Catch the Spirit, Share the Spirit!

"Catch the Spirit, Share the Spirit, the Spirit of Penelope"
by Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

The Daughters of Penelope Grand Lodge announced new membership campaign for 2006-2007 at their annual leadership conference, hosted at the Washington Hilton, September 23, 2006. Grand President, Georgia Psichogios, welcomed attending District Governors, Daphne Hallas(MD), Helen Koken-Seiss (PA), Nicole Wu (NH), Penny Khorraminia(MI), Clara Daniels(OH), Angela Magrames (IN). Evamgelene Poulos(IL), Penelope Vletas(TX),

Daughters of Penelope 2006 Leadership (Additional Photos Available in Malista Photo Gallery)

Effie Baines(CO), Georgia Gastouniotis(CA), Laurie Sahines(CA), and Diane Polesello (Canada).

Introductions began with each Governor providing a brief summary of events in their District. The Grand President, welcomed and thanked leaders from all over the country and Canada for attending the annual event, and then opened the meeting. She acknowledged the Governor from Denver Colorado, the host state for the 2007, National Convention. She then happily announced that the AHEPA Family would be hosting the 2008 National Convention in Athens in Greece. She then reviewed the District Governor's Manual with the group, sharing expectations and responsibilities necessary for a positive leadership experience.

Several relevant topics were then reviewed by each of the Grand Lodge members, they included: Canadian Affairs, Forms, Penelope Scroll, Convention Guidelines, Conflict Resolution Techniques, Leading on a National Level, Maids of Athena, AHEPA Family Protocol, Public Speaking, National Projects, Public Relations, and the Daugthers Of Penelope Foundation, Inc. released their 2006 fundraiser book titles: I Have an Olive Tree, by Eve Bunting, The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, by Kathryn Lasky, and Cooking the Greek Way.

The afternoon's events were culminated with a rousing presentation of the Daughters Membership campaign for 2006-2007, "Catch the Spirit, Share the Spirit, the Spirit of Penelope." Grand Vice President, Karen Stamatiades explains,

"We need to Catch the Spirit - looking at all that we do in a fresh new light, and once we have really seen how much we have to offer, we need to Share the Spirit, to rekindle our energy and excitement by spreading the energy and inviting others to join our organization."

The Grand Lodge distributed balloons through out the room to carry the message back to each state. The meeting was closed with much fanfare to the delight of the participants.

Following the meeting, the AHEPA Family gathered to tour the wonderful monuments of Washington DC, which included, the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and ending with a dramatic stop at the Marine Monument in Arlington Cemetery, now the basis for a popular movie.

All participants agreed that the event was a wonderful learning experience. The event is the premiere event for leadership and sets guidelines and expectations for a success filled year. This year's event is sure to have had a profound impact on all who attended.

The Daughters of Penelope is a the women's affiliate of the AHEPA Family, a national Greek-American organization, with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Greece, and Cyprus, whose mission is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence. Those interested in "Catching the Spirit" may contact national headquarters in Washington, DC for a chapter in your area.

Malista!