MINUTES FROM THE OIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING (FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2003, 9:00 P.M.)
Dr. Arto Ersan introduces the Armenian secretary, Alin Donikian, and the English secretary, Leda Ardic.
Simon Acilac kindly thanks the secretaries for volunteering. He states, " May we choose the best as our next board members." Mr. Aciilac also reminds all of the present members to sign in on the sign in sheet and to pay their membership fees.
- Registrations and Roll Call - Roll call taken by Simon Aciilac. 96 members present.
- Reading and Approval of the 2002 General Assembly Meeting Minutes - Alin Donikian takes 2002's minutes. Present members approved minutes.
- Report of the Board of Directors - Dr. Ersan states that OIA had another successful though short term. "We are proud we accomplish many things this term", says Dr. Ersan. He also states, "We are going to build a new building for our youth". Dr. Vahram Biricik has unfortunately resigned, he reminds us. "It has been 26 years since the bylaws of OIA has been written, times have changed and the bylaws must be updated, also", says Dr. Ersan. "Amongst us as board members we have volunteers who have dedicated 10 years into the organization and received gold pins this year", he says with pride. Dr. Arto Ersan takes a moment to thank all of the board members who donate their time and effort into OIA and gives his heart felt thanks to them.
- Building Project Report - Sevan Matatyan takes a couple of mintues to explain in full detail how the building is going to be structured. The buidling will remain two stories. The upper level will be a banquet hall seating 300 hundred people also a large size kitchen fully equipped. On the lower level there will be a small hall/kids play room, a small kitchen, board room, accouthing office, and a storage room. All of the pavements around the building will be renewed and fenced off . The building was bought at $825,000 and the net price to date is $1,325,000. As a closing statement Mr. Matatyan states that $500,000 will be spent on this renivation.
- Report of the Trust Fund Trustees - Aram Eginyan announces the report of the trust fund. He states that the trust fund was started 3 years ago. There are 13 funds with $150,000. From this amount 7,000 was scholorship funds. Next term $24,000 of scholorship funds and financial aid will be given. Mr. Eginyan thanks everyone who has donated and asked to please continue for our youth's education.
- Year 2002 Financial Report - Raffi Gulsatar gives a run down of all the money in the bank OIA has. Avedis Tekkol questions the rent fee. The answer was explained to him by Mr. Gulsatar "The rent fee was the last month we were in the old building while we were moving out".
- Armenia Fund Amendment - Onnik Balyan states his oppinion regarding the $1.00 Armenia fund. He proposes that .50 cents be given to Armenia fund and .50 cents to Friends of Armenia. Edwin Minassian Suggustes $2.00 be collected, $1.00 for each fund. Simon Aciilac takes a vote for $1.00 to to go to Armenia fund and 12 people voted. Mr. Aciilac also took a vote for .5o cents to Armenia fund and .50 cents to Friends of Armenia. Majority rules and decition has been made, .50 cents to each fund will be given next term.
- Elections - Dr. Mark Kosker, Osep Ardic, Saro Marokyan, and Onnik Kasapyan will serve another term. Vahram Ekmekci, Sevan Matatyan, and Dr. Arto Ersan declined their noination. Garo Gobikyan, Raffi Gulsatar, Raffi Nizamian, Onnik Balyan, Kurken Beksander, Naro Chilingiryan, Aram Aginyan, Hagop Halici, and Murat Toktas were all nominated. Votes were casted and collect. The following were the votes:
Board of Directors
Simon Acilac 90
Onnik Balian 81
Garo Gobikyan 75 (alternative)
Raffi Gulsatar 84
Hagop Halici 48 (alternative)
Edwin Minassian 83
Raffi Nizamian 77
Murat Toktas 43
Trust Fund
Aram Aginian 74
Kurken Berksanlar 55
Naro Chilingirian 61
Avedis Tekolian 58
- Member Question and Wishes - A member suggested that the nominee's should stand up and say a word or two and intoduce themselves. Simon Aciilac makes three suggestions and they are as follows:
- give "hoke jash" here
- hire someone to call all of our members on the mailing list who receive the Voice and collect $25.00 membership fee
- send a mail announcement of the people who have pasted away with the phone numbers of the their families for people who would like to give condolance.
- Meeting Adjournment
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