National Philoptochos Board Bulletins - March 2008

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD SPRING MEETING
HELLENIC COLLEGE/HOLY CROSS
MARCH 28-29, 2008
SUMMARY REPORT

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

His Grace Bishop Andonios, Spiritual Advisor to the National Philoptochos, offered the opening prayer and spoke to the National Philoptochos Board about the importance of the Lenten Period and the members' responsibility as leaders to be knowledgeable about the Faith and to continually read scripture and the teachings of the Church.  In this pluralistic world we must have the knowledge about our Orthodox faith in order to advise others. 

PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

President Georgia Skeadas opened the business meeting and offered her greetings during this period of renewal and compassion.  She reviewed the accomplishments of the past few months and thanked the Chairmen and the entire Metropolis of San Francisco for a magnificent Children's Medical Fund Luncheon in November.  To date the Children's Medical Fund has raised $523K and through the generosity of the sponsors, National Philoptochos distributed $150K to seven children's hospitals and children's programs; $30K to the IOCC for the Parktown Medical Clinic in Zimbabwe that serves 200 patients a week; $20K to the Luncheon's special guest Michael Chiklis for the Autism Speaks Program.  Through these funds the National Philoptochos launches its formal support of Autism and asks that all Chapters participate in the Autism National Observance in April.

President Skeadas announced that the National Philoptochos is resuming its scholarships to femail students at Hellenic College/Holy Cross after several year's absence of this program.  Other accomplishments include the development of hte Philoptochos website that is near completion, the Go Red Sunday which was again a great success, the completion of the Handbook, and the release of a video by IOCC that chronicles Philoptochos' work in Woliso, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

President Skeadas stated that as the result of its strategic planning, the Saint Basil Academy Board is considering two options to enlarge the circle of activity at the Academy and increase the number of students in the residental program.  The board will conduct a Feasibility Study for a Functional Multi-Purpose Center and a Pre School.  As part of this processs the SBA board will be working jointly with the National Philoptochos board to execute a joint lease for Saint Basil Academy.

President Skeadas announced that the National Philoptochos is being honored by the Hellenic Societies of New York that have asked that she serve as a Grand Marshal for the Greek Independence Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, April 6, 2008.  All the chapters have been notified and encouraged to support the parade and to participate with President Skeadas.

The 2008 National Convention plans are underway with a theme of looking to the Future.  "The Future is Something We Create, Not Something We Enter."

President Skeadas Announced that as a first step to establish a blueprint for the future Philoptochos a major component of the Spring board meeting will be devoted to a Strategic Planning Session conducted by Jerry Manetos and Laura Paulus from the Archdiocese Office of Parish Development.  This work will lay the foundation for moving the organization forward.

GREETINGS

Reverend President Nicholas Triantafilou welcomed the board to Hellenic College/Holy Cross on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and the entire community and asked that members consider this their home.

Father Nick presented a beautiful, framed photograph of the Holy Cross Chapel to President Skeadas and asked that it be placed at the National Office.  He thanked the National Philoptochos and all the chapters for over $1,000,000 support since the year 2000.  A special keepsake fold out booklet was presented to all the members that highlights the philoptochos commitment to the beloved school.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Treasurer Aphrodite Skeadas announced that as of February 29, 2008 the fund balance was $1,548,766.  A fund disclosure letter for the year ending December 31, 2007 was sent to all chapters in January.  

• Contratulations to all the chapters for the increase in funds received.
• Vasilopita funds are still coming in and continue to exceed previous years.
• The top three chapter donations to the Vasilopita are Holy Trinty of Dallas, Texas - $11,000; Annunciation Cathedral of Houston, Texas - $10,118 and St. Catherine of Greenwood Village - $6,000
• Philoptochos provided %50,000 to the Greek Red Cross as a an immediate first response to the Greek Fire Relief and to date funds collected through chapter appeal exceed $157,857.

The following distributions were approved by the National Board:

• $37,500 Hellenic College Scholarship Fund for 25 $1500 scholarships to Seminarians
• $3,000 Hellenic College Scholarship Fund for $1500 schoarships to femal students
• $4,000 Hellenic College Scholarship Fund for 4 $1000 Special Merit Scholarships
• $73,000 Hellenic College Lent Fund for Polemenakos Hall to provide Desks and Chairs for 160 single rooms and new entrance and breezeway doors.
• $500 St. Photios for the Annual Landing Day
• $100,000 Ecumenical Patriarchate
• $15,800 Hellenic Fires to close the fund
• $10,000 National Sisterhood of Presbyteres Fund
• $1,000 To honor the three year memorial for the late Archbishop Iakovos to the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Resource Center.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The board members engaged in a SWOT planning process throughout the two-day meeting.  Through interactive group discussions the board identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the organization at the local, Metropolis and National levels and prioritized the session outcomes. 

TROSAGOPM AMD ALATJOSTPS HYMMOS

After conclusion of day one, His Grace Bishop Andonios offered a Trisagion service at the grave of the late Archbishop Iakovos behind the Holy Cross Chapel.  President Skeadas placed a wreath of flowers on Archbishop Iakovos' grave on behalf of the entire Philoptochos.  The board joined in the Akathistos Hymnos Service at the Holy Cross Chapel. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Convention and Standing committees offered reports including:

UNICEF                                            

His Grace Bishop Andonios closed the meeting with prayer and chanting.

Prepared by Christine Karavites, Publicity Chairman.

For additional information contact the National Philoptochos office at philosny@aol.com