Volume 2, Issue 2 Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter October 2005 Ararat Newsletter

E XECUTIVE DIRECTOR’ S NOTE Inside this issue: In recent months, our Chapter make our current center safer, has been very, very busy. As we have received a $5,000 1600th Anniver- 1 we celebrate our 27th anniver- sponsorship for the current sary Celebration sary, we remember that Ara- construction. We are looking rat Chapter continues to pro- for more interested sponsors. Board of Directors Honorary 2 vide safe, secure and develop- I am proud to announce that mentally excellent programs Members Chairperson: we are now actively looking and opportunities for Glen- for a new center in Glendale. Armen Abrahamian dale’s youth. Our current facility has Team/Troop 2 The Divisions have each been served the community well, Sponsorship Vice Chairperson: working very hard imple- but the center can no longer Khachik Khalatian menting their goals and mak- accommodate the growing Pan Armenian 2 ing them realities. We were numbers of young people and Games honored and humbled as His programs. With more com- Secretary: Holiness Aram I, Catholicos prehensive facilities and acre- Scouting Annual 3 Armineh Saint of the Great House of age available, we will be once to celebrate the 1600th Anni- again “rise to the occasion” Camp Treasurer: versary of the Armenian al- and provide for the ever- Garnik Abrahamian phabet at Ararat Center. growing needs of our youth, Matching Funds 3 Through hard work, unwav- as we have done for almost a century both here and abroad. Athletic Liaison: ering support, and generous Wood Badge 4 Sarkes Kadehjian contributions from corporate The Platinum Committee has and individual donors, we already had a successful Kick- have been able to grow with off Night and is looking for- bright and promising. Scouting Liaison: Glendale’s youth building ward to Platinum Night on Please contact us today and Arbi Mardirossians successively better programs November 4th. The road to let’s work together to help build a better future for eve- and facilities. the second Homenetmen “Ararat” Center looks very ryone by nurturing our Liaison: As construction continues, to youth today. Roubina Manoucheri

Fundraising Liaison: 1600-TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Arax Avanessian

Homenetmen Glendale Ara- Cultural Division, featured 38 bers and volunteers. Cultural Liaison: rat Chapter was honored to artworks from Armenian art- Anahid Mansourian welcome His Holiness Aram ists who were each assigned a The artwork creations ranged I, Catholicos of the Great letter of the alphabet and were from sculptures to paintings, Executive Director: House of Cilicia of the Arme- asked to portray that letter in symbolizing the letters in nian Apostolic Church to Ara- some way. The committee different forms. Celebrating Armond Gorgorian th rat Center. His Holiness vis- worked for many months and the 1600 anniversary, the ited Ararat Center on Thurs- dedicated countless hours in event honored Saint Mesrob day, October 6, 2005 to cele- organizing an event of such a Mashdots of Armenia who brate the Armenian alphabet's magnitude. The Cultural Divi- invented the Armenian alpha- Visit us at… bet in 405 A.D. in order to www.ararat.org creation and meet with the sion was able to make this community. event a reality with dedicated provide the Armenian and devoted committee mem- The event, hosted by Ararat’s Continued on Page 3 Ararat Newsletter Page 2

