WELCOME NEW PRESIDENT AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER:

It is our pleasure to welcome a new member. Ms Ellen Avau Fast has taken over the responsibility of the president of The Zoroastrian Association of Alberta (ZAA). Ms. Fast was involved in the affairs of ZAA in the past. She is willing and able to serve the Zarathushti community again.
            Ellen Avau Fast – avaufast@jfa.ab.ca – 780.484.0979

The Zarathushtis of Louisiana are thinking of participating as Corresponding member of FEZANA under the proposed leadership of Rohinton K. Tarapore. There are approximately 18 Zarathushti families in and around the New Orleans metropolitan area. This group of Zarathushtis meets once every month. They hold religious classes and adult discussion group, which is preceded by recitation of "hum-bandagi" prayers and of course followed by a Parsi ritual of potluck dinner.
            Rohinton K Tarapore – rktarapore@hotmail.com – 504.443.1929

Welcome Avau and Rohinton. Hope your contribution will enrich the community.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

FEZANA an umbrella organization works at the discretion of its Member associations. Five elected officers are empowered by the Constitution to carry out certain administrative duties. The Committees are working bodies and their role is to execute and implement the purpose of FEZANA.

Specific functions are delegated to various committees; as such the committees are an integral part of FEZANA administration. The Chairmanship of the committee allows service-minded Zarathushti individuals to stay involved at the North American level. Currently there are two types of committees: Standing Committees, which are listed in the FEZANA constitution; and Ad-Hoc Committees, which are appointed on an as-needed basis by the president.

The ad-hoc committees have limited life and are commissioned to study a particular problem and recommend a solution, for example, Constitution Revision. Some ad-hoc committees are assigned a specific task, such as Restoration of Pahlavi Manuscript.

The Section 5, Article VI of FEZANA Constitution requires that "the Secretary shall call for volunteers to serve on specific committees. Member Associations or individuals interested in chairing or serving may submit their names. The President of Federation shall thereupon make the appointments, etc". Mrs. Arnavaz Sethna invited associations to submit the names during April 2001.

The list of Committee Chairs for the current term starting from June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002 can be found HERE. On behalf of the community we want to thank all those Committee Chairs whose term expired as of May 31, 2001. I want to particularly recognize the following individuals who have enriched our community by their selfless service to the Zarathushti community:

ROSHAN R. RIVETNA, who, along with her dedicated volunteers has produced one of the finest Zarathushti publication, FEZANA JOURNAL, for the last seven years. Roshan and her co-workers have made it an art and profession to make every issue of FEZANA JOURNAL better than previous one. Roshan and Khorshed Jungalwala, the Chair of Information Receiving and Dissemination committee, have maintained the journalistic integrity, in addition to reporting newsworthy Zarathushti events. It is our fervent hope that Roshan, Editor-par-excellence, will continue to edit the journal for a long time. Roshan can be reached: rrrivetna@aol.com or Fax: 630.734.1579

JIMMY B. MISTRY, as the Chair of Congress Committee Jimmy was FEZANA’s representative of WZC2000. Jimmy is currently on an assignment in China. He has been enthusiastically and single-mindedly involved in the affairs of FEZANA since inception, either as a president of his association or as a member of various committees. Many may not have agreed with Jimmy’s way of expressing his position, but one thing is certain, in my judgment, he served his community well, with zeal, dignity and distinction.

DINSHAW JOSHI, the Chairperson of the Awards Committee. In my opinion, FEZANA could not have had such an impartial and dedicated person as Dinshawji as the Chairperson of the Awards Committee, and also the chair of Awards Committee for World Zoroastrian Congress 2000 (WZC200). I have benefited greatly from Dinsawji’s straightforward, forthright, intellectually honest, and candid advice in easy to understand language. While advising, Dinsawji, critically analyzed core of the problem and gave the advise without any personal bias. I am grateful that he will continue as the Chair of Awards Committee.

KAEMERZ DOTIWALLA, who was the chair of the Unity and Welfare Committee, and served for more than nine years, perhaps longer than any Chairperson of any committee. During those years Kaemerz’s committee handled significantly important issues, such as "Iranian Immigration" issue and "Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund Raising". Kaemerz, as an activist, was involved in the affairs of FAZANA from the beginning and is a prominent member of Zarathushti community of Houston.

ROHINTON M. RIVETNA and KAIKHOSROV D. IRANI, who were the members of the two task forces appointed during last year to assist administrators in moving forward on the World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO)-World Body issue. Rohinton focused on the issue of regional and international aspects of the issue, and Kaikhosrov concentrated his efforts on ensuring that the changes suggested by FEZANA member associations are incorporated in the revised draft of WZO constitution.

