The Inside Assyria Discussion Forum #5

=> Chaldean Non-Profit Organizations

Posted by Jeffrey (Guest) - Monday, December 29 2008, 3:30:04 (CET)
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I sent a questionairre around about 6 years ago to all Chaldean non-profit organizations with the hope of writing an article on them. I never actually got around to writing the article, but a few of the organizations responded, so I thought it would be a good idea to post their responses:

CHALDEAN IRAQI AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN
(CIAAM)

When was your organization founded?
CIAAM was founded in 1965 by a group of 60 Chaldean families to establish a social and cultural club and a gathering place for our community.

Briefly explain the structure of your organization.
A nine-person board of directors runs CIAAM. The members of the organization elect this board of directors. Currently there are over 850 families that belong as members of CIAAM. Each family gets one vote. You become a member by paying an initiation fee, which are currently $10,000 and yearly dues. The board is led by a President, VP Shenandoah, VP Southfield Manor, Treasurer and Secretary, all selected by the other board members.

What is its main objective / purpose?
The organizations main objective and purpose is to create a place to socialize and congregate as a community. To recreate a “Diwan” which served our community so well in Telkaif. The organization also serves as a place to preserve our culture.

To fill these objectives, the organization has purchased and developed the Southfield Manor to serve as a private club and public reception hall. A place to call our own and let our members congregate and socialize. The organization has also purchased the Shenandoah Country Club with plans to create a Chaldean Community Cultural Center.

What are its accomplishments to date?
Accomplishments include being the largest Chaldean organization in Michigan with over 850 families as members and owning two first class establishments including the Southfield Manor and the Shenandoah Country Club. The organization also recently broke ground on a new $20 million facility in West Bloomfield to construct a new country club for Shenandoah and a Chaldean Community Cultural Center which will house Chaldean Artifacts, a Library to preserve our readings and programs to educate others about our community and culture.

Does your organization work with any other non-profit groups?
Yes the organization works with several other Chaldean organizations including the Chaldean Diocese and the Chaldean churches, C.A.R.E [now disbanded], the Chaldean Ladies of Charity and the Chaldean Federation

How does your organization raise money? (ex: Dues, Fundraisers, etc.)
Monies are raised through annual dues and profits from the operations of the Southfield Manor and Shenandoah.

How many members does it have, and what is the average age of your membership?
We currently have over 850 families as members. We have not compiled an average age.

What are the criteria for membership? If someone wanted to join, who should they contact?
Anyone of Chaldean Descent is able to join. They can contact the Southfield Manor or any board member for an application.

What are your organization's future plans?
As I discussed earlier, the organization is currently constructing a new $20 million facility. A $15 million new country club and a $5 million cultural center. The new club will be 100,000 square feet and include many community activities, swimming pool, golf, and of course the Cultural Center.

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CHALDEAN AMERICAN LADIES OF CHARITY

MISSION STATEMENT:
We are Chaldean women energized
by working together and with others
To provide help and hope to those in need.
We strive to preserve our heritage and enrich our community
through awareness and advocacy, education and advice,
and emotional and economic support

Vision:
The CALC will strengthen and preserve the Chaldean family
by ensuring that all generations have access to necessary resources and services.

The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) was founded in May 1961 to assist those in need and we are currently celebrating our 41st year.

The CALC consists of a Board of Directors consisting of Nine Executive Officers and approximately 33 Reserve Board Members. It is headed by a President. Other officers are Executive Vice President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Assistant Recording Secretary. The CALC also has an Executive Director.

The CALC works with many groups within and outside the Chaldean community. It works with the Chaldean Federation of America, Chaldean Iraqi Association of Michigan, CARE, Churches, Educational Institutions, and many other non-profit agencies.

Our Accomplishments:

 Assist those less fortunate by sponsoring annual, coat, food and clothing drives.
 Regularly, throughout each year, provide emergency financial relief and support to poverty stricken families and families in crisis.
 Visit the sick and elderly in nursing homes to provide comfort, companionship and assistance.
 Strive to promote health education and other programs for our seniors –
 Provide effective drug prevention programs for our youth-- Our successful “Strengthening Our Chaldean Families” (SCF) Program is a grass roots family based prevention program developed to improve parents’ child management skills, parent-child relationships and family communication. The SCF Program seeks to prevent and eliminate alcohol/substance abuse and aggressive conduct by improving specific family practices and communication. The SCF Program, held throughout the year, involves participation by families of children ages 12-17 in the Oak Park and Detroit communities which include parent-youth discussions as well as family activities to help provide conflict resolution strategies, improve parenting skills, and family communication. After school tutoring is also be provided to youth. The SCF Program is administered by four social workers and one educator.

 Facilitate forums giving the younger members of our community the opportunity to speak candidly about issues of health, drugs, sexuality and religion.
 Present at career days at local area schools to encourage students to seek higher education and to set goals for themselves.
 Sponsor career fairs that provide informational tools in various professional and business fields.
 Give diversity presentations for schools, agencies, and community organizations to promote a better understanding of the Chaldean culture and traditions.
 Each year the CALC honors an outstanding woman in the community with the CALC Guardian Angel Award in recognition of exemplary volunteer service that helps to further the needs and welfare of others.
 The CALC generously contributed ($350,000.00) to the development and construction of the Chaldean Manor, a home for Chaldean seniors that opened in 1999. The Chaldean Manor provides a culturally sensitive environment where seniors can interact and enjoy companionship and activities with those of similar backgrounds and interests.
 In a very historical event, the CALC sponsored “Chaldean Americans in the U.S Armed Forces Tribute” a memorial dinner honoring all Chaldean American who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The CALC will be installing a memorial Tribute Wall for those Chaldeans who have served in the Armed Forces at the new Shenandoah Cultural Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
 Publishes an annual and semi-annual Newsletter.

