and Caleb.