HOMENETMEN ARARAT HONORS ITS EXEMPLARY MEMBERS ATTENTION ALL On October 22nd, our Chap- was elected as a member of influenced every MEMBERS ter celebrated its 27th anni- the Chapter Board of Direc- aspect of the pro- versary at Ararat Center. The tors for five years. She has ject and all those night was not only a celebra- also participated in innumer- working alongside him. Please be aware that tion of the years of volunteer able amounts of committees Edvart Marootkhanian has Homenetmen Glendale dedication in making Ararat providing her admirable tal- been a member of our Chap- be what it is, but also to the ents. She always shows her ter since 1995. He was a Ararat Chapter will be many, many promising years love of this organization hold- member of the Chapter’s it has in its future. through her efforts. Board of Directors form 1998- ing its Among its many volunteers, Victor Martin joined Ararat 2002. He has been a mem- Annul the night was extra special as Chapter in 1983 as a member ber of the Volunteer Division Divi- three of our volunteers were of the Volunteer Division where he was elected to the honored for their years of where he was elected as a Division Board in 1998. Ma- sion selfless dedication and dili- member of the Division's rootkhanian had significant Meet- gent work. Beatrice Board that year. For three input in the construction ings. The meetings are Savadian, Victor Martin, and years, he was elected as a phase to which he was ap- vital in planning next Edvart Marootkhanian are member of the Chapter’s pointed to from 1999-2001. remarkable examples of our Board of Directors. Martin He was in charge of oversee- year’s activities. Please volunteers. had a pivotal role in the plan- ing the construction, specifi- attend the meetings of Beatrice Savadian joined Ara- ning phase of Ararat Center. cally the Multipurpose Hall. Divisions of which you rat Chapter in 1982. She was Because of his strong dedica- He carried out the project tion, the Chapter entrusted meticulously. As a result of are registered for: a co-founder of the Volunteer Division, also known as Martin with the construction his efforts, Ararat, along with Yeretsakan Division. She phase. Martin’s dedication Glendale Adventist carried Scouting—Nov. 13, 10:00 A.M. A THLETES COMPETE IN ARMENIA Programs—Nov. 21, 7:30 P.M. Homenetmen Glen- of the team were visiting Armenia be able to play basketball in dale Ararat Chap- for the first time while others Armenia while having the op- ter’s Basketball Division had a were returning for a second or portunity to visit historical sites. Cultural—Nov. 17, very exciting summer! Our third time. The team came home with a 7:30 P.M. men’s basketball team, repre- Either way, they were all excited third place trophy and wonder- senting the City of Glendale, to be able to compete with Arme- ful memories and many new had the opportunity to return to nian teams from around the established friendships with Basketball—Nov. 30, Armenia to compete in the Pan- Armenian athletes from around 7:30 P.M. world. The team was honored to Armenian Games. Fifteen ath- be able to compete with Arme- the world. We are all anxiously letes and three coaches made up nian teams from around the waiting for the next Pan- Gen. Athletic—Dec. 1, the team. Some of the members world. The team was honored to Armenian Games. 7:30 P.M.

Fundraising—Dec. 6, T EAM/TROOP SPONSORSHIP 7:30 P.M. Scouting and are a great our youth and our community. one year. way to teach teamwork, build For a yearly donation of $500, In addition, your company will self-esteem, and promote All meetings will be your company has the opportu- enjoy knowing that you are healthy minds and bodies in our held at Ararat Center. nity to sponsor one of our many helping to provide healthy af- young people, as well as a great Please be advised that troops and teams in our scout- ter-school activities for young way of building future leaders. the Chapter Represen- ing and athletic divisions. people. By sponsoring your favorite In order to highlight your con- For additional information and tative Meeting will be athletic team, scout troop, or tribution, your organization will to learn about more ways you held on December 11th cultural class, you are helping receive a plaque containing a can help our Program’s Divi- one of the most active youth at 10:30 A.M. Your photograph of your sponsored sion please contact us at organizations in Southern Cali- attendance is much troop or team, and another will fornia fulfill it’s commitment to (323)256-2564. appreciated. be placed in our hallway for Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 3

MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM CLASSES IN Now you have the option of within their own ranks. Inc., ITT Industries, Morgan COOKING AND HOLIDAY doubling your donation. The money Stanley, and New York Life A very effective way of Insurance Co. Only one third ENTERTAINMENT “Only one third of collected promoting charitable will be of our monthly expenses and contributions to Home- our monthly expenses beneficial operational costs are covered netmen Glendale Ararat and operational cost in advanc- by membership fees. The re- Do you love to cook or is the Matching Funds maining two-thirds are raised just want to learn? Here are covered by ing our Program. Under this programs. through the generous support is your perfect plan, the company elects of individuals and businesses membership fees.” Some ex- opportunity! to match any employee’s amples of like yours. gift to our Chapter. companies who support We can think of no better Through these tax-deductible matching funds are: American investment for your company’s donations, Homenetmen Ara- National Bank, Bank of Amer- charitable dollars. For infor- rat can help promote commu- ica Corp., Boeing Co., Cingu- mation please contact us at nity spirit and teamwork lar Wireless, Hallmark Cards, (323)256-2564.

The Circle of Friends C ELEBRATION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET Committee is pleased to Continued from page 1 community and congratulated and preserving the Armenian announce that it is them on their efforts through language. He also empha- launching its first series community with an outlet to the years. He praised them on sized the importance of the of educational classes in worship in their own written their ability to carry their unification of the Armenian Cooking and Holiday language. roots from the “Ararat” Or- people, especially in the Dias- Entertainment. The ganization from Iran and unite pora. "It's really symbolic," series will consist of four His Holiness was greeted by with the Homenetmen family said Ani Aghajani, who has Homenetmen Ararat’s Board in the . been a member of the Scout- classes, each covering a of Directors, City Officials, ing Division for 18 years. different topic or Division Executives, scouts, His Holiness stressed the sig- "This event brought together featured ingredient. athletes, and members of the nificance of the creation of the two really important aspects You Ararat community. His Holi- Armenian alphabet and the of our people together.” will ness addressed the Ararat importance of remembering learn how to make SCOUTING DIVISION’S ANNUAL CAMP

