New hand on the helm

Bomi Patel, hitherto vice president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and chair of its congress committee was voted in as president of the organization at its annual general meeting, May 9-11, 2008. The meet, co-hosted by the California Zoroastrian Center (CZC) and the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC) also saw the installation of Nahid Dash­taki as assistant secretary. Ketayun Kapadia returned unopposed for a second term as treasurer.

Patel’s election as president left the vice presidential position open to be later adjusted by an electronic ballot, as notes a posting by FEZANA secretary Fi­ruzi Poonevalla. Though all FEZANA executives are elected for a two-year term with the option of seeking reelection for a second term, the positions of vice president and secretary do not come up for election at the same time as those of president, treasurer and assistant secretary but on alternate years.

Poonevalla has recounted the entire procedure followed for the election of the president this time when there were three contestants initially — incumbent president Rustom Kevala, nominated by the Zoroastrian Association of Florida, who sought reelection, Patel nominated by the Zarthoshti Anjuman of Northern California and Homi Gandhi nominated by the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY).

Rustom Kevala (top, left) handing over the baton to Bomi Patel Alongside: Ketayun Kapadia

The ballot papers had been circulated to the member associations and were expected to be returned by April 30, 2008. However, after the process was already underway, Kevala decided to withdraw his candidature. The FEZANA executives, in consultation with the other two contenders, decided that member associations who had voted for Kevala and now wanted to change the vote were free to do so, so long as they met the deadline, notes Poonevalla.

The ballot committee comprising Poonevalla, Kapadia and Rashid Mehin opened the ballots on May 9 in the presence of Framroze Patel and Nazneen Spliedt who represented Gandhi and Patel respectively. From a total of 75 votes there were two abstentions and one vote was declared invalid as the membership fees had not been received by the deadline.

Incumbent assistant secretary Anahita Daryushnejad chose not to stand for reelection. By the time the ballots were circulated there were no nominees for the post. "We were very fortunate that Nahid Dashtaki decided to throw her hat into the ring and offer her services as assistant secretary,” notes Poonevalla. Nominated by the CZC, Dashtaki was introduced to the members and elected by acclamation.

In his "thank you” message to member associations of FEZANA Patel invited all presidents to send in "their views and suggestions so that we can collectively work together.” Welcoming FEZANA’s newest member, the Zoroastrian Association of Michigan (ZAM) and congratulating the Michigan community "for taking this bold step of forming the association,” Patel urged the larger associations to take the initiative and help small associations to achieve their goals: "We are one large FEZANA family and we do need to assist our siblings to progress.” Enthused by Dashtaki volunteering to serve FEZANA, Patel noted, "I will request all committee chairs to co-opt a youth as a co-chair, so that our youth can gain some experience to become effective leaders of tomorrow.”

CZC president Sohrab Shahpour Salamatipour and his board of trustees and ZAC president Ardeshir Baghkha­nian and his board of directors were profusely thanked as were Vira Santoke and her committee of executives, for hosting the three-day event. Special mention was accorded to Themi Damania and her team of volunteers for "flawlessly organizing the transportation.” The 2009 AGM will be held in Tampa, Florida.