General Assembly of the Hellenic American National Council and Elections Announced. Philadelphia, August 14, 2015
The 26th General Assembly of the Hellenic American National Council (SSC) is expected to have a high turnout of member-federations and youth representatives. The assembly will take place on the weekend of October 10-11, 2015 at Hotel «Capital Hilton» in Washington, DC. The Hellenic American National Council is the umbrella organization of the Diaspora and this year it completes 23 years since its establishment. The main objective of the organization is to coordinate the efforts of the Greek community organizations for the greater good of the Diaspora and the homeland. The General Assembly will focus on the renewal, upgrading and expansion of the historic institution, and on issues of Greek American interests. One of the main issues to be discussed at the conference is the search of ways to assist Greece and the Greek citizens in this difficult period, in a collective and coordinated effort. There will also be an extensive discussion on the contribution of our Diaspora in our national issues. Keynote speaker is the President of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) Philip Christopher, and among the speakers are, the distinguished lawyer and senior member of the Board of the American Greek Institute (AHI) Nikos Karampelas, the director of the Institute Lexington Constance Baroudos, the veteran journalist and director of “Voice of America» (VOA) George Bistis, and representatives of the Greek and Cypriot Embassy in Washington. Mr. Bistis will focus on the conference that was just held by the Hellenic Caucus in Congress at the initiative of Members Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, with the topic “we stand with Greece.” “Our members have expressed particular interest in the forthcoming Assembly as it concerns the future of our institution,” says HANC President Paul Kotrotsios.
“In our last meeting on May 9in New York, it was decided to have the general assembly and we set the date to conduct our elections in the second weekend of October 2015; also, the issuance of a special tribute to the history of the HANC and its members was decided at this meeting. We invite all interested organizations and members of the Hellenic Diaspora to participate. ” The General Director of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, Michalis Kokkinos, in a written message addressed to HANC members states: “Today, new ways of understanding are required both to upgrade our organizations towards attracting youth, and for the connection of our expatriates with the homeland. The General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and myself, have prioritized the drafting of the new bill, which will regulate the operation and organization of the Council of Hellenes Abroad. Also, we want to build a relationship of trust on our goals to solve the everyday problems of the Hellenic Diaspora and our reactivation in hospitality programs at the homeland, while trying to contribute positively -although this is not in the objectives of the organization- on top issues of the education of Greek children abroad, and voting of the Diaspora.” Mr. Kokkinos also makes specific reference to the enormous contribution of the first President of HANC, Theodoros Spyropoulos, who passed one year ago. During the reception held in honor of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the Greek Consulate General in New York, the President of HANC, Paul Kotrotsios, expressed the intention of the Greek American community, both individually and collectively, to support all efforts aimed at the progress and development of the homeland.
