The AHEPAN Winter 2017 - 4

PRESIDENTS' MESSAGES

A Busy 2018 Awaits. Let's Succeed Together.

Supreme President
Carl R. Hollister

The AHEPA family wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a festive
and joyful Christmas Season. With the holidays behind us, we will hit the ground running in 2018 as we continue
to strengthen and grow the AHEPA Brand.
In the first quarter of 2018, AHEPA will host two regional banquets that will honor excellence in the community. The first one will be held in Dallas, Texas, January 27. We are excited to unveil the inaugural Gus Maggos
Award. This award is in honor of departed Brother Gus Maggos, who personally sold $50 million of U.S. War Bonds
for WWII. For his efforts, President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized Brother Maggos for spearheading the
bond drive, the funds from which contributed to the Allies' victory. The second banquet will be held in Columbus,
Ohio, March 3, at the Ohio State Capitol, a venue that showcases Classical Greek architecture. The banquet will
serve as the AHEPA family's main fundraiser for the Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena for the year. In the
past, we have held similar regional banquets that have helped to revitalize the Order in those communities and
propel our mission. We anticipate similar success in 2018, and we hope that you can be a part of it.
Looking to matters of policy, I am proud AHEPA will be joining our colleagues at the American Hellenic
Institute (AHI), B'nai B'rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
for our 3rd Leadership Mission to Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, January 13 to 21. We look to pick-up from where
our previous Leadership Missions left off and continue the dialogue with key government officials about how the
diaspora can support important trilateral measures and agreements across several industry sectors that serve all
interests involved, including United States interests.
In the New Year, we must keep a focus not only policy matters, but gaining and retaining members in our
Order, and equally important, our Junior Orders as well. Our youth must be a priority. We need AHEPA and
Daughters of Penelope chapters to do more to help nurture and foster the development of the Sons of Pericles and
Maids of Athena. Each and every Son or Maid who learns the value of community service, or giving back, or who
simply gains a life skill, such as time management or fiscal responsibility; is cause for celebration as we are laying
the foundation for a brighter and better future for our community.
Moreover, in the first half of 2018, my request is for you to mark May 16 on your calendars for our annual
Capitol Hill Day. It provides our members with the opportunity to fulfill the civic responsibility facet of our mission.
There is something to be said about being engaged with our public policy priorities and keeping the American
Hellenic community visible to policymakers in Washington. Our voices must be heard. Our advocacy does make
a difference. I thank Brothers John Levas and George Cominos, co-chairs of the evening's reception, for the hard
work they have already devoted to the event.
Finally, this issue of The Ahepan takes a look back at a major event from the fall. AHEPA was pleased to
host, in cooperation with AHI, a dinner for Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in honor of his visit to the United
States in October. The event provided the prime minister with an opportunity to address influential members of
the American Hellenic community about Greece's economic progress as it encourages increased foreign direct
investment and about Greece's commitment to enhance relations with the United States, particularly in defense
cooperation.
AHEPA will always play an important role in the U.S.-Greece partnership. At the dinner, I had the pleasure to
announce that AHEPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greek Ministry of Tourism to host
our 2021 Supreme Convention in Athens. This was an exciting moment during the dinner. It moved me that it
was met with resounding applause in addition to Prime Minister Tsipras adding it into his remarks that evening.
In closing, my sincere appreciation goes to the chapters that execute many great projects and programs
throughout the year. A special note of gratitude goes to our headquarters staff who do so much for AHEPA behind
the scenes. With your help, AHEPA will make 2018 a year to remember. I look forward to seeing you on my travels.

THE AHEPAN · Winter 2017

www.ahepa.org

http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN Winter 2017