By Emmanuel E. Velivasakis

The Greek-American Community Needs a New Institution of Unity, Strategy, and Leadership to Advance the National Interests of Hellenism

Inspired by the recent and highly perceptive article by Alexis Papachelas in Kathimerini, entitled “The Great Challenge for the Greek-American Community in the United States,” I would like to offer a few thoughts that, in my view, can contribute to the public discussion about the future of Hellenism in America. I fully agree with the author’s conclusion that Greece needs a new generation of Greek-American leaders. I believe, however, that it also needs a new institution—one that will identify, unite, and inspire those leaders.

A Historic Transition

The Greek-American community is passing through a period of historic transition. The generation that built our organizations, founded our churches and schools, and preserved the Greek language, faith, and identity is gradually passing the torch. At the same time, younger generations have different experiences, different priorities, and different ways of engaging in public life.

For decades, the Church served as the natural pillar of organized Hellenism in America. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarch Athenagoras, Archbishop Iakovos, and their successors rendered invaluable service to our community. No one can question their historic contribution.

But times have changed. While the Church remains the cornerstone of our identity, it can no longer bear alone the responsibility of representing the Greek-American community in the political arena.

A Tremendous Yet Underutilized Asset

Never before has our community possessed such extraordinary human capital.

Greek Americans excel in science, medicine, law, academia, business, public service, the armed forces, and politics. We have all the ingredients necessary to exercise meaningful influence within American society.

What we lack is coordination.

Too often, organizations operate in isolation—or even in competition with one another. Men and women who share the same values and aspirations spend precious energy on internal rivalries, elections, titles, and organizational disputes. As a result, a significant portion of our collective strength is squandered.

The Proposal: A New National Institution

I believe the time has come to consider the creation of a new institution of national scope.

Not another organization that competes with the existing ones.

But an institution that coordinates, inspires, and unites them.

Its membership would include representatives of the leading Greek-American organizations, distinguished scholars, accomplished business leaders, academics, artists, professionals, and all Greek Americans serving in elected state and federal offices.

Membership should NOT be based on personal connections or social prominence. Rather, it should represent an honor bestowed upon individuals of proven achievement, integrity, and dedication to Hellenism.

The institution should work closely with the Government of Greece and the Greek diplomatic missions, while maintaining its complete independence. Its mission would not be to serve any particular administration, but rather to advance the enduring national interests of Greece and Cyprus, support the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and strengthen Greek education, language, and culture throughout the Diaspora.

A “New Society of Friends of Greece – NEA FIIKI ETAIREIA”

As a symbolic name, I propose “The New Society of Friends of Greece”.

This is not a call to recreate the secret revolutionary organization founded in 1814, but rather to revive the spirit that inspired it: selfless service, unity, shared responsibility, and the conviction that great national achievements are possible only when capable people work together.

The greatest strength of such an institution would not be its financial resources, but its prestige.

Just as the Order of Saint Andrew—the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate—is regarded as one of the highest distinctions bestowed upon Orthodox lay leaders, membership in the New Society of Friends should become one of the highest honors for accomplished Greek Americans.

Such an honor would not be a badge of social status, but a lifelong commitment to service.

An Annual Hellenic Summit in Washington

The institution’s signature initiative could be an annual Hellenic Summit in Washington, D.C.

Not another social gala.

But a national event of substance and significance.

Members of Congress, U.S. Senators, governors, senior government officials, diplomats, academics, business leaders, media executives, and influential policymakers would gather alongside the most distinguished representatives of the Greek-American community.

The Prime Minister of Greece, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other senior government officials would participate—not as the central attraction, but as honored partners. The true focus of the event should be the Greek-American community itself and its strategic contribution to strengthening U.S.-Greece relations.

Investing in the Next Generation

No institution can endure without preparing its successors.

The New Society of Friends 0f Greece should invest systematically in the next generation of leadership through scholarships, mentoring programs, leadership academies, policy think tanks, and internship opportunities in Congress, government agencies, and international organizations.

The next generation should inherit more than organizations.

It should inherit a mission.

From Diagnosis to Action

Alexis Papachelas has described the problem with clarity.

The challenge now is to move beyond diagnosis and toward solutions.

Greece cannot afford to leave one of its greatest strategic assets abroad without coordination, long-term planning, and institutional leadership.

A New National Vision

More than two centuries ago, a handful of determined Greeks founded the original Society of Friends and ignited the flame of the Greek War of Independence.

Today, we are not called upon to liberate an occupied homeland.

We are called upon to unite the creative forces of Hellenism throughout the world.

History is no longer asking our generation to take up arms.

It is asking us to build institutions.

Institutions capable of serving Greece beyond governments, beyond personalities, and beyond the limitations of any particular era.

If we succeed in creating such an institution, the Greek-American community will become far more than a successful immigrant community.

It will emerge as one of the most important strategic pillars of global Hellenism in the twenty-first century.

Perhaps that is the true “New Society of Friends of Greece” that Hellenism needs today.

The challenge has been identified. A proposal has been offered. The future now depends on whether we choose to act!

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear.

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