FOURTEEN NEW MEMBERS JOIN ARF RANKS

Fourteen young members of the Toronto Armenian community joined the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) during the meeting held at the Armenian Community Centre (ACC) on Friday, February 3, 2006.  Scores of members from four ARF chapters were present for the momentous occasion.

The most defining characteristic of the group was their youth.  The majority of the new members were under twenty six years of age and born and raised in Canada.  ARF “Soghomon Tehlirian” Chapter Chairman Zohrab Tatikian reflected on these facts.  “I am truly ecstatic about tonight’s ceremony.  It is a true reflection of the changing demographics within the Armenian community in Toronto.  It is great to see that over one hundred years later the message and mission of the ARF has been so well accepted by the new members.  They grew up here in Canada and have been instilled with the spirit of volunteering due to their participation in the several organizations operating in the ACC.”

The swearing in ceremony for the new members occurred at a joint meeting between the ARF “Soghomon Tehlirian” Chapter and the ARF Armen Garo Students’ Association (AGSA).  The ARF of Canada General Meeting held during the summer of 2005 passed a resolution to launch a student organization.  Thus the AGSA was born to provide a vehicle with which the youth studying across Canada could further the Armenian Cause.  Six of the fourteen new members joined AGSA – with the remaining eight joining the “Soghomon Tehlirian” Chapter.

The Canadian representative to the ARF Bureau, Hagop Der Khatchadourian, was present at the meeting and served as the ceremonial Godfather for the new members.  “It is with great pleasure that we receive this influx of young new blood into our organization.  I am proud that the message of the ARF is by no means lost on the youth – and am confident that we will reach new heights together.  It was my privilege to serve as Godfather for this great crop.”

“This was a truly emotional day for me” remarked one of the new members, “All my life I have learned about the heroes and the rich history of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.  Now, as a member of this organization, I have the privilege of being able to play my small part and contribute to betterment of the Armenian Nation, our homeland, and the community in Toronto.”

The ARF Central Committee of Canada was also present and provided an update to the meeting as to the pan-Canadian activities of the ARF.  Following the meeting, members remained to hold a celebration in honour of the new members.  The joyous festivities continued well into the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation was founded in Tblisi, Georgia in 1890 and has thousands of members in dozens of chapters around the globe.  The goal of the ARF remains a free, independent and united Armenia.

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