ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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LEADERSHIP 100
JUNE 25, 2000
Membership Drive Momentum Continues
Archbishop Appeals to Prospective Members Following is Archbishop Demetrios letter sent to prospective members of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund. I am writing to you personally as one who is a fellow member of a distinguished group of people. As Greek Orthodox Christians in America, we belong to a family that is triply blessed: we are members of the Body of Christ in His Church, members of the body of Hellenism worldwide, and members of this vast and vital American Society. There is a saying nowadays that membership has its privileges. How true that is for us! Like no other people in the history of the world, we as Greek Orthodox Christians in America enjoy the finest blessings in all things, spiritually and culturally and economically. Yet when I think of this marvelous triple heritage that we have received, I think also of the words of the Lord, who said, Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required (Luke 12:48). Membership has responsibilities along with privileges. For this reason, the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund was launched in 1984. Through membership in Leadership 100, Greek Orthodox Christians in America have a special opportunity to support the needs of the Church, the cause of Hellenism, and the life of this great nation at one and the same time. Since its inception, the Leadership 100 fund has grown to more than $50 million and has provided over $4 million in grants to programs that sustain and advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism in the United States, for the benefit of our Greek-American Community and our society at large. I hope that you will give your fullest attention and consideration to this appeal to enroll yourself as a member in Leadership 100 by pledging a gift of $100,000 to the ministry of the Church. This contribution may be made in a single payment, in four installments of $25,000 or in yearly installments of $10,000 for 10 years. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, and praying for the continued blessings of God upon you and your loved ones, I remain, With paternal love in Christ,
by Jim Golding
Following the success of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund s annual conference in Washington in May, the organization s efforts to attract new members continue to gain momentum. The response has been phenomenal, said Millennium Membership Drive Chairman Stephen Yeonas, who credited Leadership s Executive Committee and board, and area chairmen for the drive s continuing success. A big factor is the $10 million pledge to the school, Mr. Yeonas noted. Many candidates want to see where their money is going and want to see more grants. He continued, We ve made great strides. As of May 31, a total of 95 new members have pledged. The New Jersey
Mr. Anton added. Endowment fund leaders also seek to rekindle interest in the organization among those members who have not yet fulfilled their pledges. John Marks of Chicago is spearheading the effort. We depend on people to fulfill our promise, he said. The Church fulfills its promise and we want to have everybody who has made initial commitment and who has not fulfilled to step forward and do it now, he said. The Church needs the support of the laity, and the laity needs the support of church, he continued. We have been blessed with many good things in our lives, and we need to give back what we can. Leadership 100 has set forth outstanding goals to fund various ministries of the
ÿ DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America AT THE recent Leadership 100 conference in Washington, three founders of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund were honored with commemorative crystal bowls during the grand banquet. (above) George Kokalis receives the congratulations of Archbishops Iakovos and Demetrios. Fr. Alexander Karloutsos presents the bowl as Arthur Anton looks on.
ANDREW ATHENS is presented the crystal bowl by both archbishops.
