This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 37 - Monday, November 24, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to all the members and friends of the AHEPA family, best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. While we gather to share memories let us reflect on all things for which we are thankful and remember our soldiers and those less fortunate who won't be able to share good times with family and friends this year.

AHEPA Bar Association logo This week I am pleased to announce another groundbreaking initiative undertaken by the Order of AHEPA. The AHEPA Bar Association is the first of what I hope to be many professional and business organizations created under the AHEPA umbrella. According to the latest AHEPA Membership Directory, hundreds of Ahepans are associated with the legal profession. As I have travelled the AHEPA domain, I have shared my vision with fellow lawyers of a National Bar Association which can serve as a valuable resource, providing CLE Seminars, networking and social interaction among lawyers who share the common goals and objectives of AHEPA. I sincerely hope that all lawyers within the AHEPA family choose to become active and those who might not be familiar with AHEPA will be attracted to this new venture. More details will be disseminated in the next few weeks.

Finally, MEMBERSHIP is an issue which becomes crucial as we approach the end of the year. I ask all chapters to work diligently to increase their membership. Last year AHEPA experienced a surge which I hope will continue this year. Remember our strength lies in our individual members and with more we can continue the productive mission of the Order of AHEPA.

Once again, please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Weekend.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA Congratulates the Candidates of the 2008 Election
WASHINGTON (AHEPA eNews) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas congratulates President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, as well as all the candidates who campaigned in this year's election. The American Hellenic community looks forward to working with the new administration and these elected officials on issues of importance to the community: strengthening U.S. - Greece relations, a just, viable, and peaceful solution to the division of Cyprus, and securing religious freedom and protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. ... read more.

Supreme President Gulas sits in famous Lincoln Chair, from which President Abraham Lincoln addressed the Ohio State assembly at the same spot over 140 years ago Supreme President Travel Log
OHIO (AHEPA eNews) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas continued on his visits to the AHEPA chapters -- making good on his promise to continue the caravans which were so popular last year. In this trip, Supreme President Gulas visits chapters throughout the state of Ohio. ... read more.

AHEPAacademy AHEPAcademy Now Taking Applications for the 2009 Session
WASHINGTON (AHEPAcademy) -- Attention High School Juniors: you have the opportunity to be one of a small, select group of Greek-American high school students selected from all over the country to participate in AHEPAcademy, an interactive leadership and networking seminar to be held on the campus of George Mason University outside Washington, DC from June 21-27, 2009. ... download your application today!

AHEPA Journey to Greece Class of 2008 2009 AHEPA Journey to Greece Application now Online!
WASHINGTON (Journey to Greece) -- The AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn college credit while learning about ancient and modern Greece. Plans for the 2009 Program are well underway. Download the prospectus and fill out your application today! ... read more.

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 Calendar

NOVEMBER 2008
    01     Sons of Pericles Halloween Party - Paramus, NJ
    04     Election Day - Nationwide
    05     Supreme President Visitation - Akron, OH
    11     Veterans Day - Nationwide
    12     Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament - Los Angeles, CA
    15     District 12 Fall Workshop - Hammond, IN
    26     Chapter 400 Third Annual Thanksgiving Eve Glendi - Aliquippa, PA

DECEMBER 2008
    03     Ike Gulas visits Hellenic College / Holy Cross Church - Brookline, MA
    05     District 5 Initiation - Montvale, NJ
    05     Supreme President Visitation | Makaronada Night - Montvale, NJ
    06     AHEPA Chapter 405 Ritual Initiation and Awards Luncheon - Westchester, NY
    06     AHEPA Yankee District 7 Family Christmas Party - Waterbury, CT
    25     Holy Nativity (Christmas)
    31     AHEPA Annual Chapter Dues Deadline

JANUARY 2009
    02     AHEPA Family Leadership Conference Welcome - Tarpon Springs, FL
    03     AHEPA Family Leadership Conference - Tarpon Springs, FL
    04     Supreme Lodge Meeting - Tarpon Springs, FL
    04     Epiphany Golf Tournament - Tarpon Springs, FL
    05     AHEPA Epiphany Banquet - Spartan Manor - New Port Richey,FL
    06     Epiphany - Worldwide
    06     Epiphany Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral - Tarpon Springs, FL
    06     Cross Diving Ceremony in Spring Bayou - Tarpon Springs, FL
    06     Glendi at St. Nicholas Community Center - Tarpon Springs, FL
    07     Dr. Monthe Kofos Tribute - Tarpon Springs, FL
    09     Sons of Pericles 11th West Coast Basketball Tourney - Possibly L A, CA

