First ANCA Telethon Raises $2.7 Million
I'm a little sad that I couldn't participate or organize in the final stage of this telethon... the telethon itself. I couldn't even watch it. :( But I will express how happy I am that the Armenian-American community showed their commitment by putting their money where their mouths are. This is a great step for the ANCA and I know that every penny will be used VERY wisely.
Allow me to provide a quick commentary on the subject. This truly shows the level of commitment in the US towards genocide recognition in the US. Granted, ANCA advocates for many issues, but we all know genocide is at the forefront. I've seen a growing support for the issue in the last few years, and it only goes to show that a little momentum has the potential to tip the balance over enough to win us the battle. The US will soon recognize the genocide because they will have no choice. Increasing media attention, increasing pressure on elected officials, increasing speculation about their relationship with Turkey, increasing pressure in Turkey for freedom of speech, and decreasing motive to submit to Turkey's demands are all signs of a tipping balance.
PRESS RELEASE:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=955
Allow me to provide a quick commentary on the subject. This truly shows the level of commitment in the US towards genocide recognition in the US. Granted, ANCA advocates for many issues, but we all know genocide is at the forefront. I've seen a growing support for the issue in the last few years, and it only goes to show that a little momentum has the potential to tip the balance over enough to win us the battle. The US will soon recognize the genocide because they will have no choice. Increasing media attention, increasing pressure on elected officials, increasing speculation about their relationship with Turkey, increasing pressure in Turkey for freedom of speech, and decreasing motive to submit to Turkey's demands are all signs of a tipping balance.
PRESS RELEASE:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=955
posted by Arsineh at 11:15 AM
8 Comments:
2.7 Million pledged towards genocide recognition in the US, I feel that is so much energy for such a little amount. With the Jack Abramoffs of the world, how can such a small amount establish influence, let alone make a dent in the US political machine? It feels like deception on grand media scale. Hello Armenian-American people, we don’t control the Bosporus, Turkey does. I feel that this and like money, would be best utilized in the republic of Armenia itself. A hospital project, books in classrooms project, anti-women trafficking project, tree planting, an economic revitalization program in the south or west, a new banking system for the local Armenian farmer, etc. Spend 100% of that virtuous money in Armenia ANCA, where it’s needed instead of wasting it in the broken promises of U.S. political machine.
I've supported ANC in much of what they do, and the programs they have are great, and I have volunteered much of my time to the organization. Therefore, I am all for them getting loads of money to fight for the Armenian Cause.
However, I don't appreciate the fact that they had a telethon to get money for the Armenian cause, and not once was it mentioned during the telethon that the money is actually going for a building, and not so much for the programs or fighting for Genocide resolution. That is just plain wrong. If they want people to give money to the organization, they should tell people where their money is going.
Wow 2.7 million, that's great! Quick question though, I remember reading a pamphlet saying that the money will go for the new building in DC, so will there be any left over for other issues? I realize that buying the building will greatly increase the capacity for the ANCA to fight for recognition... I'm just curious as to the immediate expenses.
Buying the building seems to me like a good long-term savings, since I can only imagine that rent in D.C. is not cheap, and they will no longer need to rent...
Congrats to all the dedicated folks at the ANC headquarters!
Allow me to clarify. Much of the money will go towards the building, but the purchase of the building facilitates many of the programs. For example, we now have proper space for our Capital Gateway Fellows, we now have a better space to host guests, etc. It is not all going to the building however. Much of it will probably go towards the Capital Gateway Program, and so on. To some, $2.7 M is not a lot. But imagine that the ANCA has not had that kind of money before and what it has been capable of until now. Just imagine what it will be capable of now.
And so that the position of the ANCA is clear, the Armenian National Committee of America's focus is within the US political arena. The ANCA supports Armenian issues through American politics by fighting for Aid to Armenia and NKR, fighting for military paridy, and of course for genocide recognition. That is the focus of this organization. Other organization who work in Armenia should be asked why they aren't doing more there.
$2.7 million in Armenia:
-rebuilding a new hospital in Syunik: $1 million
-sponsoring a few kids here and there: $20,000
-buying a summer house in dilijan: $1 million+
-shutting up people like jack from the post above: priceless
jack, have you tried telling the armenian church not to build new churches outside of armenia. i think probably not!
There are MANY armenian organizations that build hospitals and schools, sponsor children, plant trees, etc. There is another Armenian organization that has been capatilizing on a telethon for 10 years to build the infrastructure. I believe the ANCA to be a top notch organization who would do what everyone else does, better. But, they have their mission and are raising money to support that. 2.7 million might not seem like a lot in the whole scheme of things, especially when the Thanksgiving Day telethon raises over 10 from what I believe to be a far inferior organization, but it's their first year doing this - they need to find a better way to compete and get the Armenian population to change their ways and donate to the ANCA instead and work up the logistics for a more direct strategy. Sounds harsh but I think the donors are going to be the same between the two organizations. Good Luck to the ANCA.
Well stated Arsineh... you took the words right out of my mouth. As a former ANCA Intern I've always found what the ANCA does on such limited funds astounding. It's one of few organizations out there that puts every last penny donated to good use.
Jack...YOU are free to choose to donate your money to organizations who concentrate their efforts in Armeniam and there are MANY of those. The ANCA is is just one org. that happens to not build hospitals and school, it does other things! The $2.7 came from people who believe in the work of the ANCA and chose to support its efforts OUTSIDE OF ARMENIA. (bear in mind the ANCA does a lot for Armenia & Kharapagh by securing load of section 907 foreign aid $)
What else if not DONATIONS would fund the overhead, the pamphlets, the programs, the electricity, the rent, and the office equipment for a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION??? Come on people, no one was misled here!
The telethon was a successful fundraiser and it's sad to see that just like with the last telethon people are sitting on their asses criticizing instead of being PROUD of what we have accomplished.
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