The 32nd Annual General Meeting of FEZANA, expertly hosted by Central Florida Zoroastrian Community (CFZC) in Orlando, was held from May 3-5, 2019. Nearly seventy delegates attended this event, including the entire FEZANA Executive, Representatives from 20 of 26 FEZANA Member Associations and Small Groups, FEZANA Committee members, and local area Zarathushtis.
No doubt, the positive turn-out was due, in part, because this year, for the first time, the FEZANA AGM was held successively with the World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) AGM / Global Meet, and also the with the Global Working Group Meeting, making for a great mix of attendees and outstanding networking opportunities.
The WZCC AGM and Global Meet, on May 1-2, kicked off the string of events with two days full of dynamic presentations, panels and sessions. Detailed accounts have been circulated and can be viewed on the WZCC website. http://wzcc.org/.
The official FEZANA AGM program began on Friday May 3, 2019. FEZANA President Homi D. Gandhi called the meeting to order and welcomed all the participants.
Day One of the FEZANA AGM began with a memorable Benediction presented by Mobed Soli Dastur. Breaking with convention, he sang the prayer Aa Airyemaa Ishyo (Yasna 54.1) known as the Brotherhood of Mankind prayer, to a familiar tune — Beethoven’s Ode to Joy — with accompaniment by Concert Clarinetist, Daryush Mehta. It was a memorable moment, perhaps setting new precedent. A video of the moment is captured here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUxhg8WvesA&feature=youtu.be
Among many things, Day One included reports from the FEZANA Executive, and also from the FEZANA Committees where Chairs presented their reports of the previous year’s activities and outlined future plans.
FEZANA is pleased to announce the re-election of Arzan Sam Wadia as Vice-President and Percy Master as Secretary, both of whom will continue for a second two-year term. FEZANA also officially welcomed Xerxes Commissariat of Zoroastrian Association of California – Los Angeles as Assistant Secretary, a role which he had been nominated and elected to earlier this year via electronic ballot.
A key highlight of Day Two was the presentation of reports by Member Associations where representatives shared successes and best practices from their Association with the group.
On Saturday evening, May 4, CFZC hosted a Gala Evening which included the WZCC Annual Awards, honoring well deserving Zarathushti entrepreneurs from around the world, and a fantastic entertainment program including a Fireside Chat with MasterCard CEO, Ajaypal Singh Banga.
Other AGM highlights:
— North American Mobeds Council (NAMC) President, Arda-e-viraf Minocherhomjee, gave a detailed presentation on the challenges and future initiatives of NAMC emphasizing the critical importance to the Zarathushti community of supporting and encouraging our young Zarathushti Mobeds.
— A joint project with FEZANA and WZCC, FEZANA-WZCC Entrepreneurship Fund was discussed which could provide funding for entrepreneurs.
FEZANA I.T. Committee is working towards unveiling a new website for FEZANA in the coming year.
— Three major global events are planned for North America in the new few years: 7th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Los Angeles (July 2019); North American Zoroastrian Congress in Houston (Dec 2020); and World Zoroastrian Congress in New York (July 2022). Reports were presented by representatives for each event.
— Before the AGM, bids had been invited for hosting FEZANA’s 33rd AGM in 2020. FEZANA Member Association Sacramento Zoroastrian Association presented their bid and was selected as the host of the next FEZANA AGM.
The digital version of the 2019 AGM Report Book has been circulated and is available for viewing on the FEZANA website.
FEZANA sincerely thanks Dinyar Mehta and Afsaan Kermani from CFZC and their dedicated team of volunteers for their warm hospitality and hard work in organizing and hosting this year’s FEZANA AGM. The countless hours of work that they put in was evident and much appreciated. The CFZC team completely outdid themselves in producing a truly memorable AGM with fantastic events, entertainment and great hospitality.
Read Homi Gandhi’s Closing Remarks made on Sunday May 5. (Dare MIghty Things)
A detailed recap of the 2019 FEZANA AGM will appear in the upcoming FEZANA Journal. A Draft Minutes of the AGM has been circulated.
