WATERTOWN, Mass.—On Jan. 22, more than 40 AYF members from across the Eastern United States headed to Watertown to participate in this year’s committee meeting weekend. Despite Storm Jonas, members from all of the AYF-YOARF’s Central Committees met at the Hairenik Building to discuss the upcoming year and begin to plan 2016’s AYF calendar of events and initiatives.
Naturally, last year’s efforts were geared toward various regional Genocide Centennial activities. This year, our committees strive to broaden our initiatives and branch out to other projects the AYF and our parent organization focus on. Two areas that many committees have been tasked with include the Artsakh Project and Syrian-Armenian relief efforts. The committees are optimistic of their plans to fundraise, raise awareness, and educate the community as there is much work to be done in both regions.
Other significant initiatives that will be gearing up again include Camp Javakhk, the AYF Summer Internship, and AYF Camp Haiastan; applications are currently being accepted for all three. The Athletic Committee started to lay the framework for Junior Winter Olympics and encouraged members to sign up for the National Athletic Tournament, which will be held in Chicago from March 4-6.
The Junior Seminar Committee began planning this year’s seminar, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend. Serving as the organization’s largest Junior event, the committee is again tasked with creating a weekend filled with engaging educationals and exciting night activities. Their efforts go hand in hand with the Central Junior Council’s work, which will focus on our Junior chapters and identify key areas that their programs and activities can be improved on.
It has become customary for all members to attend the Providence “Varantian” Chapter’s Victory Ball following the conclusion of the weekend meetings. However, due to the inclement weather, the dance was postponed and our committee members were snowed in; members retreated back to the hotel and some continued their discussions into the evening. Although the evening’s plans were canceled, we were able to congregate in the hotel and enjoy each other’s company. All members were able to safely travel home on Sunday, each with a sense of positivity and excitement for what will be accomplished this year.
Ara Sarajian
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