This regular column will take a closer look at the Hai Tahd activities taking place in local communities within the Eastern Region by our volunteers. We had the opportunity last week to speak with Hovig Kouyoumdjian and Lara Nercessian of the ANC of Michigan, and asked them to shed some insights on the local community and Hai Tahd work there. This community has been a steady contributor and asset to the ANCA Eastern Region for many years.
MH: Who is involved with the ANC of Michigan team?
HK: The ANC-MI team is composed of six motivated members. The team has two senior members, Narses Gedikian and GeorgiAnn Oshagan, and four newly joined younger members, Hovig Kouyoumdjian, Lara Nercessian, Toros Bardakjian, and Adi Asadoorian.
In addition to being members of ANC-MI, most committee members have been involved in the ARF, the church, and in local organizations such as ARS, AYF, and HMEM.
MH: What has the ANC of Michigan been up to lately?
HK: Lately we’ve been engaged in many ANCA Action Alerts by motivating and encouraging our community to call local lawmakers and Congressmen to advocate for Hai Tahd activities. We are also trying to reach out to our community via e-mail and social media announcements and news. Our Facebook page is attracting a lot of views and we strive to make the page the voice of the Armenian community in Michigan, with its all components.
ANC-MI, with the collaboration of the local April 24 committee, is organizing the Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 27, 2013. We are hosting two prominent speakers—Baroness Caroline Cox and Mourad Topalian. Also, we are planning to initiate a series of meetings with current and newly elected Michigan lawmakers to establish new connections on the state and federal levels.
MH: What’s your background with the Armenian community? Tell me more about yourself.
HK: I came to Michigan to pursue my Ph.D. at Michigan State University; hence my involvement in the Armenian community of the greater Detroit area is recent, since 2011. Before that I was a member of the Zavarian Student Association in Beirut for 10 years, where I was on the executive for two years. Currently, I am part of the ANC-MI team and an advisor of the local Detroit AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” chapter.
LN: I have been involved since the fall of 2012 and am an attorney here in Michigan. Specifically, I am an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County. I’ve been involved in the Armenian community since I was a member of the Richmond “Roupen” AYF chapter, where I was on the executive. When I moved to Michigan, I joined the Detroit AYF and was again on the executive, and was later a junior advisor. I was also on the Steering Committee for the 2000 AYF Senior Olympics. I interned with the Armenian Assembly in 1998 and have been a member of our local ARS “Zabel” Chapter since 2008, where I was chairperson, treasurer, and now secretary. I have been on the mid-council for ARS in Michigan for two years and a representative to the United Nations for the ARS for three years.
MH: What do you want to see the ANCA do more of locally?
HK: I think the ANCA should especially reach out to the youth, and should do its best to systematically incorporate Hai Tahd advocacy workshops and training sessions, as well as coordinate with the local AYF and other Armenian youth organizations. With the help of our experienced members, this coordination can lead to a more effective presence and a louder voice in the local and regional political landscape.
Michelle Hagopian
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