Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., Inc.
Regional Executive
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202-2812
Phone: (818) 500-1343; Fax: (818) 242-3732
The ARS of Western U.S.A. 87th Regional Convention Elects New Regional Executives
BY RITA HINTLIAN (Convention Reporter)
The 87th Annual Regional Convention of the Armenian Relief Society
(ARS) of Western U.S. took place from July 12 through 15 at the Irvine
Marriott Hotel in California. Opening ceremonies took place on
Thursday, July 12, with Rina Der Alexanian welcoming all the members
and guests on behalf of the hosting `Karni’ Chapter of South Orange
County. The National Anthems of the U.S.A., and the Republic of
Armenia were sung, followed by the ARS Anthem by Lydia Der Vartanian,
accompanied by Tom Der Vartanian.
Sonia Peltekian, Regional Executive Chair, introduced the following
guests: Very Rev. Muron Aznikian, representing the Prelate, His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian; ARS Central Executive
Representative, Nova Hindoyan; ARF Central Committee Representative,
John Kossakian; Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia,
Sahag Sarkisyan, and the Consular office Community Relations
Representative Armine Balian; ACF Executive Director Mourad Topalian;
and ARS Program Director of the Psychological Outreach Program in
Armenia, Dr. Armen Geonjian. Ara Malazian of the ARF Armen Karo
Gomideh was also present.
Opening prayers were said by the Very Rev. Muron Aznikian, who was
joined by Forty Martyrs Church pastor Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretsian. Then,
Very Rev. Muron read His Eminence’s message commending the ARS and
wishing success of the Convention, and his prayers to extend God’s
protection and guidance to the ARS members so that their services to
the people will withstand challenges and move forward with enthusiasm
and vigor.
Peltekian officially opened the Convention, welcomed and thanked
everyone, especially the hosting `Karni’ chapter, and described the
process through which the Convention evaluates the past year’s
activities and sets forth a path for the future.
ARS Central Executive Representative Nova Hindoyan, presented CE’s
message and greetings for a successful Convention. She noted the
importance of rejuvenating and revitalizing ARS with younger members,
and stabilizing its financial base through ARS Centennial Fund
contributions.
ARF Central Committee representative John Kossakian just returned from
Javakhk and passed on the message of thanks from the youth at the
ARS-funded renovated Youth Center in Akhaltsekha (Javakhk). He called
for strategic planning in the organization, chapters to revitalize and
professionalize their membership, to enhance communication with other
community organizations, and stressed that the Convention determine
current priorities based on needs and pursue grants to meet those
needs.
Vice Consul General, Sahag Sargisyan congratulated the ARS for its
many great accomplishments in Javakhk, Artsakh and Armenia, and the
Diaspora, and was sure that in the next Century, the ARS will be an
even more organized and powerful women’s organization.
The ARS Voice TV program anchor, Sona Madarian, a guest of the
Convention on behalf of the Regional Executive, conveyed a moving
message. She said that it is not just an honor to be a guest of the
Convention, but being an ARS member. She added that with honor comes
responsibilities, and that ARS members have a responsibility as one
family to think with clarity and fairness to pursue our holy duty
towards our people and our organization.
Concluding the opening ceremonies, Dr. Armen Goenjian, ARS-WR Program
Director of the Psychological Outreach Program in Armenia, noted the
role that the ARS of Western USA played in helping the earthquake
victims in Armenia, how the counseling services changed to accommodate
the changing needs of the population, then provided a glimpse of
juvenile and youth issues threatening local families and his vision of
what role the ARS could play in services to help those families.
***
Sonia Peltekian, Regional Executive Chair called to order the first
session of the Convention, following the opening ceremonies. The
election of the officers took place. Asdghig Tejirian was elected as
chairperson for Armenian and Angela Savoian was elected as chairperson
for English. Rita Hintlian and Seta Martir were elected as secretaries
for Armenian, and Nazik Arisian and Satenig Kassabian were elected
secretaries for English.
Twenty-one chapters from `Anahid’ to `Zovinar’ and forty-nine
delegates were present from San Francisco to San Diego, Phoenix,
Arizona to Houston Texas, in addition to the ARS CE Representative,
Nova Hindoyan, nine-member Regional Executive, guests and dozens of
observers. The invited guests of the Convention were ARF Central
Committee Representative John Kossakian, ACF Executive Director Mourad
Topalian, Sona Madarian, Khatoune Pakradouni, Shoushan Plotkin, Rima
Boghossian, Nora Shirikian, Nanik Kupelian, and Annik Zindarzian.
