The American Druze Society maintained its annual convention schedule. Here is the history and proceedings of these conventions between 1962 and 1970:
1962 Convention in Chicago, Illinois:
The 16th session of the American Druze Society convention was held in Chicago, Illinois, at the Sherman Hotel. The dates were June 24 to 27, 1962. The president was Julia Mullen Makarem, who was with her husband, Dr. Sami Makarem, while still on their honeymoon during her presidency of the conference. They met at the 1961 conference in Flint, Michigan, and married just two weeks before the Chicago conference on June 9, 1962. They lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for one year, then Dr. Sami and Julia moved to Lebanon with their two-month-old daughter, Sahar, on July 9, 1963.
Mack Joseph Azzam, chairman of the general committee for the conference, and his wife, Salima, were the only Druze residing in Chicago, Illinois. On their own, they supported the American Druze Society by sponsoring the conference in Chicago. The board consisted of:
– Vice President, Salima Joseph Azzam.
– Secretary and Treasurer, Nadia Ibrahim.
– Corresponding Secretary, Joan Saif.
– Sergeant at Arms, Amin Ali.
– Executive Secretary, Joe H. Nappa.
– Advisors: Robert M. Hamada from Flint, Michigan; Jack A. Hamada; Roy A. Hamada; Naff Cutter Jr. from Saginaw, Michigan; Charles Dahook; Ernie Mullen; Fred Saif; Jim Salaman Sr.; and Khalil Wahbi.
Julie Mullen was elected national president in 1961, and with her team of members, she led the society through another challenging year. She was the first woman to be granted life membership for her dedication and expertise in the American Druze Society. Julie met the criteria for life membership, and based on the recommendation of Robert Hamada from Flint, Michigan, seconded by her uncle Naff Cutter from Saginaw, Michigan, Jack Hamada from Flint, Michigan, and Rafik Rassamny from New York, Julie was granted life membership during the dinner banquet.
In her annual message as president in the conference booklet, Julie wrote: "It is my pleasure to write this annual message as president. This year marks the sixteenth anniversary of the American Druze Society. Since its founding in 1947, this society has made every effort to fulfill its multiple missions. Each year, we realize more and more the increasing responsibilities we have to face. These responsibilities make us believe firmly that the American Druze Society is indispensable, as they can only be achieved through sincere cooperation within such a society... It is a message from the American Druze youth who are proud to be American as well as Druze. It is, therefore, a message from the youth, strong will, and continuous progress from good to better."
It is important to note that this year, 1961, granted the American Druze Society its legal name, "ADS," through its first constitution and bylaws.
1963 Convention in Richmond, Virginia:
The president of the society and the conference was George Raffi, and the vice president was Jamil Amin. No other records are available for this year.
1964 Convention in Charleston, West Virginia:
The 18th annual convention of the American Druze Society was held at the Daniel Boone Hotel from June 25 to June 27, 1964. The president of the society and the conference was Fred H. Joseph, and the vice president was Norman Shaar. Members were: Amin Joseph Jr., Secretary and Treasurer; Rose Marie Joseph, Corresponding Secretary; Kamal Shaar, Sergeant at Arms. Committee chairs were: Fiaman Youssef Bashir, Olga Joseph, Fred Yahia, Eddie Najjar, Jimmy Najjar, and Micky Sanjed.
1965 Convention in Washington:
The 19th annual convention of the American Druze Society was held in Washington, D.C., on June 28, 29, and 30, 1965. It was held at the Sheraton-Park Hotel. The president of the society and the conference was Randy Shaban, and Faris Sadek was the vice president. The officers were: Dr. Ernest Raffi, Secretary and Treasurer; Jamil Sadek, Corresponding Secretary; Nabil Daoud, Sergeant at Arms. Conference committee members: Samia Salem, Samia Fayad, Mansour Shaker, Nada Hassan, Camila Amin, Zai Sadek, Larry Raffi, Alpha Salem, Mohammed Fayad, Shafiq Abu Hassan, Mahmoud Sadek, Jimmy Salaman III, and Dalal Daoud.
Randy Shaban wrote: "After traveling across the country and visiting many members of our society, I find that the convention means much more to our people than I had imagined. We must all share in the responsibility of participating and encouraging other Druze to participate in the spirit of the American Druze Society."
The program included a welcome reception, a picnic at Rock Creek Park, a special tour of the White House, a business breakfast, film screenings about Lebanon and Baalbek, a visit to the Lebanese Embassy, the annual banquet, and American and Arabic musical entertainment. On the first day of the conference, Mr. Amin Daoud extended an invitation to all participants to be their guests at a cocktail party, dinner, and disco dance at the Champagne Room in Washington.
