This Week For Greeks! - Vol.3 Issue 3 - Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A Message from the Supreme President
Brothers, Sisters and Friends:
Last week I traveled to Washington, braving the cold and the crowds, to attend the Inauguration of our nation's 44th President. It was great to see many of you there, and to host AHEPA's "Celebrate the American Dream" reception at the National Press Club (see photos). During the galas and receptions, I had the opportunity to meet with many of the former and upcoming policy makers on Greek-American issues - both on Capitol Hill and the State Department - and to listen for new opportunities for AHEPA.
An overarching theme in almost every conversation in Washington was how the Internet is changing American politics, and the different ways candidates and organizations are using it to mobilize their stakeholders and to reach out to new audiences. Since I took office as Supreme President, harnessing the power of the Internet has been a top priority. Redesigning our Website and launching This Week for Greeks has been a part of that ... but only the beginning.
Social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace are our next step in building AHEPA's membership and providing new, easier and fun ways for each of us to be a part of that effort. Over the past few weeks, I and several of my Supreme Lodge officers have launched personal profiles on Facebook, the most popular social networking site on the Internet. This week we are launching a new "AHEPA Fan Page" on Facebook, opening up our mission to the network's 140 million members. The page offers continual Greek-American news feeds, discussion boards, photo and video galleries, an events calendar and easy ways for Facebook's members to join AHEPA and get involved in our work.
We need your help to succeed. We invite all of you to join us on Facebook and to become our friends and fans of the AHEPA page. Together we can spread the word throughout the Greek American Community and beyond.
Fraternally,
Ike Gulas, Supreme President
News From AHEPA
AHEPA National Golf Invitational
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Athletics) -- AHEPA invites you to join us for the Dr. Monthe Kofos Annual Memorial AHEPA National Golf Invitational, Sunday, March 29th - Saturday, April 4th, at the Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, South Carolina. Download the Registration Form.
AHEPA Congratulates President Obama on Inauguration
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- January 22, 2009 -- Hosts Reception for Hellenic-Americans Visiting Washington for Historic Event -- AHEPA congratulated President Barack Obama on his historic inauguration in a letter sent to The White House on January 21, 2009, announced Supreme President Ike Gulas. ... read more.
Daughters of Penelope Send Over 2,000 Olive Trees to Greece
WASHINGTON (Daughters of Penelope) -- January 21, 2009 -- The Daughters of Penelope have contributed over 2,000 olive trees to help replenish trees in the areas where fires destroyed acres of olive trees in Greece late 2007. ... read more.
Help Earthquake Victims in Greece
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Today Greece suffered another natural catastrophy, resulting in home and community damage. As Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured, by contributing to the AHEPA Disaster Emergency Relief Fund. ... please give generously.
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!
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.
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 2009 Calendar
JANUARY
16-19 SOP W. Coast Greek Wknd & Regional Basketball Tourn.
- Los Angeles, CA
FEBRUARY
06-08 Sons & Maids Mid-Year Conference - Albany, NY
07 Albany Sons & Maids Annual Valentine's Day Dance - Albany, NY
13-14 District 1 Midwinter Conference - Nashville, TN
MARCH
01 36th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament - St. Petersburg, FL
12-15 AHEPA Marrow Basketball Tournament - Chicago, IL
21 AHEPA Canada Roast & Toast - Montreal
29 AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon & 5k Race - Selden, NY
MAY
01-03 District 4 Convention - Wilkes Barre, PA
15-17 District 3 Convention - Silver Spring, MD
30-31 District 6 Convention - LaGuardia, NY
JUNE
05-07 District 1 Conference - Birmingham, AL
05-07 District 2 Conference - Boca Raton, LA
05-07 District 5 Conference - Trenton, NJ
05-07 New England (Districts 7, 8 & 9) Regional Conference - Mansfield, MA
05-07 District 10 Conference - Michigan
05-07 Districts 12 & 13 Conference - Joliet, IL
12-14 District 11 Conference - Canton, OH
12-14 District 14 Conference - Sioux Falls, SD
12-14 District 20 Conference - Anaheim, CA
19-21 Districts 15 & 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
Obama's Inauguration Raises Hopes for the Greek Issues
WASHINGTON DC (Greek News) -- January 26, 2009 -- The Greek-American community welcomed the inauguration of the 44th president of the US, Barack Obama with the hope that the policies, aspirations and the change committed to by the US President will have positive results on Cyprus issue and all other issues of Greek interest. ... read more.
Greek Govt. Fails to Win Farmers Over: Roadblocks Continue
ATHENS (Kathimerini) -- January 26, 2009 -- As thousands of farmers across the country kept their tractors parked at key road junctions for the seventh day in a row yesterday, paralyzing transport, Agricultural Development Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis pledged to provide farmers with the precise details of subsidies they are demanding as a precondition for calling off their action. ... read more.
Other Greek American News Headlines
AHEPA District Spotlight
AHEPA District 11
District Governor Carl Hollister
AHEPA "Buckeye" District 11 covers the great states of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, combining the talents and efforts of 25 chapters and over 1600 members. It is proud to be the home district of Past Supreme Presidents Franklin Manios, John Economou, and Cleo Zambetis as well as AHEPA leaders Tasos Kalantzis, Alex Kariotakis, Nick Alexander and Tom Chase who have served the order nationally and continue to serve throughout the district.
AHEPA District 11 took the lead on the Cleisthenes Project, memorializing the true founder of democracy. They are currently working to endow a graduate level scholarship at The John Glenn Institute for Public Policy at The Ohio State University (John Glenn himself is an Ahepan) and a refurbishing project of the Ohio State Capitol Building. The pride of District 11, The Buckeye Scholarship Foundation, awarded $33,000 scholarships in 2008 and through the Columbus Chapter, is starting a Hellenic Bar Association for Continuing Education.
AHEPA District 11 invites you to visit their website, ahepadistrict11.org and to join them for the upcoming Buckeye District Convention, June 19-21 in Canton, Ohio.
Greek of the Week!
Brother Emmanuel G. Pappas - Chapter 1 - Atlanta
In March of last year AHEPA lost one of our beloved brothers from Chapter 1 in Atlanta. Brother Emmnuel "Manny" Pappas was only 60 years old and his untimely death emotionally impacted everyone who knew him. This week, AHEPA Headquarters unexpectedly received a letter from Brother Pappas's estate, with news that he had bequeathed $50,000 to our Order to foster our work in the Greek-American community.
Brother Pappas dedicated his life to helping those in crisis, as both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. In 1977 he founded Pappas Contracting Inc., a construction consulting firm specializing in the commercial construction and insurance industries with an emphasis on hurricane earthquake risk and damage assessment. His company, now known as EGP and Associates, Inc. has become a nationwide industry leader.
In 1971, Brother Manny became our brother and offered generously his infectious laugh, his love of life, and an unwavering compassion for others. We may have lost his companionship, but his spirit lives on. For his brotherhood, commitment to Hellenism, and his charity, please join us in posthumously honoring Brother Emmanuel "Manny" Pappas 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.
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