This year’s conference of the Panhellenic Federation of Florida was held with complete success and with the participation of presidents and representatives of nine national and local associations, which was hosted at the “Cretan House” in Palm Harbor.
During the conference, which was the focus of important processes for the Hellenism of the region, an assessment of the organization’s multifaceted work was made, various announcements were made about the next activities, while at the same time the new Board of Directors that will lead the Federation was appointed.
The new Board of Directors was formed as a body with Giota Argyropoulou-Frangedis as president and Ioannis Tzortzakakis as vice president, while its structure is completed by Nektarios Kapetanakos as first assistant vice president, Aria Sokratous as assistant vice president, Vasiliki Mantelou as secretary and Kay Skordili as assistant secretary. At the same time, Nikos Fenakis assumed the duties of treasurer with Nikos Anton as assistant treasurer, while Eleni Beazi was appointed communications manager.
The dynamic presence and unity of the Greek Diaspora was confirmed by the participation of the heads of the local associations. Specifically, the meeting was attended by Nora Michopoulou from the Epirus Association, Minas Lyristis from the Carpathian Association, Michalis Frangedis from the Cretan Association, Varnavas Zagaris from the Cypriot Association, Rita Pozoglou from the Constantinople-Pontic Association, Petros Diamantakos from the Laconian Association, Vasilis Bles from the Macedonian Association, Petros Koutsopanagos from the Messinian Association and Stavros Dalamaras representing the Chian Association.
On the occasion of the annual meeting of the World Coordinating Committee of the Cyprus Struggle (PSEKA) in the American capital next Tuesday, the president of the Pancyprian of Florida, Varnavas Zagaris, warmly invited all attendees to give a dynamic “presence” to the work that will last from June 9 to 11. As he explained, these contacts in Washington will focus on the issue of the illegal occupation of Cyprus, while critical meetings have also been scheduled with representatives of the US Congress, who will be asked to exert pressure for a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.
During the discussion of the Federation’s activities, a rich account of activities emerged, which included the organization’s participation in community festivals, the organization of an informative speech on legal issues concerning the Greek diaspora, the systematic promotion of the presence of Greeks in Florida, as well as the organization of book presentations. Particular mention was made of the Federation’s participation in national celebrations, as well as the important institutional meeting with the outgoing Ambassador in Washington, Ekaterini Nasika, and Deputy Minister Yiannis Loverdos, an initiative that had been successfully organized by the Consulate General in Tampa.
The conference concluded with a social contribution to the new generation, as the Federation awarded $50 scholarships to four students, effectively strengthening the progress and future of the children of the Greek Diaspora.
