SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Golden Leaf Presentation at First Baptist Church

2009-03-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 8, 2009 1:00pm - 2:00pm

First Baptist Church
909 SW 11th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97205
(503) 228-7465

GOLDEN LEAF: INSPIRATIONAL STORY TELLING BY KILONG UNG

2009-03-03T19:43:00.000-08:00

Friday, March 6th, 2009 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Center for Intercultural Organizing
700 N. Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97217
View Map

Suggested Donation of $6
http://www.interculturalorganizing.org/resources/enews/2009/kilong.htm

The Center for Intercultural Organizing is proud to present a pre-launch book celebration in honor of Golden Leaf, A Khmer Rouge Genocide Survivor. Golden Leaf is an American tale of a Cambodian refugee named Kilong Ung. Ung survived the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields and after an incredible escape into Thailand, fled to the United States. Against all odds, this survivor is now a member of the Rotary Club of Portland and the Royal Rosarians. He also served four years as president of the Cambodian-American Community of Oregon, and now is a software engineer, community volunteer, motivational speaker and budding author. Through public speaking and volunteering, Mr. Ung aims to leverage his past to make the world a better place. Additional information about him and the excerpts of his memoir may be found at website http://kilongung.blogspot.com.

“I was a leaf at the mercy of the wind. The wind carried me from one remote part of the world to another. It blew me through turbulence and catastrophic weather. It took me to the Khmer Rouge labor camp and lingered for an eternity. It dehydrated me and nearly starved me to death. I helplessly watched the most devilish mother of all winds ruthlessly crush my tree into lifeless pulp. Like an almighty Olympian god, when the wind wanted to toy with me, it blew me through minefields, rockets and bullets. While two million leaves disintegrated, I persevered. Through an extraordinary journey, I discovered myself. I am fortunate, and I don’t easily perish. I was a golden leaf. Against all odds, I survived, laid down roots and became a tree.” ~Kilong Ung

http://wweek.com/editorial/3516/12253/ ~Willamette Week

All proceeds from the event will be used to support the Center for Intercultural Organizing. The Center for Intercultural Organizing is a diverse, grassroots organization working to build a multi-racial, multicultural movement for immigrant and refugee rights through education, leadership development, policy advocacy and organizing.

Golden Leaf Presentation at Rotary

2009-01-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

To be a guest at this presentation, please contact the appropriate club.

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Tuesday April 14, 2009 at Rotary Club of Portland
Location:
Governor Hotel
614 SW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97205
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Contact: Rotary office at (503) 228-1542 or info@rotarypdx.org.

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Tudesday May 5, 2009 at East Vancouver Rotary Club
Location:
Camas Meadows Golf Club
4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr
Camas, WA 98607
Time: 12:00 P.M.
Contact: (TBD)

Golden Leaf Presentation at Cambodian School

2009-01-11T20:53:00.001-08:00

This presentation is part of the Cambodian School, a program of the Cambodian-American Community of Oregon.

Saturday January 31, 2009 at 2:15 P.M.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church
10390 SW Canyon Rd.
Beaverton Oregon 97007

Golden Leaf Presentation at Portland Community College

2009-01-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

This presentation is solely intended for the students and guests in the Composition and Liturature class of Mr. Andrew D. Cohen at Portland Community College. You may contact Mr. Cohen for a guest pass.

Date and time:
January 21, 2009 at 7:45 P.M.

Contact:
Andrew D. Cohen
Instructor of Composition and Literature
Portland Community College
Sylvania Campus/CT 219
12000 SW 49th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
(503)977-8019

International School of Beaverton

2008-10-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

17770 SW Blanton St

Aloha, OR 97007

November 13, 2008
10:10 A.M. - 11:05 A.M.

FIELD OF DREAMS night at Multnomah Athletic Club

2008-10-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

I will be sharing my life story at this event: http://www.esufc.com/templates/template7/template7.php?page=683

Speak at University of Oregon

2008-10-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Surviving the Killing Fields: impacts and aftermath of the Cambodian Genocide with Cambodian Genocide survivor and panel.

November 18th at 5:30 P.M. @ University of Oregon

This event is in the Erb Memorial Union(EMU) Mills International Center as part of International Education Week and in cooperation with the nonprofit Friendship with Cambodia.

