Friday presentations

There were several presentations to delegates on Friday afternoon.

WESTERN DIOCSE

The delegates heard from a representative of the Western Diocese, who shared her excitement in the state of California finally officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

AUDITING COMMITTEE

Then the auditing committee – Karen Dederyan, Dean Shahinian, and Charles Guleserian – addressed the delegates. The committee shared its thoughts, concerns, and praise for the Diocese's finances and bookkeeping.

For example, the committee suggested the Diocese should better label restricted donations. "If we put the specific purpose on each, it leads to greater assurances," Shahinian said.

The council also urged the members of the Diocesan Council to meet with outside auditors each year, something not done this year because of scheduling.

"That is just a good idea, a good common sense idea," Dederyan said.

The committee urged delegates to question the Diocesan Council members during the following presentation of the 2006 proposed budget.

"If we say 'Well, this is what's proposed and I don't want to stand up and try to make changes or ask questions,' then we're not good stewards," Shahinian told delegates.

LEGATE

The Auditing Committee was followed by a presentation on the year's successes by Bishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan legate and ecumenical officer.

"The Armenian Church has traditionally been active in ecumenical efforts worldwide. And the Diocese is a key part of that for various reasons," said Michael Haratunian, a member of the Legate's advisory committee. "We have to be there because our voices have to be heard."

Haratunian urged delegates to build ecumenical relations within their local communities.

Sharing youth outreach ideas

After the day of discussion about the youth in small groups and hearing from the panel of young leaders, the Primate invited delegates to share with the whole assembly some of the highlights of their discussions about who we are and what engages us to the church.

Delegates said it is important to engage not just youth but parents, especially those who are busy and do not always bring their children to church. They asked that the Diocese make sure to create educational opportunities for all age levels.

They asked that the recently completed survey of delegates, parish council chairs, clergy, and ACYOA members be improved and expanded to reach more groups and provide more usable information. They expressed surprise the youth were as conservative as the survey reported, and questioned if that was because it surveyed youth leaders and not disengaged young Armenians.

Citing the important, life-changing aspects of trips to Armenia, the delegates said church members should do everything they can to send their young parishioners to Armenia.

Regrettably, they said that sometimes parish leaders are more focused on administrative and financial responsibilities rather than religious responsibilities such as going to church.

They encouraged parishes to offer mentors for young people at all areas of church life – from altar servers to parish council to working in the kitchen.

All the notes from the small group discussions will be collected and the Diocesan Council and staff will create a guidebook for parishes with shared ideas and resources to bring youth into the parish life.

"The parishes will be asked to create their own strategy for youth and then we will have regional meetings where each parish will share their strategy to do this work so we can learn from each other," the Primate said. "The conversation, the discussion, the panel which began this morning will be an ongoing effort on the Diocesan level, regional level, and parish level."

Election Results

Before breaking for lunch on Friday, delegates received word of the election results for the various offices. Winners must receive a majority of the votes.

Two clergymen were chosen for the two seats on the Diocesan Council: Fr. Arakel Aljalian and Fr. Haigazoun Najarian.

There are four lay seats in the Diocesan Council up for election. Three candidates were chosen in the first round of balloting: Dr. Raffi Hovanessian, James Kalustian, and Oscar Tatosian.

There will be a second round of balloting so a fourth candidate can receive the needed majority vote. There will also be a second round of voting today for the one position on the Board of Trustees. The low polling candidates will be dropped from the ballot in the second round.

Howard Atesian was elected to the Auditing Committee.

Chosen for the Nominating Committee was: Yn. Patricia Buttero, Fr. Vazken Kouzouian, Lisa Kouzoujian, Gregory Krikorian, and Gregory Saraydarian.

Elected to the Proposals Committee was: Fr. Nersess Jebejian, Nishan Kechejian, Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Michael Mamishian, and Fr. Shnork Souin.