ACYO Blog

2nd Annual ACYO Leadership Conference

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

On February 19-20^th, ACYO members from all three regions gathered for our Annual ACYO Leadership Conference in Fresno, CA. With roughly 45 members in attendance, the main focus for the weekend were resource management and fundraising, which are two key objectives in all ACYO chapters. Some topics that these professionals from World Vision conducted during the lectures and workshops were:

- What motivates donors

Personal Investment Sheets
Social Networking
What makes fundraising fun
Creating budgets

During the course of the workshops, chapters broke down into groups and created advertisement collages and a special commercial with the tools they learned from the various lectures. With the educational information that was taught from these professional speakers, we are confident that these ACYO chapters will be able to successfully fundraise for future events, as well as create new, inventive ways for advertising. The ACYO-WD Central Council was very pleased with the turnout for the Leadership Conference, and hope that it will only get better in the future.

Respectfully submitted,

Liana Grigorians

St. Mary's Manti Night

Nora Barin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

On Saturday February 6^th, St Mary’s ACYO sponsored an evening of food and fun, Manti Night. Our very own members, along with some helpful parent volunteers prepared the manti the week before the event took place. Along with hand-made manti, guests enjoyed spending time with family and friends. With about 140 adults and youth that came out to support ACYO, the event was completely sold out, making Manti Night an amazing first fundraiser to start off the year. The first Manti night for St. Mary’s ACYO was a great success, and will hopefully be remembered and repeated for the years to come.

Burbank Christmas/New Year's Party

Anna Arakelyan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The event began with an encouraging speech from Fr. Khajag. Through his speech we where reminded the true meaning and the significance of celebrating Christmas. Shortly after, we began to play games that where successful in making the atmosphere warmer and bringing the guests together. We played musical chairs but instead of sitting when the music stopped the contestants where told to retrieve a specific object, the last person to come back was disqualified. Some others games where the best dancing couple, mummy game, and bobbing for apples. The night was followed by dancing and more bonding. Some guests included members from St. Gregory's Pasadena chapter and St. Mary's Costa Mesa. The main purpose of this even was to strengthen the friendship between the members and motivate others to join ACYO. The event was a success and we are hoping for it to be even bigger and better next year. We are really thankful to the bakeries that donated food and everyone that came and helped us benefit from this event.

Anna Arakelyan

Burbank Chairlady

St. Mary, Yettem "Lock-In"

Liana Grigorians — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

To start off the fiscal ACYO-WD year, Central Council held their first meeting/retreat up at Hye Camp in Dunlap, California. After a long, effective meeting we joined St. Mary Yettem ACYO for their first winter lock-in, co-hosted with St. Gregory Fowler and St. Paul Fresno. With about 30-40 members in attendance from various ACYO groups, we gathered and enjoyed fellowship the entire evening. The youth spent time watching Der Vartan's educational Etchmiadzin video, enjoying great food made by the parents, playing different games, such as Uno and Mafia, and watching movies throughout the night. The following morning, we participated in St. Mary Yettem's Badarak and fellowship following. With Der Vartan's blessing, St. Mary Yettem has decided to make this an annual Winter Lock-in event, open to all ACYO chapters to participate in. Let's all take the effort to participate next year and make it a successful event!

Liana Grigorians
Central Council Publicity Director

St. John SF Senior ACYO- Up and Coming

Carmen Kestekyan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The Senior ACYO of St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco, has come a long way over the past decade. As juniors, we strived to plan activities and fundraisers to incorporate the church community in our mission. Our group was small in numbers, but strong in spirit. Eventually, some of our members went off to college outside the Bay Area while the rest of us continued to participate at St. John. Some members served on the Holy Altar while others sang in the choir, but no official ACYO group was organized for the seniors.

In the past couple of months, some members have come together to start up a Senior Chapter at our Church. With the leadership of Charles Cherezian, Steven Cherezian, Sossi Iacovides, Haig Sujohn, and myself, we were able to put some activities together even without being known at a Diocesan level. This past November and December, our members held an annual toy drive benefiting the UCSF Children’s Hospital. We asked parishioners to help us by donating new toys, games, or giving us monetary donations. With the monetary donations, we purchased toys and necessary items for infants, children, teens, and parents. Through our efforts, we collected over $800 in toys, games, and supplies. This was by far the most successful toy drive we have held at our Church. In mid December, we were able to continue our tradition from our junior years and get a group of us together to have our annual Pier 39 Christmas outing. This was followed by giant ice cream sundaes at Ghirardelli Square. We look forward to this event every year.

In the coming weeks, our newly founded Senior ACYO will be meeting with our parish priest, Fr. Diran Avagyan, to come up with a calendar of events for the upcoming year. We hope to continue making an impact both on the local level in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the Diocesan level, as we grow and become leaders of the Armenian Church.

CYMA Applications Available Online

Tatiana Semerjian — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

The CYMA 2010 Application is now posted on the CYMA-WD website under "Important Links"!
http://apply.cyma-wd.org/pilgrimage.php

The deadline for all application materials (including the essay and the initial deposit) is March 1, 2010. The written part of the application can be submitted online and the initial deposit of $1000 and a copy of your passport must be mailed to Sarah Mergeanian at 26135 Tono Mission Viejo CA 92692 for the application to be considered complete.

The final deposit will be due on April 10, 2010. The final cost of the trip is not yet finalized, but through fundraising, CYMA hopes to keep it under $3500, as it has been in past years.

This year’s CYMA trip is a four-week pilgrimage held during the moth of July, where participants will spend three weeks living in a house in the heart of Yerevan and one week living with home-stay families while completing a service project in the city of Gyumri. Participants will not only travel to spiritually and culturally significant landmarks, but they will also have the opportunity to get acquainted with contemporary Armenian society.

