AGBU 93rd General Assembly Marks a Season of Transition, Tribute, and Togetherness (Part 1)

Full Recap - https://agbu.org/press-release/agbu-93rd-general-assembly-marks-season-transition-tribute-togetherness

For over 875 AGBU members, friends, and guests from 22 countries, the 93rd General Assembly (G.A.) weekend in New York was among the most memorable and inspiring in recent history.??

From Thursday, October 10 through Saturday, October 12, a robust agenda offered participants a mix of learning, bonding, and discovery experiences with opportunities to honor the past, contemplate the future, celebrate success, and delight in Armenian and world culture in landmark spaces unique to New York City.??

However, this year, the most anticipated weekend event was the history-making passing of the presidential torch from AGBU's seventh President, Berge Setrakian, to AGBU Council of Trustees member Sam Simonian.??

TRANSITION OF AGBU LEADERSHIP

The transfer took place during the official proceedings of the 93rd General Assembly on Saturday, October 12, held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, in the presence of 360 AGBU global delegates and members, in addition to distinguished guests, including His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.?

AGBU GENERAL ASSEMBLY HONOREES

As is tradition, the G.A. proceedings serve as a time of organizational reflection, including an opportunity to honor individuals and groups for their service to AGBU and the Armenian people.??

The AGBU Outstanding Service Award was presented jointly to the AGBU London Chapter and AGBU YP London committee for their constructive efforts and collaborative spirit. The AGBU President's Award for outstanding dedication and service was given to longtime members of the AGBU Central Office in New York, Randa Akda, Director of Endowments and Estates, and Hrant Kamalyan, Director of Information Technology, as well as Hosep Torossian, former principal of the AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School in Michigan. Armenian chef and entrepreneur Aline Kamakian was also honored with this award despite her absence due to her work with World Central Kitchen in Lebanon.?

Berge Papazian, former AGBU Central Board member and representative of AGBU in Toronto, received the AGBU Alex Manoogian Award for leadership. In contrast, two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Garo Paylan and U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.) received the Boghos Nubar Award for service to the Armenian nation and community.?

GALA HONORING VERA AND BERGE SETRAKIAN

Later that evening, the inspirational messages of congratulations and gratitude switched venues to the legendary Gotham Hall. With over 550 guests, the event was punctuated with laughter, storytelling, reminiscing, thoughtful observations, and special commendations from the personal to the professional to the collective. The night also featured music by world-renowned violinist Samvel Yervinyan, who performed with energy and vibrato.?

Each speaker and video presenter reflected on their personal experiences, relationships with the Setrakians, and the global reach of their decades of service and positive influence.

Berge Setrakian Leadership Fund

AGBU President Sam Simonian made a special announcement that was a fitting tribute to Setrakian's half-century of outstanding leadership: establishing the Berge Setrakian Leadership Fund. Simonian also noted that thanks to early supporters worldwide, the Berge Setrakian Leadership Fund had already raised $3.3 million with more contributions on the way.?