ANCA Desk: Spring’s the Season for Renewed Energy for the Armenian Cause

Spring has sprung, and not just in the weather. With a fresh season comes a fresh outlook on everything, from work projects to family time and everything in between. That includes a renewed sense of purpose and energy for the Armenian cause.

We are already a few months into a new political cycle, but it’s never too late to start building ties at every level of government. With the 113^th U.S. Congress well underway and the loss of several “friends to Armenian Americans” to election or retirement, the ANCA and its activists can’t afford to sit idly by and not foster new relationships.

Our local ANC chapters in the Eastern Region do a great job of cultivating the political relationships we’ve long had, and they have the power to reach out to potential friends too. But a local ANC can only do so much if it doesn’t have the connections someone new or experienced can bring to the table.

So I write this not just to our current ANCA activists, but also to our future friends: The ANCA Eastern Region—and more importantly, the Armenian-American community—need your help today. We have a broad base of support in our 31 eastern states, but the grassroots effort is never too full.

Spring means revival. It’s so easy to exhaust ourselves in our daily routines. Monotony only gets us so far in anything. As cliché as it is, winter gets the best of us and we tend to fall back on routine. A new season and perspective can affect the way we go about our work and, in turn, the results we reap.

I view spring as a time of rebirth, in all aspects of the word. April 24 has passed and although we know the fight for genocide recognition is not a once-per-year event, spring is a chance for us to reevaluate our efforts and goals. There is much work to be done, and the cultivation of blossoming friendships with Members of Congress, local politicians, and human rights groups are just the tip of the iceberg.

Do you have a friend who works for an ethnic organization? Did you go to school with someone who now networks with politicians? These things are priceless to the ANCA and to you because what we accomplish directly impacts you. Why not help your fellow Armenians? You may think that random connection has no value for the cause, but you should rethink that. Everyone can pitch in somehow—and it goes without saying that they don’t have to be Armenian.

I encourage you to use spring to your advantage, and not just to clean out your closets and start running outside. Use it to reassess: Think about the people in your life and how each fits into yours. Then think about how they can use their talents to help the greater good. It’s something we often overlook: How can I help and how can I motivate others to as well?

It’s not necessary to have that personal connection to start working with an elected official, but it certainly helps. Often, all it takes is a call or email to your representative to get the ball rolling. From there it’s all about follow-up and making sure s/he is educated on our issues. And that’s where the ANCA comes in.

We’re here to provide the support you need to promote Hai Tahd in your communities, large and small, and at the federal level. If you need talking points, we have them. Packets on Karabagh? Got it. Connections to other ANCA activists? Done. Coaching on how to effectively reach out to your elected officials? We can work with you on this.

The number of projects and goals that fall under our jurisdiction are truly endless, which is why we want you to join us. The more folks we have fighting for a variety of issues, the broader and stronger our organization, and the Armenian cause, become.

It’s spring. How do you want to spend it? My hope is with us, fighting for our just cause.