After the April 2001 meeting held in New York City, between WZO and some of FEZANA Member Associations, a new Working Group headed by Khorshed Jungalwala has been formed to help FEZANA through the next, and hopefully final, stage. Rohinton and Kaikhosrov have completed their tasks in a very exemplary manner. They deserve our grateful thanks.

APPOINTMENT OF A NEW AD-HOC COMMITTEE:

As stated earlier FEZANA functions through committees. Currently, we are of the opinion that the Committees names and Charters need to be reviewed to avoid duplication. There is a need to redraft the objectives, terms of reference and responsibilities of some of the committees. A fresh look is needed to organize the committees to better serve the community. We have requested Dolly Dastoor to undertake that responsibility.

The ad hoc committee will:

• review all present committee charters to assess conflicts and duplication
• review all committee names to make them more indicative of their purposes
• work with committee chairs to get their concurrences and develop revised charters if necessary
• consult with the Constitution committee to assess placing committee operating guidelines into by-laws and to ensure that changes to committee names can be incorporated into the Constitution
• make recommendation to Administrators at the AGM in 2002

You are aware that during May 2001, a Working Group (WG) has been appointed to assist the FEZANA administrators in resolving the remaining issues for FEZANA to join the World Zoroastrian Organization. This WG is headed by Khorshed Jungalwala.

AD-HOC COMMITTEES DISSOLVED:

The following ad-hoc committees are dissolved for the reason mentioned hereunder:

• Business Network: Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce has been formed.
• Restoration of Pahlavi Manuscript: According to Dr. Pallan Ichaporia work has been completed.
• Task Forces for negotiating with WZO headed by Rohinton Rivetna & Kaikhosrov D Irani: they have presented their reports and a working group has been formed.
• Youth Congress: The functions of this Committee are being merged with ZYNA Committee. We want to recognize the efforts of Ervad Mazda Antia for directing the affairs of this committee very successfully. Thank you, Ervad Mazda Antia.

COMMITMENT TO ZARATHUSHTI SPORTS COMMITTEE:

During the last AGM I gave my personal commitment to Miss Artemis Javanshir that in the year 2004, North American Games organized by Zarathushti Sports Committee will be held on July 4th weekend, and FEZANA will not organize any event that conflicts with the event.

I recommend that the 4th of July holidays be reserved for the biennial sports (in even years) meets only, unless extraneous and compelling circumstances require change.

I also pledged that I would use my persuasive ability to the leadership that follows current administration that they honor our commitment made to Zarathushti youths. I want to particularly thank Artemis Javanshir for her positive contribution in reaching an equitable solution. For her young shoulders, she acts like a mature and seasoned diplomat who is more interested in resolution of the matter. Artemis thank you, again.

GUESS WHO IS GOING TO JORDAN:

It must be in the family. It is. Graduating from Boston University Magna Cum Laude, with B.A. in Political Science and History and interning for Democratic National Committee Headquarters in Washington and working on various campaigns in local D.C. and Massachusetts politics. D.C. Aysha Ghadiali is leaving for Jordan as a Peace Corps volunteer for a period of two years. Miss Ghadiali modestly informs us that she is one of the few Zarathushti youth to serve as a Peace Corp volunteer. Xerxes Sidhwa from Houston is another Zarathushti youth currently serving as a volunteer in Morocco. Aysha is the daughter of Dr. Yasmin Ghadiali (Chairperson of WZC2000 Fund Raising Committee) and Jamshed Ghadiali.

Since 1985, The Ghadialis, Yasmin and Jamshed, have managed to collect approximately $200,000 for Mumbai’s Parsi General Hospital. They have been actively involved in helping the many Zarathushtis who have come from India for medical treatment to USA. They were awarded the Humanitarian Award by 1998 FEZANA Congress. He is our choice of Chairman for Unity and Welfare Committee.

CALL AND REQUEST TO FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES:

Starting from a humble beginning, FEZANA assets available for long-term investment are in the neighborhood of $260,000. At the FEZANA AGM on May 26, Jerry Kharadi and Rustom Kevala requested the formation of a "Financial Advisory Board" (FAB). The members gave them the go-ahead. The FAB’s sole responsibility would be to advise the Treasurer and the Chair of Funds and Finance Committee about appropriate investments to help FEZANA funds to grow.

If you are able and willing to help the community please contact:
• Jerry Kheradi: 401.353.2343 jkharadi@cs.com
        or
• Rustom Kevala, Treasurer: 301.765.0792 rustom@aol.com