GLENDALE— Homenetmen Western United States Regional Executive Committee Chairperson, Garnik Abrahamian, was present at a dinner get-together at Phoenicia Restaurant in honor of past Honorary Presidents who had presided over the Navasartian Games over the years; a look back at those, whose influence and philanthropy elevated the annual tournament’s stature altogether. Also present were past Homenetmen Central Executive Committee members whose decades of dedication and commitment to Homenetmen is the source of the strength of this admirably superb organization.
After many months of work spent on bringing the tournament’s past Honorary Presidents together, Garnik Abrahamian succeeded in putting together a wonderful assembly of people who were instrumental in bringing so much success to the Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts (Homenetmen) over the decades. In January, 2014, Homenetmen Western U. S. Regional established the Honorary Presidents Advisory Board whose purpose is to:
1. Review Homenetmen Western Region financial reports.
2. Advise the region on all financial matters.
3. Explore ways to improve the financial state of the Regional Executive Committee.
As a start, the board will be named the Homenetmen Western U.S. Honorary Presidents and Friends Advisory Board. An executive board will be selected at the next meeting, all board members will be invited to the meetings, and the board will meet every three months.
Upon request from Regional Executive Committee Chairperson, Garnik Abrahamian, everyone introduced themselves and gave a short history of their involvement in the organization. There was great excitement and strong desire on behalf of everyone to participate and be on the board to make it successful.
“It was an absolute thrill to have a roomful of wonderful influential people in one place at the same time,” Garnik Abrahamian was quoted as saying.
The board would like to bring back the kind of support that generates enrichment for this 95-year-old organization through the brain storming of ideas that would act as a catalyst to reach out to thousands of more youth in the Western United States in order to make it more accessible and engaging than ever before, and to bring about further growth for Homenetmen.
“The unwavering effort and unselfish dedication these presidents gave and still give, is forever part of Homenetmen’s legacy, and a true measure of Homenetmen’s endurance as a first rate proponent of youth support. It is proof that Homenetmen, while a 95 year old organization, is always making history, and never living in it,” said Homenetmen Central Executive Committee Member Viggen Davidian.
Expressing the importance of such a gathering, Garnik Abrahamian went on to say, “Pulling this off was massive! You don’t get to see or experience this type of gathering every day, mind you! It’s unique, and it’s profound. It truly shows how much these wonderful individuals care about Homenetmen and the incredible role that it plays in the lives of the Armenian American youth.”
Honorary Presidents who presided over past Navasartian Games Charly Ghailian, Hovsep Boyajian, Hratch Andonian, George Adamian, Shant Haytayan, Andy Andonian, Dr. Sarkis Arevian, Vatche Soghomonian, Varouj Bedikian, George Jamgochian, Jirair Sarkissian, and Vartkes Alahydoyan also attended the event.
Current Central Executive Committee Members Viggen Davidian and Hagop Tufenkjian were accompanied by past Central Executive members Jirair Sarkissian, Koko Balian, Manuel Marselian, Mher Tavidian and Hamlet Chraghchian.