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Flipping through the pages of recent Parsiana issues I have read depressing reports of election tensions, inability of The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) to achieve collaborations, and legal tugs-of-war among rival groups that always leave community welfare on the back burner. With this knowledge, I went with some apprehension to observe the 36th annual general meeting (AGM) of the diaspora group, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) in neighboring Sacramento, California.
The proceedings heartened me, and as a retired nongovernmental organization/not-for-profit organization professional at local, national and international levels, I felt motivated to share my experience with the community.
To begin, compliments and thanks to the young Sacramento Zoroastrian Association (SZA) that, under the leadership of Darius Captain, provided elegant hospitality and efficient support services. From the relaxed first day get-together pizza party by the lake to the last day of solemn prayers and gahanbar in the dar-e-mehr, they offered a pleasant experience. SZA was selected four years ago and after Covid related postponements, kept its commitment to host the AGM in 2023.
As an observer, it surprised me to receive an emailed meeting kit with a four-page agenda and a voluminous 237-page report book. Every single report was precise. I glanced through reports of the six executive committee members, 17 program committees, 21 member associations and eight partner organizations. Every report covered details of accomplishments, work-in-progress, and included proposals for approval, where necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the meeting, I was further impressed that each report was supported by well-illustrated PowerPoint slides, presented enthusiastically by groups of committee members. The general body members were engaged in discussions and made constructive recommendations. Enthusiasm sometimes ran rampant and kept the Parliamentarian on his toes!
Here is a brief recollection of the highlights:
Effective communication is the backbone of a successful organization. The multiple tracks of FEZANA communications include: An enhanced social media presence led by Tanya Hoshi, Jim Engineer and a committee of dedicated professionals; the continuingly improving website maintained by Arzan Lali and Hanoz Santoke; the FEZANA Journal edited by past president Dr Dolly Dastoor continues to report on activities and producing themed educational issues. To address a drop in subscriptions, plans are underway for a paywall online version to supplement the print edition. And, finally, the monthly FEZANA Bulletin edited by administrator Zenobia Damania keeps individual Zarathushtis abreast with worldwide events. 
The presence of partner organizations was very encouraging. FEZANA plays a facilitative role in connecting significant worldwide Zarathushti organizations, and they send their leaders to attend the meetings to arrange collaborations. These include the Zarathushti Entrepreneurship Development Foundation, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce and the North American Mobeds Council. Shared fundraising and program promotion by FEZANA and its member associations and close ties with worldwide and India-based social service activities were noticed.

 

 

Following receipt of two pledges, they have started a bequests program. Treasurer Xerxes Commissariat, finance chair Ratan Mistry, past treasurer Rooky Fitter and financial advisor Adil Masani are actively leading the effort. The "donation bucket” is being streamlined, and they have earmarked various causes for support.
FEZANA remains responsive to the needs of individual community members across the world. The Unity and Welfare Committee led by Houtoxi Contractor, Hosi Mehta and Sanaya Master facilitates the transmitting of hundreds of donations in response to appeals from individuals and charitable causes. They do so with extreme sensitivity and confidentiality. 
FEZANA’s UN-NGO Committee has been active. Its Ava Project under the theme, "Nemo urvaire vanghui mazdadhate (Homage unto the righteous tree created by Ahura Mazda)” promotes activities to achieve an eco-friendly environment in every community. It has published a resource brochure titled "Perpetual Haft Seen Garden” referencing the seven items that start with the Persian alphabet "s” or "seen” to observe the coming of spring on Jamshedi Navroz. The seven items are sabzeh — lentil sprouts; samanu — sweet wheat germ pudding; senjed — dried fruit; seer — garlic; seeb — apple; sumac — a crushed spice, and serkeh — vinegar. The flyer contains suggestions for growing plants and conserving water.
A major highlight I observed is the successful integration of youth in all FEZANA activities. The Zoroastrian Youth of North America (ZYNA) has become so much a part of FEZANA management that younger members are co-equals. On the pre-AGM day, ZYNA co-chairs Farzin Avari and Parshan Khosravi organized advocacy calls on California legislators. Groups of adults joined ZYNA members calling on selected California State legislators, seeking their support for programs and providing educational information for their use. ZYNA has been active holding social and meet up gatherings across North America and grooming new leaders. This is not just talk. The current FEZANA secretary Cody Partovi and assistant secretary Sharmin Mistry are both ZYNA members. 
Every organization needs tweaking of its processes; a Constitution Review Committee under the leadership of Mahrukh Motafram and including members of the executive, legal counsel and financial advisor are leading the Second Phase Review. They spent significant time on constructive feedback during the AGM deliberations. 
There were five past presidents of FEZANA participating in the meeting, all extremely devoted — Rohinton Rivetna, Dastoor, Bomi Patel, Katayun Kapadia and Homi Gandhi. Dastoor considered this AGM a breath of fresh air because members worked together, disagreed respectfully and deliberated effectively. It delighted her that the "old days of acrimonious behavior” are now history and congratulated the current president and all members.
FEZANA president Arzan Wadia certainly has his hands full, and daresay continues to extend his reach to do whatever is needed to support and enhance the Zoroastrian community, in this final year of his presidency. 
The meeting gave me the confidence that the future direction of the Zarathushti faith will rest firmly upon the shoulders of its eager and faithful followers in the diaspora! Aedun Baad — Aedun Taraz Baad (may it be so; may it always be so)! It is these same words with which Wadia concluded his president’s report.