GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE

GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE SUPREME CONVENTION BOSTON, MA FINAL REPORT July 22, 2005 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Kostas Gus Hazifotis, Chairman, San Jose, CA John P Copoulos, Reno, NV John N. Tsimekles, Greenacres, FL John J. Manolukas, Youngstown, OH George Zografides, Youngstown, OH Demetrios Kirkiles, Fort Lauderdale, FL Alex Scott, West Palm Beach, FL Jonathan Stroup, Warren, OH

GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AHEPA was created to educate the Greek Immigrant, assist him to become an American Citizen, to fight discrimination against him and help him become part of the American Fabric. AHEPA was a huge success. Today that need does not exist. Now AHEPA must reinvent itself to provide programs and services important to today s Hellenic American. Further, AHEPA is the only Greek Organization that can promote Hellenism in the US and educate our children and grandchildren on Hellenism, their heritage, culture, customs and traditions. In order for AHEPA to grow and prosper, the AHEPA Leadership should place its efforts on the Order of AHEPA, its problems AND its needs. The emphases should be on AHEPA Programs and Services and AHEPA National Projects. AHEPA is the greatest and most successful organization of its kind. It must now evolve to serve the next generation of Hellenes and take its rightful place as the premier Hellenic organization worldwide. Obstacles to growth include: 1. Resistance to increasing annual dues. 2. The aging AHEPA Membership and the steady loss of members through attrition. 3. No sustainable Membership Program. 4. No program to attract our Youth to the Order. 5. No compelling reason to join AHEPA. 6. Limited services and programs for existing members. The following are issues that the Committee has briefly investigated and recommends that the Convention adopts the recommendation that the Growth and Expansion Committee be established as a standing Committee. Since their primary mission shall be Membership, the Supreme Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Committee. Services and Programs will be explored and discussed and presented to the Board or Supreme Lodge for implementation. THE PROBLEM ORGANIZATIONAL AHEPA is a large diverse group that is made up of an Adult Group and a Youth Group. The Adult Group (AHEPA) is essentially 21 on. The Youth Group (SOP) ages are 14 to 29. Each Group has different needs and interests because of the age factor. Even within the two major groups, there are different priorities, again because of age differences. SOP & AHEPA (18 to 30) Interests Education, Profession, Trade, Business, Marriage. 1. Education Scholarships 2. Mentor Program Career Counseling 3. Networking Professionals, Businessmen, Tradesmen 4. Sports Basketball, Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Soccer 5. Socializing Meeting other Youth of Hellenic Descent 6. Hellenism Learning their Heritage, Customs and Traditions 7. Travel SOP Group Travel, etc.

AHEPA (30 55) Interest Family, Sports, Employment, Travel, Home Purchase, Church, Community, AHEPA 1. Socializing Conventions at Resort Areas and affordable sites where the Youth would attend. 2. Sports Local, District, Regional and National 3. Networking for Young Professionals 4. Religion Parish Council, AHEPA Day, Seminary Scholarships 5. Hellenism Supporting Youth Programs on Hellenism (Dance Groups, Sports Teams, Greek Language, etc.) GROWTH & EXPANSION, page 2 7. Support Hellenes and Phil Hellenes entering Politics for holding Office on the Local, County, State and National scene. 8. AHEPA Office Chapter, District, National 9. Financial Planning AHEPA (55 On) Interest Family, Health, Travel, Church, Security, Retirement, Bequests. 1. Estate Planning Investment Management, Insurance Health, Life, etc. 2. Group Travel sponsored by AHEPA 3. Prescriptions and Medical Supplies 4. AHEPA Office Chapter, District, National 5. Support Hellenes and Phil Hellenes entering Politics or holding office on the Local and National scene. 6. Provide Scholarships, Donate to National Projects 7. End of Life Issues A. REGIONS In order to better monitor the progress of any Membership Program, it is recommended the, country be divided into eight Regions or Zones. Regional Membership Director shall assigned to each Zone and be accountable for Membership. A Regional Director shall be knowledgeable of AHEPA, a Prominent AHEPAN from that Region, who has the time, knows the Districts (District Officers, Chapter Officers), willing to devote the time, who can motivate the Chapters to significantly increase membership. The Regional Director shall report to the Supreme Vice President and have a Membership quota to meet. The budget for a Regional Director shall be up to $6,000 for travel expenses (air, auto, hotel). The Regional Director shall share success programs for recruiting members with all Regional Directors. The Regional Director shall be DIGITAL in the use of E mail and the Internet. The Regional Membership Director shall be designated or appointed by the Supreme Vice President for a three year term. The initial Members shall be staggered (1yr, 2yr, 3yr). No member shall serve more than two full terms. A monthly report outlining activities shall be submitted to the Supreme Vice President. B. MEMBERSHIP In order to project the AHEPA story, we need communication tools and marketing materials to assist all members to recruit worthy Hellenes and Phil Hellenes. 1. Marketing Material a. History of AHEPA

b. Why join AHEPA? c. What is AHEPA? d. Public Relations Effort 2. Advertise and promote AHEPA a. Write stories about AHEPA activities for Newspapers b. TV coverage for major events 3. Improve communications with the Membership (Internet) a. Establish a monthly newsletter for his Region via E mail

