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The pillars and foundation were in place for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress (12WZC) that had for its theme "Bridging the Global Zarathushti Existence.” Poised precariously during the pandemic, the co-hosts kept wondering whether it would be a bridge too far. For even while 900 delegates had registered to avail of the early bird discount, "Will people show up?” was the question that continued to plague the organizers — the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY). "We could only make educated guesses. Even three months prior to the Congress we were not sure where we were headed,” recalled Arzan Wadia, president of FEZANA and co-chair of the Congress, on a visit to Bombay in December 2022.
"For every delegate registered, we had to raise USD 500-600 (Rs 41,450-49,740) per person. We were not sure we would break even. Suddenly there was a huge euphoria of people wanting to donate.” Barely a month before the Congress, co-chair of the Fundraising Committee Edul Daver came up with the idea of having session sponsors. "We were able to raise USD 50,000 (Rs 41,44,975)” deploying this strategy. "From the Congress brochure we were hoping to raise USD 50,000 as advertising revenue. We were able to finally raise USD 90,000 (Rs 74,60,955). We told people that if you cannot come for an event, at least book an advertisement so that your names remain in the Congress brochure for posterity,” Wadia relived the roller coaster ride when masterminding the global event with erstwhile ZAGNY president Astad Clubwala. Running the Congress attended by nearly 1,200 delegates on a tight leash "we were finally able to make a gross profit of $ 300,000 (Rs 2,48,69,850),” revealed an elated Wadia.
The advantage of the pandemic was "it allowed us to expand the organizing team with everyone on Zoom. The co-chairs of the Program Committee, Keki Dadachanji in New York and Aban Rustomji in Houston, "managed to work seamlessly.” Both the host organizations agreed that no limits would be set on what could or could not be raised at the Congress. "The 12WZC was more issue based than celebrity based. What are the issues we need to discuss today and who are the best people to address it? We did it respectfully. No one felt out of place. We had to make sure that those from India did not feel that they were being picked upon or ostracized because of their traditional bent of mind.”

 

 

 

 

Within each committee, there were four representatives from ZAGNY and four from FEZANA which meant the rest of North America. "We also ensured there was sufficient Iranian representation on important committees like the Program Committee. A couple of members left because they did not agree with the views of the Program Committee. However, issues were resolved amicably and they subsequently agreed to participate as speakers. "Just because you don’t agree, you don’t burn the house down,” commented Wadia.  There were over 120 speakers at the Congress. These speakers motivated registration from their family and friends. "People made a holiday out of it. Everyone felt involved. Being something more than spectators, added value. It encouraged a sense of belonging,” said Wadia.
On the youth committee they included five youth under 40 years of age, and another five over 40, with equal representation of males and females. "Everyone pulled in their weight. When the youth did not meet the deadlines set by the Congress co-chairs it gave them a few grey hairs,” he admitted. The youth participation in the Congress was very good.  This was a fallout of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (WZYC) in Los Angeles in 2019.
One of the disappointments of organizing the 12WZC during Covid was not being able to create a sufficient volunteer force. At the 2012 North American Zoroastrian Congress hosted in New York "we had a huge pool of volunteers resulting in the creation of a Rapid Response Team... This (12WZC) was a once in a generation event. We wanted the next generation involved.” Wadia noticed that "there was an element of Zoom fatigue. In-person events bring more people together. You can do more work when meeting together in person for two hours than over Zoom.” Rehearsals for the multimedia presentation, The Story of Creation that saw participation of nearly 40 ZAGNY members could commence only in February last year.
As per the memorandum of association signed between the two host organizations, the percentage of profits and losses were to be shared in the three-fourth, one-fourth ratio: thus ZAGNY got ($ 225,000 or Rs 1,86,52,838) and FEZANA ($ 75,000 or Rs 62,17,613). While ZAGNY will use the funds in the operation and maintenance of its Dar-e-Mehr, the FEZANA share will be divided between its annual academic scholarships and the Youth Endowment Fund. "We believe in letting the youth do what they want. It is only with youth involvement that we can get the next level of volunteers to run the associations,” believes Wadia.

