January 16, 2025

Present

• Ani Aprahamian
• Diane Barber
• Paul Boghossian
• Mark Chenian
• Al Eisaian
• Lucineh Kassarjian (ED Armenia)
• Artak Melkonyan
• Mary Papazian
• Oshin Peroomian
• Vatche Sahakian (ED USA)
• Anoush Fraser Terjanian

Abscent

• Gassia Apkarian
• Vicken Cheterian
• Adam Kablanian
• Karnig Kerkonian
• Nina Hovnanian
• Nerses Yeritsyan

Meeting opened at 8:30am PST

Meeting closed at 10:22am PST

Regular updates

Membership

Financials

• Current balances
• Donations from November 28, 2024 to July January 4, 2025

Updates (70 minutes)

• Adam, Vatche, Lucineh, Nina (20 minutes): Update on spin offs and fundraising

  • ArCH Initiative: Armenia Fund, JHM, Europa Nostra, other…

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    • Gaianè Casnati is working on several projects related to ArCH, including an event by the Armenian Association of Toronto in May, a MERITA event in Armenia involving Europa Nostra, a translation of a book by Peter Balakian, and an engagement with reArmenia’s Vyun foundation. Gaianè and Vatche are involved fundraising efforts with the help of Nerses, Adam, and others.

  • ARCS-ai Initiative: Patrons, Armenia Fund, JHM, other… ; looking for an administrative assistant.

    • ARCS-ai was registered as a new foundation in Armenia, marking the second spin-off from ASOF. Operations have started with Nora Ayanan in Armenia and Oshin’s group teaching classes at AUA. Fundraising efforts secured $55,000 in patronship, with hopes to grow to an annual $150k. Meetings are scheduled with Armenia Fund, with potential for up to $300k in donations. The JHM Foundation, through Adam's connection, may provide $100k. The initiative is looking to hire a program manager in Armenia to manage the ARCS-ai programs. MOUs need to be signed with local stakeholders like YerevanN, AUA, and YSU in the next months.
• Mary (10 minutes): Ad hoc committee on new law on higher education and science
  • An ad hoc committee was formed to develop meaningful feedback to the new law on higher education in Armenia. The committee has had three meetings and is focusing on four main issues, including governance and the Academic City concept. The approach is to provide guidance on how the law, as written, may not enable the ministry and government to achieve their goals of improving and reforming higher education in Armenia. The committee is preparing a report with broader recommendations and specific thoughts on particular clauses of the law. A meeting with Minister of ESCS is planned to discuss the committee's findings and recommendations.
• Lucineh (10 minutes): Seismic group, Math Honors, local outreach efforts
  • Lucineh continues to work with local diplomatic corps and other organizations, specifically embassies. Exploration of possibilities with TEDx Armenia aims to enlarge ASOF's exposure in Armenia. Math honors program had another successful year, with certificates distributed for the past semester. A new 'Learning to Teaching' initiative was implemented, where students from the math honors class are now teaching lower-grade students. A meeting was held with the UDC director and their team. The ASOF group is finalizing a list of specific areas and people (2-3 per group) to work with the UDC on future partnerships.
• Paul (5 minutes): ETICA conference on national identity
  • ETICA conference is on track for June 29 and 30 at AUA. Several prominent scholars have agreed to participate. The work is being coordinated between AUA and the ASOF task force.
• Paul (10 minutes): Visiting scholar program and AUA
  • Paul to prepare a model agreement for the visiting scholar program with AUA
• Add about strategy