Kavarian, Nalbandian and Simounian joined by ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian.

LOS ANGELES–The Armenian National Committee Western Region (ANC-WR) Internship-Externship Program (IEP) commenced its spring session on January 22nd. Participating in the regional program are three students from Crescenta Valley High School. Assigned a range of projects, the participants will work with ANC-WR staff and board members between now and early May.

The spring session interns include Patil Kavarian, Ani Nalbandian, and Sara Simounian. Nalbandian will be contributing as a Community and Government Affairs specialist, assisting the regional staff with its educational outreach as well as its leadership development programs. Kavarian and Simounian will be covering the various activities of the ANC-WR in the coming months as Public and Media Affairs interns.

Over the next several weeks, the interns will participate in weekly lectures, workshops, and seminars. During their first week in the program, they attended a lecture about anti-genocide advocates Raphael Lemkin and Vahan Cardashian at the Glendale Public Library.

Kavarian is a graduating senior interested in pursuing pre-medicine studies at college. She recently graduated the ANC Glendale Internship Program and looks forward to continuing her work with the ANC’s regional office. Simounian, a former ANC-WR volunteer, is a high school junior participating in her first internship program. Nalbandian, an active member of the AYF, rounds out the group and is also a graduating senior.

“We look forward to having Patil, Ani, and Sara work with us this spring,” said Haig Hovsepian, ANC-WR Community Relations Director and internship program coordinator. “With the start of the new legislative cycle and several community events in development these coming months, they will have an opportunity to see grassroots activism first hand,” he added.

Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP hosts three sessions throughout the year. The application for the upcoming 2009 Summer Session is now available online.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Patil Kavarian Raises

LOS ANGELES–As a member of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship’s (IEP) 2009 spring class, Patil Kavarian has been working with the ANC-WR staff and her fellow interns to advance Hai Tahd. Kavarian is a Public and Media Relations intern focusing on community activities and education, and has reported on community stories such as youth involvement in the recent local elections and helping to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide.

“The ANC-WR has given me the opportunity to help impact both the local community and activists throughout the region,” stated Kavarian. “By assisting activists cover their activities in different parts of the western United States, I am facilitating communication about how their fellow colleagues are stepping up during this important time,” said Kavarian.

Kavarian has teamed with staff to reach out to her peers to encourage more participation in community events and opportunities for civic engagement. Kavarian engaged various community efforts ranging from the upcoming ANC Orange County’s Walk for Remembrance to voter registration and the ANC-Western Region’s Issues Awareness Caucus in Sacramento, California set to take place April 22-23, 2009.

Kavarian is a graduating senior at Crescenta Valley High School in Glendale, California. An aspiring pre-med college student, she is still dedicated to community service and currently serves as her high school’s Armenian Club president. This past autumn Kavarian successfully completed the ANC Glendale Internship Program.

“Patil has really benefited from the ANC-WR internship program and made a difference,” noted Haig Hovsepian, the ANC-WR’s Community Relations Director and coordinator of the internship program. “This program provided Patil with a tremendous opportunity to compliment her experiences at the local level with a regional perspective.”

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR promotes awareness of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Elizabeth McIntyre

GLENDALE, CA– With the 2009 Summer Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) off to a fast-paced start, Elizabeth McIntyre joins the ANC-WR office as an Administration and Development Intern.  Focusing on Armenian American civic engagement and community development initiatives, McIntyre will be working with her fellow interns as well as the ANC-WR staff and assisting local ANCs with summer projects.

“I wanted to participate in the IEP because I think the skills and experiences that I will gain in it will be invaluable to the things I want to do with my life,” says Elizabeth.  “In the last few years I have become more interested in issues of policy, activism, and international opportunities.  I wanted to participate in a program like this because I want to be equipped to do more with my career than make a paycheck and I am becoming more interested in Armenian things.”

McIntyre is researching on current and previous state legislation related to the Armenian American community.  She will also be working with the ANC Professional Network where she will assist with their professionals panel series featuring careers in public service and public policy.

McIntyre received her Associates Degree at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga where she also served in the student government and is currently a senior at CSU “Cal Poly” Pomona, where she is majoring in Finance.  As vice president of Cal Poly Pomona’s Interdisciplinary General Education Student Organization, she helped to create, set up, and market various events.  She feels that this campus experience helped her prepare for the ANC-WR IEP.