Fund Provides Vital Support for Home Missions Since 1993, the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund has made significant contributions in support of Archdiocese Mission Parishes, which otherwise could not afford the services of a priest, or even to open their doors. Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos is the program coordinator on behalf of Archbishop Demetrios and the diocesan hierarchs. This year Leadership 100 has given $111,000 for the home mission parishes. In comments about the impact of the program, Bishop Dimitrios said, The grants provided by Leadership 100 have helped give birth to several new parishes, such as that in Eugene, Oregon, which is now a fully self-supporting parish, and have given new life to many small parishes that were unable previously to afford a fulltime priest. The grants have been used exclusively to make it possible for a full-time priest to serve new and small parishes. Experience has taught us that a parish is not able to develop and become a selfsupporting entity without the full-time presence of a priest. We are most grateful to Leadership 100 for the vision and resources that have made it possible for the Archdiocese to offer this support, which in turn makes it possible for the Church to grow and to serve the spiritual needs of more people
throughout our nation. A breakdown by year of the mission parishes receiving support since 1993 follows: 1993 Sharon, Mass.; Eugene, Oregon; Bristol, Tenn.; Amarillo/Lubbock, Texas; Athens, Ga.; Newport, N.H.; Biloxi, Miss.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Mexico City. 1994 Eugene, Oregon; Waco, Texas; Great Falls/Missoula, Mont.; Bristol, Tenn.; Athens, Ga.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Denver Outreach Center, Colo.; Wichita Falls, Texas; Mexico City; Haiti. 1995 Great Falls, Mont.; Wichita Falls, Texas; Eugene, Oregon; Cranberry, Pa.; Sharon, Mass.; Mexico City, and Puerto Rico 1996 Great Falls, Mont.; Wichita Falls, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Pueblo, Colo.; Grand Island, Neb.; Athens, Georgia; Mexico City, Puerto Rico and Haiti 1997 Wichita Falls, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Pueblo, Colo.; Grand Island, Neb.; Athens, Ga.; Redding, Calif.; Puerto Rico, Haiti, Cuba. 1998 Grant given for overseas missions only. 1999 Lubbock Texas; Great Falls, Mont.; San Angelo, Texas; Redding, Calif.; Columbus, Ga. 2000 Lubbock, Texas; Great Falls/ Missoula, Mont.; Grand Island, Neb.; Grand Junction, Colo.; San Angelo, Texas; Redding, Calif.; North Seattle, Wash.; Columbus, Ga.; Cummings, Ga.; Greenville, Ga.
Diocese already has reached 74 percent of church, including scholarships drives. This its goal, achieving more new members that can only be done by people fulfilling their have paid or pledged than any other dio- commitment. We tell people that they cese. Mr. Yeonas cited the efforts of Peter need to get back and fulfill the commitG. Pappas and Harry Magafan, the diocese ment they have made. and Washington area chairmen, respecTypical of members who have recently tively, for the surge in new members. joined Leadership 100 is Chris Panopoulos, We re trying to go over the 100-mark chairman of the Panopoulos Group of Grand of paid and pledged members by the Rapids, Mich., a company that develops ofClergy Laity Congress, Mr. fice buildings, strip malls and Yeonas said. The goal for the includes a chain of hair sayear is to reach a memberlons. Such was the keen inship of 500. terest and enthusiasm Mr. He also reported that, in Panopoulos felt about Leadthe San Francisco Diocese, ership 100 that he immedidinners have been organized ately fulfilled his $100,000 by George Marcus and Dr. membership pledge. Nicholas Vidalakis. TwentyMr. Panopoulos and his nine potential candidates atwife, Joan, have been active tended one event in Oregon. in his local church for many In the New York Archyears. diocese District, 29 new An immigrant from the members have joined, repPeloponnesus in the midresenting 47 percent of its 1950s, he has served as parMr. Chris Panopoulos goal, Mr. Yeonas reported. ish council president, fiLeadership 100 Chairman Arthur nance committee chairman and AHEPA Anton expressed great satisfaction with the chapter president, raising funds to build progress of the membership drive. the local AHEPA hall. It has been so gratifying that people The Panopouloses have been active have been enrolling in the Leadership-100 in serving on philanthropic boards, arts program in unprecedented numbers. Ev- organizations and charities in their comery day we have people calling to join, munity. Mr. Panopoulos currently serves Mr. Anton said. on the Metropolitan Hospital Foundation He also cited the grant to the school Board, and helps several local charities as a catalyst for creating new interest in fund-raising campaigns. He also is endowthe endowment fund. They want to be a ment fund president at his parish, which part of this, of securing the future of the provides support for charities, religious church, he said. education and scholarships to Holy Cross At the Clergy Laity Congress, Leader- School of Theology. This year, the fund ship 100 s Executive Committee will meet, has given $15,000 to the school. followed by an open forum meeting. Any I think we have to look beyond our Leadership 100 members at the congress local level and support our Church, said will have the opportunity to attend a work- Mr. Panopoulos. This is a good time and ing luncheon that will include an open we have to do good things, and have to discussion on projects and ministries they have some unity in the church. I like to would like the Endowment Fund to sup- see us united. I was impressed talking to port. It will be an opportunity for the Father Karloutsos. He is enthusiastic and regular membership to express themselves a good organizer. I have also heard good as to what they would like see happen, things about Archbishop Demetrios.