There will be an informational meeting on January 23, 2010 at 11AM at the Western Diocese Headquarters (3325 Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504). At this meeting, the CYMA Executive Committee will provide more information on this year’s mission and will answer any questions potential participants and their family members may have about the trip. We strongly encourage ALL applicants to attend this meeting.

Because all participants will be living in a single house, spots for this year’s trip are limited. As a result, the committee will carefully evaluate each application. To secure placement, it is important that you submit your application no later than the posted deadline. Also, we strongly advise you to take the essay portion of the application seriously. The committee is looking for individuals who show a passion for experiencing Armenia and contributing to the spiritual dynamic of the trip.

If you have any more questions about the trip or if you are unable to attend the informational meeting, please contact any member of the committee.

Summary of Important Dates:
January 23, 2010—11:00 AM: CYMA Informational Meeting at the Diocese
March 1, 2010—CYMA Applications and Deposit Due to Sarah Mergeanian
April 10, 2010—Orientation and Final Payment Due at the Diocese
June 19, 2010—11:00 AM Final Orientation at the Diocese
July 1, 2010-July 30, 2010—Duration of the trip

Keep up with CYMA 2009 in Armenia

Sarah — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Hello to everyone out there in the Blogosphere! CYMA 2009 is in full effect and posting pictures and stories online. Blogs to come out soon, but in the mean time if you haven't already, check out our Flickr page with a 100s of photos from CYMA 2009:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cymawd

Here are two great group shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cymawd/3687604452/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cymawd/3687609432

Don't forget to check out our facebook page:
www.facebook.com/CYMAWD

And of course keep up with us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/CYMAWD

Stay tuned for much more!

Hotel Information - "Nourishing Our Roots" ACYO-WD Senior Sports Weekend 2009

Macrina Aivazian — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

HOTEL RESERVATION INFORMATION

ADDRESS:

Marriot Costa Mesa500 Anton Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 957-1100

WEEKEND PACKAGE INCLUDES:

$99 per night, 2 Complimentary Continental Breakfasts, Overnight Parking ($8 per day) and free shuttle to and from the John Wayne Airport.

DEADLINE FOR OFFER ENDS:

August 29, 2009

TO RESERVE BY PHONE:

Please call 1(800) 228-9290 or 1(714) 957-1100 and mention 'Armenian Senior Sports Weekend' for group rate.

TO RESERVE ONLINE:

Please click here to be redirected to the online reservations webpage for this event.

CYMA is Only DAYS Away from Departure!

Sarah Mergeanian; CYMA Publicity Coordinator — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

HEY 2009 CYMA PARTICIPANTS!

Your journey to Armenia started in May at our last orientation date, but it’s getting really close to your departure date from your every day lives here in the states. Are you ready to move those mountains!!!

As our departure date draws near, there are few important things that we would like to remind you of as you prepare your hearts and minds for your special journey to Armenia.
First off, let me introduce the participants of the 2009 CYMA:

Robert Petrossian

Dalita Arekelian

Sarkis Mkrdichian

Manuk Avedikyan

Alec Movsesian

Andrew Moltz

Lorena Ojakian

Dr. Dyron Daughrity

Danielle Saroyan

Tatiana Semerjian

Trip Co-Coordinators:

Sarah Mergeanian

Armine Sermerjian

Diocese Youth Director:

Father Avedis Abovyan

Departure Day Tips and Reminders:
We will be meeting at the TOM BRADLEY International Terminal at LAX at 4:00p SHARP on Tuesday, June 30
Each participant is only allowed 2 pieces of luggage, one carry on, and one personal item.
Be sure to pack an extra outfit in your carry-on!
Make sure you have your passports!

Arrival Day:
Once we arrive at the Zvartnots airport in Yerevan, we will be purchasing Visas and each of you will have the opportunity to exchange currency. Afterward, we will all head to our very own CYMA House. Since we are arriving at 3:20 in the morning, there won't be much to see....yet!

This year, CYMA has implemented new and exciting trips to our itinerary. As we discussed at the orientation in May, in addition to seeing the sights while in Yerevan, you will be visiting a children's camp in Vanadzor for three days and taking a four-day extended and historic trip to Artsakh. Also, participants will be working on a service project in city of Gyumri, as appointed by His Holiness, Karekin II. They will be staying in Gyumri for about seven days, and help to restore homes for unfortunate families that have been affected by the numerous disasters that have affected the city over the years. Let’s MOVE THOSE MOUNTAINS!!!

Once we get settled in, we will embark on one of the most memorable trips of your life. GET READY! Here is a general overview of your spiritual & cultural pilgrimage overview:

July 2nd
Yerevan City Tour

July 03
Khorvirap
Paros Chamber Choir Meeting in Yerevan

July 04
US Independence day in Yerevan
Manana Youth Center in Yerevan

July 5
Badarak at Geghard
Visit to Garni

July 6-8
Vanadzor
Haghpat Sanahin, Haghartsin, Dilkijan

July 9
Climb Mount Aragats
Evening Event in Yerevan

July 10
Meeting with Eastern and Canadian Youth groups in Etchmiadzin

July 11
Lake Sevan
Evening event in Yerevan

July 12
Badarak Etchmizdzin
Saradabad & Dzvartnots

July 13
Hamberd and Saghmosvank
Dr. Dyron Leaves Armenia

July 14
Free day in Yerevan

July 15-18 Artsakh
Noravank, Datev, Artsakh, Shushi

July 20-July 27
Gyrumi Service Project

July 28-30
Free days in Yerevan

July 31
Depart Yerevan =(