While McIntyre’s maternal grandfather is Armenian, she sees this internship as an opportunity to become more involved in the Armenian American community.

“I grew up with less knowledge of the issues and culture than one might expect of most Armenian Americans in southern California,” she says.  “I am always looking to make a positive difference and want to be more engaged in this part of my heritage.”

In the past year, McIntyre joined the Armenian Student Association at Cal Poly and has been involved in the on-campus meetings and events.  She is looking forward to her experience in the IEP and hopes to remain an active member of the ANC after she completes the program.

McIntyre hopes to professionally apply her academic training overseas where she can encourage sustainable business practices and economic development.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

ANC-WR IEP 2009 Summer Session Intern, Hovsep Hajibekyan

GLENDALE—Hovsep Hajibekyan, a senior at UC Berkley, is one of seven students participating in the 2009 Summer Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP).  He joins the program, which began on June 15th this summer, as a Public and Media Relations Intern.  Through the program, Hajibekyan will not only be gaining experience in public and media relations but also learning about current Armenian American issues.

“I wanted to make a positive contribution to my community,” says Hajibekyan, “and the IEP provides me with a great opportunity to have hands-on experience with the day-to-day operations of the ANC-WR.”

As part of his involvement in the ANC-WR IEP, Hajibekyan is working on a series of individual projects.  For his main project, Hajibekyan is working with the US Census Bureau to raise awareness of the upcoming 2010 Census and highlight its importance for the Armenian American Community.

“I am looking forward to setting up this community outreach event and it is an exciting opportunity to be able to work with a federal government office to help empower our communities,” said Hajibekyan

He will also be leading the ANC-WR media monitoring efforts this summer as well as writing press releases covering ANC events and activities in the community.

Hajibekyan is attending UC Berkley as a Political Science and Music major. He feels that the rigor of the classes at his school has prepared him well for his internship with the ANC-WR.  He also believes that his musical studies have helped him strengthen his Armenian identity and influenced his involvement with the Armenian American community.

Along with being an active member of his UC Berkeley’s Armenian Student Association, Hajibekyan has been active with the Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area.  He has volunteered with the Armenian National Committee of America during which he assisted US Representative Jackie Speier’s election campaign.

“Several of my friends had been interns previously and they spoke about the rigor and effectiveness of the IEP program,” he says.  “I knew from them that the interns become full participants in the civic engagement effort, not just spectators.”

Although Hajibekyan is not positive as to what he will do after he finishes at Berkeley, he does know that he will continue his education.  He plans to attend either law school or graduate school to study diplomacy.

Hajibekyan also plans to remain active in both the ANC and the Armenian American community in general after completing the ANC-WR IEP.  He feels that the experience in working with communities that he will gain from the program will help him stay involved in the future.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Srbui Karapetian

GLENDALE—After completing her third week in the 2009 Summer Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP), Srbui Karapetian is already busy tackling the several community outreach oriented projects assigned to her. A sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles, Karapetian joins the program as a Community and Government Affairs Intern.

“I decided to take part in the IEP, because I believe it offers a great opportunity for me as a young Armenian American to learn about the political, historical, and policy-related issues that affect my community,”says Karapetian. “In just these three weeks I have already learned about a small region in Georgia called Javakhk, which despite its large Armenian population, receives very little government support and remains in a state of impoverishment as well as current federal and state legislation concerning Armenian American issues.”

Karapetian currently is focusing on two main projects. Working alongside the Armenian National Committee of Hollywood, she is organizing a community issues briefing to help raise awareness about the 2010 Census in the Hollywood area. The event is scheduled for Thursday, July 16th and will be held at Karapetian Hall (1614 North Alexandria Avenue). She is also working on researching and writing separate articles which cover the 2010 Census as well as the current political and socioeconomic situation in Javakhk.

“I am looking forward to the rest of my time in the program, the work I do here at the ANC will prepare me for future community organizing and leadership roles,” says Karapetian. “Now that I am more aware about issues affecting the Armenian American community, I have become more enthusiastic about contributing to and being more involved in it.”

Throughout high school, Karapetian took part in the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School Saturday Program. Her participation in the program exposed her to a wide variety of Armenian literature, plays, and music. At UCLA, Karapetian is a member of the school’s Armenian Student Association and takes part in their events.

