The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 4

A MESSAGE FROM PHILLIP T. FRANGOS, AHEPA SUPREME PRESIDENT

Let's Spread the Word
We hear repeatedly that the wonderful work AHEPA performs today is a well-kept secret. Several
experiences during my travels this year confirm this is true.
I addressed the plenary session of Leadership 100 at its Orlando meeting in February. Hundreds of
Hellenic American community leaders attended. My remarks detailed what AHEPA is doing today.
Subsequently during the course of the conference, numerous attendees thanked me for describing
activities about which they were unaware and expressed their interest in maintaining contact with
AHEPA.

Phillip T. Frangos

A few weeks ago I accompanied His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios to Selma, Alabama, for events
commemorating the anniversary of the Selma March which had been led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr and His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in 1965. I was afforded the opportunity to meet with
a number of the more than 100 members of Congress present for the celebration. Among those
with whom I spoke was Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell. She was surprised and expressed
gratitude when she learned that AHEPA maintains 18 housing complexes for the elderly in Alabama.
I recently spoke at a dinner where high school students who were recipients of AHEPA scholarships
were honored. More than 150 individuals attended, most of whom were members of the AHEPA
family. The audience gave a gasp of astonishment when I indicated the AHEPA awards almost $1
million in scholarships annually.
A recent article in the The National Herald describing the quality and extent of AHEPA's housing
program elicited positive responses from many readers who had heard of the program but had no
idea of its magnitude.
These examples demonstrate that we must work diligently to distribute our message to our members, the American Hellenic community, and to the greater community. The harder we work collectively to convey our message will result in sustained growth for our Order. AHEPA is the premier
organization representing and speaking for the American Hellenic community. There are several
other entities that purport to do so but most are single issue entities and have no real membership
base. Only AHEPA enjoys membership which extends into more than 300 communities. That presence must be exploited. The success of AHEPA is synonymous with that of the American Hellenic
community.
This past year we experienced an increase in membership for the first time in several years. The
growth is attributed in large measure to the recruitment of new members. Again, improving the
distribution of our message will enhance recruitment. More importantly, we must improve communication with our members in order to strengthen membership retention. Nowhere is this more
important than at the chapter level. Improved communication must be accompanied by greater
involvement of our members. It is not enough to collect their dues. Let the members know what
the chapter is doing and involve them in conceiving and executing chapter activities and programs.
Information leads to interest which leads to involvement. With properly chosen words and deeds we
will assure that AHEPA is no longer a well-kept secret.

THE AHEPAN · Spring 2015

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The AHEPAN - Spring 2015

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