Koko Balian is Homenetmen’s 2018 Exemplary Member
Homenetmen’s Western United States Regional Board has named Koko Balian as this year’s Exemplary Member. Balian’s involvement in Homenetmen spans approximately 60 years. According to Balian, his life has had three influences: his home, his schooling, and Homenetmen.
Balian maintains that Homenetmen has been like a magnetic force in his life; one that has given him his Armenian identity and sense of self-confidence. The organization has taught him to serve his people and his homeland.
He attests that everything that he has learned from Homenetmen he has returned to his community so that they could also strive to serve Homenetmen as well.
He has served on Homenetmen Boston’s Chapter Executive Board as well as on Los Angeles’ Chapter Executive, been on numerous Regional level committees, as the Navasartian organizing committee chairperson, a Regional Executive member and Chairperson, a delegate of regional conventions, and served on the Central Executive Board for three terms, including one-term as Vice-Chairperson.
An interview was held with Koko Balian at his residence to explore his background and vision.
When asked what Homenetmen has offered him, Balian answered, “I was already a scout at the age of 10 at the Azadamard club in the Achrafieh district in Beirut, Lebanon. Since that time, Homenetmen has been a tremendous force in my life. I recall my scouting friends at the time, which included Haroutioun Chekijian, Alec Melkonian, and Jirair Sarkissian, the latter of which I have served with on the Homenetmen Central Executive Board. At that time, aside from our home and family, we felt the most closeness and affinity to our center and Homenetmen.â€
