This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 30 - Monday, September 29, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

I am pleased to announce that the AHEPAN is hot off the presses and can be previewed following the links contained below. I am certain you will enjoy the wonderful coverage of the Athens Supreme Convention. You will also have an opportunity to hear from the Presidents of our Junior Orders; the Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena. As you will learn, both of these vital components of the AHEPA family have chosen to support the AHEPA Cooley's Anemia Foundation as their project this year. I encourage every AHEPA Chapter to work diligently for this worthwhile AHEPA Charity.

I am fortunate to serve this year with a dynamic Supreme Lodge composed of many selfless volunteers who work hard on behalf of AHEPA and the entire American Hellenic community. This year, I've asked them to share some of their experiences as they travel throughout the AHEPA Domain at various events, representing our fine organization. This past weekend, I asked Supreme Vice President Nicholas Karacostas to represent AHEPA at events held on behalf of foreign dignitaries who were in New York City to attend the 63rd UN General Assembly. I am pleased to share with you his thoughts of what transpired from the weekend's events.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

A Message from the Supreme Vice President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

I had the opportunity to attend the Open House in honor of Her Excellency Dora Bakoyiannis, foreign minister of Greece, in New York City on Thursday, September 25. Thousands of Greek Americans turned out to see the foreign minister address the audience. I articulated AHEPA's commitment to all Greek American issues, including our work at the forefront to expand the United States' Visa Waiver Program to include Greece. Moreover, we also expressed the gratitude of Supreme President Gulas and the entire AHEPA Family for the courtesies that were extended to us at the Athens Supreme Convention held in July.

On September 26, I had the privilege to represent AHEPA at a dinner in honor of The Honorable Demetrios Christofias, president of the Republic of Cyprus hosted by the Cyprus Federation of America. I conveyed the greetings of Supreme President Gulas to President Christofias. At a special meeting with President Christofias, leaders of PSEKA, the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH), and other Cypriot American leaders, I was honored to present and substantiate AHEPA's position on the Cyprus issue and offered our unwavering assistance. President Christofias extended a personal invitation to meet with Supreme President Gulas and his delegation on the occasion of the annual AHEPA Family Excursion scheduled for April 2009.

It was a thrill to represent AHEPA and I thank Supreme President Gulas for the opportunity. AHEPA has experienced a rebirth and I am excited to be part of this great association. As the Supreme Vice President I am responsible for the promotion and implementation of a membership plan to increase members. This is a challenge because membership development initiatives can work well in one locality with varying results in others. Each and every chapter and member must undertake the finding the right individual to join; individuals who will volunteer their time to grow the organization and fulfill our mission through community service. Together we can make a difference. Therefore, I urge all of you to work to make AHEPA a better organization than when you found it for our future generations to enjoy and benefit.

Fraternally,

Nicholas A. Karacostas
Supreme Vice President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA Initiates Voter Registration, Education Campaigns
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- AHEPA has launched a voter registration and education campaign in preparation for Election Day 2008, announced Supreme President Ike Gulas. ... read more.

The AHEPAN Magazine - Summer 2008 Hot Off The Press: The AHEPAN Summer 2008 Issue
WASHINGTON (AHEPAN Magazine) -- Can't wait for your copy to come in the mail? Burning to find out more about the historic Supreme Convention in Athens, the unstopable AHEPA All-star Basketball Team -- or to find out what's going on in chapters across the country? Well, suffer no more!
Download the Summer 2008 issue online!

Circus Circus Hotel and Casino - Reno, NV Western Regional Leadership Conference
RENO (AHEPA Events) -- The Western Regional Leadership Conference will be held on October 3-4, 2008, at the Circus-Circus Hotel & Casino, Reno, NV. Download the registration flyer and make your reservations today! ... read the latest conference newsletter.

AHEPA Disaster Relief 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.

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 Calendar

OCTOBER
3-4 Western Regional Leadership Conference - Reno, NV
04 Cyprus Federation Dinner at Terrace on the Park - Flushing, NY
05 AHEPA Voter Registration Sunday! - Nationwide
11 Albany Chapter 140 Honors Rep. McNulty - Albany, NY
24 Supreme President Gulas Visits His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios - New York, NY
25 ARCHON's Dinner - New York, NY
28 OXI Day - Greece

NOVEMBER
04 Election Day - Nationwide
05 Supreme President Visitation - Akron, OH
11 Veterans Day - Nationwide

DECEMBER
03 Supreme President Speaks at Hellenic College at Holy Cross Church - Brookline, MA
05 Supreme President Visitation | Makaronada Night - Montvale, NJ
06 AHEPA Evzone Chapter 105 Initiation and Installation - Westchester, NY
25 Holy Nativity (Christmas)
31 AHEPA Annual Chapter Dues Deadline

Greek American Weekly News Digest

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias

Christofias Pledges to Continue Efforts for Solution
NEW YORK (Greek News) -- September 29, 2008 -- President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has warned that the negotiations which began with a view to reunify Cyprus will not be easy and pledged to continue working hard in order to reach a solution, based on fundamental principles. ... read more.

AHEPA Wreath Hellenic Association Gives Scholarships
HAMILTON (NJ.com) -- September 25, 2008 -- During the fifth annual awards program at St. George Greek Orthodox Community Center, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Trenton Chapter 72, presented scholarships to Colonial Valley Conference student athletes Christine Petrilla of Steinert High School and Richard Nuel of Hamilton High School West. The awards were presented by Lee J. Millas, a member of the Supreme Board of Trustees. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

Greek News - September 29, 2008
Nimetz Ready to Present Final Draft
Washington Times - September 24, 2008
MENENDEZ/SNOWE: Macedonian Quandary
ReporterNet.com - September 29, 2008
Greece: Shares End Sharply Lower; PPC in Free Fall
Big News Network - September 29, 2008
Archaeological Dig May Have Unearthed the City of Troy

Greek of the Week!

Tina Fey Holding her 2008 Emmy for Best Primetime Comedy

Tina Fey - Actress, Writer, Proud Greek-American
AHEPA would like to congratulate award-winning American writer, comedienne, actress and producer - and proud Greek-American - Tina Fey, on bringing home three Emmys last week: best actress in a comedy role, best writing in a comedy series and best comedy series. This makes five Emmys for Fey, who has also been honored with a Golden Globe award and an award from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for her hit series 30 Rock.

Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is best known for her work on Saturday Night Live (SNL) as well as her work on 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at Saturday Night Live. She has also made it to the big screen, starring in the movie Baby Mama. For extraordinary excellence in the creative arts, and for keeping alive the honored tradition of Greek comedy, please join us as we congratulate Tina Fey on her recent awards and honor her 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.