GROWTH & EXPANSION, page 3 C. BUDGET AND FUNDING The AHEPA Budget problems can be corrected if the Membership program is successful. The figures below are a net increase in membership. To have a net increase in membership, we must take approximately 10% for attrition. In other words, we must recruit approximately 1500 members just to stay even. NEW MEMBERS INCR. BUDGET 1000 $37,500 2000 $75,000 3000 $112,000 4000 $150,000 5000 $187,500 6000 $224,000 The target is 5000 net new members each year for three years. This is why it is important to place the emphasis on Membership. The cost for a Membership Program is estimated at $48,000 per year. D. MEMBER REINSTATEMENT & RETENTION It is easier to reinstate a member than recruit a new member. A program to bring delinquent members back to the Order, shall be developed. Retention is a problem for all Chapters. To improve this situation, the following is suggested: 1. The Sponsor of the New Member shall call the member to remind him of the meeting. 2. The New Member should be assigned some task or project to encourage active participation. E. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS Develop a Contest to promote interest and competition in a Membership Drive. 1. Have an AHEPA Family Regional Leadership Conference in every Zone. 2. Have mass Initiation Ceremonies at the Leadership Conferences 3. Membership Contest winners (Chapter) shall be honored at the National Convention 4. Recruit your CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN F. PROGRAMS Programs must be developed to service the needs of the Membership. 1. Senior Citizens Housing 2. Charter Schools 3. Hellenism Seminars and Courses 4. Education Scholarships 5. Community Outreach 6. Government Relations 7. Form a 541 Political Action Committee for Hellenic Issues 8. Global Internet Forum sponsored by AHEPA 9. Publicize and promote the AHEPA National Projects

10. Develop Leadership Conferences for each Zone 11. Make Conventions more Meaningful and Informative 12. Comprehensive AHEPA Calendar (National, District and Chapters) 13. Develop Senior Citizens Information for assistance and advocacy for Senior Issues

GROWTH & EXPANSION, page 4 G. AFFINITY PROGRAMS Develop infinity programs with business partners 1. Insurance a. Auto Insurance b. Home Insurance c. Life and Health Plans d. Small Business Group Plans e. Accident Insurance f. Disability Income g. Dental Insurance h. Short Term Medical Insurance i. Prescription Insurance 2. Travel Agency a. Domestic b. International c. Cruises d. Car Rental Program e. Group travel 3. Financial a. Personal and Financial Programs b. Legal Service c. Estate Planning 4. Prescriptions and Medical Supplies 5. Credit Card 6. Business Services a. Parcel Delivery b. Long Distance Telephone Service c. Business Credit Card 7. Cellular Phone Service 8. AHEPA Gift Store a. Clothing b. Jacket and Coat c. Shirt & Sweaters e. Brief Case 9. AHEPA Jewelry a. Pins, Rings, Watch 10. AHEPA Misc. a. AHEPA Material b. Award Plaques & Trophies 11. E mail address directory for all members 12. Directory of Goods and Services of Members a. Sorted by category and region b. Link to their Web Site c. Provide E mail Services to member 13. Employment Posting of position openings 14. Posting of resumes of members seeking employment

15. The ability to apply for Membership and pay on line 16. Senior and End of Life information, advocacy and assistance (i.e. Health and Insurance Issues, Senior Citizens Services).

