CONSTRUCTION STARTS FOR PHASE TWO OF ORIENT HEIGHTS REDEVELOPMENT IN EAST BOSTON

CONSTRUCTION STARTS FOR PHASE TWO OF ORIENT HEIGHTS REDEVELOPMENT IN EAST BOSTON

Phase Two includes the renovation of 88 new public housing units, as well as improvements to the existing infrastructure and open spaces

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 14, 2018 ­- Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Phase Two of the Orient Heights redevelopment in East Boston has officially begun, a $51.6 million investment that is part of a larger effort to transform the 331-unit public housing development, originally built in 1951. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the developers of Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corp., last week began rebuilding 88 units at the site. Following the successful completion of Phase One, a $51.2 million investment which created 120 units of new affordable rental housing, Phase Two will leverage $10 million in proceeds from the sale of the Winthrop Square Garage, as well as $1.83 million in Inclusionary Development Policy Funds, secured from the Davis Companies' 99 Sumner Street development in East Boston. "Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the revitalization of Orient Heights," said Mayor Walsh. "This effort will continue to improve the lives of our residents, while creating a community that more appropriately fits in with the surrounding neighborhood." Phase One of the project, which was completed in the spring of 2018, consisted of the demolition of 90 existing public housing units and the construction of 120 units in a combination of townhouse and mid rise buildings. The units are spread across four town homes containing 32 units and one mid-rise building containing 88 units and on-site property management offices. All 120 units will receive an operating subsidy - 75 percent of the units will receive state public housing operating subsidy and 25 percent of the units will receive project-based subsidy through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. The Phase One project achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. Phase Two will include the demolition of 87 existing units in four buildings and the construction of 88 replacement state-funded public housing units in two townhouse buildings and one mid rise building. The redevelopment will also include improvements to the existing infrastructure and open spaces, and is anticipated to be completed in 2020. "It is amazing to see the changes in our community since the completion of Phase One," said resident Carol Johnson. "The residents of Orient Heights are pleased and enthusiastic about what is to follow with Phase Two." The Orient Heights public housing development is owned and managed by the BHA, which undertook a planning process in 2008, funded by DHCD, to consider redevelopment options for the site. The BHA commissioned a master plan with an overall design concept and established the goals for the site's redevelopment-to transform the site into an attractive, energy-efficient and healthy housing community modeled on the successful transformations of previous public housing redevelopment efforts at sites such as West Broadway, Maverick, and Old Colony. In January 2015, the BHA selected the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corp. to work with BHA and DHCD and finalize a redevelopment strategy for the site. This development team will secure financing to implement the redevelopment, and will own and manage the buildings post-redevelopment. The BHA will continue to own the land and will lease it to Trinity. "We look forward to continuing our work with Trinity Financial, our development partners, to revitalize the Orient Heights public housing community," said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. The total development cost for Orient Heights Phase Two will be approximately $51.6 million. The financing plan includes $19.4 million in private equity raised through an allocation of federal 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; tax-exempt bonds for construction financing; $16.75 million in state public housing capital funds from BHA and DHCD; and $11.8M affordable housing resources from the City of Boston. DHCD also provided $32.7 million in state public housing capital funds for Orient Heights Phase One. "We are proud to support this transformational project that will benefit the residents of Orient Heights and the larger East Boston neighborhood, with our largest capital commitment ever of nearly $50 million for a state-aided public housing development," said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan. "I want to recognize Boston Housing Authority's creative leadership, Trinity's partnership, and the City of Boston's unprecedented commitment of funds to make this project work." BHA and the development team continue to hold meetings with residents and the neighborhood, meetings with the Resident Task Force and various meetings with City and State officials. BHA, Trinity, and the East Boston Community Development Corp. will continue to meet with the residents and the broader neighborhood on an on-going basis throughout the project's stages. Current Phase Two residents of the site worked with a relocation team regarding which relocation options best meet their needs. Relocation options included moving to another BHA public housing development of their choice or moving to privately-owned housing with a state-subsidized Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Residents may choose to return to the redeveloped site when construction is complete or remain in place after initial relocation.   About the Boston Housing Authority The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that provides subsidized housing to low and moderate income individuals and families. In addition to conventional public housing communities throughout Boston, BHA offers rental assistance programs. BHA receives federal and state funding in order to provide housing programs to individuals and families. BHA's mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency.