During the summer, Scouting knowledge and team-building current scouts and leaders alike. delicious dishes, and Division leaders were hard at activities. Troops competed in Scout leaders took part in man- innovative ideas on work preparing for their annual sporting games including water agement training and learned table setting and camp. Long hours of meet- polo and . about the essence of Homenet- decorating. Please ings, weeks of preparation, and men and their role as leaders. register before Troop spirit was apparent as with a lot of enthusiasm, lead- Boy and girl scouts danced the November 10 to ensure ers finally greeted scouts on each troop wore their colors night away at their annual camp August 15th at Mataguay Scout proudly and sang their troop dance while cub scouts enjoyed you don’t miss out. Reservation in San Diego songs. Scouts also participated a carnival filled with music and For registration or for County. in presentations ranging from games. cultural to scouting topics. more information, visit The week was filled with many Camping is a fundamental as- www.ararat.org or email fun and educational activities. Many guest speakers, including pect of scouting and this year’s araratcircleoffriends@ past scout leaders, came to Activities included a day-long annual camp proved to once hotmail.com rally that combined scouting share their knowledge with our again be a success. Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” Chapter

ARARAT IN THE Since 1987, this navigational TSD car rally, also known as Ararat Rally, has been an exciting annual COMMUNITY event organized by dedicated volunteers. Created in support of Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chap- Homenetmen Ararat, in recent ter, the rally's purpose is to help the organization months, has participated in City of as it serves the community's youth in Scouting, Glendale Graffiti Clean Up Day and Sports and Cultural activities. the Revlon Cancer Walk. During Participating cars and enthusiastic participants left the Ararat the Graffiti Clean Up, Ararat mem- Center on San Fernando Road in Los Angeles to reach the finish line on October 15. The rally took approximately nine hours to bers joined other city volunteers to complete, as the participants followed the road-book instructions help keep our city clean. Partici- to the set destination in San Diego. Each car was manned by a pants also participated in the Revlon driver and a navigator, with a limit of four passengers per Cancer Walk which raises money to car. Though the event's primary goal is charity, each team's goal fight against breast and ovarian can- is to reach all of the randomly selected checkpoints and the final cer. At the end of the day, partici- destination at a precise time. We would like to thank Andre and pants of each activity felt a great Desiree Gulanians for organizing this event so devotedly for so sense of accomplishment. For fur- many years. The event ended with participants returning the next ther information on activities organ- day. We would like to congratulate this year’s rally winners: ized please contact our Programs Roubik Aftandalians, Oshin Khachikan, and Arsho Melik-Jahanian. Division. If you are interested in participating or planning for next year’s rally, please contact the Volunteers Division at (323)256-2564.

S COUTING DIVISION LEADERS ATTEND WOOD BADGE

“Back to Gilwell, happy land, I’m The training includes presenta- scout realize their personal vision have returned inspired and pre- going to work my ticket if I can.” tions covering various topics in- of their role. pared to do an even better job of You may have heard this song if cluding listening to learn, cele- providing Scouting to boys and you have attended a Wood Badge brating team success, situational The scouts from our Chapter had girls. beading or even participated in it leadership, project planning and the opportunity to learn a lot from yourself. problem solving, and other The scout leaders will now be work- leaving a legacy. scout lead- ing on their tickets as they prepare This year, ten scoutmasters from ers and to to be beaded in a Wood Badge Homenetmen Glendale Ararat At the end of the six-day also bond ceremony. At the ceremony they Chapter’s Scouting Division at- practical, scoutmasters as leaders will receive a certificate, a necker- tended the six-day (held over two must complete five tick- them- chief, a leather woggle and two weekends) training session. ets. Tickets are contracts made selves. They were able to teach small wooden beads on a leather Wood Badge is the most ad- between each scout and their other scout leaders about Home- necklace. vanced training available for scout patrol guide. The contract is the netmen and the Armenian culture. leaders who are involved in the commitment each scout makes to They made many friends and one Keep an eye as our scout leaders programs of the Boy Scouts of practice using the leadership skills leader stated, “This was an amaz- finish their tickets and become America. taught at Wood Badge in scout- ing opportunity that I am glad I official Wood Badgers! ing. The purpose is to help each did not miss out on.” The leaders