From left, Wendy Greuel, Chairperson Rebecca Berberian, Nora Hovsepian, Vache Thomassian, and Caspar Jivalagian
SIMI VALLEY, Calif.–Armenian Relief Society members and supporters gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on January 23, 2016 eager to partake in the ARS Leadership Built to Last Seminar organized by the ARS Regional Executive and the Regional Educational Committee.
The seminar commenced with welcoming remarks by organizing committee member Vivian Taslakian, who introduced the purpose of the seminar and thanked the event sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Hoory Melkonian, as well as the ARS Anahid, Lori, Sosse, Sepan, Ani, Gars, and Meghry Chapters.
The two seminar panels were moderated by community activist Caspar Jivalagian, Esq., who emphasized the importance of the role of the ARS in the community and highly commended the organization of such a seminar, which would deliver valuable information and knowledge to its attendees.
The first panel, Leadership, consisted of ANCA Western Region Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq., Former LA City Controller Wendy Greuel, and ARF Central Committee member Vaché Thomassian, Esq.
Nora Hovsepian, Esq. presented on the topic of Community Leadership focusing on its definition, importance of leadership in the Armenian community, the development of leaders, an effective leader’s attributes and how those attributes can be applied to achieve the community’s collective goals. She emphasized that it is imperative for a successful leader to possess qualities, such as integrity, courage, commitment, fairness, creativity, and flexibility. While highlighting the necessity of preparing future leaders, Hovsepian recalled a quote by author Tom Peters, “Leaders don’t create followers. They create more leaders.â€
