Contact:
Nurten Ural, President ATAA
Allison Block, Advocacy Director, ATAA
Tel: 202.483.9090
E-mail: president@ataa.org
Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots: CHICAGO
NOVEMBER 9, 2007 - As part of its Public Outreach Plan, ATAA last weekend held its fourth Grassroots Networking meeting in Chicago in cooperation with the local Turkish American association, TACA. Attendees met at the Renaissance Schaumberg Hotel and Convention Center yesterday, the morning following the Chicagoland area TACA Republic Day Celebration Ball at the same hotel. The Grassroots Networking event began with opening remarks by Mr. U. Kenan Ipek, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Chicago, whom emphasized the importance of ATAA's program and made note of the work that can be done within the community to achieve the mission of ATAA. Following his remarks, ATAA President Nurten Ural and Advocacy Director Allison Block gave their presentation about ATAA and how the Turkish American community can be better advocates for Turkey and Turkish American issues. After the presentations, the audience and ATAA representatives exchanged ideas for effective grassroots organizing in the area, from which a grassroots committee was established. The grassroots committee co-chairs will cooperate with ATAA to ensure the continuation of these efforts in the local area. The audience also discussed means for greater cooperation between ATAA and its component associations.
While in Chicago, ATAA representatives visited the office of Chicago-area Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's office with constituents from her district. Also, Nurten Ural and Allison Block attended the Consul General's Republic Day reception in Chicago on October 29.
About "Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots":
This meeting is part of a series titled "Turkish Americans Gaining Power through Grassroots," and is planned for more than 30 cities across the United States geared at activating the Turkish American community, as well as sharing information with the community on how to be more civically active citizens. The presentations by ATAA representatives last for about one and a half hours, and include presentations by ATAA President Nurten Ural, ATAA President-Elect Gunay Evinch, and ATAA Advocacy Director Allison Block. The program begins with a presentation by President Ural, sharing general information about ATAA, its strategic and public outreach plans, and new ideas for the Turkish American community. ATAA Advocacy Director Allison Block in her presentation goes into further detail about specific skill sets and methodologies for Turkish Americans to be more effective advocates for Turkey and Turkish American issues. President-Elect Evinch closes out the seminar with an informative, detailed and fact-based presentation on issues that are currently confronting the Turkish American community. The presentation is followed by a Q&A session, where attendees can ask pertinent, timely and engaging questions. Often the audience is honored by the presence of Regional Turkish Consul Generals or Honorary Consul Generals. More importantly, during these visits, ATAA staff assists in arranging meetings for constituents with their local representatives in Congress. Due to the fact that many members of the Turkish American community are new to such processes, ATAA makes the facilitation of this process one of its top priorities.
For a complete schedule please contact Allison Block, Advocacy Director, at the ATAA Headquarters at: 202.483.9090. |
