April 25, 2010 — 12:00pm (noon)
TACAM Cultural Center, 28837 Beck Rd, Wixom, MI 48393
Save the date for our Children’ Day (noon–2:00pm) and General Assembly meeting (2:30pm–5:00), where we elect a new TACAM board. Nominations from any current member of TACAM are welcome. Learn about board responsibilities and run for our board.
About Children’s Day
Children’s Day started as the National Sovereignty Day in Turkey in 1920. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of modern Turkey, dedicated the day April 23rd, as the official Children’s Holiday. Children show their appreciation and celebrate their special day with their own festivals, parades, shows, and all sorts of children’s entertainment throughout the day.
On April 23, 1920, the Turkish Grand National Assembly met for the first time. This was one of the most important moments for the Republic of Turkey. The Grand National Assembly had people elected from all around Turkey to make decisions for the country’s future together. This was a very different idea from the Ottoman Empire, when only one person, the Sultan, made decisions.
Ataturk loved children and he often said: “Children are a new beginning of tomorrow”. Atatürk dedicated this historical opening day of the Grand National Assembly to the future of the country, the children. In fact on April 23rd children from every province of Turkey go into the halls of the Grand National Assembly and make decisions in the same seats and in the same way as the adults do. It is a wonderful experience for kids to learn how laws are passed in their country, and shows them that they really are the future of the country. Some children even get to meet the President and ask him or her questions.
Every April 23rd, Turkey organizes very colorful and cheerful festivals in which over 800 children from more than 40 countries participate. On April 23, children from all over the world dress up in their national costumes and perform dances, play games, sing songs from their countries, and perform their national anthems. There is no school on April 23rd so children enjoy the day by attending celebrations. The international children are hosted by Turkish families who open their homes to welcome these international guests and introduce Turkish culture to them. At the end of these celebrations, the international students leave Turkey with unforgettable memories of their host families, Turkish culture, and the Republic of Turkey.
Why is the Children’s Day so important? April 23rd International Children’s Day is a very important day because Turkey is the first country in the world that dedicated a holiday entirely to kids, thanks to Ataturk. Ever since UNICEF recognized this holiday honoring children, it has been celebrated all over the world. Another reason why this day is important is because April 23 is a day for peace and brotherhood in the world. When we become friends with children from all over the world, we better understand each other and get along well.
Children’s Day Agenda
| Item | Time (Appx.) |
| Seating people | 12:00 – 12:30pm |
| National Anthems | 12:30 – 12:40 |
| Presentation | 12:40 – 1:00 |
| Dance performance | 1:00 – 1:10 |
| Mike Bouchard | 1:10 – 1:30 |
| Rep: Mark Schauer | 1:30 – 1:45 |
| Magician | 2:00 – 2:30 |
General Assembly Information
It is time to nominate yourself or someone whom you think will do an excellent job working on the TACAM Board and assume necessary duties. When nominating, please keep in mind that a person’s experience, leadership skills and his/her commitment to the Turkish-American community. Also, please ensure that the candidates you nominate agree to be a part of the Board and to fulfill the necessary responsibilities prior to submitting their names. You can read about responsibilites on our Web site. New comers and long time members — all are welcome, as long as these board positions are filled with people who are willing to go the extra mile to represent our community in Michigan and will inspire everyone to work a little harder to bring our people together.
If you are interested in nominating someone or being nominated yourself for any of the positions listed above, please email your request directly to: Gaye Ozdemir, Nomination Committee Chair, to contact@tacam.org. Anyone nominated must also provide a short, biographical note. You must submit your request by April 23, 2010.
All following TACAM Board positions are open at this time:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- 5 Board of Directors positions
- 3 Board of Trustees positions
- 2 Audit Committee position
General Assembly Agenda
| Item | Speaker | Time (Appx.) |
| Sign-In | 2:00-2:30pm | |
| Opening Remarks | President | 2:30-2:50 |
| Election of Presiding Committee | Assembly | 2:50 -3:00 |
| Presenting 09-10 Financial Reports | Treasurer / President | 3:00 -3:10 |
| Audit Committee Report | Audit Committee | 3:10 – 3:15 |
| Approval of 09-10 Financial Reports | Assembly | 3:15 – 3:20 |
| Presenting 10-11 Budget | Treasurer / President | 3:20 – 3:30 |
| Approval of 10-11 Budget | Assembly | 3:30 – 3:40 |
| Motions | Assembly | 3:40 – 4:10 |
| Election of Election Committee | Assembly | 4:10 – 4:15 |
| Nomination Committee Slate | Nomination Com. Chair | 4:15-4:25 |
| Nominations from the Floor | Assembly | 4:25-4:35 |
| Voting | Assembly | 4:35-5:00 |
| Open Ballots/Count Votes | Election Committee | 5:00-5:20 |
| Closing Remarks | President | 5:20-5:30 |
| Official Approval of Minutes | Presiding Election Com. | 5:30-5:35 |