The Order of AHEPA is pursuing an aggressive membership campaign this year under the leadership of Supreme Vice President George J. Dariotis. The campaign will target six specific areas:

1. Reinstating Delinquent Members from 1992 to 1996.
2. Targeting and Reinstating/Initiating Prior Sons of Pericles.
3. A Member-to-Member Campaign.
4. An Internet Campaign.
5. Targeting of Churches/Communities without Chapters.
6. Retention of the New Members.

The Membership Coordinator for the 20^th District is Dr. James Dimitriou. Dino Basdakis and Lyle Hochberger will assist him this year. The goal for Ahepa as a whole is to increase membership by 10% by June 1, 1999. We in the 20^th have the same goal. Each of our Chapters should also have the same target. It is achievable if we expend a reasonable effort to meet the goal.

The software for the computer at Headquarters is nearly cleared up. We will have reports that should be accurate and current within the next month. This will provide us with a clear picture of delinquent members. At the chapter level, you will have to help by assuring that the identified delinquent members are still living and in the community. A listing of former Sons should be available by the first of the year. Again, the initial clearing of the list must be done at the Chapter level. This list may require a bit more scrutiny as we expect more mobility from this age group. Headquarters receives a number of inquiries each week from the internet. These are referred to the respective District Governor by electronic mail and immediately referred to the nearest Chapter. This practice will continue. Your Membership Coordinator will manage the targeting of communities without Chapters. The primary effort requested from the membership it to contact those individuals that you think would be a good member of the Order. We tend to put it off-DON’T! You will be surprised on how many of those individuals will join when asked.

This year we will be getting an exceptional amount of publicity with the Rose Parade® Float and with the Supreme Convention being held in San Diego. Let’s take advantage of that publicity! The remaining key to an effective membership campaign is to retain the new, as well as the old members. The key is involvement. Get the new members involved in an area of interest to them – keep them excited and enthused! A new universal application for membership, reinstatement and transfer has been printed in this issue. It is simplified and easy to use. Make as many copies of it as you need. Let’s show the rest of the Ahepa that the 20^th is the District to follow – we are the leader! We are off to a great start already. On November 23 Ventura will initiate 4 new members (15%). This will be followed by San Diego’s initiation of 64 members on December 2^nd (47%). The next day, December 3^rd, Pasadena will initiate 11 new members (19%). On December 10^th Tucson will initiate 4 (8%) new members. With just 4 Chapters we are at a 7% increase for the District. Let’s see what the rest of the Chapters can do!

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