LOS ANGELES—The Homenetmen Western United States 35th Regional Assembly took place in the Homenetmen “Kevork Andonian” hall from November 7 to 9. The meeting commenced with 97 representatives and 30 guests representing the Region’s Homenetmen chapters. Also present at the meeting were Homenetmen Central Committee Members Viggen Davidian and Hagop Tufenkjian, as well as past presidents of the Navasartian games along with past Regional Exemplary Homenetmen members.
The meeting was opened by Garnik Abrahamian, Western US Regional Committee Chairman with the United States, Armenian, and Homenetmen anthems. Immediately following a moment of silence was observed in memory of those Homenetmen members that had recently passed away including Central Committee members Mihran Shimshirian and Vahram Tanyelian, as well as past Western US Regional Committee Chairman Raffy Ispenjian and Western US Homenetmen member Bedros Berberian.
Soon afterwards, the meeting Tivan was elected. Chairperson responsibilities were entrusted to Mher Tavitian and Berj Bedoyan. The Secretary responsibilities were delegated to Betty Makerian, Seta Saghbazarian, Zepur Markarian and Marine Shahinian.
The meeting continued with the reading and review of the Regional Committee’s challenges and accomplishments over the past two years. Financial statements were also reviewed by the Assembly. After a series of questions and answers, the Assembly reviewed and commented on the Committee’s past accomplishments.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, the Assembly divided into sub-committees to review and recommend changes to the body. These sub-committees included groups focused on: Scouting, Athletics, Organization, Education, Camp Tecuya, Promotional, and other items. Each sub-committee reviewed many motions and suggestions as presented by the individual chapters, and then brought the motions that made it out of the sub-committees to the General Assembly. Almost all of the motions strived to better Homenetmen’s mission to include the Armenian youth through athletic and scouting programs, as well as strengthening the link between the organization and the national consciousness.
Soon after the Two-Year Plan had been established, elections were held for the new Regional Committee. Nine members were elected to the 2014-16 Regional Committee. They are as follows:
• Manuel Marselian, Chairman
• Sako Garabedian, Vice-Chairman
• Maro Keshishian, Secretary
• Aram Yermian, Treasurer
• Ardashes Kazarians, Scouting Representative
• Aram Thomas, Athletic Representative
• Pierre Manoogian, Advisor
• Berj Bedoyan, Advisor
• Armand Kilijian, Advisor
Closing, Central Committee member Viggen Davidian thanked all who participating in the Assembly, and expressed heartfelt congratulations to the new Western US Regional Board.
The Assembly ended with the singing of Homenetmen’s anthem “Hratch Nahadag.”