ACF Executive Director, Mourad Topalian, provided his perspective of
the difficulties and the political challenges that the social services
faced during the past year and how the political will of the community
was utilized to help secure funding. He advised the ARS to implement
strategic planning in order to think of new opportunities and improve
existing programs.
The Convention elected Credentials Examining, Nominating, Auditing and
Budgeting, Correspondence, and Resolutions Committees. The Convention
Officers appointed Khatoune Pakradouni as Parliamentarian, Rita
Hintlian as Convention Reporter and three `Karni’ Chapter members as
Sergeant-at-Arms, Eliz Guiragossian, Sona Daghlian and Lina
Tufenkjian.
The Regional Executive’s annual report was read by Sonia Peltekian,
the Social Services annual report was read by Director, Sona
Zinzalian, and social services financial report by Assistant Director,
Louise Guirjian. Later, Accountant/Controller Jasik Jarahian presented
the financial report on PowerPoint for all 26 chapters, Saturday
Schools, Arefian scholarships, Centennial, Javakhk and Armenia-Artsakh
Funds, and the Regional Executives activities. The ARS CE’s annual
report was presented by Nova Hindoyan.
Questions, discussions, evaluations, and suggestions for the next year
followed over the next three days, as Convention Committees presented
their own reports, and the Auditing and Budgeting Committee requested
to have Jasik Jarahian present the proposed budget. This year, no new
by-laws changes were approved, but several were submitted as new
suggestions for review by the chapters during the upcoming
year. Resolutions were passed to declare March as membership month,
continue efforts to help the Armenians of Iraq,
tele/video-conferencing, legal assistance, broaden counseling
services, pay closer attention to Proposition 63 guidelines and
grants, raise membership dues to reflect rates in other organizations,
to conduct strategic planning and leadership seminars.
A written invitation from the `Shogher’ Houston Chapter delegate was
presented to the Convention to hold the 88th Convention in Houston,
Texas. The Regional Executive will take this invitation into
consideration in deciding next year’s site.
The following members were elected for 2-year terms on the Regional
Executive: Maida Bezdjian, Rima Boghossian, Sirarpi Chakalian, Seta
Martir and Serpouhie Messerlian. The following members were elected as
alternates: Nanik Kupelian, Arpy Tokmajian, Maro Papazian, Vicky
Marashlian, and Rina Der Alexanian.
***
Following the end of the Convention, the ARS Central Executive
Representative, Nova Hindoyan, Convention Co-Chairs Angela Savoian and
Asdghig Tejirian, Convention Secretaries Nazik Arisian, Rita Hintlian,
Satenig Kassabian and Seta Martir, and newly elected and Regional
Executive members with another year left in their terms met, and
Regional Executive officers were elected as follows:
Sonia Peltekian, Chair; Seda Khojayan, Vice-Chair; Rima Boghossian,
Treasurer; Seta Martir, Secretary; and Maida Bezdjian, Sona Bostanian,
Sirarpi Chakalian, Serpouhie Messerlian and Nevart Mooradian as
Advisors.
***
On July 14, during the dinner dance organized by the ARS-WR Karni
Chapter, welcoming remarks were made by Araxy Aykanian, who introduced
the organizing committee members. Sonia Peltekian, Regional Executive
Chair, recognized the five Regional Executive members who completed
their 2-year terms, and presented them with recognition plaques. They
were Rose Altounian, Karine Barikian-Setian, Kristine Keshishian,
Hourig Aintablian, and Adrine Postoyan.
On behalf of the Regional Executive, Peltekian presented recognition
plaques to Mike Shahinian for his efforts in editing the ARS Voice
Program, Rita Hintlian for her volunteer work (Volunteer of the Year),
and Jasik Jarahian for her exceptional fundraising efforts for the
Armenia-Artsakh Orphans’ Fund. Jarahian said that she has worked for
the ARS as her family, not as an employee, which is much more
productive.
***
Several first-time delegates were truly excited for having made a difference and the new friendships that they made. Delegates returned to their chapters and communities with renewed enthusiasm to implement the new projects and continue the ongoing services of their beloved Armenian Relief Society.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
