Dear Members of the ATAA and Friends of Türkiye:

The Assembly of Turkish American Organizations (ATAA) is the largest Turkish American umbrella organization in the United States, encompassing regional organizations across the United States as well as organizations in Canada and Turkey.

ATAA serves as a respected voice for the Turkish American community at the nation's capital, empowers Turkish American grassroots in civic and political arenas, informs the American political establishment, media and public on issues important to Turkish Americans, and supports U.S. - Turkish relations.

As recipients of the ATAA E-Newsletter, ATAA Grassroots Information Service (GIS), and ATAA Action Alerts, you are well aware of the ATAA's activities and programs, and can appreciate the substantial human and financial resources our mission requires. ATAA has a 15-member elected volunteer Board of Directors to plan and conduct activities and programs that support the mission. ATAA has two full time and one part-time professional staff. ATAA relies on dedicated volunteers nationally and your generous financial support to carryout its mission. Please visit our web site www.ataa.org for more information.

As the end of 2009 has been nearing, ATAA has been diligently preparing for major projects and challenges in 2010, as I explain further below.

Your support is crucial. I kindly ask that if you have not already, please become an ATAA member now. If you are already a member, please renew you ATAA membership now. Your membership donation of $75 or greater is completely tax deductible, as the ATAA is an Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Becoming a member and contributing is easy, by email, regular mail, fax or on line at www.ataa.org

Needless to say, it is the financial support we receive from you, the Turkish American community that is the backbone of our mission. Your good minds and dedication to community are the engine and the spirit that drive ATAA.

As we move forward into 2010, below are the highlights of ATAA projects which await your generous support:

• TABAN: ATAA has initiated TABAN (Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network) with the support of Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) to empower Turkish Americans at the grassroots level. Local Grassroots Coordinators in Detroit, Chicago and Southern California, as well as a National Civic Engagement Director are hired.
• Census 2010 SayTurk: ATAA has entered a partnership agreement with the US Census Bureau to count Turks, "SayTurk", nationwide for the 2010 Census. ATAA is applying for $5000 federal grants for each of ATAA's component organization in good standing to help fund a proper count nationwide.
• Student Outreach: ATAA has commenced a program to reach over 28,000 young people from Turkey who are studying in the US. ATAA and its component organizations will be hosting Student Orientation Programs nationwide.
• Media Watch: ATAA has initiated MediaWatchNow.com with over 100 writers who on a daily basis inform the US media on issues related to Turkey.
• Action Alerts: An important part of TABAN, ATAA Action Alerts amplify the Turkish American voice on Capitol Hill. Since the beginning of December, over 1500 Turkish Americans sent letters to the House and Senate in opposition to Armenian resolutions and in support of rapprochement.
• ATAA Newsletter: ATAA will publish the ATAA E-Newsletter on a monthly basis, to report on ATAA activities. We hope that as you enjoy it, you will be inspired to take your proper place in promoting the interests of the Turkish American community.

Furthermore, we are pleased that new organizations, such as the Alabama Turkish American Association, the Friends of Turkey in Arkansas (FOTIA), and the Turkish American Business Association (TABA) who has 650 corporate members, have joined the ATAA. Meanwhile, ATAA is forging cooperation agreements with Turkish American Chambers of Commerce nationwide.

As ATAA has become a resource center for the federal government, Congress, think tanks and media, just in the last six months ATAA has been quoted in over 60 articles in major US and Turkish papers on issues that affect Turkey. The ATAA website receives over 150,000 hits per week. The ATAA aims to serve you competently, effectively, and with the dignity befitting our great heritage.

On behalf of ATAA, I thank you for your belief in and commitment to ATAA and the Turkish American cause, and look forward to another successful year with your ongoing generous support.

Sincerely,

Gunay Evinch,
President
Assembly of Turkish American Associations

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