The Assyrian American Civic Club held its installation dinner to start the 2016 term Friday night at with roughly 500 people in attendance.
The AACC has been in existence and serving the Turlock community since 1947, but this is the first time that the entire board ran uncontested.
“What that shows is the unity among the membership,” said club president Sam David. “It shows that they are pleased with our work and our efforts during these last two years.”
Eileen Nariman, chairperson for the Entertainment Committee for the AACC, is proud of what the club does in the Turlock area.
“We are very involved with the community,” she said. “With the Chamber of Commerce; we offer scholarships for students; and we just love to give back.”
The newly elected executive members and ladies auxiliary are as follows: Sam David, President; Thomas Victor Daniel, Vice President; Anita E. Ovrahim, Recording Secretary; Bella Daniel, Correspondence Secretary; Grace Oroomieh, Assyrian Secretary; Ramina Ushana, Treasurer; Joseph Bet Yosep, Financial Secretary; Eleshba Babakhan, Director; Johnny Essapour, Director, Angel Kaldani, Director; Flora Jacob, Director; David Yonan, Director; Romyo Khishaveh; Margaret Julian, Ladies Auxilary President; Sourik Eshaghpour, Ladies Auxilary Vice President; Kenarik Warda, Ladies Auxilary Treasurer; Nahren Lelham, Ladies Auxilary Secretary.
David shared plans for the future of the AACC that include building a community athletic complex with partnerships and various nonprofit organizations.
He said the idea behind the complex is to create an afterschool program for kids.
“We’ll get them here after school instead of waiting while their parents are at work,” he said. “We plan to have a mentoring program for them through our various partnerships, as well.”
David said the club will also soon have a coffee bar and lounge area, including 11 televisions that he says will be open on weekdays.
“It really ties in great with the sports complex,” he said. “When the parents come to pick up their kids they can come inside and have something to eat, drink and relax.”
David anticipates the lounge to be open in early spring.