May DC Fundraiser

[katra...@yahoo.com]

Dear All,

Sorry for the delay in this report but I have been occupied with travel and practice issues.

The DC fundraiser that was held in May was a remarkable event.  What many people may not realize, was the $24,000 raised, as reported by Miriam, represents donations by the DC elite.  This represents a significant advancement to the leadership position of SAMS.  The work of SAMS is now on par with organizations that help in Darfour or Haiti.  As a friend of mine from the State Department communicated to me, SAMS medical relief efforts are seen as a ‘must be supportive of’ type of work.  We have successfully navigated the political dynamics that supporting our work is considered a worthy cause that members of the DC community can be supportive of.  This is a sea change in what we can achieve.  I recognize what many of us personally feel but now we have the buy in of the DC establishment.  Regardless of our own personal perspective on the political side of the Syrian crisis, the humanitarian work of SAMS is considered vital by the people we are asking to support us.  Thus, the nearly 400 people who donated and attended that May 5 event work in various DC, New York, and national institutions.  Represented in that fundraiser were people who work in the Department of State, Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, White House, various congressional and senatorial offices, as well as think tanks.  This even for SAMS was not organized by Syrians or Arab Americans.  This event was organized by Americans who felt that SAMS must be supported.  Thus, the event signified that our work, by the grace of God, has gone beyond the traditional venues we have sought financial support.  Ambassador Ford who spoke at the event was remarkably explicit in the importance of supporting SAMS and all its efforts.  He highlighted how the people of SAMS, with special mention of Zaher, have done right by the people of Syria and is the resource by which to initiate one’s understanding of the Syrian crisis, emphasizing that the humanitarian and medical needs must be addressed.  His speech was such that I had to change my speech because he described our work in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and the United States.

In the two weeks that have followed, I have attended various meetings on the political front (mainly Democrat but some Republican), as this is an election season, and a common request was to keep the various people running for office updated on what SAMS is doing.  Again, the key point to take away is that SAMS efforts are seen as above political debate.  It becomes imperative for us to maximize our communication with elected officials on our work.  Trips to DC although glamorous are a single piece of the puzzle.  I urge you all to continually visit your elected officials at their home offices in their districts.  We should be bold enough to ask what would be their position on helping SAMS obtain the necessary financial, logistical, and policy support would be.  In the 25 years that I have been active in politics, SAMS is the only organization that has ready acceptance.  No other organization that has emerged from our communities has achieved what SAMS has achieved.  I do not say this because I am a SAMS board member.

Another important development is our dear friend Paul Montiero is now the head of AmeriCorps.  AmeriCorps is the domestic version of the PeaceCorps.  AmeriCorps helps support domestic community organizations improve their operational capacity.  Although, this does not help us in our efforts overseas, Obtaining AmeriCorps support to enhance our organization domestically for community service projects will increase our ability to network with other organizations especially in the area of supporting community health clinics, refugee support, and designing programs to bring people from overseas to get medical treatment in the United States.

Abdalmajid Katranji

Sent from Windows Mail

[Abdul Zanabli]

Thank you dr Katranji for representing SAMS in such an important event. 

I think Your input on this event needs shared with SAMS chapters chairs and out members through the newsletter. 

Great work. Thank you again.

Sent from my iPhone

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[Zaher Sahloul]

I agree with sharing the message. Thank you Majid for your great insight . You should move to DC:)

Btw, I have procedural issue. I don't know who is sending these emails. It comes as SAMS-Advocacy or SAMS foundation not the name of the sender !

Zaher Sahloul