National Board Meeting - March 2006
National Board Meeting
March 17-18, 2006
New York, New York
Your Grace Bishop Andonios, Esteemed members of the National Board,
I am truly delighted to greet you with love, hope, energy and enthusiasm, as we have come together once again, as a group of committed individuals who continually strive to reach, and even surpass, an ideal standard for our Philoptochos Society.
At the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon this past December, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios stated that this is "The Age of Philoptochos" – the age of philanthropy – emphasizing that Philoptochos is an answer to the crises and problems facing our contemporary world. Philoptochos has the privilege of cultivating love. We, as the philanthropic heart of our Greek Orthodox Church, need to focus on love as action. The love of God is grounded in action.
We, the members of Philoptochos, are the vehicles expressing and sharing love, as our unceasing and selfless work devoted to our philanthropic Society continues. The scriptures state, "Faith, hope and love… but the greatest of these is love". It is the very desire to love and be loved that is human nature. It is part of the image of God, which is the same image and likeness of God that we strive to achieve in each day of our lives. Please note that love of God and love of other people are so closely intertwined that it is impossible to love God and not love one another. God loves beyond our dreams, without restraint, without limit. This is the kind of love that should echo radiantly in our hearts and minds. It is this love that will enable us to continue and enhance our philanthropic work, to assist all humankind in their moment of need and beyond, as we ensure extraordinary outreach within our Church community, the community at large and the global community. God’s love extends to all.
As we embark upon this very Holy and sacred journey of Great Lent, into Pascha, the true Festival of Festivals, the Feast of complete joy, hope, reawakening and eternal life, it becomes more evident to me as an Orthodox Christian that there is a great desire and a tremendous responsibility to achieve the ultimate goal of an Orthodox Christian, namely, to move closer to God in His likeness and image. It is during this time of Great Lent that we are called to grow closer to Christ and to build deeper bonds with Him and, therefore, with all human beings, by the "building of our faith and our nourishing of love for one another."
It is a time that allows us to develop spiritual love, growth, maturity, inner peace and harmony through special prayer, self-examination, sacrifice, fasting, introspection and reflection. It is a journey whose actions result in a thoughtful evaluation of ourselves, and it becomes a time to renew our Christian identity as people of compassion. It is a time that we need to intensify our dedication to the mission of Philoptochos and our commitment to philanthropy. It is through our acts of charity, our dedication to philanthropy and an intensified commitment in this regard that we begin to approach the objective of loving God and one another.
The period of Lent is called the "spiritual spring which blossoms with the fruits of the Spirit… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Our good works as a philanthropic entity demonstrate to all people the way of love and giving, of justice and respect for life and for the dignity of each individual that we assist. The first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, which is read on Holy Wednesday evening, is one of my most favorite passages that truly inspires me and that defines to me the true essence of philanthropy. The passage is as follows: "and if I distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, yet do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, is kind; love does not envy; is not pretentious, is not puffed up; is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth; bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
The act of appreciating more fully God’s love also enables us to respond accordingly with acts of love and philanthropia towards all people. Let us be thankful in the Lord that our successes as a philanthropic entity have assisted most profoundly in addressing the needs of others. We applaud the selfless and untiring efforts of our entire Philoptochos Society for personally touching the countless number of people in our communities that have received the benefits of our noble mission of philanthropy.
I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the various projects and activities of the National Philoptochos.
I had the honor and privilege to participate in the visit by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Tarpon Springs for the Commemoration of the Centennial Epiphany Celebration and the Centennial of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. It was an extraordinary week highlighted by significant experiences. One of the most significant of these experiences was our trip to New Orleans, where we toured the catastrophic devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina.
We, as Philoptochos, are fortunate and grateful to be able to assist the many victims of the hurricane-ravaged areas resulting from Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster ever to strike the United States. Since our initial immediate response of contributing $50,000 to IOCC for their relief efforts as part of a larger ecumenical relief effort, our Philoptochos Society has been in the forefront of providing not only financial assistance, but also providing for the physical needs of the many survivors. We continue to be affected by the sadness, the trauma, the fear and the despair that is still visible and that still exists.