1966 Convention in Detroit, Michigan:
The 20th convention of the American Druze Society was held in Detroit, Michigan, on July 7, 8, and 9, 1966. The convention venue was the Statler Hilton Hotel located in downtown Detroit. The conference was organized by Chapter No. 2 of the American Druze Society in Detroit, Michigan. The president of the society and the conference was Nafi J. Pomoro, and the vice president was Ajaj Andary. Members were: Jihad Al-Khatib, Secretary and Treasurer; Selma Jo Pomoro, Corresponding Secretary; Frank Hamada, Sergeant at Arms. Advisors were: Jim Salaman, Ernie Mullen, Floyd Saleh. Conference committee members: Lily Sobe, Fred Mullen, Inda Court, Hammad J. Pomoro, Laura Mullen, Virginia Mullen, Nora Wahbi, Helen Daou, Khalil Wahbi, and Issam Naeem.
Fred Massy wrote: "Chapter No. 2 of the American Druze Society in Detroit, Michigan, hosts the 1966 annual convention and wishes all participants full enjoyment and the achievement of its worthy goals. The Detroit chapter welcomes all sister branches of this fraternal organization and trusts that they are all enthusiastic about its interest and determined for its growth. Let us gather around the banner of our fathers that was raised fifty years ago. Let us commit to our unified loyalty to the Druze unity they envisioned and sanctified. Let us provide constant evidence of their gospel of high purpose, strong dialogue, friendship, and true understanding within our ranks."
The program included a luncheon and fashion show, a panel discussion, a Q&A session (with speaker Mr. Fred Massy), Arabic and American dancing, a business session, a walking tour of downtown Detroit, the annual banquet with live American and Arabic music, and a recurring gala at the convention center.
1967 Convention in Venice, California:
The 21st annual convention of the American Druze Society was held in Venice, California, on June 30 and July 1 and 2, 1967. The venue was the Sheraton-Sandby Hotel. The president of the society and the conference was Nafi J. Pomoro, and the vice president was Ajaj Andary. Officers were: Jihad Al-Khatib, Secretary and Treasurer; Selma Jo Pomoro, Corresponding Secretary; Issam Naeem, Sergeant at Arms; Milton Shamoon. Advisors were: Jim Salaman, Ernie Mullen, Floyd Saleh, and Nadia Jo.
Nafi Pomoro wrote: "I am honored to welcome everyone to Venice for the 1967 annual convention of the American Druze Society. With pride, we see that this organization founded by our fathers has succeeded in making great progress in promoting Druze unity in this country. We hope that this progress will continue and that the Druze will be able to maintain this solid unity in the coming years."
1968 Convention in Cleveland, Ohio:
The 22nd annual convention of the American Druze Society was held in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 28, 29, and 30, 1968. The venue was the Simpson Hotel. The president of the society and the conference was Nafi J. Pomoro, and the vice president was Ajaj Andary. Members were: Jihad Al-Khatib, Secretary and Treasurer; Selma Jo Pomoro, Corresponding Secretary; Issam Naeem, Sergeant at Arms; Milton Shamoon. Advisors were: Jim Salaman, Ernie Mullen, Floyd Saleh, and Nadia Jo.
Nafi Pomoro wrote: "I congratulate you all on your participation in the Druze convention in Cleveland this year. We should be proud of ourselves for being part of this great and diverse organization. We hope all members will present their best during this convention."
The program included a luncheon, a workshop on the future of the society, a panel discussion on youth challenges (with speaker Mr. William Annan), a visit to the Druze Society center in Cleveland, a picnic at Lake Erie beach, a visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the annual banquet with live American and Arabic music.
1969 Convention in Houston, Texas:
The 23rd annual convention of the American Druze Society was held in Houston, Texas, on June 27, 28, and 29, 1969. The venue was the McClintock Hotel. The president of the society and the conference was Nafi J. Pomoro, and the vice president was Ajaj Andary. Officers were: Jihad Al-Khatib, Secretary and Treasurer; Selma Jo Pomoro, Corresponding Secretary; Issam Naeem, Sergeant at Arms; Milton Shamoon. Advisors were: Jim Salaman, Ernie Mullen, Floyd Saleh, and Nadia Jo.
Nafi Pomoro wrote: "American Druze conventions are held to promote solidarity and unity among the Druze in the United States. It is an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and reflect on the future of the society and its role in American society. This convention is an opportunity for us to meet, get to know each other better, and build lasting relationships."
The program included a luncheon, a panel discussion on the role of youth in the society, a session on society news and events, a city tour with a visit to the Space Center and the Houston Music Center, and the annual banquet with live American and Arabic music.