MAYOR WALSH AND 100 RESILIENT CITIES LAUNCH NETWORK EXCHANGE ON EQUITABLE AND RESILIENT CITIES

MAYOR WALSH AND 100 RESILIENT CITIES LAUNCH NETWORK EXCHANGE ON EQUITABLE AND RESILIENT CITIES

Exchange will galvanize leading organizations, cities, and experts to innovate ideas and solutions on equity issues, building on "Resilient Boston" strategy

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 14, 2018 ­- Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor's Office of Resilience & Racial Equity, and 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) announced a three-day Network Exchange on Equitable and Resilient Cities will take place in Boston beginning today. Chief Resilience Officers and high-level officials from eight cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, will convene to build on the City's groundbreaking work in addressing deep-rooted issues of racial disparity and systemic inequity by creating a global conversation and developing and sharing further municipal-level solutions to promote equity, inclusivity, and social cohesion. Participating cities include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Louisville, New York, Seattle, and Tulsa in the United States, along with Greater Manchester, United Kingdom and Toronto, Canada. Cities will be represented by Chief Resilience Officers (CRO) - a position in city government created and funded by 100RC - who act as their city's point person for resilience-building efforts, leading the development of a citywide Resilience Strategy, along with high-level city delegates with expertise in race and equity. The convening will also include 45 subject matter experts both from the 100RC Network and beyond, including partner organizations Social Finance, Anti-Defamation League, Initiative for Competitive Inner Cities, Neighborly, Ioby, Fourth Economy, HR&A Advisors, and beyond, along with 20-plus Boston city government representatives.   "With Resilient Boston, our city put forth a comprehensive roadmap for a resilient future which is firmly centered on racial equity," said Mayor Walsh. "This convening is an exciting opportunity to share Boston's progress and, even more, to share best practices with our peers across the 100RC network of cities." "Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City of Boston has made its mark as a champion of racial equity," said Otis Rolley, Managing Director for North America at 100 Resilient Cities. "Resilient Boston is already an inspiration to cities across 100RC's global network, making Boston a fitting host for this important conversation. The cities participating are truly courageous - taking the hard and necessary steps to address such a pernicious challenge - and we greatly look forward to the event's outcomes."   The Boston Network Exchange will focus on practices and tactical interventions that local leaders can use toward promoting more equitable outcomes across city systems and in the delivery of core services, such as public transportation, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. The Network Exchange will also result in a guiding document for cities around the world that are addressing the stresses associated with racial and other systemic inequities - recognizing this as a core element in strengthening their resilience to future disasters and other shock events.   "Cities can build resilience for all residents by confronting racial divisions and bias - which is known to lead to significant disparities in economic, social, and environmental outcomes, and disproportionate impacts after disasters," said Lori Nelson, Boston's Chief Resilience Officer. "To successfully address this complex issue, we need the support and insights of fellow cities that have gone through similar experiences, as well as private, non-governmental, and academic actors who are key partners in implementing multi-benefit solutions." Resilient Boston, released in 2017 by Mayor Walsh, laid the groundwork for important, community-driven work to begin addressing the systemic challenges to achieve a more resilient Boston. City of Boston staff worked for nearly two years with more than 11,000 Bostonians and the team from 100RC to develop this comprehensive strategy. A key component of 100RC - a global effort dedicated to helping cities better prepare for 21st Century economic, social, and physical challenges - is gathering member cities to share best practices, solve problems collectively, and access expertise from peers and partners.

