Sessions to serve as forum for the discussion of omogenia issues, and for your ideas on the future of Hellenism; online at saeamerica.org, too

CHICAGO, IL,  April 26, 2005 οΏ½  As part of οΏ½οΏ½Ε’s Mission to serve as a two-way conduit for communication between the Hellenes of the Diaspora and the Hellenic Republic, its North & South America Region is embarked on a series of informal οΏ½Town Hall MeetingsοΏ½ where everyone will have an opportunity to raise issues of interest or concern, as well as give their opinions on the state and future of Hellenism here at home.  οΏ½Some think of this type of οΏ½Town HallοΏ½ meeting as pure New England Americana, when in fact this type of open meeting is the essence of the democracy born in Greece thousands of years ago,οΏ½ said V.P. and Regional Coordinator Chris P. Tomaras, adding, οΏ½We had our first one in Los Angeles last week, and look forward to many more in the weeks and months ahead.οΏ½

These οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ meetings are being hosted by major member-Federations and other organizations, and are open to everyone of Greek descent.  οΏ½WeοΏ½re honored to have our RegionοΏ½s most dynamic groups host these οΏ½Town HallοΏ½ meetings on our behalf,οΏ½ continued Tomaras, οΏ½and we thank our Church for their gracious cooperation.  Admission is free, and refreshments will be served, so we encourage everyone to come out and participate in this unique opportunity.οΏ½   Similar meetings were held as part of a multi-city οΏ½Information TourοΏ½ and an οΏ½ATHENS 2004 Olympics Update TourοΏ½ last summer, giving our community a first-hand report on the preparations for what ultimately became known as the IOCοΏ½s οΏ½Dream Games.οΏ½    

MEETING CALENDAR

οΏ½ LOS ANGELESοΏ½April 15: St. Sophia Cathedral, 9:30 p.m.  
οΏ½ DETROIT-May 4: St. John Church, Sterling Hts, 7:30 p.m. 
οΏ½ NEW JERSEY-May 12: St. Athanasios Church Cultural Ctr., 7:30 p.m.
οΏ½ NEW YORK/ASTORIA-May 14: Stathakion Cultural Center, 5:00 p.m.
οΏ½ TAMPA-May 18: Lakonian Center, 7:00 p.m.
οΏ½ ATLANTA-May 20: Carlos Hall, Annunciation Cathedral, 7:00 p.m.
οΏ½ ST. LOUIS-June (date, venue to be confirmed)

Details of Meetings for the omogenia in Chicago, Boston, Toronto,             San Francisco and other cities are still being finalized as of this date;  please check www.saeamerica.org for updates and to submit questions and/or your thoughts on the future of Hellenism.   
 
Following a brief presentation on the recent activities of οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ at the Regional and World levels, and on the new οΏ½Enabling LawοΏ½ currently under consideration by GreeceοΏ½s Parliament, the floor will be opened for questions and comments on all things Greek: the new property-tax laws, pensions, military service, real estate ownership (E9), the new οΏ½Enabling LawοΏ½ and, most importantly for many, how to preserve and promote GreeceοΏ½s rich culture here at home. 

A special form for contacting the Greek Government will be provided, both at the meetings and online on our website, which οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ will collect and submit on your behalf.  Also available will be a 4-page brochure outlining how to access the Greek GovernmentοΏ½s οΏ½Citizen Service CenterοΏ½ (KEP in Greek) via the internet and phone.  Finally, information will be available for direct contact in Greece via a recently established service by the Ministry of the Interior.