AYF Convention Sets Direction for 2013-2014

The Armenian Youth Federation Western Region Annual Convention convened on the weekend of September 13-15 at AYF Camp Big Pines. The Convention, which consisted of over 50 delegates from across 13 chapters of the Western USA, is the highest legislative body of the AYF-WR.

The purpose of this convention was to critically evaluate the past fiscal year, in order to set the direction and goals for the upcoming year. Topics of analysis included the activities of the Central Executive and their central councils, the performance of local chapters in relation to their goals and expectations, and the success of AYF initiatives and programs both locally and in the homeland.

Along with the delegates, there were invited guests and representatives from the AYF Canada Central Executive, the AYF Camp Management Board, the AYF Juniors Central Council, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Youth Council, ARF members, ARF Western Region Central Committee members, and the AYF Executive Director.

The Convention concluded with the election of the organization’s new Central Executive (CE), whose function is to govern the administrative and organizational aspects of the AYF. The Convention opted for a nine-person CE body, consisting of Caspar Jivalagian, Arek Santikian, Patil Aslanian, Serob Abrahamian, Shoghak Kazandjian, Arpa Hatzbanian, Aleena Sivazlian, Vahe Lepedjian, and Sanan Shirinian.

“The Annual Convention was a humbling reminder of the democratic system our membership is privy to,” says Jivalagian. “It was reassuring and invigorating to see that the youth today are concerned about all aspects of the Armenian Nation. The convention participants legislated new ideas and discussed the social political and economic challenges faced by our people today and once again recommitted themselves to serve our nation in the new fiscal year.”

The CE looks forward to setting the course for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, as outlined by the Convention, and to continue combating the critical issues facing the community and the homeland.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.