台商會首屆 APitch Day創業賽 科技部贊助

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(後左三)和A Pitch Day籌委會成員及
評審合影。(主辦單位提供)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭台灣商會(TCCNE)和新英格蘭台灣青年商會(TYCCNE)策畫、舉辦的首屆”投案日(A Pitch Day)”創業比賽，入圍9隊分AB兩組，依序由Haystack和VistaScan獲得冠軍，各得獎金3000元。

            AdaViv這隊贏得最受觀眾歡迎獎，獎品為新罕布夏州River Walk Resort三日夜遊。

新英格蘭台灣商會會長歐陽露(右)頒發獎金給A組優勝隊Haystack。
(主辦單位提供)

             ”投案日(A Pitch Day)”創業比賽是新英格蘭台灣商會和台青商會放眼國際，鼓勵青年創業的一項活動，首次推出就聲勢不凡，有中華民國科技部，國家發展委員會，財團法人生物技術開發中心，波士頓經文處，亞洲矽谷，EGI資本等重量級機構贊助。

             經由兩名會長歐陽露，歐怡君和籌辦委員們的努力，以及紐英崙中華專業人員協會理事康麗雪所介紹，來自華府的華人企業家投資者聯網(Chinese Entrepreneur & Investor Network)共同創辦人方志峰(Mike Fang)等多人大力舉薦，”投案日”的參賽隊伍在很短時間內由9隊增至26隊，最後並礙於活動時間有限，當天的陳案評審程序改為依各隊企業發展程度和資金狀態，分成AB兩組。

新英格蘭台灣青年商會會長歐怡君(左)頒發獎金給B組優勝隊VistaScan。
(主辦單位提供)

             A組隊伍包括共同創辦人為常壯壯的人工智能管理資金公司A.I. Capital Management，共同創辦人張宣業既是物理博士，又開業做專利律師的”雙向顯示(Bidirectional Display)”公司，做以軟體輔助數學，程式設計教學的BlocksCAD，綜合應用電腦視覺感應及機器人自動化來改善務農效益的Haystack，以及藉智能穿戴設備來防止工作人員因不斷重複相同動作而受到身體傷害的Iterate Labs。

AdaViv獲得最受歡迎獎。(主辦單位提供)

             B組隊伍包括以硬體人工智能解決方案來為生產高價值溫室農產品的農夫們增加產品產量及品質的AdaViv，提供新平台來運送RNA或小分子藥物進血管的 Angiex， 以人工智能解決方案來使醫療服務更可負擔的Visionairy Health，以及研發手持式設備，讓人可從一滴血就可測試自己身體內維他命或微營養成分狀況，創辦人是Li Jiang，但當天由其他人個案陳述的VistaScan。

             列在B組中，為資源缺乏國家研發低價低耗電多用途醫療設備的Breegi Scientic公司，當天並未出席陳案。

Origin Wireless主席兼執行長李政峰和Proteostasis執行副總裁李伯勳(Po-Shun Lee)這兩位博士，當天在會上分享了他們的科研，創業經歷。

六名評審，右起方志峰，Michael Bergman，Mark Watson，李政欣，
許恒源，Trish Fontanilla。(主辦單位提供)

獲有麻省理工學院博士學位的李政峰直指年輕人會走上創業這條路，多半因為有熱情，有改變世界的理想，但一路走來難免會遭遇理想與現實的衝突，得瞭解社會中現在有哪些需求，目前有什麼解決方案，可以有哪些創新更好做法等等。

他還指出，創業要有承擔。在構思，科技及模型上要創新，在企業經營上要有遠見，能分階段，做到數量，要有能夠傳承的價值觀，更在金錢，法律及人事上負起責任。

他認為創業還能助人瞭解人性，在創業過程中，創業者會體會到最重要的其實是人，是合夥人，團隊成員，經濟生態中的合作者，還有客戶。

台商會會長歐陽露和台青商會長歐怡君。(主辦單位提供)

他甚至以耶穌基督從一名木匠之子到被視為背叛者，死後卻獲萬人景仰的生命歷程為例，指創業的成功，失敗過程，有時和那也很像。創業者必須相信，熱愛自己所關心的事。

A Pitch Day 籌委會，評審和參賽隊伍代表合影。(主辦單位提供)

