DIRECTORY SPOTLIGHT: Thai American Young Professionals Association (TAYPA) An organization for a new generation. By Ramon Gil for AIA, September 2003 Volunteering at a nursing home for Chicago Cares. The largest Asian groups in the United States today are Chinese, Filipinos, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese. All of whom are past the one million mark. But there is a group not nearly as large but no less significant in their contributions to American society. In the year 2000, the US Census documented a little more than 150,000 Thai and Thai Americans living in this country. Many are first generation immigrants but a growing number are the second generation of American born Thais. And they are now making their presence known. In 1998, a few members of this highly educated demographic group felt the need to form an organization separate from the Thai Cultural Organizations that their parents belonged to. "There was no organization that served Thai American young professionals." said Joe Wana. Wana along with friends Paul Ark, Tammy Chiemmongkoltip and Allan Rangsithienchai were ready to build a community that catered to both their Thai heritage and their American upbringing. And so in December of that year, they founded the Thai American Young Professionals Association (TAYPA). And if growth is any indication of need, then there definitely is a growing population of young Thai Americans who are in need of a sense of belonging. In only 3 years, TAYPA has grown from a handful of dedicated volunteers to several hundred members with chapters in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Washington DC. "We are the first generation of Thais to be born or live in the United States. However, because we are few in number, we often lack the visibility and strength to sustain our unique identity and to accomplish our goals. To do so, we must unite as a group to support each other." claims the group's website. And support each other they have. Mainly through social events that allow members to get to know each other, network and build alliances. "These days, social and professional life are often the same thing. Many of the parties I go to are with people coming to network with others to promote their companies or to find new jobs or new contacts. So we try to serve both needs." according to Wana, who has been the national president for the last several years. At a Los Angeles get-together. But TAYPA isn't only about dance parties and karaoke bars. As these young college grads, grew older, the group's activities have moved towards more philanthropic efforts. "We have held panel discussions about succeeding in various professions; participated in annual health fairs to further the healthcare needs of the local Thais; and sponsored cultural days offering lessons in Thai language, Thai musical instruments, Thai dancing, Thai sword fighting, etc." says Allan Rangsithienchai, TAYPA Vice President. And every year, the Midwest chapter gets together and volunteers with Chicago Cares, an organization working with the city's disadvantaged urban communities. This year, TAYPA volunteers helped senior citizens during an arts and crafts workshop at a local retirement home. In 2002, Patty Roj and Tana Sarntinoranont began implementing the TAYPA Student Mentoring Program for the New York Chapter. "Consisting mainly of professionals who at one point or other were unsure of the career path to take and have had to make several life decisions to bring them to where they are now, TAYPA is an untapped source of experience for those early in their career development." asserts Sarntinoranont. TAYPA members feel strongly about giving back to both the Thai community as well as American society. There is no membership fee required to join TAYPA. This serves to keep the organization inclusive to all who wish to be a member. It's also part of an overall strategy to expand the organization. "The success of the organization depends a great deal on how large the organization is. In MBA parlance, this is called network externalities. More people means larger attendance at events and means more support and so on. Second, we are a new organization and people aren't sure of what we are. So this is a great way for them to get to find out about TAYPA without having to incur any initial expense." reasoned Wana. Visiting the ThaiLinks table at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival. And the strategy is working. The Chicago chapter made its debut by throwing a holiday party for the local community. "We had almost 300 attendees including representatives from the mayor's office, the Thai consulate general, and heads of the major Thai organization in the city." reports Rangsithienchai. As for the future of TAYPA, members hope the organization can help unite the various segments of the Thai community in America. Like many other Asian communities, there is a division between groups that cater to the older generation who were born in the old country and the younger generation who grew up in the United States. Sarntinoranont believes that "TAYPA stands at the cusp of the fold - poised to become the primary organization responsible for bringing us all together." Whether or not they accomplish this goal, many of it's members will always feel that being part of TAYPA has been enriching and empowering. When asked why he enjoys being in TAYPA, Rangsithienchai responds "I am a big advocate of furthering the "Thai cause", that is, having our generation of Thais/Thai Americans make a lasting impact on America and American culture (more than just being recognized for our tasty food). Through this organization, I am able to take steps to fulfill this goal." Thai Young Professionals Association http://www.taypa.org Chicago - Gal Bhudvanbhen (sbhudvanbhen@taypa.org) Los Angeles - Gorpat Charoenbanpachon (gorpat@taypa.org) New York - Tom Boonyasai (tomboon@taypa.org) San Francisco - Joe Wana (joe@taypa.org) Boston - Tiffany Chantra (tiffany@taypa.org)		DIRECTORY: Organizations Geographically based organizations, institutions, associations, projects, agencies, educational programs, etc: - New York - California - Washington, DC - Hawai'i - Illinois - Massachussets - Texas - Washington State Media Resources Print periodicals, electronic media, online communities, internet publications, books, films, plays, videos, etc. Commerical Retail products, online stores and other for-profit resources. Non-APA Links Other related organizations, government agenncies, advocacy groups, social services and immigration resources. By State Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachussetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming By Ethnicity Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Fiji, Filipino, Guamanian/Chamorro, Hmong, Hawai'ian, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Multi-racial, Nepalese, Pacific Islander, Pakistani, Samoan, Singaporean, South Asian, South East Asian, Sri Lankan, Tahitian, Taiwanese, Thai, Tibetan, Tongan, Vietnamese MORE SPOTLIGHTS From previous issues of AIA. AUGUST 2003 The Waianae Project Youths farm organic produce while learning about culture. JULY 2003 The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors Raising controversial issues with their wacky brand of humor. JUNE 2003 Asian Professional Extension, Inc. Reaching out to the Asian American youth. MAY 2003 Hyphen Magazine A new print publication dares to go deeper. APRIL 2003 The Asian Art Museum A lovely new face for San Francisco's old Main Library MARCH 2003 Asian Family Services Helping Asian Immigrants in Connecticut BACK TO TOP SUBMIT AN ITEM