Since its inception on May 24, 2001, HyeTies, the newest committee of the Organization of Istanbul Armenians, has made a major indentation in the perception of what a group of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals in their twenties and thirties can accomplish within a short amount of time.
Almost immediately, members of Hyeties began to work toward the four major goals they set out to accomplish during their second meeting:
- Organize charitable and educational functions to benefit the Armenian community in Los Angeles;
- Recognize and encourage contemporary Armenian art;
- Establish business networks and encourage cooperation among the new generation of Armenians in Los Angeles;
- Organize social events geared toward joining all types of Armenians from all types of Armenian organizations under one roof.
HyeTies has been very apt in joining forces with other Armenian organizations like the Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professional Society ("AGBU-YP") and the Orange County Armenian Professional Society ("OCAPS"). Hyeties has organized a number of joint events with AGBU-YP and OCAPS and cooperated in energizing their events by the participation of its membership. Most importantly, however, by cooperating with other groups, this new committee has fired the first salvo in breaking down the boundaries between Armenians of different descent among the youth.
From its inception, HyeTies recognized that "we are all just Armenian, regardless of where we were born" and strived to reflect this credo in its membership and in the attendance of its events
The concept of an all inclusive "Hyeties" was first introduced to the Armenian community in June 2001 with a mixer at Diwan Restaurant in Studio City. It was there that the old and new faces joined together, intermingling and exchanging business cards with one another. It was the first small step in an odyssey that hopefully will encompass the entire Los Angeles American-Armenian community in the future.
Hyeties usually conducts its meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the OIA hall. We urge new and existing members to attend each meeting and event whenever they can. HyeTies is always open to new and innovative ideas. So, come down and bring all your ideas, you will be surprised what we can accomplish altogether!
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