曾任哈佛大學Brigham and Women醫院醫師兼科學家，其後歷任Vertex副醫學主任，諾華(Novartis)製藥的轉化醫藥專家，Proteostasis執行副總裁兼首席醫學長的李柏勳在會上笑言，李政峰的描述深獲其心。高中就來美留學的他說，就像他當年在台灣看到的”綠野仙蹤(The Wizard of Oz)”這本書一樣，越想越覺得那和生命科學界的創業故事尤其相似，就是一個從如何解決問題，鋪陳計畫，和人們談說符合他們需要的科技，到如何貫徹實施計畫的過程。

他在現實社會中看到過的創業路途錯誤包括，構想和現實差距太大。創業故事必須有凝聚力，說服力，因此需要做許多的研究，不但要有科技專業能力，更得和實際使用的人接觸，瞭解他們的需要。

A Pitch Day籌委會，右起，屠澤寬，黃千姬，歐怡君，歐陽露，
賴怡音，林才民。(主辦單位提供)

“投案日”由Audrey Heyun Paek擔任司儀，評審包括社區及顧客經驗顧問Trish Fontanilla，EGI資本創始合夥人許恒源，AB 生物科學公司首席科學家李政欣，波士頓Impact Initiative基金執行經理Mark Watson，Bergman & Song LLP創始合夥人Michael Bergman，ICMA-RC方志峰。

                       駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典當天特地出席鼓勵，並透露科技部派駐波士頓的組長預定12月中到任，將為波士頓與台灣之間的科技交流牽線。

主講人之一，Proteostasis執行副總裁兼首席醫學長的李柏勳。
(周菊子攝)

Origin Wireless主席兼執行長李政峰。(周菊子攝)

六名評審。(周菊子攝)

同樣來自台灣，都做創投基金，分別在波士頓和華府運作的許恆源(左)
和方志峰(右)談起兩人的專業可以互補，應該合作。(周菊子攝)

LORD & TAYLOR RESOLVES ALLEGATIONS OF RACIAL PROFILING FOLLOWING AG INVESTIGATION

LORD & TAYLOR RESOLVES ALLEGATIONS OF RACIAL PROFILING FOLLOWING AG INVESTIGATIONDepartment Store to Fund Programs to Promote Racial Equity, Hire Consultant to Review Store Policies, and Improve Employee Training

BOSTON – Lord & Taylor will hire an expert consultant to review and improve its shoplifting prevention policies and procedures, train its staff, and pay $100,000 to resolve an investigation into racial discrimination, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The settlement agreement between Lord & Taylor LLC and the AG’s Office concludes an investigation into the company’s loss prevention practices and policies. Covering all four of Lord & Taylor’s Massachusetts stores – in Boston, Braintree, Burlington and Natick – the AG’s investigation arose out of concerns that the company’s efforts to prevent shoplifting perpetuated a climate of racial and ethnic bias resulting in, among other things, the disproportionate targeting of black and Hispanic customers for surveillance and apprehension. Lord & Taylor fully cooperated with the AG’s Civil Rights Division during its investigation and in agreeing to proactively address these issues.

“Following our investigation, Lord & Taylor has agreed to take meaningful steps to improve its policies and procedures to prevent racial profiling of customers—we hope others will do the same,” said AG Healey. “Far too often, shoppers are unfairly viewed as suspicious or not belonging, simply because of their race or ethnicity. This takes a toll on individuals and broader communities, even when it is the result of unconscious bias, and it is our collective responsibility to address it.”

“As a member of the AG’s racial justice advisory council, the NAACP Boston Branch is pleased with the work of the Civil Rights Division in developing and pursuing this investigation,” said Tanisha M. Sullivan, President NAACP Boston Branch. “We can never become numb to the reality and impact of racism. This investigation reminds us that racial discrimination is still a  serious problem in our society and we need to remain vigilant in rooting it out.”

