Proud to have

Vahe H. Apelian

From page 3 of the 2022/23 Annual report

A few days ago, I received AMAA’s 2022/23 Annual Report. It is a 70 pages long report. I want to post its table of content to make my point. Below is a copy. 

From page 3 of the 2022/23 Annual Report

The first 18 pages of the annual report comprise of reports from AMAA Board of Directors, the president, the executive director/CEO, the treasurer.  The next 6 pages, from page 19-25 are reports about AMAA ministries, its evangelism and discipleship, its outreach to churches and missions, its humanitarian relief programs, and to its education assistantship. 

I want to make a point  about the AMAA’s scholarship program quoting from an article Rev. Guiragos Chopourian wrote in the AMAA news  (2002-Vol. XXXVI).  I quote: “I was having second thoughts about the AMAA Scholarship program that the Board instituted in 1972. I did not verbalize or write about my concern to the Board. It was rather a “retirement contemplation” when there is much time to dream. My concern was stimulated by my remembrance of a letter that reached the Board years back when the writer said, “What business does the Board have in providing scholarships?” At the times I was convinced it was the business of the AMAA to help educate Armenian youth because it was the best capital for youth to have, especially those who were mostly emigrants or children of emigrants. On top of that I learned that the student loans the Association had granted were not all being returned.” He further noted that his thoughts were repelled because of a letter he received. For the past 50 years, from 1972/73 to 2022/23 academic years, countless students have been beneficiaries of the student loans and now support association in its missions.

But what I intended to dwell was the financial report presented in the annual report. From pages 27 to 48, that is to say 19 pages contain an independent auditor‘s financial report in minute details. The financial report is followed by listing of all the endowment funds and other financial info, on the following next 16 pages, from page 50 to 67. The sum total of the financial report then comprised almost 40 pages out of the 70 page long annual report. Frankly speaking I know no other Armenian organization in the Diaspora that puts such a detailed, transparent, independent third party audited report at the disposal of those who have trusted the organization and shared with it the fruits of their labor for common good.   

I became reflective and remembered the banquet that was held in NJ in honor of Rev. Dr. Guiragos H. C hopourian who was retiring as the executive director of the AMAA.  Rev. Dr. G.H. Chopourian is reported to have retired in 1987. The rumor had it that the Board was to announce the person they were appointing as the next executive director. It turned out to be Rev. Dr. Movses B . Janbazian who would lead the AMAA onto new fields in the newly freed and independent Republic of Armenia and beyond. I remember Rev. Chopourian’s charge to new director. The following has remained etched in my memory. He said to Movses that there will be times when the overhead expenses of the AMAA’s office will not justify the time and the resources spent to acknowledge the donation received but that it was his charge to see it done with gratitude. 

Organizations have their own culture that come about through the efforts of many. Through the dedication of many exemplary leaders who served the organization in various capacities, the AMAA has built a stellar reputation so much so that, my cousin Ara Apelian M..D, who served on the board let me know that the government of the United States has made an exception to AMAA to forward its financial support to the Armenian community in the sanctioned Syria through established channels. I quote from Wikipedia – “The US sanctions against Syria are the most severe, as they affect third-parties as well, and amount to an embargo.” In fact, Nazareth Darakjian MD, the president of the AMAA, ended his report on page 5 of the annual report noting that “AMAA as a charitable organization has permission to send humanitarian aid to our communities there (Syria).”

The summary of the investments in the endowment funds as of July 31, 2023 is listed on page 50 of the annual report to be $158,243, 937.  By the standards of other charitable organizations whose outreach is global, much like AMAA’s, such as once Vartan Krikorian led Carnegie Foundation whose endowment assets is in billions, AMAA’s endowment assets may be considered modest. But surely its outreach to the Armenian communities across the globe is not.

Zaven Khanjian is the present  Executive Director/CEO of the AMAA when the organization along with the Armenian nation face enormous challenges because of  the occupation of Artsakh and expulsion of its native Armenians. He wrote  the following on page 7 of the annual report and noting in bold letters:  “The AMAA has become a global organization and its involvement in community life around the globe has its weight, measure and effect. You can be proud of the organization you are privileged to be a member of, as it continues to emulate the life of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth.”

Surely, the Armenian Diaspora is proud to have the Armenian Missionary of America – AMAA - in its midst.