ARS Eastern USA Regional Holds 87th Annual Convention
GAITHERSBURG, Md.—On July 12, ARS delegates and observers from throughout the Eastern United States gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Gaithersburg for the 87th Annual ARS Convention, hosted by the Greater Washington Satenig Chapter.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks by Leeza Doukmajian, chairwoman of ARS Satenig Chapter, and Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian of the Prelacy. Mimi Parseghian, speaking on behalf of the ARS Eastern USA Board of Regional Directors, thanked the Satenig Chapter for its hard work in preparing and planning for the Convention.
Haig Oshagan of the ARF, Shakeh Basmajian of the ARS CE, Hovsep Avakian of Hamazkayian, Vahe Tanashian of Homenetmen, Keghouhi Bastajian of the ARS in Canada, Aram Hamparian of the ANCA and Der Sarkis Aktavoukian of the Sourp Khatch Church were also in attendance.
From the Eastern Region’s 33 chapters, 22 chapters were present with 33 delegates.
Parseghian opened the Convention, and Talin Daglian was nominated and elected as English language chairperson; Silva Kouyoumdjian was elected as Armenian language chairperson; Sevan Stone and Arda McCarthy were elected as English language secretaries; and Maggie Khatcherian and Elo Tanashian were elected as the Armenian language secretaries.
Nayiri Balanian (Philadelphia Ani Chapter), Caroline Chamavonian (Philadelphia Ardemis) and Takouhy Hartounian (Detroit Tzolig) were elected to serve on the Credentials Committee, and found that the convention was in order and could proceed.
The following members were elected to serve on the Nominating Committee by unanimous consent: Melanie Kerneklian (Richmond Hooys), Sose Tokatlian (Florida Sosseh), Sonia Gulbenk (Fairfield Susan Terzian), Joyce Yeremian (Providence Ani) and Linda Terzian (New Jersey Bergen County).
Angele Manoogian was appointed the parliamentarian; she was the only guest of the Regional. Elsie Mouradian, Beta Nahabedian and Shousig Makhsaedian were selected guests of this Convention. Nayiri Balanian was appointed reporter. Sona Garabedian was appointed as Sergeant of Arms.
The Resolution Committee members chose were Susan Azarian (New Jersey Bergen County), Ann Marie Bokatzian (Detroit Maro), Sonia Akelian (Chicago Zabelle) and Ardemis Kalayjian (Cambridge Shushi).
The Correspondance Committee members were Zabel Mooradian Faye (Binghamton Anahid), Sirvart Telbelian (Detroit Shakeh) and Takouhy Hartounian (Detroit Tzolig).
The Auditing Committee members were Vanouhi Tashjian (Cambridge Shushi), Maral Nakashian (Washington Satenig) and Jaquelin Stamboulian (New Jersey Agnouni).
Parseghian presented the Annual Report of the ARS Eastern USA Board of Directors. She also answered the delegates’ questions and concerns, which greatly centered on the future of the Armenian National Education Committee and of the Youth Educational Program program.
Shakeh Basmajian, ARS Central Executive Board member, read the CE Report. Shakeh and Hasmig Derderian, the chairperson of the Central Executive Board, answered questions and made clarifications.
Angele Manoogian, the ARS Eastern USA Centennial Fundraising Committee chairperson, updated the Convention body on the major fundraising plans of the committee, which includes a Golf Outing in Florida or Virginia; a Matching Fund Program from non-Armenian companies; and a memorial commemorative book called “A Century of Memories,” where individuals and families can sponsor a page in memory of a loved one in their family who was an ARS member. The two-year fundraising effort will end with a major gala dinner.
Additionally, she informed the delegates that Tom Vartabedian of Massachusetts would write a monthly column on the ARS for the Armenian Weekly, both on current activities and the organization’s history. These articles will appear until the fundraising ends in 2010.
All chapters are asked to participate and help Vartabedian by providing ideas and names for this series, including the ARS’s oldest members a history of the chapters, unique chapter or regional activities. A special thanks to Vartabedian, who will be available to interview our members for this column.
The Convention agreed to the following resolutions: The creation of a pilot program as outreach to the youth informing them of the ARS’s programs; an organization-wide voluntary e-mail list so that all chapter members receive circulars before a meeting. a one-day educational seminar for ARS members in various geographical areas in the region, all with the same topic.
The Nominating Committee nominated the newest members of the Board of Directors. Members who will be remaining through term are Anahid Sarafian (Chicago Zabelle), Lucy Essajanian (Cambridge Shushi), and Anais Cholakian and Koharik Davidian (New York Mayr). Members who were reelected are Knar Kiledjian (New Jersey Shake) and Mimi Parseghian (Lowell Lousintak). Talin Daghlian (New Jersey Agnouni) and Arda McCarthy (New Jersey Spitak) were elected as the first and second alternates, respectively.
The 87th Convention culminated in a well-attended banquet and dinner/dance at the Hilton Hotel on July 14, with Vatche Agopian and His Band from LA.
Ungh Sonia Kolejian in the picture s honored for her services to ARS
Leeza Doukmajian and Sevan Kolejian emceed the event and honored the following chapter members for their years of services and outstanding contributions: Khonar Tavitian, Angele Pakhchanian, Sonia Kolejian, Nora Jarian, Maro Assatourian, Shake Kalayjian, Vehanoush Lehimjian, Rose Marsoubian, Lydia Bahlavouni, Eleeze Magarian and Rose Baboyan.
Ungh Rose Baboyan, the first chairlady of ARS Satenig Chapter and ungh
Leeza Doukmajian the current Chairlady of ARS Satenig Chapter
Baboyan was the first chairlady of the Satenig Chapter (at the age of 17), and was bestowed the higher honors. Nayiri Balanian surprised her with a special Armenian poem dedicated to her.
Hasmig Derderian, Mimi Parseghian and Haig Oshagan addressed the Banquet attendees, stressing the roll of individuals, chapters and the community in reaching our goals. Later, Anahid Sarrafian presented the Century Club trophy to the ARS N.J. Agnouni Chapter, which generated the most new Century Club members for the 2006 to 2007 fiscal year. The Century Club is a 17-year old program where individuals can support the ARS Eastern USA with an annual $100 contribution. Agnouni delegates Talin Daghlian and Jaquelin Stamboulian accepted the trophy on behalf of their chapter.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ARS Eastern USA Agnouni Award, which is given to an individual or entity that has supported the ARS mission in a significant and lasting manner. The 2007 Agnouni Award recipient was Chake Der Melkonian Minassian. Keghouhi Bastajian, an ARS Canada Board member, accepted the Agnouni Award on behalf of Minassian.She said, “I am honored to carry this award on behalf of Ungerouhi Chake Der Melkonian Minassian. I will carry on your warm welcome to her as well.”
The ARS Board of Regional Directors thanks the ARS Greater Washington Satenig Chapter and appreciates the hard work of its young and old members for enhancing the Convention experience for everyone in attendance.
For more information about the ARS Eastern USA, visit www.arseastusa.org; e-mail arseastus@aol.com; call (617) 926-3801; or write to ARS Eastern USA, 80 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
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