Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTABARBARA CHAPTER #243
Established October 17, 1929
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive”
http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/
www.ahepa20.org/chapters (easier for some)
“Let’s Do Something Great in 2008”


MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 2008

**LATE BREAKING NEWS**

June is the beginning of the summer and the second half of the calendar year. It is the first month of our Chapter year and as you read the minutes you will note that we are looking forward with optimism to create new programs which will invigorate our Chapter, make clearer our purpose, be of better service, bring fun, and increase our membership. June is bringing new beginnings. Let’s give some thought to our Ahepa chapter this summer (especially on the 20th which is the longest day of the year). Enjoy the summer.

“Perhaps, in utilizing our human capacity to build on the foundation of the generations before us, we have inadvertently become so focused on our own building that we have forgotten the foundation that holds it up: or in reaping for so long where we have not sown, perhaps we have forgotten the need to sow”.

Our treasurers report that all members are current in their dues-we did not have to call on the services of Guido-for which we are very pleased. We have one reinstatement-Sam Petronakis- and we are happy he is back with us.

Sadly we learned of the death of Costa Gastouniotis’ father-in-law, (Georgia’s father). Our chapter extends our sympathies.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday July 21, 2008 at Harry’s Plaza Café where the Loreto Plaza is being transformed into a beautiful Spanish motif. Hopefully we can find the front door in its new location.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE RECENTLY?





(2)
Gregory and I arrived after the meeting had started so our legal advisor and one of the brilliant legal minds of the country William E. Poulis Esq. took the minutes until we arrived. We thank him. After the meeting Bill wanted me to see his briefs and discuss the subject matter therein. I did not handle them. It was not June 17th yet so my uneasiness was quelled. (Think about it)

Our Chapter meeting was called to Order by President Jim Arger at 6:40 PM. By the end of the meeting we had thirteen members present.

The opening prayer was led by Bill Poulis

The Happy Dollars container was a large wine flask as our crystal cut container was left in a safe place. There were many glad tidings which were shared and appreciated by all of us.

The Minutes of the May 19th meeting were approved by vote.

Chris Compogiannis with assistance of Steve Compogiannis gave the Treasurer’s Report. Checking account=$1760.51, Smith Barney account=$9444.95, Happy Dollars=$246.00, and our savings account =$9198.95
All dues are paid to the National Ahepa.
We have yet to receive from the DOP their share of the $114.00 which is the cost of the Ahepa Sunday coffee hour. We still owe Carol Stathopolos our half of the $33.33 cost of the kolova for that day’s memorial

We did not have any Chapter Correspondence.

Old Business
The District 20 Convention was discussed. Chris Compogiannis brought the District 20 Convention Souvenir Book which contained our one page advertisement and message for which we paid $150. The book was passed around so all could see the page. (See it for yourself on our web site.).
Santa Barbara Chapter youth receiving District Scholarships were: Eleni Pantages ($2000), Maria Arger ($1250), and Nicholas Petronakis($1250).
PDG Costa Frangos along with District 20 Governor Peter Triantafyllos presented the Rett Syndrome Project which arose out of our chapter to make this a District Project. Peter read the letter from Ernest and Andriana Kolendrianos which further touched those in attendance and they passed the resolution to make this a District 20 Project. Now Costa will work to make this a National Ahepa project. We will have to show our own fundraising efforts for this project.
Yesterday’s presentation of the Commendation Letter to Brother Jim Angelos for his pending service in Iraq was discussed. PDG Peter Triantafyllos, and PDG Costa Frangos were inattendance while PSG Lyle Hochberger made the presentation.

(3)
All agreed that the presentation was impressive and well received. View the Letter on our web site.
The request by the Greek Heritage foundation for funding for their Greek historical movie was again tabled. Greg Pantages viewed the DVD and said that the film covered a wide range of Greek Historical information. He found the product to be entertaining and informative. The members wanted to investigate if there is information in the film of the Santa Barbara Greeks and Ahepa and their history.

At this point Gregory and I arrive at 7:14 PM and the members created a big welcome.

TerryKaramanis sent a request that our chapter purchase an advertisement in this year’s Greek Festival Brochure. Jim Chachakos reminded us that last year we purchased a business card sized advertisement for $150.00. The cost now is $200.00. This request was passed by vote. PDG Costa Frangos who is this year’s festival chair asked if Ahepa would sponsor a booth. Chris Compogiannis suggested that the sponsorship in the name of Ahepa would come from individual donations. This was agreed upon. We wanted a booth which would have high visibility and the Gyro booth was chosen. Those members who volunteered to donate $100 to this cause were Chris Compogiannis, George Alexiades, Jim Brown, Bill Poulis, and Costa Gastouniotis. Bravo gentlemen, it is appreciated.

There was a request from National for monies to give aid to Greece as a result of the recent 6.9 earthquake. This was declined.
Parish Council V.P. and chapter member Bill Pertsulakes sent a request for aid. The church is not receiving enough financial support and the motion to divert the festival funds to the general fund was narrowly defeated in the General Assembly. Bill would like to have a crab bake like the Modesto Ahepa chapter holds and with the assistance of Presbytera’s father Chris we can use this as a fundraising venture for the church. Bill asked for our support and assistance. This passed by vote.
We discussed the menu for the November Glendi. After much discussion we voted to have as the main entree three lamb chops and that the food would be served as a buffet. Bill Poulis made the motion and Geo. Papazacharioudakis made the second. At our next meeting the committee will round out the menu and give costs and we will try to agree on the cost of admission.
Good of the Order-PDG Costa Frangos and Jim Brown talked about bringing in new members, making the meeting fun, providing more service. A committee consisting of Jim Brown, Chris Compogiannis, George Alexiades, George Papazacharioudakis, and PDG Costa Frangos will meet after the festival and bring suggestions.
Peter Triandafyllos is our first Honorary Member. We recognize his unfailing support of our chapter and our projects.
Happy Birthday to Jim Arger (7/27) and to John P. Demourkas (8/31).

See you at Harry’s on July 21st.
Respectfully Submitted, James P. Brown, D.C. Chapter Secretary.