Reports continue

ARARAT CENTER

Next up was the report of the Ararat Center, the Diocesan-owned conference center facility in upstate New York State.

The purchase of the center grew out of efforts of past Diocesan Assemblies, when delegates urged the Diocese to find a permanent home for St. Vartan Camp. Along with the camp, other programs and organizations – such as the St. Nersess Seminary and the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America -- rent the facilities.

Another significant activity is work weekends, said Ararat Center board member Tom Ashbahian. During those weekends, volunteers from many parishes gather to fix, repair, and improve the facility. So far, 15 work weekends have been held since the purchase of the property three years ago.

"It's a family atmosphere," he said. "It's been a marvelous way for individuals in our different parishes to meet each other in an informal way, to work with each other, stand shoulder-to-shoulder towards a common goal. If you have not been yet, please do attend a work weekend, it will be an experience you never forget."

The next work weekend will be June 2.

Board members highlighted the fact that each building on the property is named not after donors, but after regions in historic Armenia. The names were done geographically, overlaying a map of historic Armenia with the aerial view of the center.

"We have set in motion a plan that incorporates elements of Armenia in every corner," said Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian, a board member, noting that when the Primate blessed the grounds he used soil from Armenia.

The Ararat Center will also host a Father and Son retreat in June, details are available at www.araratcenter.org.

Karnig Durgarian, treasurer of the Ararat Center board, spoke about the revenues and income of the Center. In 2005, the Center saw income grow to $167,000. Losses have also dropped off drastically, projected to almost break even for 2006.

In the spring of 2007 the Ararat Center plans to begin construction of a pavilion to greatly expand its usability. The board also praised the recent donation of $30,000 from the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

"These rooms are really very, very nice. They're Sheraton level and it gives us a much wider opportunity to use these facilities for different folks," Durgarian said.

FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF

Following the Ararat Center, delegates heard a report from the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated international aid organization. Since it was created 17 years ago, FAR has managed $265 million in humanitarian assistance and helped millions of people through 221 programs.

The programs operated by FAR are have covered a wide area of need, from agricultural programs to those supporting children and even career development.

"We will always continue to provide assistance to those who need it in Armenia. But what if we can start to think about creating programs that transcend what we are doing now, programs where we think bout life stage continuity, where we build relationships with families from neonatal programs until they become seniors," said FAR's Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian.

"Our programs have to teach the people of Armenia how to fish," he added, using the saying that if you give a man a fish he eats for a day but if you teach him to fish he will eat for a lifetime. To achieve this goal, FAR has developed a formula to prioritize programs to achieve meaningful, coordinated benefits.

FAR is funded through several large grants from the United States government and donations, which cover almost 40% of its budget. It uses almost 90% of its income for programs, rather than administrative fees, a high percentage in the world of non-profit organizations.

Delegates were then introduced to some of the particular Armenians helped by FAR's programs. Details of those programs can be found at www.farusa.org.

"Your $30 a month means much more than life to these people, it means dignity, love, and hope," said Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of FAR.

Posted by Jake at May 4, 2006 05:26 PM