“We applaud the leadership of Attorney General Maura Healey in tackling racial profiling in the retail industry,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. “This settlement represents an important step in the right direction and demonstrates that retailers can meaningfully address racial discrimination and challenges in our society. Retailers must comply with the law and follow best practices to overcome unconscious biases that disproportionately harm people of color."  

Under the terms of the settlement, Lord & Taylor will hire an outside consultant, who specializes in addressing unconscious or implicit bias in the retail industry, to conduct a thorough review of its existing shoplifting prevention policies and work with the company to make improvements, including a specific policy to prevent racial bias in the stores’ shoplifting prevention activities.  Lord & Taylor also has agreed to provide annual unconscious or implicit bias training to all of its customer-facing employees in its Massachusetts stores and to enhance the training it provides to its Asset Protection employees.

As a result of the settlement, Lord & Taylor also will work with the AG’s Office to develop and implement a Customer Bill of Rights that will provide resources and information for customers, including a phone number and email address for filing complaints. The Customer Bill of Rights will be posted in all of the company’s Massachusetts stores and on its website.

In addition, the company will pay $100,000 to the Commonwealth to fund programs, activities, or other resources intended to combat racial discrimination and to promote racial equity and inclusion.

The settlement resolves alleged violations of the Massachusetts Public Accommodations Law and Consumer Protection Act. The Public Accommodations Law makes it unlawful for any business that solicits or accepts the patronage of the general public to distinguish among customers on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. The law prohibits discrimination with respect to both admission into and treatment within places of public accommodation. The Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair or deceptive conduct in trade or commerce.

The settlement is part of an ongoing effort by the AG’s Office to address the problem of racial discrimination in places of public accommodation, including retail stores. The Civil Rights Division encourages consumers to report instances of discrimination by calling (617) 963-2917 or filing a Civil Rights E-Complaint atwww.mass.gov/ago/civilrightscomplaint.

This matter was handled by State Enforcement Counsel Genevieve Nadeau and Assistant Attorney General Sara Colb of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Ciara Tran and Marlee Greer, of the AG’s Civil Investigations Division.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Grants to Support Urban Agriculture

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Grants to Support Urban Agriculture

Nine Urban Farming Enterprises Receive $315,000 in Funding

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $315,000 in grants for nine urban agriculture projects across the state. The funding continues the Administration’s support for the emerging urban agriculture sector and commitment to ensuring city residents have access to fresh, healthy food.

“Urban farming entrepreneurs have been making an incredible impact in the Commonwealth’s cities in recent years and we are pleased to continue our support for them,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Today’s awardees are assisting families struggling with food insecurity and promoting healthy dietary habits while revitalizing communities and creating local jobs.”

“Urban farms positively impact the health and standard of living of residents and bring communities closer together,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants will help nine urban agriculture enterprises across the state grow their operations to provide more jobs and healthy produce to their communities.”

“Growing food in urban areas not only provides residents with fresher, more nutritious foods, but also decreases the carbon emissions caused by shipping food long distances,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Through the innovative Urban Agriculture Program, we are proud to provide funds to help these innovative enterprises expand and improve their operations.”

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) launched an Urban Agriculture Program to support the emerging urban agriculture sector in 2014. As of today, MDAR’s Urban Agriculture Program has released four rounds of funding which have provided support for  66 urban agriculture projects and facilitated six state-wide urban agriculture conferences, attracting hundreds of practitioners, advocates, and policy makers every year.

“MDAR’s Urban Agriculture Program has helped to strengthen urban neighborhoods by leveraging opportunities through the production, processing, marketing and sale of fresh food at the local level,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux.

Urban agriculture ranges from traditional in-ground growing and rooftop farms, to aquaponics, greenhouses and “freight farms.”  The local food movement is taking root in urban neighborhoods across Massachusetts, especially where vacant land or buildings are available and fresh food is hard to find.  The successful demonstration of past funded projects has ranged from innovative markets, expanding production space, refurbishing production facilities and investments in market opportunities within low to moderate income communities.