GROWTH & EXPANSION, page 5 REGIONAL DIRECTOR DUTIES The Duties of a Regional Director are designated by the Supreme Vice President and represents the Supreme Lodge in the Region or Zone for the Membership Program. The Regional Member Directors report to the Supreme Vice President who is the Chairman of this Growth and Expansion Committee. He is encouraged to attend as many AHEPA meetings and functions in his Region promoting Membership. The Regional Directors can often piggybacking on the District Governors visitations. Travel expenses up to $6,000 are reimbursed for approved travel expenses (air, auto, hotel) within the Region. The expense allowance ($6000) will only offset a portion of the travel expenses incurred. Each Regional Director is contributing his time, talent and treasury for this major undertaking. Specific duties include: 1. Develop a Membership Program for his Region. 2. Identify District Officers, Chapter Officers and key AHEPANS in the Region 3. Obtain the Calendars for all Districts, Chapters and Hellenic Events 4. Establish communications with the Membership i. E mail recommended as an efficient, regular basis. ii. Attend as many AHEPA Functions as feasible 5. Provide articles on membership for District Newsletters and Chapter communications 6. Assist in investigating Affinity Programs for goods and services 7. Present proposed Affinity Programs to the Supreme Lodge and Board The Regional Director shall submit a Monthly Activity Report on the Regional Membership activities. This Report shall be submitted to the Supreme Vice President. As a minimum, the report shall include the following: 1. Executive Summary Summarizing the Monthly Activities 2. Activities and visitations made 3. Important communications 4. Monthly totals and running totals and progress of the Zone Membership Drive a. Reinstatement b. New Members c. Transfers 5. Schedule of next month s Activities and visitations 6. Problems encountered 7. Successes in your Region 8. Suggestions 9. Monthly Expenses H. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Growth and Expansion Committee be a standing Committee with qualified personnel to assist in the evolution of AHEPA. The primary duties of the Committee are Membership but will also work with Headquarters and the Board to establish business partners for the Affinity Program. Revenues collected from Affinity Programs should fund the Growth and Expansion Committee, the Membership Program and assist with Headquarters and mailing expenses

Gentlemen, thank you. Kostas G. Hazifotis, Chairman

DATE: July 21, 2005 TO: LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FROM: GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE SUBJECT: Proposed Legislation for a Standing Growth and Expansion Committee Membership is the life s blood of the Order of AHEPA. In order to establish a comprehensive Membership Program that will continue year after year, it is recommended that the Growth and Expansion Committee continue their effort throughout the year It is proposed that the Legislation be prepared to provide a Standing Committee for the specific purpose of increasing Membership in the Order of AHEPA. This Committee is called the Growth and Expansion Committee. The duties of this Committee shall be as follows: 1. Increase the AHEPA Membership (5,000 per year for three years) 2. Develop Services and Programs to serve the Membership The eight Regions as identified by the proposed Zones in the US. The Regions may be modified to suit Recruiting. The make up of the Growth and Expansion Committee is as follows: 1. The Regional Membership Directors (8) shall be designated by the Supreme Vice President. (three year term) 2. The Supreme Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Committee. It is further proposed budget $48,000 per year. This Report of the Growth and Expansion Committee provides the framework for the Membership Program. The substance and detail of this program shall be developed and implemented. Thank you, GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE Kostas Gus Hazifotis, Chairman, San Jose, CA ` John P Copoulos, Reno, NV John N. Tsimekles, Greenacres, FL John J. Manolukas, Youngstown, OH George Zografides, Youngstown, OH Dimitrios Kirkiles, Fort Lauderdale, FL Alex Scott, West Palm Beach, FL Jonathan Stroup, Warren, OH James Pittakis,

DATE: July 21, 2005 TO: AHEPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BUDGET COMMITTEE FROM: GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE SUBJECT: Proposed Budget for a Standing Growth and Expansion Committee It is proposed that the proposed budget be approved for the proposed Standing Committee for the specific purpose of increasing Membership I the Order of AHEPA. This Committee is called the Growth and Expansion Committee. The duties of this Committee shall be as follows: 1. Increase the AHEPA Membership (5,000 per year for three years) 2. Develop Services and Programs to serve the Membership The eight (8) Regions identified shall follow the proposed eight Zones in the US. The make up of the Growth and Expansion Committee is as follows: 3. The Regional Directors (8) shall be designated by the Supreme President. 4. The Supreme Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Committee. It is further proposed budget $48,000 per year, plus literature and communications. It is expected that after the first year, the Affinity Programs that will be developed as part of the Services and Programs for the AHEPA Membership shall be sufficient to cover the cost of the expenses for this Committee. Enclosed is a Draft Report of the Growth and Expansion Committee providing the substance and detail of this proposed Committee. Thank you, GROWTH AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE Kostas Gus Hazifotis, Chairman, San Jose, CA ` John P Copoulos, Reno, NV John N. Tsimekles, Greenacres, FL John J. Manolukas, Youngstown, OH George Zografides, Youngstown, OH Dimitrios Kirkiles, Fort Lauderdale, FL Alex Scot, West Palm Beach, FL Jonathan Stroup, Warren, OH James Pittakis,