The American Druze Society maintained the schedule for its annual conference. Here is the history of these conferences between 1975 and 1980 and their minutes:
1975 Conference in Washington:
The 29th annual conference of the American Druze Society was held at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. The President was Ajaaj Al-Andary, Vice President: Ray Hilal, Secretary: Freda Sobe, Treasurer: Nadia Al-Khatib, Parliamentarian: Samah Hilal, and Newsletter Editor: Emma Sally. The Board of Directors members were: Kathy Jaber Stevenson, David Najjar, Janine Salman, and Munir Qasim. Nadine Salman served as Chair of the Organizing Committee, and the committee members were: Salam Sidq, Samia and Muhammad Fayyad, Fawzi Zeineddine, Randy Shaban, Jim Sileman Jr., Polly Chidiac, and Khalid Fayyad.
The Salman family (Nadine, Jamie, and Janine) utilized their years of experience to plan one of the most exciting and enjoyable conferences. The conference featured social activities, business meetings, seminars, lectures, sports and entertainment activities, and planning for the gala dinner in accordance with the new constitution and bylaws. The desire of American Druze to unite and strengthen their power was evident during the 1975 conference. This was indeed a very healthy sign for our previous organizational efforts when there was competition to select the next conference location and individuals to hold national positions.
1976 Conference in Pipestem Park, West Virginia:
The location for the 30th annual conference of the American Druze Society was chosen at Pipestem State Park from June 19 to June 23. The Society President was Floyd Sally, and Hafiz Ghossaini was Vice President. Other positions were as follows: Treasurer: Nadia Al-Khatib, Parliamentarian: Samah Hilal, and Newsletter Editor: Emma Sally. Board of Directors members: Janine Salman, Henry Fleihan, Fawzi Zeineddine, and Dean Hilal. William Hamada served as Chair of the Organizing Committee, and committee members were: Raymond Hamdan, Amin Joseph Jr., Adele Hamada, Sharon Hamada, Olga Joseph, Norman Hamdan, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hamdan, Mr. and Mrs. Bahij Abu Al-Hassan, Mr. and Mrs. Adel Najjar, Mickey Sanjid, David Sanjid, Rufus Cannon, Samira Mudad Hutchins, and Norman Shaar.
The program included an early gala dinner, breakfast, educational seminars on "Our Arab Heritage Through Holy Books" and "Druze Theosophy," a business meeting, breakfast, the annual gala dinner, and Arab and American music and entertainment.
The reorganization process continued throughout 1976, along with a religious awakening led by Dr. Abdullah Najjar, Mr. Samah Hilal, and members of the National Board of Directors.
1977 Conference in Bay City, Michigan:
The 31st annual conference was held in Bay City from July 5 to July 9, 1977. The Society President was Floyd Sally and Vice President was Hafiz Ghossaini. Secretary: Freda Sobe, Treasurer: Marilyn Safa, and Board of Directors members: Mickey Sanjid, Samah Hilal, Raymond Hamdan, and Omar Qasim. Emma Sally served as Chair of the Organizing Committee and Newsletter Editor. Organizing Committee: Jenny Cutter, Helen Dhaou, Ken Cutter, Munir Qasim, Grant Hamada, Arif Sams, Helen Sams, Frank Hamada, Vida Cutter, and Laila Hamada.
Jack and Laila Hamada from Flint, Michigan became lifetime members in accordance with the new constitution and bylaws. Also, Dr. Farid and Mrs. Williams were registered as supporting members. All meetings and seminars were scheduled for the morning, leaving the afternoons available for swimming and tours.
The most significant event in 1977 was the final approval by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the American Druze Society as a tax-exempt organization. After three years of preparation, hard work, and persistence, another achievement was realized in the history of the American Druze Society, thanks to Floyd and Emma Sally, Nadia and Jihad Al-Khatib, Jack Hamada, and Ajaaj Al-Andary. Ultimately, all donations to the American Druze Society became tax-exempt as charitable contributions under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The American Druze Society was granted tax-exempt ID number 23-71-55194.
1978 Conference in Houston, Texas:
The 32nd annual conference was held at the Astro Village Hotel from July 4 to July 8, 1978. The Society President was Munir Zeineddine and Samah Hilal was Vice President. Secretary: Sima Kanswa, Treasurer: Muhammad Fayyad, Acting Treasurer: Marilyn Safa, and Advisor: Floyd Sally. Board of Directors members: Tammy Fleihan, Dr. Nadim Qasim, Dr. Anis Makarem. Newsletter Editor: Emma Sally. Ernest S. Amin served as Chair of the Organizing Committee, and the committee members were: Cheryl Amin Saunders, Jane Kassem Laughlin, Billie Jean Amin, Fadwa Assrawi, Camelia Safadi, Jamie Richards, Hamza Halawi, Casey Qasim, Larry Amin, Camille Sileman, Hani Shtay, Suad Amin, Izzat and Mufida Daghour, Dick and Sally Waheed, Sue and Fred Hassan, Don and Terry Waheed, Ray Hilal, Charlie Assad, Nana Hassan White, Fawaz Assad, and Fred Hassan.
