Thursday Evening Session

Following a social dinner, the delegates returned to the first day of the Diocesan Assembly on Thursday, April 29, 2004. The meat of the evening session was reports by the Diocesan Council, Diocesan program staff, and organizations affiliated with the Diocese.

Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, highlighted some of the Diocese's successes of 2003, which included: buying the Diocesan Ararat Youth and Conference Center, organizing one a parish council chairmen meeting, and the Archbishop's Annual Appeal, the success of which had a major affect on our ability to reduce our deficits.

"At the same time there's still works in progress, things the Council has to address," he said.

He indicated the Diocesan Council needed to address clergy recruitment, communication efforts, and outreach to newly arrived Armenian immigrants.

Another area he mentioned was the language of the badarak, "a subject the Diocesan Council is passionately committed to," he said. "We of course, as an Assembly, are going to address that later, but we as the Council are committed to addressing that issue."

Also speaking for the Diocesan staff was Dr. Sam Mikaelian, executive director of the Diocese. He highlighted the remarkable job Diocesan staff is doing on limited human and fiscal resources.

"We should be committed to making a positive improvement in all of our ministries with an eye to measurable results," he said. "Our footing at the Diocesan Center is stronger today than yesterday because of your involvement and participation, so I say thank you to you."

He unveiled several new programs, such as a newsletter specifically targeted to local parish leaders and the insertion of St. Vartan Bookstore catalogue pages in upcoming issues of The Armenian Church magazine, saving the costs of printing a separate catalogue. Following the recommendations from the parish council chairmen's meeting, Dr. Mikaelian presented to delegates a draft Parish Council Handbook, for local parishes to issue to new parish council members.

Last year the Diocesan Assembly voted to increase the budget for Christian education and youth ministry. Dr. Mikaelian told the delegates that that budget increase was used to pay for secretarial help and a new college ministry facilitator.

"This program bridges the gap between Sunday School graduation and post college church participation," he said. "It is also an important outreach program that will be supporting other ministries."

ARARAT CENTER MANAGER NAMED

In discussing the Diocese's new Ararat Youth and Conference Center, Dr. Mikaelian announced that an on-site facilities manager has been named. Robert Meeson will assume the position in June. A contractor and building inspector, Mr. Meeson has been parish council chairman at St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, for the past three years, has been active in Sunday School education, and has been a member of the church since he was 5 years old.

"We are standing behind him in the launch of the newest and most ambitious effort of the Diocese in many years," Dr. Mikaelian said.

CHALLENGES

Not all of Dr. Mikaelian's address was rosy. In discussing the challenges facing the Diocese, he focused on the lack of financial resources. Even with $400,000 in budget cuts, the 2003 operating budget still came in with a $94,000 shortfall.

"We closely monitored expenditures, yet we continue to be faced with a strangulating budget that limits initiatives we can make," he said.

He outlined other priorities for the coming years as: improve infrastructure and technology, developing data analysis tools to track Diocesan efforts, grow and improve Diocesan programs and missions, and ensure success of newly acquired Ararat center.

"I cannot explain to you how optimistic I feel about the prospects of this organization. After many years of experience, I've learned to be guarded about expectations but I can only say our future is guardedly bright," he said. "With your help, we are determined to succeed in all these initiatives. We at the diocesan center are working hard to make our work as efficient and productive as possible, but I continue to ask for your help, support, and prayers to make our dreams come true. Ultimately, it is the grace of our people that will secure the future for generations to come."

Posted by Jake at April 30, 2004 12:28 AM