This Week For Greeks! - Vol.1 Issue 16 - Friday, December 14, 2007

A Message from the Supreme President

My message this week pertains to MEMBERSHIP.
The Order of AHEPA is a member based organization which has excelled in doing good works for 85 years. These accomplishments are a direct result of the quality of member we have been blessed with. As the year comes to an end we are once again faced with the task of reaching out and recruiting new members to assist us in continuing the remarkable works of the AHEPA.

The Order of AHEPA offers something for everyone interested in promoting Hellenism. Although a broad term, Hellenism, encompasses all of the aspects of life as an AHEPAN. Awarding scholarships, providing affordable housing for our seniors, reaching out to our elected officials and working to cure those who are afflicted, are but a few of AHEPA's worthy programs. To continue these programs and develop new ones during the next 85 years we need our membership to grow.

As Supreme President I am asking you to join the Order of AHEPA. If you receive this weekly bulletin and you are not a member, please join our ranks. If you once were a member and for some reason you are delinquent in your dues, please become active once again. If you are already a member, please reach out to someone who is not and invite them to become a part of our family.

The year end rapidly approaches and I know that my Supreme Lodge and all the elected officials throughout the AHEPA domain are working diligently to meet the membership goal which I set at the beginning of my term. This is an exciting time for the Order of AHEPA and you can be a part of it. All you have to do is become a member. I assure you that your participation will be rewarding to you and greatly appreciated by all those who benefit from our good works.

In closing, I would like to welcome home our AHEPA family delegation from their fruitful trip to Greece. AHEPA was honored to host the Congressional delegation on their visit to Athens and to participate in several events with the delegation. In addition, the delegation was able to finalize the details of our upcoming Supreme Convention which will be held in Athens, Greece during the week of July 1st - 7th, 2008. It is my sincere hope that many of our AHEPA family members will be attending this very special event.

Sincerely

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From Greece, Cyprus and the Patriarchate

European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn (L) talks with Greece's Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis (R) at the start of a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels December 10, 2007. REUTERS

Greece Yielded on Kosovo in Exchange for Macedonia's Name
ATHENS (MakFax) -- December 11, 2007 -- Greece changed its stance on Kosovo, and in exchange for that they gained something connected to the issue of the differences about the name with Macedonia, the Greek press states. ... read more.

Tens of Thousands March in Greece Strike
ATHENS (AP) -- December 12, 2007 -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators jammed central Athens and the northern city of Thessaloniki on Wednesday as a general strike to protest government plans to reform the country's debt-ridden pension system brought Greece to a standstill. ... read more.

2007 Article IV Consultation; Preliminary Conclusions of the Mission
ATHENS (IMF) -- Article IV describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the conclusion of certain missions (official staff visits, in most cases to member countries). Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, and as part of other staff reviews of economic developments. ...read more.

Cyprus Will Not Consent to Kosovo's Secession
CYPRUS (People's Daily) -- December 11, 2007 -- The Cypriot government reaffirmed on Monday its opposition to any possible unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, fearing such a move will have an negative impact on the future of the ethnically divided island. ...read more.

Russian Min Backs Cypriot Government Initiative On Reunification
NICOSIA (AP) -- December 14, 2007 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Monday criticized the U.N. for not underwriting a Greek Cypriot bid to restart stalled Cyprus peace talks. ...read more.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Visiting Cyprus
NICOSIA (ITAR-TASS) -- December 10, 2007 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos discussed problems of the Cyprus settlement and bilateral relations at their meeting here on Monday. ...read more.

Cyprus Eyes Trademark on Turkish Delight
NICOSIA (AP) -- December 13, 2007 -- As Turkey pursues its dream of joining the European Union, its most famous sweet is already set to win coveted EU recognition. But instead of causing Turkish delight, it has all left a bitter aftertaste....read more.

Archbishop Demetrios Part of Delegation to European Court
NEW YORK (GoArch.org) -- December 7, 2007 -- Last week, Archbishop Demetrios of America appeared to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France in defense of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Archbishop was part of a delegation that also included His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France. ...read more.

News From AHEPA

Upcoming Golf Tournaments!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- December 13, 2007 -- AHEPA invites you find out more and join us for these three fantastic upcoming golf events:

2008 Citrus Distict 2 Epiphany Golf Tournament (January 5, 2008)
35th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament (February 17, 2008)
Dr. Monthe Kofos 46th Annual AHEPA National Golf Tournament (April 6-12, 2008)

Save The Date!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- November 27, 2007 -- The AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet set for Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Save the date and make your hotel reservations today! ...find out more.

AHEPA & Olympic Airlines Partner for
Successful AHEPA Convention in Athens, Greece!
Supreme President Ike Gulas is pleased to announce that AHEPA and Olympic Airlines have forged a partnership to help bring Ahepans to Greece. The AHEPA is hosting the 2008 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in Athens, Greece and Olympic Airlines has agreed to extend an AHEPA Only Price* for all Ahepans who attend the conference. The AHEPA Only Price will be the lowest available price, on Olympic Airlines flights, from New York to Greece. If you are a member of AHEPA take advantage of this fantastic offer and come join us in Greece, July 1 -12, 2008.

Important: The special AHEPA Only Price can be obtained by using the AHEPA Promotion Code and your unique AHEPA Membership ID Number*

AHEPA Promotion Code: CFR087
Call Olympic Airlines at 1-800-223-1226 and make your reservation today.

*Pricing is based on availability and dates.
*Only current active paid member ID numbers are valid. Not a Member? JOIN TODAY!

The AHEPA Convention Committee has been working hard to prepare a wonderful getaway for the entire AHEPA community. The AHEPA Family from Australiasia, Canada, Greece and Cyprus will be attending our event in Athens, Greece. Thousands of Ahepans, Daughters, Sons and Maids will work together for this family reunion. For more information, or to register for the 2008 Supreme Convention, go to ahepa2008.com.

Greek of the Week!

Brother Ted Pistios - AHEPA Chapter 310, Mobile, AL
Please join AHEPA in a salute to Brother Ted Pitsios on the publication of his first novel, The Bellmaker's House, which is rapidly garnering critical acclaim throughout the South. Brother Ted emigrated from Greece many years ago and labored in the shipping industry. His work tells the story of a young Greek from the village of Taxhiarhes, who struggles to make his 'prokopi' and then return to his native village. You'll have to read the book to find if he succeeds.

The entire Greek community in Mobile abuzz, trying to figure out who among them served as models for some of the novel's fictional characters.

Brother Ted has recently retired as President of Universal Marine & Industrial Supplies, Inc. and serves as president of AHEPA 310's Charitable Foundation. He is currently working on his second novel. Please join us in celebrating Brother Ted Pitsios as AHEPA's Greek of the Week!

Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week!. Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.