ARS Eastern USA Concludes 89th Annual Convention

By Linda Kamajian and Melanie Kerneklian

Delegates from across the eastern United States were in Glenview, Ill. from July 16-19 for the ARS Eastern USA’s 89th Annual Regional Convention. The ARS Chicago “Zabelle” Chapter was this year’s convention host.

The four-day convention was attended by delegates from ARS Eastern USA chapters in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin. Delegates were joined by the ARS Eastern USA Regional Executive Board, representatives from the ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board, and guests.

The convention reviewed the ARS’s annual report, elected three new Regional Executive Board members, approved a 2009-10 budget, adopted resolutions, and looked ahead to the challenges of implementing programs during the upcoming fiscal year.

Convention co-chairs were Ungerouhis (Unghs.) Zabelle Mooradian Fay, of the Binghamton “Anahid” Chapter, and Caroline Chamavonian, of the Philadelphia “Artemis” Chapter. Convention secretaries were Unghs. Holly Khaligian, Racine “Sosseh” Chapter; Ani Pilibosian, Detroit “Shakeh” Chapter; and Anik Kechichian and Rakel Asadurian, both of the New Jersey Hudson County “Shakeh” Chapter.

The ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board was represented by Ungh. Mayda Melkonian, who generously contributed her broad knowledge of organizational matters and delivered the ARS Central Executive Board’s report.

Following the elections of the convention’s Resolutions; Correspondence, Auditing and Budgeting, and Nominating Committees, the convention turned its attention to the region’s current work and projections for the year ahead.

The Resolutions Committee members were Ungh. Melanie Haroian, Granite City “Reubena” Chapter; Maggy Khacherian, Watertown “Leola Sassouni” Chapter; and Taline Hagopian, Detroit “Maro” Chapter.

The Correspondence Committee members were Unghs. Sona Mishigian, Detroit “Sybille” Chapter; Shnorik Karakelian, Philadephia “Ani” Chapter; and Kayane Shirozian, Philadelphia “Artemis” Chapter.

The Auditing and Budgeting Committee members were Unghs. Pearl Bargamian Teague, Lowell “Lusentak” Chapter; Ani Kechichian, New Jersey Hudson County “Shakeh” Chapter; and Mina Hovsepian, New York “Mayr” Chapter.

The Nominating Committee members were Mary Arabian, Knar Apkarian, Mania Bardakjian, Yeran Manjikian, and Maro Nalbandian.

The convention appointed Ungh. Joyce Yeremian as parliamentarian; Unghs. Melanie Kerneklian and Linda Kamajian as convention reporters; and Sona Garabetian as sergeant-at-arms.

Invited by the ARS Regional Executive Board as guests were ARS Eastern USA Centennial Celebration Committee chairwoman Ungh. Angele Manoogian, as well as Unghs. Joyce Yeremian, Georgi-Ann Oshagan, and Mimi Parseghian, an ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board member who served on the Regional Executive Board until her election to the Central Executive Board in October 2008.

***

The effects of the global economic downturn was a recurrent theme in assessing the Society’s wide spectrum of humanitarian and educational programs. Many of these longstanding programs and projects had to be scrutinized due to budgetary pressures, not only from lowered financial returns, but also due to increased pressures on local chapters in their fundraising projections.

The ARS Eastern USA participates fully in the ARS, Inc.’s world-wide programs, including the Sponsor-A-Child Program, providing funds for 7,000 orphans in Armenia and Artsakh since 1992; the Orphan Education Fund, assisting orphans in Armenia and Artsakh with post-secondary educational financing; the Sosseh Kindergarten Project, providing early childhood programs for villages throughout Artsakh; the ARS Mother and Child Health Clinic and Birthing Center, which provides health care and birthing facilities for families in Armenia’s Gyumri region; and the “When September Comes” program, providing back-to-school materials for students throughout Armenia.

ARS Eastern USA programs include the ARS Undergraduate Scholarship and Lazarian Graduate Scholarship for students of Armenian heritage; Armenian everyday and one-day school support; and allocations assisting Armenian day schools and the United Armenia Fund. The ARS Eastern USA also provides Camp Haiastan’s educational program and camper assistance funds.

These are only some of the programs that are supported through the fundraising efforts of local ARS chapters and through ARS Eastern USA endowments.

The ARS worldwide will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. Centennial Celebration chairwoman Ungh. Angele Manoogian reported on the breadth of the Fund’s scope and the need for greater outreach and networking to reach fundraising goals. Her unwavering commitment, optimism, and energy inspired convention delegates. She also presented the convention with a copy of “A Century of Memories,” a publication of narratives reflecting 100 years of ARS accomplishments, which was published and distributed during the ARS Eastern USA’s gala banquet in New York last autumn to kick off the region’s efforts in the worldwide centennial fundraising campaign.

At the convention banquet, the ARS Eastern USA Regional Executive Board recognized convention guest Ungh. Joyce Yeremian for her dedication and outstanding ARS service by awarding her the region’s highest honor, the Agnouni Award. Ungh. Yeremian humbly accepted the award with great surprise, delight, and humility. She is recognized as a role model for her contribution.

Ungh. Kiledjian then presented the Century Club trophy to the ARS “Shakeh” Chapter of New Jersey. The chapter generated the most new Century Club members for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The Century Club is a 19-year old program where individuals can support the ARS Eastern USA with an annual $100 contribution.

The Century Club Trophy traveled to the New Jersey “Shakeh” Chapter from the Racine “Soseh” Chapter, which was the recipient for the fiscal year 2007-08.

The banquet guest speaker was Ungh. Arpy Killian of the Chicago “Zabelle” Chapter, who highlighted the ARS’s mission in the diaspora, the Armenian woman’s role in the community, and how the ARS has provided humanitarian assistance to Armenians around the world in its nearly 100-year history.

In addition to hours of hard work and debate during the convention, the host Chicago “Zabelle” Chapter made sure there was also time for relaxation by planning an enjoyable Lake Michigan dinner cruise for convention delegates, ARS members, friends, and guests. All enjoyed a night of food and dancing while admiring the Chicago skyline during the convention’s Friday evening social event.

The ARS chapter delegates recognized the Regional Executive Board’s daunting work, made more difficult in the last year because of tough economic times. The 2008-09 Regional Executive Board members were Unghs. Mimi Parseghian, Knar Kiledjian, Ani Attar, Silva Kouyoumdjian, Gohar Davidian, Anais Tcholakian, and Varsen Bedrossian. When Ungh. Parseghian was elected to the ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board in October 2008, elected Regional Executive Board alternate Ungh. Taline Daghlian joined the Board for the remainder of its term. Delegates offered their hearty thanks for the Board members’ commitment and tireless efforts.

Outgoing Regional Executive Board members were Unghs. Kiledjian, Attar, and Daghlian. Continuing Board members are Unghs. Kouyoumdjian, Davidian, Tcholakian, and Bedrossian. Joining them are newly elected Board members Unghs. Carol Jaffarian, Worcester “Knar” Chapter; Caroline Chamavonian, Philadephia “Artemis” Chapter; and Susan Azarian, Bergen County, New Jersey Chapter. Elected alternates are Unghs. Ani Pilobosian, Detroit “Shakeh” Chapter, and Valentine Berberian, New York “Mayr” Chapter.

Ungh. Linda Kamajian is a member of the ARS Rhode Island “Ani” Chapter. Ungh. Melanie Kerneklian is a member of the ARS Virginia “Hooys” Chapter.