2005
February - The New Cumberland Public
Library hosts a series of nine programs on Korea. Riding the community
interest generated in these programs, coordinator Stacy Schroeder plants
the idea of forming a group focused on Korean culture and community. It
is obvious that are many people hungering for connection and groups that
would like to find ways to reach out to others. The name Ta-ri, meaning bridge in Korean,
is suggested and quickly accepted.
Spring - Fifteen people
gather for the first official meeting of Ta-ri. Most people are new to
one another and have varying connections to
Korea but share a common goal
of wanting to celebrate Korean culture. Meetings are scheduled, mission
selected, logo designed, and programs begin. A newspaper article is
written about the group which garners more interest. An email list
begins going out with some regularity, publicizing area events. Ta-ri
receives a number of requests to visit school diversity days, retirement
homes, festivals, and other activities.
Fall - A Founding Board of
Directors and committee structure is established. Founding Board members
are:
Kellie Argot
(secretary/community relations co-chair)
Sarah Bronson
(treasurer/finance chair)
Bill
Hartman
Staci
Lang
Stacy Schroeder
(president/program and events chair)
Hyeyon
Wilson (community relations
co-chair)
Connie
Wonder
Committees include
finance, legal, community relations, and program and events. Finance and
legal never take hold as committees but do receive advice from CPA Matt
Schroeder and lawyer Juliet Shin. Community relations (originally called
membership/publicity) receives support from Joseph Kim and Erni
Peterson.
The most active committee
is the Program and Events Committee. Initial members include Eleanor
Hartman, Kyong Hartman, Goeun Jeon, Ginny Miller, Jin Reeves, Stacy
Schroeder, Connie
Wonder, and Yong Yi. The
Committee focuses its efforts on two annual holiday celebrations, a
picnic, and cooking classes. Ta-ri’s first cooking class is held
at the home of Kyong Hartman. These classes continue every other month
through early 2007, each teaching participants to make a new food. Most
classes focus on Korean food, but some highlight “American” foods that
cooks familiar with Korean food may want to learn.
2006
Late winter/Spring - Ta-ri hosts its
first formal event, celebrating SolNal (the Korean Lunar New Year). The
event takes place at the New Cumberland Public Library’s Foundation
Hall, continuing the relationship forged during the library series that
birthed Ta-ri. Dancer Yeon Hee Park performs. This event joins our
annual calendar. Hyeyon Wilson creates our first website. Ta-ri’s list
of email subscribers continues to grow, as does the variety of events
advertised. The leadership structure of Ta-ri continues to be fine-tuned
and readjusted.
Summer - A picnic and pool party
gathers friends and families of Ta-ri at a local home. This too becomes
part of the annual calendar.
Fall - Ta-ri organizes its
biggest event yet—a Chusok (Korean “Thanksgiving”) Celebration at
Harrisburg
Area
Community
College. It is co-hosted by
HACC’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Participants learn to make song
p'yon (traditional rice cakes), join in a quiz show, gather free
materials on Korea, and watch the Durae
Drumming Group perform. Print programs provide take-home resources. A
local news station covers the event.
2007
Late winter - The SolNal
Celebration expands to include a game day and to be more of mixer than a
spectator event. The Program Committee meets for its last time before disbanding
in favor of project planning groups.
March-June - The Board begins
discussion on how to strengthen and expand Ta-ri leadership. Becoming
nonprofit would be a huge asset. Investigations begin into becoming a
project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Bylaws (never
formally adopted) are revisited.
Fall - Chusok Celebration now
includes a popular food booth, book and toy sales table, and a reader’s
theater. The Board votes upon revised bylaws and other documents,
appointing Stacy Schroeder as executive director. Kellie
Argot is recruited as to update the website and design other materials
as needed. Calls to potential 2008 Board members
begin.
2008
Late winter- Ta-ri officially
becomes a project of fiscal sponsor The Foundation for Enhancing
Communities. The new Board meets, officers are elected, and a new “buzz”
begins to grow. SolNal Celebration includes many
first-timers.
Spring - Revised website is
launched, full of helpful resources in an attractive, functional format.
Fall – The Advisory Council meets for the first time
and out of a spirited discussion, future program expansion and publicity
efforts begin to take root. Various community groups increase their
support of our Chusok Celebration: HACC deepens its relationship as
co-sponsor, Korean-American Wives’ Club members agree to serve food as
their fall fundraiser, and Do-Re Sound Drumming group provides more
songs and activities as well. A growing collection of hanboks are also
displayed and used as part of the event.
