This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 17 - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

It is my pleasure to report to you that we have just returned from the final AHEPA Caravan of the year which included Districts 20 and 21 and included stops in Nevada, Arizona and California. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Brothers and AHEPA family members who attended the various events and those individuals who so graciously extended their hospitality to us during our trip. I want to also thank Supreme Governor Nick Perdaris for accompanying me and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis on most of our visits. This West Coast Caravan covered approximately 2,000 miles in one week and proved to be valuable in our grass roots initiative this year.

Supreme President Visits with leaders in San Diego The Brothers of the chapters in and around the cities of Las Vegas, NV; San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA should be commended for continuing the good works of the Order of AHEPA and keeping the torch of Hellenism lit throughout the west. This feat should not go unmentioned given the great distances separating our chapters and the size of these Districts.

Supreme President Ike Gulas speaks on the importance of organizing around AHEPA Day! Having undertaken these AHEPA Caravans this year has served to strengthen my belief that the true strength of the Order of AHEPA is indeed our members and our grass roots which has made our organization the largest and strongest promoters of Hellenism throughout the AHEPA domain. These visits extended to me the opportunity to witness this strength first hand and to share ideas and concerns with those members who are not always heard at the District and National levels. I return with a new found resolve to service these members as well as to outreach to the community at large in an effort to bring in new AHEPANS ready to continue our mission.

Supreme President Ike Gulas and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis at the Mad Greek Restaurant I must also take this opportunity to thank Basil Mossaidis for undertaking these caravans with me. His attendance serves to introduce AHEPA Headquarters to the average member and helps to create a better relationship and understanding of just how valuable our staff is to servicing our membership.

Supreme President Ike Gulas visits the Western Chapters Moreover, I would like to remind all of you that this Sunday, May 18th has been designated AHEPA Sunday in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. Let us utilize this day to outreach within our communities and share with our fellow Hellenes and Philhellenes the good work of the AHEPA. Do so by sponsoring a coffee hour, voter registration drive or other community service initiative and promote membership in the AHEPA Family. Please visit the AHEPA Website for a Plan Book that will provide you with ideas.

Finally, the excitement is quickly building in anticipation of the 86th Supreme Convention in Athens. I've seen the enthusiasm in our members firsthand, and most recently, on the Western Caravan. It's not too late to be a part of this historic, can't miss event! Please register today!

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

Archbishop Demetrios Announces May 18th, 2008 as
AHEPA Day in the Greek Orthodox Church!
NEW YORK (AHEPA News) -- Last week, Archbishop Demetrios designated this Sunday, May 18, 2008, as AHEPA Sunday. He offered prayers and support for the local chapters of AHEPA and for the global organization. AHEPA Sunday is a wonderful time each year to celebrate our close relationship and cooperation with the Greek Orthodox Church and to ask our fellow parishioners to join AHEPA and help in our important mission.

Defaced Billboard in Skope (FYROM) Help AHEPA Widen Our Scope of Disaster Relief Efforts!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Recently our nation and world have faced a series of natural disasters which, as Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. After the enormous success of our efforts to provide relief to the wild fire victims in Greece, AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured. ... please give generously.

Supreme Convention Logo Supreme Convention Schedule of Events
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Supreme Convention) -- The schedule of events for this year's Supreme Convention in Greece is exciting because of the uniqueness of the setting. Many venues will allow for outdoor activities at historic sites. We will not be staying indoors for meetings the entire time we are in Athens. In fact, tours, beach parties and performances will be just some of the activities held outdoors, so be prepared to have fun and enjoy time with your family! ... download the draft schedule of events

Note: All events and times are tentative and subject to change.

Dome of the U.S. Capitol Help Bestow Congress' Greatest Honor on Our Capitol's Artist
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Action) -- Please join AHEPA, the Daughters of Penelope, and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in recognizing the contributions of a great American of Hellenic and Italian descent, Constantino Brumidi, by educating your U.S. Representative about legislation (H.R. 1609) to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to the artisan of our nation's Capitol. ... read more.

AHEPA's New VISA Affinity Card Apply Today for your New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Promotion) -- AHEPA is proud to announce, through our partnership with Bank of America, an offer you literally can't afford to pass by! The New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card offers you, not only the lowest APR available, but at a fixed rate that won't change after the card has been activated -- and a chance to help AHEPA at the same time! Please check out the offer online and appply for your new card today!

AHEPA 2008 Spring Calendar

MAY
    2-4    Van Nomikos National AHEPA Basketball Tournament
    2-4    District 8 and SOP Basketball Tournament
    03     District Conventions: Dist 3
    4-10 Supreme President Western Caravan!
            04     Las Vegas Visitation
            05     San Diego Visitation
            06     Torrance, CA Visitation: Anaheim, Long Beach, San Pedro & Redondo Beach
            07     Encino, CA Visitation: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Lancaster,
                       San Fernando Valley, Hollywood & Pasadena
            08     Arizona Visitation - Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson & Chandler
            9-10   San Francisco Visitation
    17     District Conventions: Dist 14, Dist 23 and Dist 25
    18     AHEPA Day!
    22     PESKA Dinner Honoring AHEPA - Washington, DC
    24     Rick Peka Testimonial - Waterbury, CT
    30     District Conventions: Dist 5, Dist 7, Dist 20, Dist 21, Dist 22, and Dist 24
    31     District Conventions: Dist 8

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
    21     District Conventions: Dist 19

JULY
1-12 86th Annual Supreme Convention - Athens, Greece

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Greek American Veterans to be Awarded Bronze Star
ASTORIA, NY (Greek News) -- May 12, 2008 -- WWII O.S.S. Volunteer Unit will be Awarded for Valor in Nazi-Occupied Greece Ceremony in Astoria -- In February 1943 at the height the Second World War, the Greek "Government in Exile," sought help from the U.S. military in support of the Greek Resistance against the German Occupation. ... read more.

The sculptures are intended to go on show in sight of the Parthenon New Home for Greece's Holy Grail
NEW YORK (BBC News) -- May 5, 2008 -- The Acropolis Museum is now just months away from entering service in Greece's struggle with its most implacable cultural adversary. Its priceless treasures lie in marble halls, hidden from view in giant removal boxes. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

Greek News - May 8, 2008
US Urges Will, Flexibility, for FYROM Name Solution
AP - May 8, 2008
Olympic Flame Summits Mount Everest
ANA - May 12, 2008
Santorini Earns Another Honor

Supreme Convention Spotlight

Olympic Airlines & Delta Become Official AHEPA Partners

WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- AHPEA is proud to announce that our two airlines partners are currently swamped with questions regarding flights to Greece for the 86th AHEPA Supreme Convention. Olympic Airlines, our international partner and Delta our domestic partner are both selling seats for flights to Greece.

Delta Air Lines is offering discounts on eligible published fares to all members of AHEPA for meetings and individual travel in conjunction with AHEPA related business and activities. To make reservations, click on the Delta logo found on the AHEPA website at www.ahepa.org. Click on the Supreme Convention icon and then simply click the Delta logo and you will be routed directly to the AHEPA website for the Greece convention tickets.

NO MEETING OR RESERVATION CODE NEEDED. Realize the following additional benefits:

No service fees
Check-in online within 24 hours prior to departure
Special AHEPA rate ONLY offered through the Delta.com link on the AHEPA website!

The special Olympic/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.