I am profoundly grateful to inform you that the National Philoptochos Society has collected over $141,000 for the National Philoptochos Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of our Chapters for this outpouring of love, concern and generosity, which is a direct result of our commitment to the ideals of our Philoptochos Society. This commitment to philanthropy grows out of our commitment to the service of God, which manifests itself in our love for all people
As I have reported previously, the National Philoptochos initial contribution of $98,000, from the National Philoptochos Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, which was forwarded to the Archdiocese Katrina Relief Fund, has been specifically earmarked to address the temporary housing expenses and the purchasing of necessary major appliances for the Orthodox families victimized by the hurricanes. Dee Nicolaou, president of the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Board and chairman of the Metropolis of Atlanta Disaster Relief effort, has been working tirelessly to assist the affected individuals and families and to ensure that their needs are met. As of March 8, 2006, more than $26,000 has been distributed to eight parishioners who needed assistance, leaving a balance of almost $72,000 which will be used for additional requests for rental assistance as well as for the major appliances.
Our Adopt a Family Project was our Christmas appeal and has been very well received. This voluntary project addresses the immediate, short, and long-term needs of primarily the Orthodox victims of the Gulf Coast tragedy. After a long and arduous process to locate all of the families in need, a registry was compiled and distributed to the Chapters. Most families have lost everything. If a Chapter wished to assist and support this project by sponsoring a family, they could with a donation of the actual item or a gift card to selected stores. As of March 8, 2006 we have had 53 chapters inquire about adopting families with more inquires occurring daily. As of March 8, 2006 over $19,000 has been received in gift cards from 24 chapters throughout the Archdiocese. Gift cards have been distributed to 38 families. Philoptochos is thankful, that through the benevolence of our Chapters, we can help rebuild the lives of those devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It was our objective to provide the hope, the trust, and the confidence that the lives of these families improve with our support and assistance and that we may offer them the strength to endure, the grace to look beyond the loss, and the hope for a brighter future. During this sacred time of the year Great Lent, let us respond more fervently with an even higher impact of outreach. Dee Nicolaou will give us a more in depth report later in our agenda.
Our work as Philoptochos is not complete, as the crisis is far from over, as I witnessed first hand on my trip to New Orleans, specifically the 9th Ward, which was the area that was the most impoverished and the one that was hardest hit. The horrific scenes that we viewed on television were dramatically worse in person. Based on the very grim situation that was viewed, I have requested that we reinstate our discussions with Habitat For Humanity, who has been working in the Gulf Coast since the tragedy occurred, by providing long term solutions to the housing needs of families who have been displaced by the disasters. Today, we will have the opportunity to hear Mr. Rick Beech, Director of Church relations, Habitat for Humanity International, who will provide an overview of Habitat’s ministry and discuss how we may collaborate on the Gulf Coast and maybe beyond.
We will also have with us today, Mr. Jeffrey Towers, Senior Vice-President for Marketing, Development and Communications, for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Mr. Towers traveled to Niger in late summer 2005 to witness UNICEF’s work during the food crises. He will share his thoughts with us on the challenge that was met and the success achieved and update us on Niger’s current situation. He will also present an update on the aftermath of the earthquake in Pakistan, which occurred in November 2005. Mr. Towers will also address the importance of our thirty plus year partnership with UNICEF and the Society’s invaluable support to its numerous programs.
I am eternally grateful that through the efforts of our members, we, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, can offer significant assistance to those living in crisis situations as the result of the devastating occurrences that destroy and shatter lives.
As we continually move forward and explore new endeavors and enhanced forms of philanthropic outreach, beyond the boundaries of our own communities, we have incorporated new programs that have a further global reach, and which will serve humankind in a greater and broader scope. Our Wheelchair project is one such program. Thanks to the generosity of our Chapters, we as a Society, have collected almost $61,000. These funds have allowed us to be successful in producing a container of 280 wheelchairs and vocational training for the 280 individuals who will receive these wheelchairs in the Republic of Georgia. We are grateful that we can assist in the gift of mobility where the dignity, hope and the quality of life of these individuals can be restored. It is because of the wonderful response to this project by our Chapters and because of very generous individual donors that we will be able to send a full container to Thessaloniki Greece. I wanted to thank Arlene Siavelis for her very comprehensive work on this Project. Arlene has been working closely with Joe Hodge, Director of Operations/Programs of the Wheelchair Foundation, who will prepare the container of 280 wheelchairs, and Constantine Zografopoulos, who is on the Board of "Perpato", an organization he founded in Greece, near Thessaloniki, who will work with the Foundation to distribute the wheelchairs to those most in need. The Wheelchairs will be embroidered with Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society USA on the back.
