Membership

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I have to be Asian American or of Asian descent to join?
   No, we want people of all backgrounds to join us. All we ask is that you respect our mission and goals.
   
   
2. What qualifications do I need to be a member?
   Anyone interested in energy, the environment or commerce is invited to join AE2C. Professionals in these sectors are welcome as are students.
   
   
3. What do we mean by an Asian American? AE2C welcomes everyone with Asian heritage no matter where they live. We also have many supporters and members who are interested in energy, environment and commerce topics that span Asia and the United States but who are not of Asian heritage.
   
   
4. I don’t live near an AE2C Chapter. Can I still be involved?
   YES! During the COVID19 Pandemic, we have held all our events virtually, so anyone can participate. As we move more towards an open meeting environment, we plan to have a mixture of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. The best way to participate is by joining AE2C as a member here.
   
   
5. How long has AE2C been in existence?
   AE2C was founded in November 2011. You can learn more about AE2C's Founding Members here.\
   
   
6. Why did you create AE2C? 
   

   1) To overcome barriers. The story of America is its growing diversity, and Asian Americans are part of this story. But there have been barriers. Sometimes they are subtle, such as lack of education or income. Sometimes they have been overt when someone is passed over for a job because of the way they look. We see that a diverse workforce is a strength, not a weakness, and AE2C was formed to bring more diversity to the workforce and help our members move beyond the barriers.

   2) To open opportunities. Today, energy and environmental matters have a global reach. What happens in the United States affects the planet, both positively and negatively. The countries of Asia are part of the equation to fulfill the world’s needs for energy while preserving our environment. Our members hail predominantly from Asian ethnic heritages, and some live and do business there. As expressed in AE2C’s mission statement, we seek to “bridge the values, business practices, and cultures of Asia and the United States.”

   3) To give back. Many of our Founding Members have had the benefit of years of experience, and we desire to assist those seeking to enter the workforce or to elevate others to higher positions. Only through our education and mentorship efforts can we be assured that the best and brightest from our communities attain their highest potential, for the betterment of our country in successive generations.