The First Pan-Homenetmen Online Promotional Seminar
ANOTHER UPDATE
For the first time in the field of promotion, Homenetmen regions, which had previously operated independently—each following its own approach based on local conditions— came together to address a long-standing concern. The lack of a unified, overarching promotional strategy, as well as coordination and management, had been a common challenge and demand.
To tackle this issue, the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee's Promotional Sub-Committee organized an unprecedented seminar on November 6 and 13, 2021. This marked a new beginning in the planning, organization, and execution of Homenetmen's promotional efforts—both in terms of methodology and content—to establish a more modern, effective, and widespread publicity mechanism.
More than 50 promotional coordinators, administrators, and IT specialists from 26 regional and solitary Homenetmen regions participated in the online seminar.
OPENING
The first Pan-Homenetmen online Promotional Seminar started with the national anthems of Armenia and Homenetmen. Following this, sub-committee member Yeghpayr Njdeh Meguerditchian invited Yeghpayr Vicken Avakian, Secretary of the Central (Executive) Committee and representative of the Promotional Committee, to deliver the opening speech.
Speaking on behalf of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee, Yeghpayr Avakian officially launched the seminar, emphasizing its significance in the organization's history. He highlighted the importance of promotional work and the need for structured coordination and professionalization. For the first time, the seminar aimed to evaluate and integrate all traditional and modern promotional tools within the organization, including print media, publications, radio and television broadcasts, websites, and social media ensuring a systematic and harmonized approach based on clear organizational principles.
In his speech, Yeghpayr Avakian emphasized that promotion is not an end in itself; rather, it informs, attracts new members, and strengthens Homenetmen’s ranks. “Effective membership growth requires effective promotion, well-developed promotional tools, and a carefully crafted strategy,” he stated. While past discussions often focused on Homenetmen’s strength in scouting and sports, this seminar provided an opportunity to highlight Homenetmen’s promotional strength, driven by its participating members.
"THE PROMOTIONAL WORLD OF HOMENETMEN" VIDEO AND GENERAL ASSESSMENT
Following the Central (Executive) Committee’s address, a video titled “The Promotional World of Homenetmen” was presented. Subsequently, Yeghpayr Kevork Hagopjian, Chairman of the Promotional Sub-Committee, provided an overview of the promotional activities across Homenetmen's global chapters through a PowerPoint presentation based on pre-prepared survey responses.
THE FIRST THREE WORKSHOPS
After the first session, which was streamed live on the organization’s Facebook page, the seminar continued with interactive workshops. Participants engaged in group discussions on the following topics:
-
"Effective Communication Skills" – Lecturer: Marie-Louise Baboyan-Azezian, professor at Saint Joseph University (USJ), Lebanon.
-
"Effective Journalism Skills" – Lecturer: Kouyr Nora Parseghian, Promotional Sub-Committee member and Editor-in-chief of "Aztag" daily newspaper.
-
"Homenetmen, Photography, and Videography" – Lecturer: Yeghpayr Njdeh Meguerditchian, member of the Promotional sub-committee and a staff member at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.
After the workshops, participants gathered for a joint session where representatives from each group summarized the key points of their respective topics. Yeghpayr Kevork Hagopjian then presented an initial draft strategy for Homenetmen’s promotional activities, inviting further review and discussion before the next session.
THIRD SESSION
On the evening of Saturday, November 13, 2021, the seminar resumed with its third and fourth sessions, incorporating both general and group discussions.
The third session, attended by all participants, focused on a crucial topic: "Homenetmen’s Engagement on Social Media." Presentations on professional and statistical aspects were delivered by Yeghpayr Kevork Hagopjian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee’s Promotional sub-committee, and Kouyr Talar Mazlumian, a committee member and social content manager at the international company, Picsart.
THE SECOND THREE WORKSHOPS
The fourth session was dedicated to another set of online workshops, allowing participants to engage in discussions on the following topics:
-
"Documentation, Archiving, and Digitization" – Lecturer: Mihran Minasian, researcher at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Madenataran) and the Armenian Genocide Museum.
-
"Marzig: Challenges and Development Opportunities" – Lecturer: Yeghpayr Vicken Avakian, member of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee and editor of "Marzig."
-
"Homenetmen Website" – Lecturer: Yeghpayr Shant Demirjian, head of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee’s IT department.
After the workshops, participants once again gathered for a joint session to hear reports from group representatives summarizing their discussions.
Most presentations were supported by PowerPoint slides and complemented with impactful short videos.
CLOSING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CENTRAL (EXECUTIVE) COMMITTEE
The seminar concluded with a closing speech by Yeghpayr Vatche Nadjarian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee. He emphasized that this seminar represented a pivotal moment in Homenetmen’s history, solidifying promotional activities on a more professional and innovative foundation. "Today is the era of promotion," stated Yeghpayr Nadjarian. "Especially given the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, online activities have become a necessity. Homenetmen is an organization that adapts to the times and knows how to utilize its capabilities effectively. Systematic and goal-oriented work is the cornerstone of successful promotion.” He concluded by expressing gratitude to the participating regional representatives, the organizing sub-committee, the speakers, and the invited experts.
After two weeks, four meetings, and seven hours of discussions, the seminar successfully concluded with the adoption of a strategy for the organization’s future promotional activities.