PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
January 27, 2010
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ACYOA HOLDS SECOND ANNUAL "CHAPTER WORKSHOP" IN BOCA RATON, FLORIDA
Amid palm trees, sunshine, and crisp ocean air, the Eastern Diocese’s
Armenian Christian Youth Organization of America held its second annual
Chapter Workshop, in Boca Raton, Fla., January 15-17.
The ACYOA Central Council co-sponsored the workshop with the Diocese’s
Department of Youth and Education. It was hosted by the local St. David
Armenian Church. Its aim was to support local-parish ACYOA chapters in their
efforts, and 39 young adults, representing 18 Diocesan parishes,
participated in the weekend.
"It was great to see such intelligent people come together to exchange
ideas," said participant Alyne Corrigan, who chairs the ACYOA group of St.
Stepanos Church in Elberon, N.J. "It strengthens the ACYOA to bring people
together."
To kick off the workshop, participants were able to learn a little about
each other, and about their home communities, during a Friday evening "ice
breaker."
On Saturday, the group received some basic-training in "ACYOA 101": an
overview of the way the Diocese-wide youth organization operates, through
its annual General Assembly, Central Council, and local chapters. Central
Council members Danny Mantis and Lydia Kurkjian made the presentation.
A presentation on the "best practices" of an award-winning ACYOA Seniors
chapter-the youth group from St. John Armenian Church of Southfield,
Mich.-gave the workshop participants useful insights into running successful
events and fundraisers. In his presentation, St. John’s Harry Kezelian
credited the organizational skills of the chapter co-chair, Karen Dardarian,
as a key to the chapter’s recent success.
An investigation into each chapter’s "strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats" was led by ACYOA Central Council member Gevork Vartanian (who
also organized much of the leadership workshop). He used the "S.W.O.T.
analysis"-a marketing tool-to help each chapter measure its success and
failure throughout the year. The 39 participants broke up into small groups
to identify successful as well as unsuccessful programs, and determine why
certain ones worked and others had not.
Another marketing-management tool figured in the presentation by Central
Council members Alex Derderian and Danielle Der Assadourian. They suggested
using "S.M.A.R.T. goals"-the acronym stands for Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Relevant, and Timely-as a way of evaluating objectives for a
given ACYOA project. This exercise seemed to be a favorite among the
participants, who felt the discussions would be helpful in strengthening
local chapters.
For Lisa Zaroogian, of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church ACYOA in Providence,
R.I., the workshop "was a great opportunity for each ACYOA chapter to share
their experiences and give ideas and suggestions to others."
To conclude Saturday’s sessions, Central Council members gave a rundown of
national ACYOA events-such as the Armenia Service Program, the General
Assembly and Sports Weekend, and the ACYOA Alumni Ball. The evening closed
at a local restaurant, where Harry Kezelian gave a performance on clarinet.
Sunday morning found the participants attending the Divine Liturgy at Boca
Raton’s St. David Church. The parish and its pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg
Berberian, graciously hosted a luncheon for the ACYOA members after
services.
Afterwards, Mariam Mirzoyan, from the mission parish of Atlanta, Ga.,
applauded the leadership workshop for delineating "tons of ideas and helpful
hints to continue this wonderful work of God." It was, she added, "a very
inspirational event."
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Photo attached: ACYOA Chapter Workshop participants engage in group
discussion during the second annual workshop in Boca Raton, Fla.