THE HONG KONG CHINESE IMMIGRANTS ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY

A Brief Introduction Of The (HKCIAC)

Hong Kong Chinese Immigrant Association of Calgary

The HKCIAC, formerly known as the Immigrant Entrepreneur Association, was established

in 1992.  It was formed by a group of immigrants from Hong Kong after attending a series

of skill development workshops on starting new business in Canada organized by the

Calgary Immigrant Aid Society.  They felt the need to get together, exchange ideas and

offer support to one another.  The group was thus formed.

In the initial stage, membership was limited to business owners.  However, as the activities

they organized attracted a lot of immigrants from Hong Kong, it was gradually open to

people from all walks of life.

Members of the Association first met on a monthly basis for social networking. In addition,

they also organized workshops on topics such as senior benefits, senior housing, and laws

in Canada etc., on a regular basis.  Annual Christmas parties, Mahjong competitions and

two-day trips to pick cherries in B.C. were the most popular events and were well attended

by members of the Association and the public.

In recent years, due to the fact that the majority of its members are not from the business sector, the Board has decided to change its name to HKCIAC and registered as a non-profit organization under the Society Act of the Alberta Government in 2004. Its objectives are to assist new immigrants of Chinese descent to adjust and integrate into the Canadian society through its programs in education, recreation and cultural exchange, to promote the spirit

of volunteerism and community participation.

This year, the Board has a series of activities to mark its 15th anniversary. One hundred members joined the Mediterranean cruise for two weeks in April, visiting the beautiful

Greek islands, Turkey and Italy. 

On September 9, 15^th Anniversary-cum-senior appreciation and Mid-Autumn Festival

celebration banquet will be held.  About 650 guests are expected while seniors over the

age of 60 will be admitted free.

HKCIAC maintains a very close link with its members and will organize more activities

to meet their needs and to provide them with more opportunities for community

participation and volunteerism in future.

龍珠會簡介

九十年代, 正值香港移民潮, 有不少人, 用企業移民身份, 移居加國. 其中許多人, 選擇了在美麗的

卡城落脚, 展開了他們的新生活.

作為新移民, 在完全陌生的環境下, 創一番新事業, 實有一定的難度. 卡城一個專為新移民服務的

機構 -卡城移民輔助中心 (Calgary Immigrant Aid Society) 有見及此, 便舉辦了一些新移民創業

課程, 幫助他們在卡城發展事業. 學員在結業後, 大家已建立了良好的友誼, 亦覺得有需要定期

敍會, 交換做生意的心得. 於是便創立了龍珠會. 寓意會員是龍的傳人,來自東方之珠的香港.

英文名則為 Immigrant Entrepreneur Association, 即解作企業移民協會. 時為1992年

創會初期, 只限在卡城做生意的人才可加入為會員, 但不久便放鬆條件. 因龍珠會每次舉辦活動,

都有許多來自香港的移民參與. 他們有些是技術移民, 有些是家庭團敍. 大家都渴望参與一些由

香港人舉辦的活動, 同聲同氣, 以慰思鄉之情

初期活動是每月第二個星期二, 都會到卡城不同的食肆, 享受一頓豐富的晚餐. 在餐前則有專題

講座, 例如老人福利, 法律知識, 買賣車輛知識等. 以助會員融入加拿大生活 而最為人津津樂道的

則是每年舉辦的麻雀大賽, BC省摘生果團及盛大的聖誕餐舞會

龍珠會創會十多年後, 企業移民日漸減少. 而會員大部份是來自社會各階層,而且大部份都已

卡城安居樂業,  有見及此, 便將會的英文名改為 Hong Kong Chinese Immigrant Association

of Calgary 並在亞省註冊為非牟利社團, 除為會員舉辦活動外, 並参與不同的義務工作, 將服務

擴展至主流社會有需要的人士.

今年欣逢龍珠會15週年社慶, 除主辦了帶領過百會員在地中海美麗的國家意大利, 希臘及土耳其

享受了12天豪華郵輪之旅外, 並會在9月9日假龍城商場富麗宮大酒樓舉辦15週年社慶, 敬老及

中秋節聯歡晚宴. 免費招待60歲以上耆英人士.

龍珠會理事會仝人, 全部都是義工, 用自己的時間, 為會員及卡城社區服務, 成績有目共睹.

現已有會員600餘人. 展望未來,將會多作社會公益活動, 回饋社會. 造福人群.