Leadership 100 40th Anniversary Book v15as - Flipbook - Page 17
NEW DIRECTION
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS WITH CHAIRMAN JOHN A. PAYIAVLAS AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
GEORGE D. BEHRAKIS, AT HIS RIGHT, RESPECTIVELY, AT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
With the launching of the Millennium
Membership Drive, a national
campaign led by National Membership
Chairman Stephen G. Yeonas and
Fr. Alex, 186 new members were
recruited in 2000 alone, leading to
total membership of 514. By 2000,
contributions rose to $27.0 million
and grant distributions rose to $5.5
million. In 1999, fulfilled members
began to be recognized at the Annual
Conferences by the presentation of
an Obelisk by the Archbishop and the
Chairman.
The Annual Conferences became
a centerpiece of Leadership 100,
to which hundreds of members
flocked for stimulating programs and
inspiring lectures. Prominent speakers
appeared annually and in 2003 the
Archbishop Iakovos Leadership
100 Award for Excellence was first
presented to outstanding Greek and
Greek American leaders, as well as
Philhellenes on occasion, who excelled
in the pursuit of their careers and
exhibited the gift of leadership.
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A significant transition period for
Leadership 100 began in 1999 with
the Enthronement of Archbishop
Demetrios, who was to serve until
2019. Kokalis continued as Chairman,
until 2000, and Fr. Alexander Karloutsos
returned as Executive Director, serving
from 1999 to 2004. In 2000, Arthur C.
Anton was elected Chairman, serving
until 2004. This was a significant
period of growth in membership,
contributions, and grant outlays, along
with many other initiatives.