In the spirit of continuing to expand our outreach, I am pleased to share with you that with the approval of the National Board, it is my hope that we may support the program titled the National Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Fr. Mark Leondis, Director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Department of the Archdiocese, presented the Executive Board information regarding the OCF.
The National Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has been established through the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Department of the Archdiocese. It is a group of people on a university or college campus, who come together for fellowship, to learn more about the Orthodox faith and to maintain their bonds to the Church. The OCF program has been called "lifelines" for students, providing them with opportunities to stay connected with and grow in the faith. The National OCF is hoping to partner with the National Philoptochos Society to help our students stay connected to the Church utilizing the Connect Kit. This collection of essentials includes a New Testament, Icons, Orthodox prayer books, books on the faith, and other resources. The OCF is hoping that National Philoptochos becomes instrumental in raising awareness of this resource, through promotion and sponsorship, within our Chapters. Cost per kit is $29.95.
At our September National Board meeting, the National Board voted to fund a $60,000 project to develop a Children’s Medical Clinic and School in Ambo, Ethiopia. For the 2005 Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon, the Philoptochos expanded the Children’s Medical Fund to include the establishment of a six-room clinic in Ambo, focusing on the provision of free medical care for HIV and AIDS infected orphans. It is because of the overwhelming success of the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon that we were able to successfully fund the clinic. We still have a commitment of $25,000 for the adjoining school. His Grace Bishop Andonios, through private donations has collected $12,500 for this project with $12,500 remaining. I hope that we will finalize this by the end of our meetings through our individual donations.
Our new commitments, which we began in the year 2005 from the resolutions of the previous National Philoptochos Biennial Conventions, have been well supported by our Chapters. I reported on the success of the Retired Clergy Benevolence Fund at our last meeting and now I will report on the drives for the National Sisterhood of Presbyteres Benevolent Fund and the General Medical Fund, which have taken place in November and December respectively. As of February 28, 2006, we have collected over $26,000 for the Sisterhood of Presbyteres and almost $24,000 for the General Medical Fund.
I am extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished by our Standing and Special Committees of the National Board. These committees have been working actively and diligently, implementing their action plan to achieve their established goals. Later in the agenda, you will be hearing committee reports from several of the chairmen, but I would like to highlight the work of several of our National Philoptochos Special and Standing Committees.
The Project Bank sub-committee, under Chairmen Pam Argyris and Irene Arsoniadis will be reviewing with us today, the updated results of the survey that has been mailed to our Chapters. This survey has allowed us the means to preview the many and diverse outreach projects that Chapters have undertaken on the local level, which in turn may lead to projects that can be implemented as National programs. The survey was also a means of determining what each Chapter’s total financial contributions are to philanthropic outreach, so that we may establish a financial figure that reflects our entire Society. All of the information derived from this survey will be shared with our Chapters. We have not had the full participation of our Chapters in this endeavor. I would like our Metropolis Presidents and our National Board members to encourage the execution of this survey at their local level. All of the submissions of outreach projects will be compiled into a special Project Bank document that will be included in the forthcoming Philoptochos Handbook. It will be a wonderful idea bank for our Chapters to draw upon.
Our Project Bank sub-committee has also worked diligently to implement the new National Philoptochos initiative titled the National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program. The objective of this program is to promote literacy through a "hands-on" approach. This program will target both children and adults, and will be tailored according to the individual capabilities of each Philoptochos Chapter. It will also be a means to heighten the awareness of Philoptochos within the community. A very comprehensive document was mailed to our Chapters in November, including a detailed description of how to implement the program at the Chapter level. We will hear an update from the Chairmen later in the agenda. It is my hope, that as National Board members, you have discussed and encouraged participation in this project, as well as all of our National Philoptochos activities, programs, and projects at your local and metropolis level.