The following projects received grants:

Urban Farming Institute, Roxbury – $12,504

UFI will increase overall farm production by adding soil amendments, purchase small tools, paper-pot planter system and a pick-up truck for deliveries and to increase its efficiency within entire farm network.

Gardening the Community, Springfield – $13,986

Gardening the Community will use this funding for improvements to their Walnut St. Farm Site with the purchase of an automated venting system and a spray system for the farm’s greenhouse, as well as small farm tools.

The Food Project, Boston– $53,620

The Food Project will use their award for greenhouse infrastructure: vent installation, plumbing and installation and control system replacement and its installation. They will also purchase a mobile market trailer for their Lynn, MA farm site.

UMass Lowell, Lowell – $21,300

UMass Lowell will use the funding for the purchase of tools, soil amendments, perennials and growing benches for their commercial greenhouse.

Victory Program, Boston – $50,000

Victory Program will use their award to expand their capacity by adding vertical growing spaces, renovating greenhouse infrastructure, adding water catchment and reuse systems to the farm’s main site and fencing for all of the farm’s sites.

Codman Square CDC, Dorchester – $12,134 

Codman Square CDC will use their award to increase the farm’s capacity with the purchase and installation of a drip irrigation system and produce wash station. CSCDC will also purchase grow bags/soil, equipment for a mobile market farm stand, and industrial coolers for harvesting and markets.

Mill City Grows, Lowell – $48,206

Mill City Grows will use these funds to help centralize operations for their three farm sites with the purchase of a cooler, modular wash-pack station. They will also purchase compost, a compost spreader, and a mobile cooler.

Regional Environmental Council, Worcester – $43,250

Regional Environmental Council will purchase a new refrigerated cargo van for their Mobile Farmers’ Market.

We Grow Microgreens, Boston – $60,000

We Grow Microgreens will use these funds for the purchase and installation of a commercial greenhouse.

“I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for funding the Urban Agriculture Program here in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury).  “This program strives to assist local urban projects dedicated to producing fresh foods in areas where vacant land is sparse.  Programs such as Urban Agriculture also allows for low to moderate income communities to gain access to healthy products while also creating local jobs.”

“We know that communities are stronger when they have access to fresh produce,”said State Representative Jeffrey Sánchez (D-Jamaica Plain). “These grants are an opportunity to stoke the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth while removing barriers to healthy food.”

“I'm very pleased that the MDAR Urban Agriculture Program is supporting the Regional Environmental Council in Worcester by expanding their Mobile Farmers' Market capacity, and thus our community's access to fresh, affordable food,” said State Representative Mary Keefe (D-Worcester).

波克萊台商會辦保齡球賽與僑青、學生互動

【波克萊臺灣商會球聚聯誼 僑青學生互動熱絡】

波克萊臺灣商會舉辦保齡球賽和青年餐敍座談，駐波士頓經文處
處長徐佑典(前排右四)、僑教中心主任歐宏偉(前排左五)、商會會長
楊羅東(前排右二)及商會會員、僑社青年和波士頓大學臺灣留學生20餘人參加。

波克萊臺灣商會於11月10日舉辦保齡球賽和青年餐敍座談，吸引商會會員、僑社青年和波士頓大學臺灣留學生20餘人參加，以球會友，溫馨熱絡，現場歡笑聲不斷，在隨後餐敘時，在會長楊羅東的帶領下，透過自我介紹和經驗分享，讓商會會員、僑青和學生們增進對彼此的認識。

