New Board of Directors for 2016-2018 Term

On April 17, 2016 Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA) held its annual general meeting and elections for the new term 2016-2018 at the Savage Howard County library. Following a brief count of votes, the new Board of Directors was announced as follows:

• President:  İdil Hasbay                 
  
• Past President:  Cennet Köse Rivera
  
• Vice President:  Ahmet Demiroğlu
  
• Secretary:  Müge Türkman
  
• Treasurer:  Uğur Erickson
  
• Director:  Aynur Karvan
  
• Director:  Hülya Daniel
• Director:  Mert Kayan
• Director, At Large:  Aslı Smith
  
• Director, At Large:  Berna Sherlock

 It was a successful meeting with a lot of emotions as we said farewell to the old Board of Directors, and welcomed the new Board of Directors. Outgoing President Cennet Köse Rivera thanked the members of the Board with certificates of appreciation and presented two special Directors with service awards;

• Orhan Suleiman, a longtime Director and President of MATA, who has contributed in many different ways over the years, and
• Benjamin Rivera, a Director of MATA, who has established a strong technical and process foundation and contributed in many areas ranging from Web & IT to Publications and Membership during this term.

MATA Directors and MATA friends/volunteers who received certificate of appreciation for their dedication and support to MATA were; Catherine Ward Prada Suleiman, Kent Drummond, Hüseyin Koca, Corina Koca, Nüran Saydam, Kadri Hasbay, İdil Hasbay, Bülent Şafak, Özcan Mustafa and Kayhan Yılmaz.

Following the awards and certificates ceremony, Board reviewed the Financials for 2015, many accomplishments of our committees over the past 2 years and the 2016 priorities of the MATA Board and committees. Meeting concluded with a brief discussion of upcoming events:

• Mother’s Day Dinner; May 5th at Mare Nostrum, and
• May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day Picnic; May 15th at Savage Park.

Please contact Board members or our website (www.MATAMD.com) for additional information on our upcoming events or if you like to volunteer in our committees.

İdil Hasbay

(MATA President; April 2016)

32nd Anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

MATA’s Board of Directors and their families were honored to attend the commemoration of the 32nd Anniversary of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC). Held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, on November 17th, and hosted by Mr. İsmet Korukoğlu, Representative of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, with his beautiful wife, Suna, and their lovely daughter, Su, the festive event was well-attended. Cypriots, Turks, and Americans enjoyed an evening in celebration and support of the TRNC, as well as the opportunity for informative discussions with Mr. Korukoğlu.  Guests included Mr. Barry B. R. Jacobs, a former Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Information Agency (press attaché) and Dr. Philip Anderson, U.S. Coordinator of Girne American University and Board Member of its partner school, Dulles University.  As the photo(s) attest, it was a delightful occasion.

Nuran Saydam

(MATA Member; February 2016)

Meeting with MATA is a Great Experience!

My name is Direnç Kadioglu. I am working as a Legal Consultant at the Law Office of Timur Edib, located in Rockville, MD. We have been working on the community’s legal issues for 20 years.  I want to share my recent experience with the Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA) and the President of MATA, Cennet Köse Rivera.

Previously, I heard many positive remarks about MATA and I recently had the pleasure of attending one of their many delightful happy hours, on November 13th, at the Rudy’s Mediterranean Grill & Diner restaurant. I felt the welcoming environment as soon as I stepped into the room, where I met, for the first time, the organization’s board members, general members and guests, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds.

I had a chance to meet MATA’s current president, Cennet Köse Rivera, a friendly and smart Turkish woman who is very attentive and informative about the organization’s purpose and activities. She introduced me to the MATA community and invited me to the organization’s future events. MATA welcomes everyone who wants to develop strong bonds between the Turkish and American communities by providing cultural insights.

MATA offers a forum between both Turkish and American communities to exchange various aspects of their cultures such as language, education, food, and social activities.

Founded in 1964, and incorporated in 1967 as a federal non-profit, MATA has encouraged and facilitated both Turkish families and American families to come together and work as one for a better future. I have already met many families who contribute to the MATA community, and have enhanced my relations with many others.

It is motivating to see MATA events bring companies and future employees to connect, network and inspire future generations.

Finally, I congratulate Cennet and other members for giving their best efforts to enhance the community ties between all Turkish and American generations.  Thank you all for your warm welcoming, I look forward to attending future events.

You can find information about MATA activities on Facebook:

     https://www.facebook.com/MATA1967

Direnç Kadioglu

(Friend of MATA; February 2016)