Asking questions

Following the presentation of the Diocesan Council and staff reports, Oscar Tatosian welcomed specific questions from the delegates.

Delegates asked the Council to focus on improving the Archbishop's Annual Appeal, the Diocese's annual membership drive. They suggested starting the effort earlier in the year. In 2005, 1,283 members gave $769,095 through the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.

They also asked about the standards used in establishing executive compensation in the Diocesan staff, which is handled by the Diocesan Council executive committee and compensation committee, with budgetary increases discussed by the Diocesan executive staff and Council budget committee. Delegates asked for an expansion on the Diocesan compensation policy at next year's Assembly.

Delegates also had questions on access to summaries of Diocesan Council meetings. Such summaries are sent to the delegates, clergy, and parish council members every two months in the Diocesan Leader e-newsletter. Delegates who wish to receive the e-mail should e-mail info@armenianchurch.net.

They also stated their desire to have seen a larger thank you given to Sylva der Stepanian, who left the Diocese as Armenian studies coordinator last year after more then 30 years of service. The Primate told the delegates that she did not want a large send off. "We all wanted to have an evening event to thank her, but we have to follow what she requests," the Primate said.

Delegates also asked about the Diocese's insurance coverage for the collection of Arshille Gorky paintings willed to the Diocese by the artist's family, and about the quality of facilities in Etchmiadzin which will eventually be the resting home of the works owned by the Diocese. They also asked for assurances that the Diocesan Council would not sell any works without consulting the delegates, which they received.

Delegates also asked about a study of Diocesan Center air rights. The Diocesan Council is revisiting the idea of building a high-rise on the Diocesan office building, not on the St. Vartan Cathedral.

"It's part of the fiduciary responsibility of the Council to explore ways to utilize these non-monetary assets," said Haig Yaghoobian, executive director of the Diocese, who noted that the first draft of the report should be available to the Council at its meeting next month.

Delegates also urged the Council to resume publishing the "Armenian Church Magazine," and not to rely solely on e-mail and the Internet, which is not as easily accessible to senior citizens. They also urged the Diocese to more prominently announce the continuing review of St. Nersess Seminary's future, which could include sale of the current property and a move to a new location.

Delegates also asked the Council members for further explanation of how they deal with the suggestions made during each year's Assembly. The first Council meeting after the Assembly, the members compare notes and talk about the various suggestions. They will examine next year creating a report on the follow through of the delegates' suggestions.

Delegates also asked that the Diocese follow through with a decision made at an earlier Assembly to provide further funds to the Midwest Hye Camp.

AUDITING COMMITTEE

Following the Council report, the Assembly's Auditing Committee spoke before the delegates. The committee met three times at the Diocesan Center last year to review the financials of the Diocese.

"I think these are things you should be asking why about," said Karen Derderian, member of the committee, as she spoke about increasing salaries and third-party costs.

The committee also spoke about the increased rental income from the Diocesan Center facilities.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Helen Mardigian from St. John Church in Detroit, MI, was re-elected to the Diocesan Board of Trustees.

WORKSHOP OUTPUTS

Following the reports and election results, the young moderators from the earlier workshops presented an overview of the ideas put forward during the brainstorming. Delegates were asked to find ways to increase the church and community bonds among members of all ages.

Some of the results were:

For young children, between 3 to 5:
Educating future and new parents on the importance of early exposure to the badarak
Make sure you communicate it is OK for children to cry or make noise during church
They also recommended praying out loud with children
Little faithful groups of Friday with Armenain coloring books
And regular sessions where priests walk through the church with children, identifying important aspects

For children ages 6 to 12:
Offer kids activities and groups similar to what they have at school so they have an opportunity to have Armenian friends at an early age
No sports allowed on Sunday morning, while creating church leagues that play on other days
Have ACYOA chapters accept junior members from 11-12
Send children to camp
Give children responsibilities during badarak

For adolescents age 13 to 17:
St. Nersess Summer programs, camps, regional and national ACYOA events with funding to support the youth going
Mentoring programs for and with younger youth
Community service to go out and do good
Give them responsibility and ownership in the church, allow them to express views and ideas
Trips to Armenia
Opportunity to learn about Armenian Church through answers to tough questions

For college-age students between 18 and 21:
Great use of web sources
Make available info on camps, trips to Armenia or Jerusalem with scholarships
Reach out to local college students, make them feel welcome
Volunteer programs to utilize the talents of students
Tapes of short meditations and discussions on current "hot topics," such as drugs or sex
Create care packages for college students

For young adults between the ages of 22 and 30:
Outreach from older generations, such as Women's Guild and Avaks
ACYOA seniors
Hot topics, have priests answer anonymous questions
Use the Internet
Create a sense of ownership by using their talents and skills to serve the parish
Promote dinner Bible studies, socializing the faith

For adults:
Continuing education: Bible study, deconstructing the Badarak, open forum discussion with priests
Support groups for bereaved and grieving caregivers, unmarried, widowed, immigrants, and parents
Welcoming committee with information cards for newcomers
Intergenerational and cross-cultural activities, family reunions, family night, family day at home and church. Be sure to include non-Armenian spouses

For seniors:
Emphasize relationships between young and old by visiting nursing homes and transportation to church
Keep in contact with homebound and hospitalized
Use the seniors as a resource for wisdom, mentors, volunteer workers
Create Avak programs in every parish to organize lunches, trips, and Bible studies
Establish caregiver programs for seniors in need of special attention
Have deacons and other church leaders step forward to take a more active role, helping the priest deal with his huge job

Council Vice Chairman Oscar Tatosian then told the delegates that the Diocesan Council was looking at bringing young people into the Council meetings to see the importance of leadership in the life of the church and to hear their ideas and thoughts.

Posted by Jake at May 5, 2006 09:44 PM