SPEAK AT WHOLISTIC PEACE INSTITUTE

2008-10-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

From: Gary Alan Spanovich
Subject: October 17th (NEXT FRIDAY) World Peace Lunch
To: worldpeace@canby.com

You’re Invited to the Noon to 1:15 PM; October 17th, 2008 (NEXT FRIDAY) World Peace Lunch; LUNCHEON IS AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER RESTAURANT, 310 SW LINCOLN STREET, PORTLAND; BUFFET LUNCH IS $13; It Is Also United Nations Day For The Eradication of Poverty and World Food Day; Speakers Are: Timmothy McCarthy; Past Chair and treasurer of Dignity Village a Portland Homeless Camp & Kilong Ung, a Former Khmer Rouge Survivor Who Endured Extreme Poverty for Five Years In A Cambodian Concentration Camp; Don’t Miss These Exciting Speakers

PLEASE CONSIDER CANNED GOODS FOR DIGNITY VILLAGE TO THIS EVENT

Friday, October 17th is the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World Food Day

A day to remind us of the plight of the victims of extreme poverty and those who suffer from the pains of hunger and to build an “international alliance against hunger” and the day aimed to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.

Today extreme poverty affects about 1.2 billion people -- that is, those who survive on less than a dollar a day. At the same time, nearly 840 million people worldwide do not have enough to eat. Some 300 million people live in absolute poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and millions of children continue to die unnecessarily each year for lack of health care, clean water, decent housing or adequate nutrition.

The aim of World Food Day is to heighten public awareness of the world ood problem and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

The Millennium Development Goals, adopted in 2000 by United Nations Member States, set out to halve these figures by 2015. To reach this goal, action is required by both developed and developing countries alike.

The first observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was in 1987, spearheaded by ATD Fourth World. This international NGO is dedicated to overcoming extreme poverty by exploring partnership with families living in chronic poverty, and by encouraging private citizens and public officials to join this effort.

ARE SPONSORS ARE: Wholistic Peace Institute; PSU Hatfield School of Government; PSU Conflict Resolution Graduate School; University of Portland, Peace & Social Justice Section; Afghanistan Peace & Social Justice Institute; Pyongyang University Science & Technology Center Peace Studies Department, North Korea; World Peace Center; Portland International Peace Center & World Peace Garden; Universal Peace Federation

UPCOMING WORLD PEACE LUNCHES AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY; MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!!

• Friday; November 21st : Noon to 1:15pm:
• Friday; December 19th : Noon to 1:15pm: Annual Christmas Event
• Friday; January 16th : Noon to 1:15pm: Mary Merkeley Personal
Reflections & Focus on Nobel Peace Laureate Mother Teresa (Invited)
• Friday; February 20th : Noon to 1:15pm: Mercy Corps
• Friday; March 20th : Noon to 1:15pm:
• Friday; April 17th : Noon to 1:15pm:
• Friday; May 15th : Noon to 1:15pm:

PEACE

Gary Alan Spanovich, Executive Director
Wholistic Peace Institute
PO BOX 1178
Portland, Oregon 97207
Phone: 503-266-8996
Fax: 503-263-4081
Email: worldpeace@canby.com
Web Page: www.wholisticpeaceinstitute.com

PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL GRADUATION

2008-05-07T23:31:00.000-07:00

Portland Internaltional Community (High) School Graduation
Sponsored by PSU Capstone Students

June 2, 2008 6:30 P.M.

PSU Native American Student & Community Center
710 SW Jackson Street
Portland, OR 97201

SPEAK AT ROTARY CLUB OF CAMAS-WASHOUGAL

2008-04-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal

July 31, 2008 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Fairgate Inn
2213 NW 23rd Avenue
Camas, WA 98607

Picture courtesy of DC-CAM.

Long before I became a Rotarian, I survived the Khmer Rouge genocide. Along with the two million dead Cambodians, both of my parents starved to death. Through minefields, Khmer Rouge stronghold and refugee camps, I found my way to Reed College, Andersen Consulting, the Rotary Club of Portland and now the Royal Rosarians.

Leveraging my past, I want to inspire people to celebrate life, put things in perspective, have courage, live a balanced life and help others.

Note: I am currently writing a book about my journey. If you would like to read an excerpt, please click here.

SPEAK AT ROTARY CLUB OF KRUSE WAY - LAKE OSWEGO

2008-04-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Kruse Way

July 15, 2008 12:45 - 1:15 p.m.

Home Builders Association
15555 SW Bangy Rd
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Picture courtesy of DC-CAM.

KILONG UNG

2008-03-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

As a Khmer Rouge genocide survivor, I had lived in anger, self pity, vengeful fantasy, nightmare and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Fortunately, I have managed to put my horrible past to good use. I have been leveraging my past to make the world a better place, one person at a time.

In the reflection of my own past, I have delivered the motivational speeches that inspired people to celebrate life, put things in perspective, hope, dream, have courage, live a balanced life and help others.

If you would like me to speak at your event, please send me a message (kilongung@gmail.com) with suggested date, time and location.

