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CALGARY CANADA-CHINA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION AND SHOU LA SHOU PROGRAM May 2014 Newsletter Newsletters are available at dinner meetings and via email (text only) and on the web site (with photos.) Horse people were born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!! 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CALGARY CANADA-CHINA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION A milestone year, 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of CCFA in Calgary. It also marks the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Friendship Association (now known as CPAFFC, formerly YOUXIE) in Beijing. Early immigrants to Canada from China made a major contribution to the development of Canada, working in the fishing mining and railroad industries. Ethnic ties with China go back many generations. CCCFA was built by a number of people who wished to close the gap of ignorance about China in Canada, many wishing to return to the land of their birth. The first travelers were mostly teachers, engineers, professors, doctors, missionaries and their families, later accompanied by others whose roots lay in China or who wanted to know more about the emerging PRC newly peeking through the Bamboo Curtain. The Calgary chapter was originally mainly a travel group, with no formal organization, few meetings and an annual Chinese New Year dinner. Funds were raised through this annual banquet and through tours to China. Our association provided the first officials to the federation, and raised funds for the Federation by fees levied on tours. In addition, when the Federation’s funds ran low, Calgary was one of two chapters that raised $1000 each to keep the federation rolling. Our long-standing and original president, Joyce Lau, organized about 13 tours to China, and recruited new members to the group by having show-and-tell presentations of those tours. One of my first memories is of a slide show of the Silk Road trip, which fired my enthusiasm to join the group and travel some day to China myself. Archive Photo below: One of early Tour Groups In Thailand after their China tour: Includes (standing left) Honorary member Joyce Lau, Olga Karasuk, Lori Ingrham, Sheila Power (past president), Rita Fung, Rita Ploudre (Honorary member), Jan O’Grady, Kumie Chan, Kathleen Taylor, Irene Templeton, seated: Ken Woo, Tanya Charrington, Edwina Charrington, Bill Taylor, Jocelyn Woo, Wilma Cansdale, Delphine Lemire, local guide Calgary has hosted several federation annual meetings, hosting guests in homes and hotels, and providing hospitality to visiting members of other chapters. Many members have worked tirelessly for our chapter, on the executive and behind the scenes organizing dinners and banquets. I believe the largest banquet we held was for 190 people, a mammoth undertaking for a small chapter. Members never exceeded about 80 and although dinners are often attended by a small number in recent years, those who come are keen and enthusiastic about the importance of the Canada-China link. We have tried over the years to act as an outreach into the community, publicizing China links and attending functions with other China-oriented associations in Calgary. In the past we have donated books to the Chinese Cultural Centre Library and also a large painting to the museum in the basement of the Centre, a lasting memento of our connection with the Centre. Since the first Consulate General was established in Calgary, CCFA executive members have kept in friendly contact with consular staff, hosting them to regular dinner meetings, home events and attending their official functions. No Calgary tours have been organized for about 20 years but Calgary members have joined other federal chapter tours during the last decade. Sadly, most of the members who went on these early tours have passed away, or no longer attend dinner meetings. We remember them with gratitude for the work they put in to build and maintain this chapter. The travel scene has changed greatly since those early days. Anyone can visit China any way they wish. In addition attendance at the CPAFFC bi-annual Forums is offered to 10 federation members, representing an outstanding opportunity to see the real China, to experience the amazing growth that country is going through, and to meet our counterparts in China and from other parts of the world also. Delegates pay their own air fare to China, but all expenses in China are paid for by the host organization. A number of your current executive have travelled to China on delegations and to Forums, and have shared their insights and experiences with us all. In the past few years, we established the ShouLaShou program, serving families who have adopted children from China. It is a link to the country of their children’s birth and provides an opportunity to share experiences and learn about China and Chinese customs and people. As the children grow older and become interested in other areas, we expect this group will become less important, but it has served a very friendly and useful purpose during that time. We are planning to hold a special lunch with current and past members on Sunday September 7, 2014. Please keep the day clear and look for details later. 2014 Executive Committee Members President & Newsletter Editor– Sheila Foster 251-6369 VP & Shou La Shou Director – Morag MacLellan 240-1825 Treasurer – Ted Foster 251-6369 Secretary – Kelly Wan 235-4956 Social Director – Donna Lamb 283-3368 Director at large – Tony Lamb 283-3368 Director at large – Joanna Chang 650-3420  
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