Concept Paper: Charter for Hahn Family Association

1.0 Introduction

Dr. Hahn's accomplishments are well known on the island of Taiwan, though ironically, we, the second generation of his offspring, are among those least aware of his life and what he was able to influence. I and most of my cousins grew up in a time where due to many reasons, we retained very little knowledge of Taiwan, the Taiwanese language, and family verbal history. We thus have a less-than-perfect memory of our grandfather, as well as life on Taiwan. This has doubtless resulted in rueful realization among my parents, and probably also in my uncles and aunts, that I and others in my generation might lose the sense of family and Taiwanese culture that they retain, but find difficult to teach us -- me and my cousins.

Last Christmas (Christmas 1989), most of Dr. Hahn's sons and daughters, and their families, gathered in Tainan in reunion and commemoration of Dr. Hahn's life. This wonderful reunion was hosted by Dr. Liang-Cheng Hahn, Dr. S.C.Hahn's 3rd son, and my uncle.

I learned many lessons at this gathering. Some are simple; some are not; some are new; but most were not. I was struck, though, by the thoughts that came to me at the memorial, and also since. I'll list a few:

1. I am a member of a really nice family, and I am sorry I don't spend more time with each of my cousins, uncles, and aunts, not to mention even my parents.
2. We really ought to know more about our grandfather. He was a great man, an inspiration to many. The more we know about him, the more he can still lead and guide us by being an inspiration to us, his grandchildren.
3. We really ought to know more about the land we come from -- Taiwan. Most of us live in the United States of America now, and it still looks likely that more of the family will join us in the US. Especially with the generation that our kids will be, it will be very difficult to communicate family history and sense of place, and maintain association as we disperse across Taiwan and the US, and possibly the globe.
4. It would be a real shame if in the emergence of Taiwan as an economic power, and in the future possibly again as an international entity, that the Taiwanese language and culture disappear due to diffuse and decreasing usage. Though it has less and less practical reason to survive, it is part of our culture, and is at minimum a future artifact worth preserving.

2.0 The Proposal

I propose that the family create a "Hahn Family Association" for the purposes of:

1. Keeping, updating, and disseminating family information for our and future generations.
2. Promoting and teaching great values and principles, such as those that guided Dr. Hahn so well through his life.
3. Retaining and teaching Taiwanese language, history, and culture.
4. Bringing the family together regularly and often for fellowship, recreation, and other good causes.

3.0 Family Records

1. Establish a Hahn Family Association Library, which would be the repository for the following items:
2. Maintain the family tree, extending back to 1700 (as far back as records allow), and to extend to those families brought together with ours by marriage.
3. Maintain the family address list, including phone numbers, electronic mail addresses, and other contact information.
4. Collect photographs, videotapes, written descriptions, etc. of family members and events. Examples would be the 1989 family reunion, the 1991 summer reunion in Hawaii, and the upcoming 1992 summer reunion of the grandkids.
5. Collect diaries and memoirs of all family members
6. Maintain and collect the professional and other public works of family members in the Association library.
7. Maintain a museum for creations of family members, or possessions of family members donated to the library.

4.0 Values and Principles

1. Establish a foundation for the purpose of charitable contributions to research, scholarships, and other sponsorship of individuals and organizations the Hahn Family Association deems worthy of support.
2. Encourage community service, political service, medical service by family members in continuation of Dr. Hahn's tradition of leadership with foresight.
3. (more thoughts to be gathered)

5.0 Taiwanese Language and Culture

1. The library collect and disseminate language and history tapes, books, videos, and films to any family member interested in the subject
2. The library research the language, materials available, or commission their production.
3. (more thoughts to be gathered)

6.0 Family Activities

1. Support and maintain the tradition of reunions. That the first generation (my parents, uncles, and aunts) reunite at least every two years and that the second generation (including me) reunite at least every three years.
2. That mini-reunions also be communicated to all, eg volleyball on Saturdays, sight-reading of musical groups
3. That we support the linkage of family members on electronic internet so that email communications is available to as many of us as we can get online
4. That on a volunteer basis, young family members can have a week, a month, or a summer (or more) assignment to live where the library / foundation / museum is established, to become familiar with the materials, and to assist in the administration, organization, and dissemination of them.
5. That the Hahn Family Association publish a newsletter to all family members updating all regarding family and association matters.

7.0 Open Issues

1. Where would the library / foundation / museum be established? Should it be rotated among family members? Should it be in Taiwan?
2. How would the organization be sustained? Membership fee? What are the privileges of paying and non-paying family members? I don't think this should be required of any family member -- it should be voluntary.
3. How should this whole thing be administered?

Footnotes

1. [memoirs] Translated by Susan Huang, Dr. Hahn's third daughter. "Sixty Year Memoirs", published July 1991
2. [many reasons] The ever-present possibility of Chinese re-annexation, opportunities for education, opportunities to find employment,the callof limitless potential in America,and probably a few other reasons
3. [We] When I use "we" in this proposal, I mean I and my cousins, mostly. I recognize that other meanings of "we" could be defined, but at least in this case, I thinkthe sense of what I'm trying to communicate in this paper applies mostly to my generation.
4. [several of us] Peter Ho, Lillian, Brian, Nancy, Mason and Joy, Ingrid and Ray, Gene, Ivan, Jim, Karen,and myself, at FukiSushi, in Palo Alto, California
5. ["Hahn Family Association"] The name is TBD. Other words could be foundation, alliance, society, club? -- we're still open on this one.
6. [upcoming 1992...] Event still being planned. Suggestions being entertained.
7. [the first gen...] I think this is what was decided at the 89 reunion.
8. [the second gen...] until the periodicity is changed
9. [online] Those of us now on the internet find it quite easy and quick to communicate with the others, even several times a day, even though some of (me!) aren't known as good letter writers.
10. [assignment] Perhaps around high-school time
11. [newsletter] Nominally quarterly, at first
    

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    Copyright © 1991-1996 Samuel Hahn
    Last updated: 96/08/13/0115