學生們打保齡球。

楊羅東表示，商會可作為本地僑社青年和臺灣留學生聯繫互動的媒介與平臺，未來也會多舉辦相關活動，協助大家連結求學和就業的需求。楊羅東說，自己早年也是前來美國波士頓大學就學，隨後順利找到工作與另一半共組家庭，目前子女均長大成人，一路走來相當辛苦，每個人生階段都有不同的需求和優先順序，因此希望波克萊臺灣商會能提供僑社青年與臺灣留學生適時的協助，也歡迎大家與商會保持密切聯繫。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典和僑教中心主任歐宏偉也應邀參加，他們特別感謝楊會長的付出與貢獻，並鼓勵僑青和學生們參與僑社服務，在課餘時間多參加元旦升旗、臺灣日及雙十國慶等大型活動，亦可藉此建立人際資源和互助網絡，擴大生活層面及未來發展機會；此外，歐宏偉也說明中華民國僑務委員會發行的僑胞卡業務，並歡迎商會會員及僑社青年前來僑教中心申辦領取。

波士頓僑教中心推動文化在地研習 林賢琪傳授畫竹之道

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(中)和文化老師們合影。

(Boston Orange) 波士頓華僑文教服務中心推動民俗文化在地研習，11月10日邀種子教師林賢琪分享返台研習成果，本地15名文化老師進修水墨畫竹。

林賢琪示範畫竹。

種子教師林賢琪今年暑假回台灣參加文化培訓。在僑教中心安排下，11月10日，為波士頓地區民俗文化教師舉辦研習班，詳細解說可以如何把四君子之一的「竹」，帶入文化課，

她從文化課程設計說起，指出應先介紹竹子「先竿，後節，再發細枝，最後生葉」的成長生態，比較能夠幫助學生快速掌握畫竹的技巧。她還介紹了毛筆、刷子、顏料調色等工具，以及更細緻的畫竹技巧。

林賢琪講解畫竹技巧。

當天有15名文化老師出席。僑教中心主任歐宏偉盛讚林賢琪的教學天份，在短短兩小時內，就能深入淺出的傳授畫竹藝術。他還勉勵學員秉持學習、分享與傳承的精神，提升個人文化內涵及專業知能，攜手在海外推展我國多元的優良文化。 (文稿資料及圖片，波士頓僑教中心提供)

台大校友會講座 闡述求職必勝之道

波士頓台大校友會會長吳杏玫(中)和兩名獎者，職業顧問
David McDonough(右)和達理律師事務所主管律師林志濤。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導)大波士頓地區台大校友會和五個機構合作”職涯規畫系列講座”，在10月27日推出第一場，”求職攻略&工作簽證”。當天颱風來襲，但屋外風雨飄搖，屋內聚精會神，80餘名出席者提問踴躍。

             這場講座由台大校友會會長吳杏玫策畫，從緬因州請來職業顧問David McDonough，談”在資訊爆炸年代的有效求職策略”，達理律師事務所主管律師林志濤，講”美國職業簽證”，說明OPT、H1B等相關內容。

活動當天有新英格蘭地區臺灣同學會聯合會(FTSA)支援做服務義工。
(主辦單位提供)

             David McDonough本人2009年才成為美國公民，曾經擔任Bates學院，Clark大學執業中心主任，也在布蘭岱斯(Brandeis)，波士頓等大學，以及軟體公司工作過。他在介紹自己時表示，已幫過數以百計的國際學生找工作。

             他指出，美國大約有3000萬家企業，數以千計的找工作網站，根據indeed.com，在波士頓的50英里之內，大約有10萬8000個工作機會。以全世界來說。領英(Linkedin)大約有5億用戶，但只張貼有1000萬工作機會。

蘇皓偉代表波士頓臺灣生物科技協會出席。(周菊子攝)

             找工作的人，因此面對著使用了效率不高的搜尋辦法，缺乏對相關行業或特定公司的了解，時間不夠，溝通技巧，簽證問題，被各種分析弄暈了，申請了並不符合自己資格的工作等等的挑戰。

             他認為，找工作需具備的技能包括，說寫溝通，解決或分析問題，領導力，正面態度，工作道德，團隊合作，技術，跨文化或全球化視野等。查詢技能方面的相關資訊，可以參考www.thebalancecareers.com，以及Occupational Outlook Handbook。

