About

Who are we?

In 1978, a handful of individuals set out to establish a social and cultural organization to bring together Turks and friends of Turkey living in the greater Kansas City area, to be a voice for their interests and concerns, and ultimately, to present and promote Turkish culture before Kansas Citians at large. Their efforts materialized and TAA-KC was founded in August of 1979. TAA-KC was subsequently incorporated as a not-for-profit organization by the State of Missouri in 1980, and continues its activities in this status to this day along the lines the founders envisaged.

We, as an Association, are affiliated with the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA). We also have representation at the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City, Missouri (EEC-KC).

Events & Activities

Our annual social activities vary. We try, to the best of our ability, to have two picnics, two tea parties celebrating Ramazan (Ramadan) and Kurban (Eid), special parties for our children and college youth, and one dinner party. Our cultural activities include dance and music performances at various local festivals and area colleges. The Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival has been the foremost platform where we present Turkey and Turkish culture. We run a food and crafts booth, and present Turkish music and folk dances in this three-day event, which takes place in the third weekend of every August and is organized by the EEC-KC.

Membership

Any interested person is welcome to participate in our events and activities, to meet our community, or to become a TAA-KC member. We are always looking forward to meeting new people, and having new members join us. Our membership consists of some ninety households strong, and its composition is quite diverse in terms of age and occupation. Among our members are married couples with or without children, singles, professionals, private business owners, college students, Turks, and Americans. Click here to become a member or renew your membership.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster, promote, plan and execute programs aimed at improving awareness of Turkey's culture and history. In order to successfully accomplish this mission, we will conduct our voluntary work with

integrity and respect for people and their ideas, and
personal commitment to the Association and its activities.

We will strive to exceed membership expectations.

Objectives

Promote and stimulate interest in Turkish culture.
Strengthen bonds among people who appreciate Turkish culture.
Foster and promote cultural exchange and mutual charitable assistance between this Association and other similar institutions in the USA and Turkey.
Arrange, promote, and conduct cultural, educational, and charitable activities to solicit funds and receive donations from the public and members with the purpose of engaging in any acts and activities permitted by law applicable to a not-for-profit organization and serving the foregoing purpose.
Improve communications among members in the Greater Kansas City area.
Increase active membership.

Founding Members

Kathy Düvenci
Savaş Düvenci
Tahsin Gürpınar
Altan Kodanaz
Aytekin Kodanaz
Fatma Konyalıoğlu
Süleyman Konyalıoğlu

Board of Directors

Alper Sayar
President

Mehmet Kalafat
Vice President for Public Relations

Ahmet Gözüsulu
Vice President for Social Activities

Onur Yılmaz
Vice President for Cultural Activities

Ebru Koçak Newman
Executive Secretary

Kerim Yurtbay
Treasurer

Osman Çayır
Liaison Officer

Members at Large

Emru Erten, Nihat Oğuz,
Kuntay Talay

Former Presidents

Barış Şahin (2010-2011/04)
Lale S. Broderson (2008/03-2009)
Ramazan Başata (2007-2008/02)
Nihat C. Oğuz (2005-2006)
Yavuz Kalafat (2003-2004)
Emru Erten (2001-2002)
Serdar Tunçten (1999-2000)
Süleyman Konyalıoğlu (1998)
Yurdaer Gemici (1996-1997)
Ali Başer (1994-1995)
İnci Dannenberg (1992-1993)
Gonca Yurteri (1990-1991)
Sualp Yurteri (1989)
Alp Özhan (1988)
Altan Kodanaz (1986-1987)
Aytekin Kodanaz (1984-1985)
Kathy Düvenci (1983)
Altan Kodanaz (1981-1982)
Savaş Düvenci (1979-1980)