The 1978 conference was a great success in terms of public attendance and activities thanks to the efforts of Ernest Amin, his wife, the Houston community, and the National Board. Munir Zeineddine called for the unification of our community by encouraging people to join the American Druze Society. Ernest Amin's diligent efforts in Texas also resulted in the formation of two new chapters (Killeen and Lubbock).
Also in 1978, the Relief Fund Committee was formed in the American Druze Society to assist the Druze in Lebanon. Members of this committee were: Fawzi Zeineddine – Washington D.C., Hafiz Ghossaini – Ohio, Dr. Anis Makarem – California, Rafiq Rassamni – New York, Naff Cutter – Michigan, Mickey Sangeen – West Virginia, and Ray Hilal – Texas.
The National Board of Directors for 1978-1979 was elected, and Ray Hilal was elected President, with Dr. Anis Makarem as the 1979 Conference Chair. Mr. Ray Hilal called for a meeting of the Society’s Board of Directors, which was held from October 13 to October 15, 1978. This meeting represented another milestone in the history of the American Druze Society due to the proposed amendments to the constitution and bylaws, the conference program, and guidelines for the relationship between the National Board and local chapters. Immediately after this meeting, based on his determination to improve the organizational structure of the American Druze Society, Mr. Hilal sent letters to many Druze society members asking them to write their suggestions and visions regarding an organization existing to represent current and future American Druze.
1979 Conference in Los Angeles, California:
The 33rd annual conference was held at the Huntington Sheraton Hotel from July 2 to July 7, with hundreds of people participating from the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, and Lebanon. The Society President was Ray Hilal and Vice President was Emma Sally. The past president was Munir Zeineddine, Secretary was Camelia Safadi Rassamni, and Treasurer was Salwa Najjar. Board of Directors members: Ernest Amin, Dr. Nadim Qasim, David Najjar, and Salim Assrawi. Advisors were: Henry Fleihan, Ralph Mudad, Samah Hilal, and Rafik Junaidi.
Many important issues were discussed during the 1979 conference, including the debate on the future of the American Druze Society and proposed constitutional reforms. Raymond Talaat Haidar was elected chair for the 1980 conference, and a committee was formed to reconsider the new constitution and bylaws. The years following this conference saw continuous efforts to reform and develop the structure of the American Druze Society.
It is worth noting that the American Druze Society worked diligently during these years to achieve its goals and strengthen the unity and cohesion of the American Druze community, and it contributed significantly to promoting awareness of Druze culture and fostering understanding and cooperation among its members.
1980 Conference in Toronto, Canada:
The 34th annual conference of the American Druze Society was held in Toronto, Canada. The Society President was Ray Hilal, Vice President was Khattar Fayyad, and the past president was Munir Zeineddine. Board of Directors members were: Dr. Nadim Qasim, Salim Assrawi, Dr. David Najjar, Jad Jaber, Kamal Qasim, and Dr. Raymond Hamdan. The Chair of the conference organizing committee was Victor Boutry. Mrs. Julie Makarem, from Beirut, represented Walid Bey Jumblatt at the conference.
The year 1980 saw interaction and achievements regarding the organizational structure, goal setting, and work toward their realization. Key issues included: amending the constitution and bylaws, including revising the preamble, limiting the number of National Board members to eleven including the immediate past president (non-elected) and the council of chapter presidents, defining election procedures and term limits for National Board members, developing and publishing the "Chapters Guide" by Ray Hilal, setting the term of office for chapter officials and board members to two years starting in 1980, redefining membership categories and duties, duties and responsibilities of the conference chair, and preparing financial and accounting procedures. The Council of Presidents would nominate and elect its chair. The following standing committees were established: Committee on Religious Affairs (CORA), Scholarship Fund, Publications Committee, Committee on Charitable Affairs (COCA), Youth of the American Druze Society (YADS), Fundraising Committee, Nominating and Election Committee, Senate, Membership Committee, and Human Rights Committee.
Another important event in 1980 was the appointment of Dr. Raymond Hamdan and Kathy Hamdan as editors of "Al-Turath" magazine (formerly the American Druze Society newsletter).
Also in 1980, the Youth of the American Druze Society (YADS), led by youth in Southern California and led by Babbette Assrawi, Tammy Fleihan (North Carolina), Janine Sileman (Washington D.C.), Linda Hamad (Michigan), Bobby Jaber (Georgia), and Fred Amin Jr. (Virginia), led efforts to organize youth in their home states to participate in various activities that meet their needs and prepare them as future leaders of the society.
The Chair of the Religious Affairs Committee, Dr. Nadim Qasim, with the support of Ray Hilal, proposed that the American Druze Society cooperate with Sheikh Muhammad Naim from As-Suwayda, Syria, who would reside in the United States and participate in the annual conference and several events.
