2015 AYF Senior Seminar

By Sylvahna Menissian

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) held its annual Senior Seminar on Oct. 2-4 at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Mass. With almost 100 AYF Seniors in attendance, members came all the way from California, Canada, the Midwest, and the Eastern regions. The committee put together a weekend full of workshops, lectures, and fun activities.

The day began with a presentation by Unger Aram Hovagimian, a member of the ARF Eastern Region Central Committee. He gave an interactive lecture titled, “AYF 2020,” that discussed what issues the organization should be focusing on, using various data points. AYF Seniors were able to voice their opinions and found it interesting to see the different issues and successes chapters face. Having chapters from other regions also gave us a broader insight.

Ungerouhi Nairi Khachatourian led the next workshop, “AYF Shark Tank,” where Seniors were divided into groups and given different aspects of the AYF and our community to focus on. Each group concentrated on a new outlook and project, then presented it to the Central Executive. Ideas ranged from an educational and support forum for Syrian Armenian Relief, Artsakh development, junior membership, and more. Members were engaged and each had the opportunity to express themselves in smaller group settings, allowing for great concepts.

Unger Harry Glorikian gave the last lecture of the weekend. With his background in developing start-up companies, his lecture about leadership in the working environment was applied to our skills developed in the AYF.

This was one of the most well-attended Senior Seminars in history. Members were able to see old friends and make new ones during the weekend, as well as work and learn together.

Thank you to the lecturers, the AYF Central Executive, Central Educational Council, and our Senior members for making this weekend possible!