California Armenian Democrats form charter group

PanARMENIAN.Net - After a year and a half of work, the California Armenian American Democrats has received provisional ratification as the first organization chartered by the executive board of the state Democratic Party.

Caro Avanessian, interim chairman of the new group, said he started trying to form an Armenian American caucus after he went to the California Democratic convention a few years ago and saw so many groups represented by caucuses, ranging from Filipinos to senior citizens. Avanessian is also president of the Glendale Democratic Club.

But when he approached the state party about forming a caucus, he was told caucuses were no longer being approved because they had lost a lot of their authority due to recent federal legislation. A party representative suggested Avanessian form an Armenian American charter group, which can collect money and endorse candidates.

A stipulation before formal ratification can move forward is a review of the organization’s bylaws. Berdj Karapetian, a Glendale Democratic Club member, will be on the committee performing the review.

The California Armenian American Democrats will also hold an election of officers, Avanessian said, Glendale News-Press reported.