Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR) works to advance the concerns of the Armenian American community in close coordination with over 20 local ANC chapters and thousands of dedicated supporters throughout the western United States. One of the most active ANC entities in southern California is the Armenian National Committee- Professional Network (ANC-PN) which is composed of talented Armenian American professionals.

“We encourage all young Armenian American professionals to attend ANC-PN functions,” commented the organization’s President Arbi Karapetian. “To help advance the Armenian Cause and at the same time advance your career by networking with other successful Armenian professionals is the hallmark of the ANC-PN,” Karapetian added.

The goal of the ANC-PN is to bring together and train the next generation of Armenian American leaders. The ANC-PN actively works to achieve its mission by offering educational and leadership development programs and social activities that encourage the growth of participants as successful professionals and strong leaders. Through these broad programs, ANC-PN supporters establish lifelong partnerships with other Armenian and non-Armenian organizations. The organization also provides an opportunity for all young professionals to engage in activism in support of the Armenian Cause.

Earlier this year the ANC-PN organized a St. Patrick’s Mixer at the Blue Monkey on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Over 150 people were present at this event and the proceeds benefited the Pyunic Association for the Disabled. The purpose of Pyunic is to promote the physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation of children disabled by the 1988 earthquake. During the mixer, a business card drawing took place in which the winner walked away with two complimentary tickets to the ANC-PN annual dinner dance slated for this fall.

In addition to the Mixer, the ANC-PN organized an outdoor adventure trip to Big Bear on the weekend of July 13-15, 2007. A group of over twenty ANC-PN supporters participated in a number of recreational activities that included canoeing, boating, hiking, playing volleyball, horseshoes, and much more. This social event was a great opportunity for ANC-PN supporters to build new friendship with fellow professionals and strengthen existing ties to old friends.

The ANC-PN has many future events planned for the remainder of 2007. Among the events planned in the coming months is an inspirational evening with Father Vazken Movsesian who will address his experiences with genocide survivors in the African nation of Rwanda in 2006. Also the PN is slated to host another successful annual banquet on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at the Ararat Center Glendale. The featured singer for the evening will be noted entertainer Harout Pamboukjian.

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.

Photo Caption: Jenny Kiljian, Vicken Chitlian and Varoujan Bedirian at the Thornhill Broom Beach campground.