This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 9 - Monday, March 3, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Dear Brothers,

This week is a very exciting time for the AHEPA Family as we prepare to gather in Washington, D.C. on March 7th and 8th for the Biennial Banquet and the Salute to Women. Headquarters is busy putting the finishing touches on what will surely be a most memorable banquet which will be enjoyed by all. In addition to our most worthy honorees, I have been in daily discussions with the campaign coordinators of the top presidential candidates and although I cannot confirm for certain any one of them will be in attendance I am optimistic we may very well be in for a surprise or two.

Supreme President Ike Gulas in Dayton, OH This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 52nd celebration of the AHEPA Family in Dayton, Ohio. The weekend festivities were well attended by the local AHEPA family as well as from the surrounding chapters and officers of the Buckeye District. I would like to thank everyone in Dayton for making my visit so enjoyable and congratulate them for a job well done. Following the luncheon on Sunday I had the opportunity to meet with the Dayton AHEPA Chapter and participate in a very informative question and answer session with the brothers. Our deliberations provided for some very constructive ideas which I certainly will take into consideration as I prepare for this weeks upcoming Supreme Lodge Meeting.

Supreme President Ike Gulas in Dayton, OH In addition to the Dayton AHEPA Family I would like to thank Supreme Governor Phil Giavasis, Buckeye District Governor Alex Anderson, Daughters of Penelope Grand Secretary Elaine Sampanis and Maids of Athena Grand Vice President Sia Zois for attending and taking part in the weekend's events. It truly is inspiring to visit cities where AHEPA is thriving with such enthusiasm. Congratulations once again to Dayton.

On a side note, you may have noticed that "This Week for Greeks" is returning to a Monday schedule. We do this in our efforts to constantly improve our weekly electronic newsletter and so you may receive our news in a more efficient manner. We appreciate the feedback from our recipients and will continue to strive in making TWFG even more productive.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

38th Biennial Banquet Save the Date Card

AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet -- The event of the Season!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Events) -- The AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet is set for Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.. This year we have the unique and special privilege to honor all individuals in Public Service. This will surely be the social event of the season. The Banquet will surely be an event to remember. This year's speakers will include:

Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus
U.S. Representatives Berkley, Fallin, Sarbanes, Space and Tsongas
Members of Congress
State and Local Greek American Elected Officials
Giannis Ioannids, Deputy Minister of Culture
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

This year's banquet is generating an international capacity crowd, including Congressional members and staff, federal officials, and local and national business leaders from across the country. AHEPA will be awarding the 2008 Aristotle Award to businessman John Catsimatides and the 2008 Demosthenes Award to George Bitsis, Chief, Voice of America Greek Desk. Save the date and make your hotel reservations today! ...find out more.

Register Online!
Register Offline (download the registration form - includes program ad purchasing)
Reserve Your Hotel Room at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
View the Special Flash Invitation Video!

AHEPAN (2008 Spring) - Article deadline is less than one week!
WASHINGTON (AHEPAN Magazine) -- The deadline for submitting articles for the Spring 2008 issue of The AHEPAN Magazine is March 6, 2008. In the event your submission is received after the deadline or it does not appear in the Spring 2008 issue, please note that it will be the first considered for our Summer 2008 issue. Please submit all materials^* to:

michael@ahepa.org

The AHEPAN
c/o Michael Zachariades
1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009

* All material submitted become the property of The AHEPAN and may not be returned.

AHEPA 2008 Winter/Spring Calendar

MARCH
    01     2008 AHEPAcademy Application Deadline
    01     7th Annual AHEPA of Fort Lauderdale Golf Classic
    06     Capitol Hill Day - Washington, DC
    06     AHEPAN Magazine Spring 2008 Article Submission Deadline
    07     38th Annual Biennial Banquet - Washington, DC
    07     Supreme Lodge Meeting - Washington, DC
    23     Easter - American celebration
    25     Greek Independence Day
    29     2008 District 13 Bowling Tournament - Deerfield, IL
    29     Greek Independence Day Parade - San Francisco
    31     2008 Journey to Greece Application Deadline
    31     Full payment due to FREI Travel Agency for the 86th AHEPA Supreme Convention

APRIL
    06     Greek Independence Day Parades - New York and Baltimore
    6-12 Dr. Monthe Kofos 46th Annual AHEPA National Golf Tournament
    23     Easter - Greek celebration

MAY
    03     District Conventions: Dist 3
    17     District Conventions: Dist 14, Dist 23 and Dist 25
    30     District Conventions: Dist 5, Dist 7, Dist 8, Dist 20, Dist 21, Dist 22, and Dist 24

JUNE
    07     District Conventions: Dist 1, Dist 6, Dist 9, Dist 10, and Dist 15
    13     District Conventions: Dist 2, Dist 4, Dist 11, Dist 12, Dist 13, and Dist 17
    20     District Conventions: Dist 16

JULY
1-6 86th Annual Supreme Convention - Athens, Greece

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Newly Elected Cypriot President Demetris Christofias

New Cyprus President Says Unifying Island a Priority
NICOSIA (Media Corp News) -- February 28, 2008 -- Cyprus communist leader Demetris Christofias took office as president on Thursday vowing to make ending the three-decade-old division of the Mediterranean island his government's top priority. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

AP - February 28, 2008
Quake Rattles South Greece
Angus Reid Global Monitor - February 28, 2008
Greeks Would Block Macedonia's NATO Entry
BBC News - February 28, 2008
Saying 'No' to Kosovo Independence
AFP - February 28, 2008
Cyprus Resort Seeks Ban on British Troops
ERT - February 27, 2008
Ieronymos' Contacts
Philadelphia Inquirer - February 17, 2008
Monastic Republic Chartered in 972 Forbids Females, Welcomes Peace
ERT - February 25, 2008
Sioufas' Visits the Phanar

Supreme Convention Spotlight

The 2008 Supreme Convention Brochures Are In!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- Each day, during the Supreme Convention in Greece, AHEPA will be offering cultural and historical tours, exclusively set up for AHEPA. These events will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to share your Greek Heritage with your entire family! If you're a current AHEPA member, you will be receiving the brochure in the mail soon, but if you're eager to find out more about the fantastic travel packages available, you can download the brochure online. Click Here to get download the brochure now!

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.

Greeks of the Week!

The Brothers of Albany Chapter 140
Understanding that efforts to rebuild a country, devastated by catastrophe, doesn't end when the global news media moves to the next crisis, the Brothers of Albany Chapter 140 chose the Greek Fire Relief Fund as the beneficiary of the New Year's Eve party they threw this year for the community.

Along with Sons of Pericles Phocion Chapter 44, they raised $3,000 to help rebuild the Greek countryside and to help those most affected by last year's wildfires. They're a reminder to all of us that the effort to help those in need goes on, and of how proud we should be of our Order's long standing commitment to community service and support. Please join the entire AHEPA Family in honoring them as our Greeks 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.