FEBRUARY 2009
    13-14 District 1 Midwinter Conference - Nashville, TN
    13-15 Albany Sons & Maids Mid Year Conference - Albany, NY
    14     Albany Sons & Maids Annual Valentine's Day Dance - Albany, NY

MARCH 2009
29 AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon & 5k Race - Selden, NY

MAY 2009
14-17 District 3 Convention - Washington, DC

JUNE 2009
    06     District 5 Convention - Washington, DC
    05-07 New England (Districts 7, 8 & 9) Regional Conference - Mansfield, MA
    18-20 District 16 Convention - New Orleans, LA
    19-21 District 21 Convention - Santa Clara, CA
    29-30 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

JULY
01-05 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Greek Americans Gain a Seat in the House of Representatives
and All Major Friends Re-Elected
WASHINGTON, DC (Greek News) -- November 24, 2008 -- The National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) released an analysis of how the U.S. Congress changed, following the elections on November 4, particularly with regard to Greece and Cyprus' top advocates (and detractors) and how Hellenic and Orthodox issues may be handled differently with the new line-up. ... read more.

OAR Logo Two AHEPA Long Island Chapters Make Major Gift to OAR
ARLINGTON, VA (OAR) -- November 20, 2008 -- Yesterday, two chapters from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) family in New York, the Constantine Cassis Chapter #170 (Long Island) and the Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter #141, presented the Organization For Autism Research (OAR) with a donation in the amount of $17,016. ... read more.

AHEPA Logo AHEPA Cancer Foundation Gives Grants, Awards
JERSEY SHORE (APP.com) -- November 13, 2008 -- November 1, 2008 marked the Nineteenth Annual Fall Gala for the Fifth District AHEPA Cancer Research Foundation, Inc. at the Pines Manor, Edison, New Jersey. The annual event is a festive conclusion to the year's efforts of fundraising for cancer research as well as an evening of honoring the recipients of the Grant Research Awards, whose goals are to analyze cancer in hope of a better understanding of finding a cure for this atrocious disease. ... read more.

Armenia & Greece Greek Parliament Willing to Sign a Cooperation Agreement with the National Assembly of Armenia
YEREVAN (ARMradio) -- November 21, 2008 -- On November 20 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan received the Ambassador of the Republic of Greece to Armenia Ioannis Korintios. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

Greek News - November 24, 2008
Hellene Recognized in Emmy Magazine for His Work for Orthodoxy
The Huffington Post - November 14, 2008
A New Beginning and the Wisdom of the Past: Why the Greek Classics are Still Relevant
GOARCH.org - November 14, 2008
Loyola Marymount University Confers to Archbishop Demetrios Honorary Doctorate Degree

AHEPA District Spotlight

AHEPA Yankee District 7
District Governor Nick Nikas
AHEPA's Seventh District is the heart of New England, joining Connecticut and Rhode Island. There are currently fourteen active chapters in District 7, with over 660 members. It is also the home district of Supreme Secretary John Grossomanides.

The Yankee District recently held their Fall Conference at St. Barbara's Greek Church in Orange, CT and are already organizing chapters and members to participate in the New England Regional Conference in June and the Supreme Convention in July.

AHEPA District 7 invites you to visit their website (www.ahepad7.org) and to take part in many of the upcoming events you find listed there and on the AHEPA National Events Calendar.

Greek of the Week!

Gus Lucas - President, Constantine Cassis Chapter 170
The donation to the Organization for Autism Research (see above story) would not have been possible without the direction and leadership of Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 President Gus Lucas.

Brother Gus chaired many chapter dinner-dances held in conjunction with the Pasithea Chapter of the Daughters of Penelope, fundraising for charities that seek the elimination of diseases. This year, he spearheaded an event that raised a record $17,016 for the OAR - Organization for Autism Research. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, a check was presented at a special Thanksgiving Celebration to Lori Jones, Board of Director Member of the OAR. Ms. Jones proudly indicated that this donation "is the largest ever received from an organization whose mission is not directly related to autism."

Brother Gus is a 25-year member of AHEPA, having been initiated by Past Board of Trustee George Demopoulos.He is a past Chapter Ahepan of the Year.

Because of his enthusaism, leadership, determination, and commitment to the mission of AHEPA, Brother Gus, broke records with the amount raised for charity. Brother Gus truely represents the best of AHEPA and we are proud to honor him as this week'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.