Officers 2007

President: Mr. John Banias
Vice-president: Mr. Jimmy Petropoulos
Recording/Corresponding Secretary: Mr. Demetrios Pappas
Treasurer: Mr. A.J. Theodore

General Background
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is by far the largest Greek-American organization. Its scope is international - with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece. AHEPA was founded July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, by visionary Americans of Greek descent to protect Hellenes from the evils of bigotry and to help assimilate them into American society in the early 20th Century. Although a majority of the membership is composed of Americans of Hellenic descent, application for membership is open to everyone who believes in the mission of the organization.
Mission
The mission of the AHEPA Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.

National Web Site

Some History

AHEPA CHAPTER LATELY FORMED IN GREENVILLE

The Greenville chapter of the Ahepa, or the American-Hellenic Educational Progressive Society, was inaugurated last night in this city, an address by Supreme Governor John Theophillos of Miami, Fla., being the principal feature.
The society has chapters in 47 states in the union and is intended to promote and encourage loyalty to the United States, no one except a citizen of the nation being eligible for membership.
Officers of the Greenville chapter who were elected last night were: James Petropoulos, president; George Cheros, secretary; Constantine Bamvakas, treasurer; Sam Kondouros, chaplain; Gus Lapes, warden.
The board of governors is composed of the following: Steve Petrakos, Charles Efstration, Gus Metshheras, Andrew J. Theodore and Henry Theodore.
Peter Petrakos was names captain of the guard and Tom Loumos as sentinel.
The Asheville degree team did some fine work demonstrating the work of the organization, the members being assisted by James Karanbelas. The local chapter starts with a membership of 25 but will be increased in the near future, it is expected. An open meeting was held for ladies yesterday afternoon in which the principles of the order were explained, this preceding the organization meeting last night.

The following preamble explains the purposes of the Ahepa:
A – Promote and encourage loyalty to the United States of America, allegiance to its Constitution and Traditions; obedience to the laws of the land, including the laws of several states of the Union, and the ordinances of all legal constituted subdivisions thereof:

B – Instruct its members in the tenets and principles of Democracy; in the methods and operation of political life in the United States, and inspire the entire membership with a genuine reverence for the Majesty of the Law;

C – Instill in every one of its members a sincere love for the United State, its History and Traditions, a due appreciation of the privilege of citizenship, and the duties attendant therewith:

D – Encourage it members to always be profoundly interested, and actively participating in the political, civil, social and commercial life of the United States, and to strive always for its betterment;

E – Awaken in every member an abhorrence of all political corruption – the destroyer of free institutions - and pledge each member to do his utmost to stamp out from the United States every trace and influence of this evil.

F – Arouse America to the realization that tyranny, wherever it may exercise its baneful power, is a menace to the life, property, prosperity, honor and integrity of this Nation; and that the preservation of our liberties can be assured only as America becomes the Champion of Liberty and the Protector and Defender of all oppressed and down-trodden people;

G – Promote in the United States a better and more comprehensive understanding of the Greek Nation and people, and to revive and marshal into active service for America the noblest attributes and highest ideals of true Hellenism;

H – Work for the moral uplift of its members in every possible manner; promote good fellowship among them; endow them with a spirit of altruism, mutual benevolence and helpfulness; point out to them the advantages of education, the beauty of sacrifice, and the deformity of selfishness.

I – Support and maintain the American system of public schools;

J – Resist any union of Church and State in the United States or any tendency thereto, and strictly insist that no church shall undertake to dominate in any manner the government of the United States.
----------
NOTE: This article appeared in The Greenville Piedmont newspaper on September 19, 1929.