Special Committees

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

ACADEMY OF SAINT BASIL

Chair:                  Evellyn Tsiadis
Co-Chair:             Kalli Tsitsipas
Vasilopita Chairs:   Aspasia Melis
                          Georgia Vlitas

Sisterhood Chairs:  Katherine Kotsis
Graduation Chair:   Christine Karavites
Committee:           Theano Catzopoulos
                          Cindy Demeris
                          Georgia Kaloidis
                          Demetra Safiol
                          Evan Scurtis
                          Joanne Stavrakis

The mission of the Academy of Saint Basil Committee is:

To assist the Academy in providing a loving, Orthodox Christian residential home in which the children who seek the Academy's protection are transformed through faith, academics, mutual respect, trust, pride, positive values, teamwork and fulfilling, rewarding and lasting relationships;

To promote awareness of the Academy, with the cooperation and assistance of parish priests, Philoptochos Chapter Presidents and the Philoptochos Metropolis Boards, through the dissemination of educational pamphlets, and sponsoring visitations and retreats;

To promote support among Philoptochos Chapters for the Annual Vasilopita Drive, the Zoe Cavalaris Fund and the Sisterhood of Saint Basil, and to secure and identify other funding resources;

In which the children and individuals who are enrolled in the Bridge program receive services.

 

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Chair:          Barbara Pasalis
Co-Chair:     Patty Chacopoulos
Committee:  Theone Dickos
                  Valerie Roumeliotis 
                  Georgia Skeadas
                  Crystal Thomas
                  Georgia Vlitas

Through shared values, principles and vision, the threefold mission of the National Philoptochos Office Administration Committee is to make recommendations to the Executive Board with regard to the following:

1. Designing the physical lay-out of the National Philoptochos office and purchasing the necessary furnishings and equipment.
2. Establishing office procedures that will ensure the smooth, efficient and effective functioning and operations of the staff and office of the National Philoptochos Society.
3. Editing and updating the existing Employee Handbook and Procedural Manual.

 

BYLAWS

Chair:         Anita Kartalopoulos
Co-Chair:    Maria Logus
Committee:  Helen Demos
                 Penny Korkos
                 Diane Tsechares
                 Sylvia Vellio
                 Peggy Vranas

The mission of the Bylaws Committee shall be the on-going review and evaluation of the Society's Bylaws, as they affect the operation of the local Parish Chapters, the Metropolis Philoptochos Board and the National Philoptochos Board. Where appropriate, the Committee shall recommend changes to the Bylaws, and shall provide assistance in the interpretation of the Society's Bylaws and specially adopted procedures.

 

CHILDREN'S MEDICAL FUND

Chair:           Evangeline Scurtis
Committee:    Eula Carols 
                   Anne Feles
                   Elaine Kevgas
                   Betty Lantz
                   Helen Misthos
                   Demetra Safiol
                   Joyce Spanakis
                   Kalli Tsitsipas
                   Patricia Sourlis
CMF Advisory Committee:
                   Valerie Roumeliotis
                   Patty Chacopoulos
                   Kathy Gabriel
                   Marina Kookootsedes
                   Jeannie Ranglas

Since its establishment in 1989, the Children's Medical Fund has sought to provide medical assistance to critically ill Greek, Greek-American and Orthodox children, whose families are unable to afford appropriate and necessary medical treatment. The Fund also researches and provides grants for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals throughout the United States.

 

CONVENTION GUIDELINES

Co-Chairs: Froso Beys
               Maria Logus

 

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Chair:          Faye Peponis
Co-Chair:     Crystal Thomas
Committee:  Theone Chatzopoulos
                  Helen Demos
                  Marina Kookootsedes
                  Penny Korkos
                  Lila Prounis
                  Maria Stavropoulos

The mission of this committee seeks to support the philanthropic programs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate including, but not limited to, Balukli nursing home, orphanage, schools and shrines by the Philoptochos chapters, and to educate the faithful of the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

FUNDRAISING/SPECIAL EVENTS

Chair:          Kassandra Romas
Co-Chairs:    Pat Galanas
Committee:   Christine Anastas
                  Froso Beyes
                  Anne Feles
                  Elaine Kevgas
                  Georgia Lagadinos
                  Marie Tzagournis
                  Barbara Vittas

The mission of the Special Events/Fundraising Committee is to actively propose new resources and events to aid in fundraising, as necessary.

HANDBOOK

Chair:       Yiota Simoglou
Co-Chairs: Dee Nicolaou
               Ourania Soumas

The mission of the Handbook Committee is to prepare a complete, comprehensive resource tool for National Philoptochos Board members, Metropolis Philoptochos presidents, Metropolis Philoptochos Boards, Philopthcos Chapter presidents and Chapter members. The Committee will be responsible for providing updated materials as needed.

 HELLENIC COLLEGE/HOLY CROSS

Chairs:         Diane Miminos
                  Yiota Simoglou
                  Daphne Zaralidis
Committee:   Philippa Condakes
                  Eleni Giannakis
                  Katherine Kotsis
                  Demetra Kotsis

The Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology Committee seeks to serve the needs of the institution by promoting its mission throughout the Christian Orthodox parishes of the Archdiocese of America, by encouraging enrollment in the School, and by insuring that Parish Chapters meet their financial commitment to the Scholarship Fund and the Lenten Appeal Event.