Karapetian is currently double-majoring in Political Science with a concentration in political thought and English with a concentration in world literature. At UCLA, she was a reporter for the campus newspaper, The Daily Bruin. She feels that her experience in writing articles for newspaper has prepared her well for the feature articles she will have to write for the IEP.

Karapetian learned about the ANC-WR IEP at UCLA. She had heard of the program from a former intern at the school and received more information on the program from the ANC-WR Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian.

Hovsepian had given a presentation at an UCLA Armenian Student Association meeting in which discussed the IEP.

Karapetian plans to remain involved in the community after she completes the IEP, especially her local ANC the ANC of Hollywood.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.

Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

Razmig Khayalian

GLENDALE—As the 2009 Summer Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) begins its  fifth week, Razmig Khayalian, an Administration and Development Intern with the program is busily working on several projects addressing both the  developmental aspects of non-profit organizations as well as assisting ANC outreach efforts to the Orange County area community.

“I wanted to participate in the program because it was a great way for me to match my passion about these issues with an opportunity to do  something about it,” says Khayalian.

Khayalian is working with the local ANCs outside of California to help connect local activists with their elected representatives.  He is also  working with the ANC of Orange County in its effort to expand its outreach to students and young professionals and help organize its end of summer  community issues briefing.

Khayalian is currently a student at the University of California, Irvine where he is studying Political Science with a minor in Conflict  Resolution and a certificate in Mediation.  He hopes to attend law school and is interested in getting involved in politics.  This past spring he  participated in the university’s UC DC program during which he spent three months in Washington DC as an intern.

“I visited the ANC-WR office last summer because I was interested in getting involved and the in discussing the ANC-WR IEP I felt it was the  right fit for me,” notes Khayalian.  “I think that my internship in Washington DC definitely helped prepare me for this program.”

Eager to help reach out to the people in the communities in which he lives, Khayalian has served on the board of the Pasadena Armenian Church  Youth Organization (ACYO) for the last two years.  He plans to remain involved in the Armenian American community after completing the internship program  by continuing the work he has started this summer with the ANC in Orange County.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.  Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the  country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

ANC-WR interns learn about the Genocide Education Project from Suzanne Douzmanian (right)

GLENDALE—Working together and on their individual projects, the seven interns of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) reached the half-way point of the 2009 Summer Session this past week. In a few short weeks, the interns have accomplished much from organizing community forums on the 2010 US Census and covering the developing situation in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to honing resume writing and interview skills as well as meeting with community organization leaders.

“The interns are off to a great start and I am impressed with their ability to handle several major projects along with smaller projects all at the same time,” said ANC-WR IEP Coordinator Haig Hovsepian. “It is great to see them bonding and supporting one another in their efforts.”

Interning at the ANC-WR this summer are Colette Ghazarian, Hovsep Hajibekyan, Srbui Karapetian, Razmig Khayalian, Nare Kupelian, Elizabeth McIntyre, and Lauren Shenian.

Although most of the work done by the interns takes place at the ANC-WR office, the interns have also gone into the field to strengthen local ANCs such as the ANC of Hollywood and the ANC of Orange County, by collaborating with them on projects geared towards engaging more of their respective local communities. The interns also led a canvassing effort to register voters at the 2009 Navasartian Games during the July 4th holiday weekend.

ANC-WR interns helped organize and volunteered at the recent ANC Hollywood 2010 US Census town hall meeting

“I really enjoyed helping the ANC-WR have a visible and active presence at the Navasartian games. It was great meeting people and working to get others involved in the American political process,” noted McIntyre. “The Navasartian games were also an opportunity for me to learn more about the Armenian community and the organizations that are working to make a difference here in Los Angeles and beyond.”

The interns also participate in weekly group meetings featuring guest speakers and lecturers. In addition to federal and state issues briefings, the program has featured speakers from the ANC Professional Network and from the Genocide Education Project and covered a range of topics including campus activism.

“I especially enjoy the group meetings because they provide us with valuable tools and a knowledge base for future activism and civic engagement such as networking skills, introduction to community issues and grassroots organizing. These are the fundamentals of political activism and much more,” said Hajibekyan.