Fundraising: Our ability to help individuals and families in made possible through our financial resources and fundraising efforts, including membership drives, weekly bingo and social events. In addition, the CALC receives financial support from many corporations; grant funding sources, and individuals who respect the mission that we undertake.

Membership: Our annual membership fee is $25.00. We currently have 600 members, consisting of Chaldean women ranging from 21 to 80 year of age and from all walks of life.

Future Plans:

· Continue to provide assistance to needy families and those less fortunate.

· We wish to expand on our services to seniors and the elderly in our community.

· We wish to “centralize” Chaldean nursing home patients into one nursing home so that we can ensure they receive culture appropriate services. We intend to develop a formal program for services (medical/physical/social/recreational) to be provided to nursing home patients.

· Continue to provide information that increases awareness of the CALC and the Chaldean community.

· Provide increased services to youth.

· Establish a resource manual so that we may serve as a referral source for needed services.

_____________________________________________________________________

MESOPOTAMIAN AMERICAN GRADUATE ASSOCIATION (MAGA)

- When was your organization founded?
December 2000

- Briefly explain the structure of your organization (ex: General
Assembly?, Board of Directors?, Executive Board?, President?)

The organization has a board of trustees which are the founders of the
organization, there is a steering committee that was appointed by a general
meeting in December 2000.

- What is its main objective / purpose? [and, what has the org. done to
fulfill that objective?]

ACTIVITIES:

· Creation, maintain and update MAGA web site.
· Provide an online bulletin board for members.
· Publish newsletters.
· Publication of "Who is Who" Directory.
· Create and update a resume bank for members.
· Establish access to job search and placement activities.
· Schedule and perform regular meetings.
· Hold group discussions.
· Organize workshops.
· Celebrate religious and cultural Mesopotamian and American events.
· Promote professional and social Development.
· Hold conferences, public lectures and symposia.
· Facilitate art and cultural exhibitions.
· Conduct social activities.

- What are its accomplishments to date?
MAGA is still young and we have hold several cultural and educational evenings, several social gatherings, establish relations among members , between them and members of the community, help members to find jobs, train members on information technology.

- Does your organization work with any other non-profit groups?
Yes MAGA is open to cooperate with all organizations that share the same objectives and principals. We held activities with the Chaldean Federation, Chaldean medical association and others.

- How does your organization raise money? (ex: Dues, Fundraisers, etc.)
Dues, contribution of members and friends and fund raising.

- How many members does it have, and what is the average age of your
membership?
Right now we are in the neighborhood of 100 members, As a
graduate association all our members are over 21 years old and we have
members age 60 years.

- What are the criteria for membership? If someone wanted to join, who
should they contact?
Any Graduate (associate degree and above) that have Aramaic Mesopotamian heritage and live in the US is eligible for membership. Forms are available on our web site www.maga-mi.org

- What are your organization's future plans?
MAGA'S OBJECTIVES:

· Establish and maintain social and professional relations among its
members and with other professional associations.

· Facilitate the exchange of knowledge in various fields among the members.

· Highlight the accomplishments of its members to the community.

· Promote a mentoring program for the Mesopotamian youth.

· Encourage the youth to adopt proper Educational goals.

· Help new comers graduates to adjust and upgrade their degrees and help them to use their qualifications in the new society.

· Improve the awareness and understanding of the Mesopotamian civilization and the input it provided to global civilization.

____________________________________________________________________________

Organization founded: January 1993

Structure: Board of Directors

Main Objective:
1. Assist Chaldean Community based organizations and other needed Chaldean programs. (CABA has helped the Chaldean Federation with immigration issues, school discipline issues and mentoring of youth)
2. Advocate greater representation of Chaldean Attorneys at different Levels of state and federal government. (by grassroots efforts of its members, CABA members, acting individually, have helped install a district court Judge-Diane Dickow DiAgostini, A Southfield City Counsel President, Nida Samona, and two magistrates, Marshall Garmo and Peter Mansour. Constant requests for representation of the community by CABA to such levels of government has opened eyes and made these governments aware that there are highly qualified Chaldeans.)
3. Further advocate for greater representation of Chaldean Attorneys in various committees and task forces under the jurisdiction of the courts and State Bar. Many CABA members are now members of these various committees and their numbers are increasing.

Work with other Non-Profits: CABA will work with CARE regarding student mentoring and it has worked similarly in the past with other similar groups. CABA has also given Scholarships to Chaldean Youth.

Fund raising: Members pay membership fees yearly.

Members: CABA has 82 members and their average age is 35.

Criteria: You must be an attorney, or in Law School to be a member.
Contact Joseph A. Shallal at Joeshallal@aol.com for more information or call Joe Shallal at 248-223-9830.

Future Plans: To Assist New Chaldean Attorneys by mentoring them. To set up a referral system for obtaining clients and business through a CABA web page. To provide Scholarships for Chaldean Law students.

Social: CABA meetings in addition to handling CABA business are also a good social event. Busy attorneys sit down for dinner and reacquaint themselves with each other. This is very good networking and chances to obtain mentoring information if you need it - and you can make a few good friends.

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by: Jeffrey Atto

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