About EHC Who we are
Who we are
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The Ethnic Heritage Council's mission is to preserve and promote ethnic and cultural traditions, foster mutual understanding, enrich lives and celebrate our heritage.
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What is the Ethnic Heritage Council?
The Ethnic Heritage Council is dedicated to preserving the unique mix of cultural traditions that enrich our Northwest communities.
Since our founding in 1980 as a non-profit organization, EHC has grown in membership from a few individuals to hundreds of ethnic and cultural organizations and individuals.
Member organizations work together to preserve and document ethnic heritage, advance cross-cultural understanding and inform area residents about the ethnic experience in the Northwest through festivals, workshops, meetings and publications.
EHC is well-equipped to meet the challenges presented by our multi-ethnic society; with a Board of Directors comprised of leaders from African-American, Asian-American, European-American, Latin-American and Native American communities, the Council is one of the few organizations which provide a forum for the groups and individuals which make up its membership.
While EHC's events and publications inform us about the unusual mix of ethnic and cultural elements within our society, they are intended, most importantly, to unite us in the knowledge that each one of us has an ethnic heritage.
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- Enhance the success of ethnic organizations,
- Advance communication and understanding among ethnic communities,
- Facilitate documentation of local ethnic history and cultural heritage,
- Be a clearinghouse of information concerning ethnic groups and their activities,
- Sponsor and promote educational, cultural, and other exchanges among ethnic organizations and groups and the general public,
- Provide support for ethnic non-profit organizations,
- Organize ethnic and cultural events for the general public, and
- Engage in any other lawful activity as authorized by the Board of Directors.
Referrals and Collaboration
The Ethnic Heritage Council responds to many requests for information concerning ethnic organizations, programs and activities. We receive inquiries from schools, community centers, government, public and private agencies, private citizens and libraries. We also collaborate extensively with the Seattle Center in a variety of events. If you have a question, please contact us here.
The EHC as a Non-Profit Umbrella Organization
We provide valuable assistance and support to young ethnic organizations seeking to establish themselves in the community, obtain grants and acquire tax-exempt status.
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Ethnic Heritage Council
2012-2013 Officers and Executive Board
President: Jagdish Sharma
Vice President: Mary Hsu
Secretary: Mark Vohr
Treasurer: Jim Williams
2012-2013
Board of Directors:
- Nilki Benitez
- Mary L. Hsu
- Sam Kaplan
- Janet McCully
- Son Michael Pham
- Natasha Savage
- Natacha Sesko
- Jagdish Sharma
- Nanci Spieker
- Mitsu Sundvall
- Mark Vohr
- Jim Williams
Emeritus Directors:
- Burton "Bud" Bard
- JoAnne Lee
- Sue McNab
EHC Staff:
Executive Director: Alma Plancich
Assistant Director, Newsletter Editor: Maria Kesovija
Projects Support Newsletter /Calendar Assistant: Sally Ann Rutledge; Jessica Segur
The Council has been certified by the U.S. Treasury as a 501-c-3 organization and is registered in the State of Washington
Looking Back... 30 Years of Celebrating Community
Looking Back... Bringing People Together for 30 Years!
In 2010 EHC salutes our 30th Anniversary! May 15th we came together and acknowledged 30 years at our 30th Anniversary Celebration, at Nordic Heritage Museum.
Over the years, the Ethnic Heritage Council has assisted, encouraged and guided numerous organizations in their fledgling stages, to grow into their own. Whether an annual event launched, a cultural center established or a Festál cultural festival sprouted out of one of the many fledglings, the Ethnic Heritage Council has accomplished what it set out to do 30 years ago and continues to do today - to preserve the unique mix of cultural traditions that enrich our Northwest communities.
As we celebrate in 2010, we look back at the beginnings and other highlights in the development of EHC-an organization many have said is "one of a kind in the nation."
September 1978 - Sixteen enthusiastic people gathered at the home of Kristian, Ingaborg and Randi Hansen to discuss an offer from the Folklife Center of the Library of Congress to help a multi-ethnic group stage a conference on preserving local histories and traditions. Drinking Ingeborg's coffee and eating her pastries at this gathering were: Ole Brahe-Pedersen, Veronia Walker, John Kovtunovich, Rosanne Royer, Bud Bard, Julianne Kumasaka, Irene Nishimura, Sylvia Summerland, Leo Utter, Sirrka Wilson, Anne Marie Steiner, Karoline Morrison, Aspasia Pulakis, Bill Nikinovich, and Elena Bradunas of the Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.
September 1978-August 1979 - The "rolling stone" gathered increasing numbers of ethnic representatives at meetings held at different ethnic halls each month to plan a three-day conference at Seattle Center. Seattle Public Library became a major force in the effort, through an NEH grant and the creative management of Jean Coberly. Rosanne Royer, Aspasia Pulakis and Bud Bard took the lead in conducting meetings.
September 28-30, 1979 - Over 200 representatives of over forty Puget Sound ethnic organizations attended "Ethnic Heritage Workshop and Festival" at Seattle Center, cosponsored by the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress and Seattle Public Library. The enthusiastic organizers decided to stay together and form a permanent organization.
January 1980 - EHC is incorporated as a membership-based, educational, non-profit organization with a challenging mission: To advance communication among ethnic communities; facilitate documentation of local ethnic history and cultural heritage; be a clearinghouse of information about ethnic groups; sponsor educational, cultural, and other exchanges among ethnic groups; provide support organizations in their start-up phase; and organize ethnic and cultural events that inform the general public.