Our Newsletter sub-committee, under the capable leadership of National Board member Evellyn Tsiadis, along with Helen Anagnostakos, and Christine Karavites, have worked diligently and tirelessly to bring the Society a new tool of communication for our membership. It has been completed and we will be reviewing the final copy. We anticipate that it will go to print next week and then be distributed to our Chapters. Please encourage your Chapters to send in highlights of their projects and activities to the committee for the April 30, 2006 deadline.
Our Membership Chairmen, Pennie Anast along with Co-Chairman Pauline O’Neil have planned a very informative session for us this afternoon, featuring Anna Reyes, an ‘International Leadership and Organization Consultant’, who will present an interactive presentation titled " Deriving Benefits from Human Diversity: The Alien Among Us".
Words cannot begin to express our deepest gratitude to our 10th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon Chairman, Martha Stefanidakis, and her co-chairmen, Elaine Cladis and Cindy Demeris for their unceasing work in making the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon a phenomenal success. Your extraordinary efforts, as well as all of the extraordinary efforts of the many chairmen, committees and volunteers, locally in the Metropolis of Denver and nationally, provided us with a Luncheon that will be fondly remembered by everyone in attendance, but primarily will be the means of providing children with the gift of hope and promise for a wonderful long and healthy life. We had the privilege and honor of distributing $125,000 to five very worthy hospitals in the Metropolis of Denver and $35,000 to the Children’s Medical Clinic in Ambo, Ethiopia. I am delighted to announce that the Metropolis of San Francisco will host the 2007 Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon.
The 2006 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention chairmen, Maria Stavropoulos, Katherine Kotsis and Eleni Zaferes have been planning and discussing almost daily, to bring the delegates a marvelous, exciting and rewarding Convention this July. A schedule and program has been planned that will stimulate, excite, educate and inspire the members of the Philoptochos Society to raise the bar on their philanthropic outreach and ministry. A week of special events is also planned to allow us to experience a taste of that famous Southern hospitality. Maria, Katherine and Eleni will give you a more detailed report later in the agenda.
I would like to express my love and my great appreciation to the members of my Executive Board for their ongoing dedication and commitment to Philoptochos and for their constant assistance, support, and guidance, and, above all, their friendship. I sincerely appreciate their strength, their leadership, and their genuine dedication and commitment to our Philoptochos Society. I thank you all from the depths of my heart, as we share in a very special opportunity to continue to create a Philoptochos that is a prominent, significant, unique, and driving force of philanthropic outreach across our entire nation.
I would also like to express my profound gratitude to the National Board for their devotion to, and active participation in, the enhancement of our Society’s charitable and philanthropic endeavors. Without your support, commitment and dedication, these accomplishments also would not have been possible. It is my sincere hope, that as National Board members and as liaisons and ambassadors of the National Board, that this role and responsibility is taken seriously and that you are actively participating in the enhancement of our Society’s endeavors at your local levels.
We offer our love and special thanks to His Grace Bishop Andonios, our spiritual advisor to our Philoptochos Society. His Grace is a person who has an abundance of love, compassion, spirituality, humility and wisdom. We are most grateful for the support and guidance that he provides. We are blessed to have His Grace provide us with spiritual nourishment throughout our deliberations over the next two days.
On behalf of the entire Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the staff of our National Office, Helen Lavorata, Kay Brakatselos, Katina Katsanevas, Stella Xikis and Diamond Prassakos, for all of their hard work, their support and their constant desire to help in every way that they can.
The sacred journey of Great Lent will culminate with the celebration of Pascha. At the stroke of midnight, the Paschal candle is illuminated at the altar – the candle that represents Christ, the Light of the World.
"Come receive the Light, from the Light, that is never overtaken by night, and glorify Christ, who is risen from the dead." (Troparion of the Resurrection). "I am the Light of the world"; in every Orthodox Church we read these words "I am the Light of the world." This Light is the Word of God that illuminates our hearts, our minds, our bodies and souls. It is only because of God’s love and great mercy for humankind that we are here almost 2000 years later to proclaim the good news of the Resurrection. Let us continue in all aspects of our life to proclaim that good news to the world.
May the Light of God’s love fill your heart with peace, grace, and joy.