            而一名成功的求職者，多半有優秀學術成績，良好人脈網絡，極佳的溝通技能，堅持，有創意，熱誠，還幸運。

劍橋合唱團團長屠澤寬代表台青商協會出席。(周菊子攝)

             若以求職方式來分析，成功率最高的是靠聯誼(networking)，高達60%到70%。經由搜尋，直接向公司應聘的約10%到20%，從indeed.com，dice.com，career builder等求職網站找到工作機會的比率，約僅10%。他建議求職者各種方式同時採用。

             David McDonough建議有意找工作者，把聯誼(networking)當作自己的首要任務，制定一份列有大約10到20家公司的核心雇主表，借助諸如Beacon Hill Staffing， Robert Half， Hire Minds， Workbridge等 招聘機構，各專業協會等的獨特網站，來提高成功率。他也勸求職者避開企業人事部門，直接和要聘員工的部門經理或主管談。然後最好製作一份試算表(Excel spreadsheet)，以便於追蹤自己的求職進度，構思後續行動。

             David McDonough也為求職者提供了參加聯誼活動時的參考指南，包括和人握手要實而有力，藉由閒聊來認識談話對方，提些關於所參加活動的問題，以及他們是否住在本地，在哪裡工作，怎麼找到他現有工作的。話題要避免政治，宗教，當談話結束時，向對方要張名片，然後禮貌告退，才好和更多人晤談。

             透過領英來聯誼，也是一種方式。

             其他的求職資源有專業協會，諸如Mass Biotech Council， CFA Society Boston等等，或者是校友會，MyVisaJobs.com， Goinglobal，Vault.com，以及Boston.com，Glassdoor，Boston Business Journal等等。

             在會場，David McDonough也講談了面試技巧，建議求職者先到salary.cm，payscale.com，glassdoor.com等網站，查查看自己的資歷與所應徵職位的薪資幅度，了解醫療保險，假期等福利差異，然後要考慮通勤時間，未來成長機會，同事都會是哪些人，誰是自己的頂頭上司等。他還公佈了自己的電郵地址 dpmcdonough@gmail.com。

                 達理律師事務所主管律師林志濤，講的是”美國職業簽證簡介”，包括實習簽證，工作簽證，其他簽證，美國居留權的”綠卡”等。

實習簽證有CPT，允許學生在所學範圍內，每週課後最多工作20小時，一般不能超過11個月，還會從OPT中扣除這時間。

另一個實習簽證是OPT，也就是Optional Practical Training，允許學生在畢業後，留美工作12個月，並且實際就業時間不得少於9個月。如果是科學，工程，技術和數學專業，OPT時間延長為36個月。

工作簽證H1B則是非移民簽證，期限3年，一般可延長3年。必須是具有規模的雇主來為符合條件的僱員申請，通常要求任職者有學士以上學位，工資達到美國勞工部規定的市場標準。

H1B有名額限制，每年65,000，另有20,000給持有碩士學位以上個人。每年的最早申請日期是4月11日。

其他簽證包括實習或訓練計畫，傑出人才，跨國企業管理人才，投資人。

申請美國永久居留權的”綠卡”，則有EB1的職業移民，包括傑出人才，傑出教授或研究員，商業經理或行政高管，EB2的具高等學位或特殊技能，國家利益豁免者，EB3的技術人才，EB4包括宗教人士的特殊移民，以及EB5的投資移民。

另外則是通過直系親屬申請的親屬移民等。

這場講座是由大波士頓地區台大校友會和新英格蘭玉山科技協會、波士頓臺灣生物科技協會、新英格蘭地區臺灣同學會聯合會、紐英崙中華專業人員協會及新英格蘭台灣青商會合作舉辦。台大校友會會長吳杏玫表示，未來的講座主題，歡迎各界提供意見，可發電郵到 gbaantu@gmail.com。

台大校友會的下一個活動是十一月十一日晚，在台北食坊(211 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420)聚餐，慶祝90週年校慶。(部分圖片已於10月31日發表)