Fifty-seven certified representatives of ethnic organizations began participating in the meetings of the new organization. First elected officers were: Bud Bard, President; Aspasia Pulakis, Vice President; Rose Gonzales, Secretary; Ole Brahe-Pedersen, Treasurer. Through the generosity of Bud Bard, then President of American Cultural Exchange, EHC was given a home in the ACE office for thirteen years. In 1993 EHC moved into offices at Seattle Center, where it serves many ethnic communities through Seattle Center activities.
The dedicated individuals who have served as Board President over the years include Bud Bard, Ole Brahe-Pedersen, Jeri-Marie Bennett, Karoline Morrison, Alma Plancich, Cleo Molina, Joann Nicon, Marianne Forssblad, Sue McNab, Yasemin San, Martha Cohen, Lynn Winslow, David Serra and JoAnne Lee.
A "Creative Genius" emerges. There is hardly an event or activity of EHC that has not had its origins in the creative and enterprising mind of Karoline Morrison, EHC pioneer, former Board President and Board Member. EHC blossomed with her many creations, such as "Liberty Fair" and "Spirit of Liberty" award at Seattle Center, the first of which featured an appearance by actress Carol Channing; EthnicFest (later WorldFest), the first EHC shopping center festival at Northgate Mall; "Let's Eat Ethnic" coupon book; "Ports of Call"-a dinner that progressed through diverse ethnic foods with matching music; the Statue of Liberty fundraiser and the vision to try to get Lee Iacocca as special guest (we did!).
Karoline's genius and the hard work of others was managed by five executive directors over the years: Name them and the years they served: Bud Bard (volunteer) 1984-88; Sandy Bradley (1989-90); Peter Davenport (1991-94); Fred Capestany (1995) and current Executive Director Alma Franulovich Plancich (1995-Present). Their work has resulted in many noteworthy events and developments over the years.
"Spirit of '86" - A fundraiser in 1984 for the Statue of Liberty Restoration Project. The event was headlined by the Chairman of the national campaign, Lee Iacocca, and raised $25,000 for the Statue of Liberty Fund.
Liberty Fair - A multi-ethnic festival highlighted by the Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony. Today the Annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony held at Seattle Center has become a nationally recognized event, where every year over 500 people, from more than 75 countries are sworn in as new citizens. The ceremony is produced with Seattle Center and United States Citizenship & Immigration Services by EHC Executive Director Alma Plancich and Assistant Director Maria Kesovija. In 2010, EHC produces the 26th Annual Naturalization Ceremony.
Worldfest - (originally EthnicFest) brought music and dance festivals into the contemporary marketplace-the shopping center-the first taking place at Northgate Mall in 1982 and continued for 20 years. Today, EHC's fall festivals, Cultural Crossroads, at Crossroads Bellevue and Winter Worldfest at the Seattle Center, annually feature hundreds of performers, exhibits and booths. In 2010, EHC produces the 20th Annual Cultural Crossroads and the 11th Annual Winter Worldfest. EHC is a leader in presenting ethnic performing groups in Washington State.
An "umbrella" and co-sponsorship service to other groups - Over 100 groups who are not registered non-profit organizations have used the umbrella of EHC to stage events important to their development. Over the years the Council also has offered numerous workshops to its diverse membership on such mutual concerns as fundraising, membership development, public relations, leadership development, and youth involvement.
A vital clearinghouse - On a daily basis EHC responds to phone and email requests from individuals, organizations, government agencies, and businesses seeking contact with ethnic communities. EHC has assisted schools in identifying individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to make classroom presentations.
Publications - The first newsletter, Ethnic Connection, was replaced in 1984 by Northwest Ethnic News, a monthly newspaper distributed region-wide. Editors included Yasemin San, Susan Auerbach, Nancy Stone-Nilsen, Allegra Berrian, Jim Walters, Mathew Mullins, Kent Chadwick, Allan Swensson, Ramona Gault, Sarah Sarai, and Mari Herreras-Zinman. Today the Council publishes the monthly EHC Newsletter and Calendar of Ethnic Events, with Maria Kesovija as Editor, and CONTACT: A Directory of Ethnic and Cultural Resources in Washington State. First published in 1981, it was coordinated by Seattle Public Library through a U.S. Office of Education grant, with Seattle and Bellevue School Districts and EHC contributing entries. The first CONTACT contained over 200 entries. This year it is going on-line, on the EHC website.
Awards - The "Spirit of Liberty" award is presented to a naturalized citizen who makes significant contributions to his or her ethnic community and to the community at large. The "Aspasia Phoutrides Pulakis Memorial" award recognizes outstanding contributions to one's ethnic community. The "Gordon Ekvall Tracie Memorial" award is given for excellence in ethnic performing arts, and the "Spirit of America" award honors foreign born and Native American individuals who have committed their lives to service within the multicultural community.
The 25th Anniversary Celebrations - To celebrate this important milestone EHC presented, on March 11, 2005 "Telling Our Stories-Ethnic Heritage in Washington State". The full day of workshops took place at the Port of Seattle Headquarters, Pier 69, and was cosponsored by the Museum of History & Industry. A reception followed the conference honoring sponsors and supporters. Honorary Chairman for the event was Washington State Governor Gary Locke and Co-Chairs of the conference were Joann Georges Nicon and Rosanne Gostovich Royer.
EHC's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony, traditionally held in February, was held this year May 15th as our 30th Anniversary Celebration. We were honored to have Phyllis Campbell, Chairman of Pacific Northwest Business, J. P. Morgan Chase Bank, as our keynote speaker.
Many significant & successful events have been produced by EHC over the years-too numerous to list! In the future months, as we continue to celebrate our 30th year, we will look back on the accomplishments of EHC and share them with our readers. The Council looks forward to continuing the 30th year celebration throughout the year!
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