The 2009 Summer Session of the program will come to a close on August 21st. They will be presenting the culmination of their work to the ANC-WR Board of Directors and local ANC leaders at the end of the session.

The application for the 2009 Autumn Session is now available online. Those interested in applying can contact the ANC-WR office for more information.

Nare Kupelian

GLENDALE—Community Government Affairs Intern Nare Kupelian joins the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) this summer as a graduate of the ANC Glendale Internship Program. Nearly half-way through the summer session, Kupelian is already working on her assigned projects with several local ANCs, including the ANC of San Diego County.

“I applied to the IEP program because it would allow me to work for a cause that I am passionate about,” says Kupelian. “Growing up, I learned about the Armenian Genocide from my grandparents and I developed awareness of the issue from a young age. I could not see a better way to spend my summer than to work to raise awareness about this issue.”

One of her main projects has her teamed up with fellow intern Razmig Khayalian to help local ANCs connect with their elected officials this summer. Working with the ANC of San Diego County, Kupelian is organizing its upcoming community issues briefing. This project has a particular significance for her as she also recently became a member of the ANC San Diego County’s Executive Committee.

During the summer of 2008, Kupelian was an intern with the ANC of Glendale. Although that experience prepared her for the ANC-WR IEP, she also noticed several differences between working in the two offices.

“In Glendale, we focused mainly on issues of importance to the community in the city. We had our eyes and ears open to the happenings of Glendale,” says Kupelian. “In the Western Region office, our work covers a large geographic area consisting of several states and our efforts are geared toward strengthening local ANCs helping them reach out to and better serve their communities.”

At UCSD, Kupelian is studying Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations. She is a member of the Armenian-interest sorority, Alpha Gamma Alpha as well as the Armenian Student Association on campus. After finishing her undergraduate studies, Kupelian plans on attending law school and hopes to stay involved in politics.

“The ANC has taught me to be persistent in my actions in order to achieve something,” she says. “The political sphere is detail-oriented and requires you to match passion with a solid, convincing argument to win over support for issues of concern to you.”

GLENDALE—Working together and on their individual projects, the seven interns of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) reached the half-way point of the 2009 Summer Session this past week. In a few short weeks, the interns have accomplished much from organizing community forums on the 2010 US Census and covering the developing situation in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to honing resume writing and interview skills as well as meeting with community organization leaders.

ANC-WR interns helped organize and volunteered at the recent ANC Hollywood 2010 US Census town hall meeting

“The interns are off to a great start and I am impressed with their ability to handle several major projects along with smaller projects all at the same time,” said ANC-WR IEP Coordinator Haig Hovsepian. “It is great to see them bonding and supporting one another in their efforts.”

Interning at the ANC-WR this summer are Colette Ghazarian, Hovsep Hajibekyan, Srbui Karapetian, Razmig Khayalian, Nare Kupelian, Elizabeth McIntyre, and Lauren Shenian.

Although most of the work done by the interns takes place at the ANC-WR office, the interns have also gone into the field to strengthen local ANCs such as the ANC of Hollywood and the ANC of Orange County, by collaborating with them on projects geared towards engaging more of their respective local communities. The interns also led a canvassing effort to register voters at the 2009 Navasartian Games during the July 4th holiday weekend.

“I really enjoyed helping the ANC-WR have a visible and active presence at the Navasartian games. It was great meeting people and working to get others involved in the American political process,” noted McIntyre. “The Navasartian games were also an opportunity for me to learn more about the Armenian community and the organizations that are working to make a difference here in Los Angeles and beyond.”

The interns also participate in weekly group meetings featuring guest speakers and lecturers. In addition to federal and state issues briefings, the program has featured speakers from the ANC Professional Network and from the Genocide Education Project and covered a range of topics including campus activism.

“I especially enjoy the group meetings because they provide us with valuable tools and a knowledge base for future activism and civic engagement such as networking skills, introduction to community issues and grassroots organizing. These are the fundamentals of political activism and much more,” said Hajibekyan.

The 2009 Summer Session of the program will come to a close on August 21st. They will be presenting the culmination of their work to the ANC-WR Board of Directors and local ANC leaders at the end of the session.

The application for the 2009 Autumn Session is now available online. Those interested in applying can contact the ANC-WR office for more information.