News and Events
Annual Membership Assembly - January 29th, 2012
Tony Bikhazi, board member of the Metrolina Phoenician Club welcomed the membership to the annual meeting and looked forward to the participation of the younger generation in the activities of the Club. He mentioned that at the end of the year 2010 we did not have our annual meeting and did not have our Hafleh in 2011, which meant that we did not generate the funds needed for our charities. However, the Pheonician Club hopes to make it up to its charities in 2012. Tony thanked all the people that have served the Metrolina Phoenician Club from the community and as board members and looked forward to a special Hafleh in 2012 to celebrate our 25th anniversary since the Club was established.
After introducing the current board members he indicated that although we are gathered today to reminisce and share our news, we are also gathered to vote for the elections of the board members for the year 2012. A copy of the article of constitution, the bylaws and objectives of the Club were left on each table for all members to review.
He reiterated the purpose of the club as mentioned in article 2 of the constitution:
- A. To serve as a social organization for Lebanese and Lebanese-Americans and others who support our common objectives.
- B. To preserve the Lebanese heritage and traditions.
- C. To promote and support humanitarian efforts in Lebanon
- Agape
- Lebanese Society - Deaf and Blind
- Crèche Saint Vincent
- Children's Cancer Society of Lebanon
- The Shelter for Battered Women, Charlotte
Steve Flaherty, board member and treasurer of the Club, took the podium and indicated that a copy of the financial report was passed to all attendees. He indicated that we are fortunate to have eleven people interested in running for the Board: Tony Bikhazi, Dr. Sylvie Yessayan, John Lowen, Stephen Flaherty, Jihad Daou, Dr. Mary Ann Karim, Alaeddin Alyateem, Mazen Abu Chakra, Lamia Hanna, Charles Saleh, and Azad Khuri. Since the Club bylaws permit 11 people on the Board, Steve suggested that the nominees are elected by acclamation. The request for election by acclamation was moved and seconded with the members voting yes and none opposed or abstaining. The motion was duly passed.
Following the election of the Board, Pierre Arbajian from the Middle East Council of The Carolinas took the podium to introduce the organization whose objective is to promote ties between the Charlotte and the Carolina community in general and in the Middle Eastern community. He mentioned that the Middle Eastern Festival will be held on April 22nd at Queens University, and welcomed the Metrolina Phoenician Club to participate, indicating that through cooperative and collaborative work such as this we can help to promote each other’s causes.
Food was plentiful. The main courses were supplied by the Metrolina Phoenician Club, and the members contributed with a variety of covered dishes and desserts. Everyone enjoyed a good dinner and great desserts. See the Hafleh pictures and movie on our Photos page.
Christmas Party - December 12th, 2010
Our yearly Christmas Party was held on December 12th, 2010.
The president of the Metrolina Phoenician Club, Roger Soudir, welcomed everyone and thanked St. Sarkis Church for letting the Metrolina Phoenician Club host this event every year. He talked about the Club's events for the year, the Hafleh and this Christmas Party. He also thanked Mr. Chaalan Bitar for his donation of $2,000, bringing the total amount raised for charities for 2010 to $12,000. Then he introduced Tony Bikhazi, one of the board members of the Club, who talked in detail about the club's charities: Agape, Lebanese Society - Deaf and Blind, Crèche Saint Vincent, Children's Cancer Society of Lebanon and thanked in particular Ed Rassie, past president of the Metrolina Phoenician Club, who always assists Tony and his wife Lakana when they visit the charities in Lebanon to hand over the Club's checks.
Roger Soudir then proceeded to encourage the membership to participate more in the activities of the club and help by volunteering their time. Each year at the Christmas Party election for the board of directors takes place. Unfortunately, this year there were no volunteers and the current board will continue 2 or 3 months until we get new people to take over. He also indicated that after 5 years serving as President of the Club, he wishes to resign.
He then talked about the scholarships that are awarded each year. For 2010, 3 scholarships were awarded by the Southern Federation, and 2 Scholarships were awarded by the Metrolina Phoenician Club thanks to the Tony & Lakana Bikhazi fund and the Wasfi & Hana Barakat fund.
Food was plentiful. The main courses were supplied by the Metrolina Phoenician Club, and the members contributed with a variety of covered dishes and desserts. Everyone enjoyed a good dinner and great desserts.
After dinner all of the children gathered together in a circle and sang Christmas carols while eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Cries of joy welcomed Santa’s arrival, and continued as he distributed gifts to all the children. The parents shared in the joy as the children tore their gifts open with anticipation.
A game was organized by Lakana Bikhazi who took over the microphone calling upon the ladies to gather into a large circle and participate in a game. Lakana read a poem which, line by line, instructed the women to pass around a gift bag to a woman in the circle with certain characteristics. The woman who held the bag for the final line of the poem, Zeina Habbal, was the lucky winner of the gift!
Thanks to all for attending the Christmas Party, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011!
See the Christmas Party pictures on our Photos page.
Register for ongoing or future events:
Ø To register for an event, suggest or help in planned activities, contact us or call Roger at 704-236-4994
