The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Guam has evolved since it started nearly 30 years ago, not only in its membership, but its role in the community, said Chamber President George Chiu.
“Our goal at the chamber is to try to make changes that will make Guam a better place to live. It’s not always about business,” Chiu said. “I believe when you run a business in Guam, you need to think business, but you also need to think this the community you live in.”
Many underprivileged children on Guam get toys at Christmas because of the Chinese Chamber, which each year makes up for a shortfall in the Salvation Army’s toy drive by donating thousands of dollars in new toys.
The Chinese Chamber also donates toys to the Harvest House foster home and regularly assists the Catholic Church’s soup kitchen in Hagåtña, by serving or donating food, Chiu said.
“Whatever organization comes to us with a request, we try our best to support. Even though we’re a no-profit organization ourselves, we do try to support other causes within the community. This is our home,” said Chiu, who is executive vice president of Tan Holdings.
“I’ve lived on Guam for 46 years. I consider Guam my home. The company I work for will be having our 50th anniversary next year,” he said.
“We’re not just talking about contributing to charity causes. The chamber also contributes to organizations like the Junior Golf League, that gives these kids a chance to go off-island and successfully compete at a very high level,” said Chiu, who is a board member for the golf organization.
The Chinese Chamber, which started in August 1993, originally was called the Chinese Merchants Association of Guam. It changed its name in 2005 so it could join a global chamber organization.
“The functions of the Chinese Chamber are very similar to the Guam Chamber of Commerce,” Chiu said. “It started off as an ethnic organization, involving the Chinese merchants and the Chinese businesses on the island.”
He added: “Today, it has evolved to where basically non-Chinese companies are members, such as Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Security Title. It’s become like an offshoot of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. … A lot of businesses that were doing business with Chinese companies decided they were going to join.”
Helping immigrants
One of its roles is to help new immigrants understand how to do business on Guam, Chiu said. He noted Ken Lujan, from the Small Business Administration, is a chamber member and provides assistance to new businesses.
The Chinese Chamber also helps promote Chinese culture on island, Chiu said, and each year hosts a gala to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The annual event also involves the Guam Chinese Association and the United Chinese Association of Guam.
The event is very popular, Chiu said, and attendance rivals that of the Red Ball, which is the annual fundraiser hosted by the Guam chapter of the American Red Cross.
“That’s the leadership role I like to see the Chinese Chamber take,” Chiu said. “We’re here to not just help our members as a business organization, but we like to get involved with the community. All of these things I think are what makes Chinese Chamber unique.”
Source: Google News
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