 

IOCC

Chair:          Elaine Cladis
Co-Chair:      Laura Nixon
Committee:   Kerry Agathoklis
                  Valine Georgeson
                  Patricia Sourlis

The mission of the IOCC Committee is to provide financial assistance to IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians, which provides food, shelter, economic self-sufficiency and hope to those in need, and to continue fundraising through our regular drives and to better communicate to the Chapters the scope of this ministry.

 

LEGAL

Chair:         Anita Kartalopoulos

 

NATIONAL OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

Committee:   Stella Fiorentino
                  Nellie Logothetides
                  Argeria Logus
                  Helen Misthos
                  Ourania Soumas
                  Kalli Tsitsipas
                  Sylvia Vellios

 

NEW PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVES

 Chairs:         Crystal Thomas
                   Barbara Pasalis

Remaining ever-mindful of the goals and overarching mission of the Society, the mission of the New Philanthropic Initiatives Committee is to:

1. Research and evaluate current trends and public concerns that require the Society's understanding, promotion and involvement in order to better our local, national and global communities.
2. Develop opportunities to become involved and contribute to these worthy causes, projects and events.
3. Review current and past projects for relevancy.

 

OCF

Chair:          Irene Arsoniadis
Co-Chair:     Pat Gogos
Committee:  Cindy Demeris
                  Mary Doreza
                  Christine Karavites
                  Betty Lantz

OCMC AND SAMP

Chair:         Beck Demery
Committee:  Helen Ballerano
                 Voula Dodd
                 Celeste Moschos

The OCMC Committee seeks to assist Orthodox missionary teams in their efforts to spread the message of the Orthodox Church worldwide. The Committee shall encourage support for Orthodox Bishops and priests in mission areas, as they endeavor to build and restore churches, community centers and medical facilities.

The Support a Mission Priest Committee seeks to provide financial assistance to Orthodox priests throughout the world, particularly to priests assigned to areas where sub-standard living conditions exist, and to encourage more missionary work among the clergy.

 

PROJECT REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT

Chair:          Arlene Siavelis
Co-Chair:     Marilyn Tzakis
Committee:   Pam Argyris
                  Irene Arsoniadis
                  Helen Carnegis
                  Pat Galanis

The mission of the Project Review and Management Committee is to review and evaluate the standing committees that are in place and to research new philanthropic projects for our organization.

 PROTOCOL

Chair:          Haeda Mihaltses
Committee:   Helen Demos
                  Georgia Skeadas

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Chairs:         Christine Karavites
                  Barbara Pasalis
Committee:   Metropolis Presidents

Sub-Committees:

WEBSITE

 Chairs:       Helen Carnegis
                 Valine Georgeson

NEWSLETTER

Chairs:        Mary Doreza
                 Marie Tzagournis
Committee:  Angela Felactu
                 Nellie Logothetides

NEW DOCUMENTS/PAMPHLETS

Chair:          Dee Nicolaou
Committee:   Helen Carnegis
                  Christina Anastas

ORTHODOX OBSERVER/MULTI-MEDIA

Co-Chairs:   Faye Peponis
                 Barbara Vittas
Committee:  Dee Nicolaou
                 Billie Zumo

The mission of the Public Relations Committee is to promote Philoptochos' vision efficiently and effectively and to project Philoptochos as a viable, vibrant, vital and intergenerational organization using various forms of media such as print, television, radio, and the internet.

 

RELOCATION

Chair:          Kassandra Romas
Committee:   Patty Chacopoulos
                  Marika Drakotos
                  Penny Korkos
                  Haeda Mihaltses
                  Faye Peponis
                  Maria Skiadas
                  Ourania Soumas
                  Crystal Thomas

 

SAINT PHOTIOS GREEK ORTHODOX SHRINE

Chair:          Eula Carlos
Committee:   Marika Drokotos
                  Joanne Stavrakas

The Saint Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine Committee strives to provide financial assistance to, and encourage awareness of and involvement in, the National Shrine, a religious and cultural center, dedicated to our Greek Orthodox ancestors, who arrived in St. Augustine, Florida.

 

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

Chair:            Agatha Felactu
Committee:    Josephine Avaneas
                    Helen Malachias
                    Carol Venturatos 

TECHNOLOGY

Chair:            Diane Tsechares
Co-Chair:       Barbara Pasalis
Committee:     Pam Argyris
                    Irene Arsoniadis
                    Christine Karavites
                    Cyrstal Thomas

The mission of the Technology Committee is to periodically review and access the current computer system and to consider upgrades or necessary changes in software and hardware as the need arises, as we strive to remain technologically current.

 

UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)

Chair:          Sophia Altin
Committee:   Elaine Kevgas
                  Marie Tzagournis

The UNICEF Committee serves as a liaison for the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society to UNICEF.

The mission of the UNICEF Committee is:

1. To obtain and disseminate relevant information and encourage the support by Philoptochos Chapters of this National Commitment;
2. To obtain and disseminate information on worldwide humanitarian issues and to provide funds when needed;
3. To continue fundraising through our regular drives and to better communicate to the Chapters the scope of this ministry.