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Contact: Basil Mossaidis |
The 2008 AHEPA
Western Caravan
Dear Brothers:
Please enjoy this summary and photo journal recap of Supreme President Ike Gulas's recent AHEPA Western Caravan. Click on any of these thumbnail versions of the original (print quality) versions of each photo.
Supreme President Ike Gulas embarked on the third, and final, caravan tour of the AHEPA Domain beginning in Las Vegas where he was invited to attend the annual Telly Savalas Golf Tournament. Several leaders of the Greek American community attended. The venue also provided the opportunity for Hellenic issues in the United States to be discussed.
Supreme President Gulas met with former California State Treasurer Phil Angelides, past AHEPA Congressional Banquet Chairman Angelo Tsakopoulos, Real Estate developer George Markis, and many other prominent Greek American leaders. A concert by Greek American Tony Orlando highlighted the weekend. Supreme President Gulas discussed with Orlando his heritage and the possibility of AHEPA having a special event in his honor.
On May 4 Supreme President Gulas visited with the members of the Las Vegas AHEPA family. Over 100 members joined President Gulas at the "Fat Greek" Restaurant where members of AHEPA Chapter 314 discussed the future of AHEPA in the region.
On May 5, the Supreme President drove to San Diego where a small reception was held in his honor at the home of Alex and Jeanette Rigopoulos. Members of the surrounding AHEPA chapters came to the Rigopoulos home where the Supreme President discussed current events and the convention in Greece.
Later that evening Supreme President Gulas visited St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church where the area chapters all assembled to visit with and discuss programs. Close to 80 Ahepans were in attendance representing the area chapters. A lively and detailed meeting ensued where common ideas were exchanged and challenges were addressed.
On May 6, the Supreme President traveled to Palos Verdes, Calif., to visit with Past Supreme President Dr. James Dimtiriou to discuss the 2008 Journey to Greece program. He thanked Dr. Dimitriou for his hard work and energy making the revitalization of the Journey program, one which was sorely missed in the AHEPA family for years, a success. Later that evening, at a meeting with all the area AHEPA chapters, President Gulas reviewed and thanked the chapters for their hard work on the Greek Fire relief and promoted the Athens Supreme Convention. He took the opportunity (at the initiation of the local Sons of Pericles chapter) to initiate a new Son of Pericles member into the chapter. After the meeting close to 75 Ahepans hosted a dinner for President Gulas at the Redondo Beach Cafe.
On May 7, President Gulas visited with Tennis great Pete Sampras' agent where a possible relationship could become available to assist in fundraising efforts for the AHEPA Cooley's Anemia foundation. That afternoon President Gulas was invited to the Encino, Calif., where 150 AHEPA family members hosted a buffet dinner in honor of the visit. Again, President Gulas discussed the upcoming Supreme Convention and strategies to increase and augment membership and communication efforts. National Board of Trustee member Steve Tripodes and Chairman of the AHEPA Educational Foundation, Brother Jim Selimos were both in attendance that evening, as well as District Governor Pete Tryantafillou.
May 8 saw the Supreme President drive to Phoenix to discuss the possibility of hosting a future convention in the city. In the evening brothers from AHEPA Chapter 454 in Phoenix and other chapters from Tucson, Chandler, and Phoenix were in attendance while President Gulas reviewed the agenda the Supreme Lodge's administrative year. A dinner was served prior to the meeting and the chapter participated in elections, where the Supreme President installed the newly elected brothers.
On May 10, the Supreme President visited San Francisco. He visited the site of the 2009 National Convention at the Hyatt Embarcadero, in San Francisco, and also met with the local host chapter. During a lunch, members of the surrounding chapters visited with President Gulas and all members present enjoyed the brotherhood and meal.
All in all, the weeklong "Western Caravan was a truly successful visitation. President Gulas visited chapters that have never been visited and the feeling of brotherhood was alive and celebrated.
As an organization, AHEPA needs to refocus on the roots of why we exist. The answer is to invoke pride in our past and work together in a fraternal way to assure a successful and brighter future.
Western Caravan Tour Dates
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
Fraternally,
Basil Mossaidis,
AHEPA Executive Director
AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.
This message is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at www.ahepa.org.
1909 Q Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202-232-6300 Fax: 202-232-2140 Email: ahepa@ahepa.org