Engaging the youth
Two hundred and twenty-five youth from North America will be attending the Eighth WZYC in London in July 2023. Since the total capacity was 450, some of the youth stayed up through the night to ensure they did not miss a berth. As the registration window was closed within seven hours of opening on November 18, 2022 many disappointed youth and their parents sought Wadia’s intervention, hoping he would be able to assist.
To pay the registration fees for youth from North America attending the 8WZYC, FEZANA has committed $ 50,000, if the youth put in an effort to raise $ 10,000 (Rs 8,29,015). "We don’t want to let them feel that money is unlimited. It is not a piggy bank they can open any time.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wadia’s first two years as FEZANA president have seen him give a major fillip, accelerating leadership at ZYNA (Zoroastrian Youth of North America). Their Sunday Gatha series are fast gaining in popularity. Besides social advocacy, there is an interest in the religion even on Instagram."I consider the Zoroastrian Return to Roots (RTR) progam a great incubator for the North American youth,” stated Wadia who invariably accompanies these youth on their 14-day trip to India to acquaint them with the community and Zoroastrian founded institutions. Getting a chance to gauge their potential, interest and abilities, he finds them opportunities to work for the community and assigns them duties. "Thereafter I let them manage the show. I don’t micro-manage but prefer to show confidence in the volunteers.”
One of the teenaged participants who attended RTR has been making 60-second videos of 12WZC highlights that she posts on Instagram. She is serving as a social media intern at FEZANA. Another series entitled "What do you remember from your navjote?” has also generated interest. A Zoroastrian Teenagers Exchange Program for those aged between 14 and 19 will take off as a pilot project with 10 families in 2023. Coordinating the two-week exchange program will be Sharmin Mistry.
For 48-year-old Wadia, the youngest president of FEZANA who serves as a bridge between two generations, it is important that the youth continue to remain involved in community activities while they are pursuing their career or expanding their family. Since youngsters can be affiliated with ZYNA only until 35 years of age, thereafter their interest in community work has to be channelized through their local associations by working on some committees that interest them.
He referred to the enthusiastic youth from Toronto who are keen to bid for the Ninth WZYC. Wadia tried to explain to them that since India has never hosted a WZYC, the opportunity should logically go to them. Further, Iranian youth are unable to participate when a Congress is held in North America. He therefore convinced them to direct their energies to revive the North American Youth Congress instead.
Within North America 26 congresses have been organized. Besides the two WZCs and the two WZYCs, they have organized 17 North American Zoroastrian Congresses and six North American Youth Congresses. "The collective experience definitely helps. No other region has as much experience... It took a few years for this resurgence to happen in North America. A lot of the youth are co-chairs of the FEZANA committees although there was a certain amount of resistance from the old brigade. But serving on committees can only come through experience, by shadowing long-standing reputed leaders. This is not something one can learn at University,” notes Wadia. There should be a second line ready to take over, he emphasized. He is planning to conduct a survey of the workings of the FEZANA committees to see if they are functioning optimally. Some committees have been functioning with only two members – the two co-chairs! With around one-and-a-half years of his term remaining, Wadia has set himself many tasks.
 