Please feel free to join me in my Facebook groups:

Fans of Golden Leaf
Cambodian-American Community of Oregon
Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum of Oregon
MTI Dentatal Team Serving Cambodian Orphanage
New Hope Cambodia Library Project

PAST ENGAGEMENTS

2008-03-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

10/17/2008 - Wholistic Peace Institute

07/31/2008 - Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal

07/15/2008 - Rotary Club of Kruse Way, Lake Oswego

06/20/2008 - Wholistic Peace Institute

06/02/2008 - Portland International Community School Graduation

04/25/2008 - THINK OUT LOUD on OPB Radio

04/12/2008 - Khmer New Year

03/13/08 - Portland International Community School - "Anything unattempted remains impossible"

03/12/08 - Tualatin Rotary Club - An American Rotarian who survived the Khmer Rouge genocide

03/01/08 - Waterfront Park - Voters Registration Rally sponsored by Sho Dozono For Portland Mayor

01/23/08 - Sylvania Portland Community College - Surviving the Khmer Rouge Genocide

11/04/07 - The Forgotten Memories (by Minh Tran & Company) at the Imago Theater

10/18/07 - Retired Professor and Staff at Portland State University

10/04/07 - Beyond War: Expanding the Voices of Peace, open to the public from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Multicultural Center at Portland State University

08/16/07 - Cambodia Backstage fundraising event at The Monkey and The Rat

05/28/07 - Peace Memorial by the Veterans for Peace at Portland Peace Memorial Park

05/10/07 - Clackamas High School (genocide classes)

04/06/07 - The Forgotten Memories (by Minh Tran & Company) at the Wonder Ballroom

04/03/07 - Introducing Director/Filmmaker Skye Fitzgerald at the Rotary Club of Portland

03/14/07 - Lent at First United Methodist Church (15th & Jefferson)

SPEAK AT WHOLISTIC PEACE INSTITUTE

2008-03-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

Wholistic Peace Institute's Peace Lunch
June 20, 2008 12:00 - 1:15 P.M.
$13.00 lunch

The Portland State University Center Restaurant
310 SW Lincoln Street
Portland, OR 97201

Contact:
Gary Alan Spanovich, Executive Director
Wholistic Peace Institute
PO BOX 1178 Portland, Oregon 97207
Phone: 503-266-8996
Fax: 503-263-4081
Email: worldpeace@canby.com
Web Page: http://www.wholisticpeaceinstitute.com

In the fashions of "Hopes and Dreams 101" and "Anything Unattempted Remains Impossible", I will share with you my extraordinary journey from the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields through the minefields and refugee camps to the Royal Rosarians. In the reflection of my sorrowful and triumphant journey, you may discover the power of your own past. Whatever your past may be, this presentation aims to inspire you to celebrate life, put things in perspective, have courage, live a balanced life and help others.

Note: I am currently writing a book about this journey. If you would like to read an excerpt, please click here.

KHMER NEW YEAR

2008-03-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

This year, the Cambodian communities all over the world will be celebrating the Cambodian New Year in April. The Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon (CDTO) and the Portland State University Cambodian Students Association (PSU CSA) will sponsor a celebration on April 12, 2008 at Portland State University.

I am given the honor to introduce in English the rarely seen dance performances while my lovely co-presenter Ms. Samantha Eang has the honor to introduce them in Khmer.

As a genocide survivor and a peace advocate, I am profoundly pleased to learn that the opening dance will be Robamm Preap Sar and will be performed by the children dancers of the Dance Troupe of Oregon.

Robamm Preap Sar literally means Dance of the White Doves. A white dove symbolizes peace which in turn symbolizes purity and prosperity. As Cambodia came out the Killing Fields in 1979, a group of dedicated dance teachers at the University of Fine Arts in Cambodia created this classical dance. In the spirit of purity and prosperity, this classical dance appeals to the entire human race to help bring peace to Cambodia and all parts of the world.

I am also pleased to learn that the organizers of this event have invited Portland Mayor Tom Potter and his wife Karin Hansen to take part in the celebration. While most public officials would and could only know my community by means of its elevator speeches, Mayor Tom Potter and his wife have known my community by means of its heart, culture and heritage.

I am pleased to extend the invitation to you so that you too may get to know my community by means of its heart, culture and heritage.

May this year of the Metal Rat bring you peace and prosperity.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS

2008-03-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Clackamas High School
Downtown Waterfront Park
First United Methodist Church
Northwest Travel Professionals
Newberg Rotary Club
Peace Memorial Park
Portland Community College
Portland International Community School
Portland State University
Portland Youth Golf Association
Royal Rosarians
Tualatin Rotary Club
Voters Registration Rally