TACAM

When I had to begin writing my letter for the Anatolian Voice, I did not know where to begin. As I was leafing through older issues, I realized that our editor has been working with great passion on the Anatolian Voice for nearly four years, when I was also president. It then hit me what my topic should be.

The new board began working in May 2009 from the prior board, which was under the wonderful leadership of Didem Şeyhoğlu-Hepaktan. We began with the 19 Mayıs festivities. It was then that I noticed one thing: our community is getting stronger and more unified. It is important to have this strength to leave to our children in Michigan. tacam was established by a dedicated group interested in preserving Turkish culture thousands of miles apart from their homeland. We must engage our children in our organization so that they may enjoy it and preserve it for their children. The pride we have of being Turkish must be preserved.

I am working with an excellent group of people, which are also dear friends of mine. They put up countless ours of hard work into every event and every activity, just because they believe it is important to take care of tacam and its legacy. Please be a part of tacam for our future, for our children. Do not stop supporting.

I would like to draw attention to a new grant we received from the ataa and the tca to help broaden support for our voice in Michigan politics and society (p. 9). Jason Windes will steward the fund. We also are continuing our popular Turkish school with our teachers Beste Windes and Özgün Ulupınar. Emine Zeren is our education coordinator, who is hoping to get more children involved in the language.

Remember: it is your membership dues and participation that keep tacam thriving. I thank our board and members of the community for the tireless effort and countless hours they give to our organization, so that one day it will be stronger, and one day it will be a part of our children’s lives and their children so that tacam can truly be a Turkish home for everyone. Wishing you all a great year.