Tradition & Innovation At AHEPA – Interview With Grossomanides
Constantine S. Sirigos
Costas Bej/TNH
Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. is the new Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA. Grossomanides shared his experiences, and his vision for the largest organization in the Greek American Community during a recent visit to the headquarters of The National Herald.
NEW YORK – Early lessons are the most important. Chance matters also. Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. is the new Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA. He learned a lot from his father, John Sr. about community service and leadership, but most importantly, when the new Supreme President decided to become more active in the organization after finishing college, he picked Norwich Chapter 110 – The Rose of New England – and found that, unlike many Greek American community organizations that are now struggling to appeal to the community’s youth, his youthful energy and ideas were not only welcome, they were rewarded. “I came from a chapter that really embraced young people and wanted them to get involved.” He said he was about 24 when he was chapter secretary and the president was 27. He said Chapter 110 continues that approach to this day, adding “it’s good that we continue to try to promote them instead of trying to stifle them,” an attitude he brings to the national level, following in the successful footsteps of his immediate predecessors such as Nicholas Karacostas. More and more of the others organization have taken note that AHEPA has rejuvenated itself and are impressed with the new AHEPA model of reaching out to and promoting its youth.
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September 23, 2011
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