FEZANA flame
 "A massive revamp of the 35-year-old FEZANA constitution” is on the cards. Commenting on its provisions for voting by ballot in this age of electronic voting he considered it a "technological dinosaur.” According to the constitution, membership is granted to associations from different geographic centers. But this position is being questioned: Why can’t an association with American LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning) members be affiliated? Even the little known, all-women virtual association, Doorway to Joy has shown an interest in being a member. According to its website, "Through group prayers, Gatha Studies, educational seminars, cultural events, and retreats, the ancient Zoroastrian teachings and practices are brought into the modern way of living, guiding the participants to a deeper level of inner connection with the divine.”
At the 2023 FEZANA annual general meeting, member associations will vote on the need to amend the constitution. While currently there are no by-laws, all provisions are worked into the articles of incorporation. Wadia feels it makes more sense to keep the mission and vision in the Articles of Incorporation and move all other operating procedures under bylaws.
While the North American Mobeds Council (NAMC) is invariably given a half or one hour slot at FEZANA annual general meetings and the relations between the office bearers of the two associations are cordial, Wadia noted that "mobeds feel behdins are telling them what to do.” He was keen that elected boards of member associations should allocate one seat to a mobed/mobedyar who could serve as a liaison between that association and NAMC. Whether that suggestion is practical he was not sure, for not every association may have a mobed/mobedyar as member and not too many are enthusiastic to volunteer their services to the local association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as FEZANA allocates $ 5,000 (Rs 4,14,385) for NAMC activities in its budget, he proposed that member associations should also allow for a stipulated sum. "NAMC does not have the traction to raise funds for its 250/300 members,” he feels.
"While appeals for medical assistance are over funded,” one of the biggest challenges for FEZANA is raising funds for other objectives, admitted the president. "People can’t put a face to an organization.” Their past experience has shown that emails are read by not more than 40% of the recipients. They are thus planning to go the old-school way and send by post an appeal for funds to those on their data base. They are hoping that similar to Prof Kaikhosrov Irani and three/four others who have left their estates as bequests to FEZANA, more will be inspired to follow suit. From their General Fund, $ 25,000 (Rs 20,71,924) is spent on scholarships each year to supplement $ 60,000 (Rs 49,72,617) from endowed scholarships.
The setting up of a FEZANA Canada Foundation is also among his priorities to woo prospective donors from Canada who currently are not entitled to any tax benefits if their funds are sent to USA. As per the stringent laws introduced post 9/11, nongovernmental organizations in Canada cannot send out monies. However if the association has been formed prior to that date, they can send funds. After discussions with accountants and lawyers, Wadia is hopeful a favorable situation will emerge.
While the presence of a youth member on the board of every association is considered vital by Wadia, a provision for equal representation for women was not deemed necessary. As in corporate America, of its 27 member associations, "there must be around 10 which have women as presidents,” he mentioned.
At the start of his term in June 2020, Wadia had expressed the need to set up a President’s Advisory Council. Although this has yet not materialized, he is determined to see it through. He believes the eight past presidents of FEZANA along with five or six Parsis and Iranians would be able offer valuable background institutional knowledge that would assist decision making. 
Wadia’s term as president saw the institution of FEZANA professorship in Zoroastrian languages and literature at the University of Toronto last year. The curated monthly FEZANA Talks started out well until Zoom fatigue convinced them to discontinue the series. Initially keen on introducing a Zoroastrian Massive Open Online Course, Wadia is planning to meet Sir Ron Kalifa, chair of the online platform Future Learn in London, this year to see if they could introduce something along the lines of the Charlie Rose show (the broadcaster’s interviews with newsmakers were a hit on the Public Broadcasting Service in the USA). He is hoping Prof Yuhan Vevaina would be able to anchor a similar program where scholars would be invited to share their personal experiences besides their research findings.
A 24-hour helpline for those suffering from domestic violence and other issues may be initiated as also a seniors committee after they receive guidance from experts in the field, a few of whom were speakers at the Congress.
The strength of the community in North America must be around 25,000 but they are at best guesstimates, acknowledges Wadia. While ZAGNY has 350 family units as members that translates to around 700-800 individuals, Wadia feels the actual numbers in New York City must be around 1,500. Getting people to cooperate in a survey is "very difficult. We have learnt it the hard way. Hoping that 50,000 community members would participate in the GenZ and Beyond Survey conducted by Dr Sarah Stewart of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Wadia said, "We will be lucky if we get 5,000 responses.” This despite FEZANA sending weekly reminders before the data collection deadline of end 2022.
"I had put my life on hold for seven or eight months” when planning for the 12WZC, states the president who runs an architecture and a technology practice in New York. His firm Wadia Inc serves as an information technology help desk for design firms. His association with Cookfox Architects sees him lend his architectural expertise to the firm and he additionally functions as a consultant too. Having grown up in Bombay, where the Scouting values influenced him tremendously, he moved to New York City to pursue his Masters in Urban Design and Architecture. He enjoys his role as founder editor of Parsi Khabar, an online news aggregator that has a pulse on the global community.
His predecessor at FEZANA, Homi Gandhi had built a lot of bridges with Iranians when he was in Southern California, acknowledges Wadia. Past president Dolly Dastoor had visited every association. There are many who think that FEZANA is just the quarterly journal and not the parent organization. In the last three months he was able to visit five different associations. Before his term draws to a close in 2024, Wadia too is keen to visit each of the 27 member associations that fall within FEZANA. "The worst thing is unfinished business,” he trails off.