Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών Bringing Crete Closer
The World Council of Cretans or otherwise knows as Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών held its Annual General Meeting last month at the Cultural Centre in the City of Rethymnon in Crete. It was attended by the representatives of the member organisations namely the Pancretan Federation of Europe, the Pancretan Association of America, the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Organisations and the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand.
After the delegate registration was completed the outgoing W.C.C. President Mr. George Aerakis thanked everyone for attending and welcomed the delegates and wished for a wonderful and prosperous Meeting by all. Immediately he asked His Grace Bishop of Rethymnon Eugenios and the Holy Clergy to conduct the blessing ceremony.
Following the blessing the following people greeted the delegates with their warm wishes for a successful Annual General Meeting :
His Emminence Archbishop of Crete IRINEOS
Member of European Parliament Mr. Giorgos Hatzimarkakis
Member of Parliament of Chania Ms. Litsa Kouroupakis
Member of Parliament of Iraklio Mrs. Maria Skrafnaki
The Governor of Rethymnon Prefecture Mr. Maria Lioni
The Mayors of Rethymnon Giorgos Marinakis and Chania Mr. Manolis Skoulakis
The SAE Europe President Mr. Dimitrios Amarantidis.
The delegates appointed the Honorary President of the W.C.C. Mr. Stavros Semanderes to the position of Chairman for the A.G.M. with Mrs. Maria Stratoudakis to the position of Secretary / Minutetaker. The Chairman requested from the outgoing President Mr. George Aerakis to come forward and present his report for the 3 years that past followed by the Treasurer Mr. Giannis Epitropakis who gave members a detailed account of the WCC’s financials to date, he was followed by the Chairman of the W.C.C. Audit Committee Mr. Ioannis Fyladakis who in turn re assured the representatives that the books are in sound order and their was no mismanagement. Following that the Presidents of the four member organisations gave their reports namely :
Mr. John Manos, President of the Pancretan Association of America
Mr. John Epitropakis , President of the Pancretan Federation of Europe
Mr. Christos Polentas, Vice President of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand
Mr. Manolis Paterakis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Organisations
The chairman continued the Annual General Meeting with the conduction of the Elections for the new Board of the W.C.C. for the term 2011 – 2014. The two Federations that nominated for the WCC Executive were from Greece with Mr. Manolis Paterakis and from Australia with Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis. Elections were held and Australia came through with 24 out of 34 votes. Elections for the remaining positions were also held. The Following Executive was elected.
Tony Tsourdalakis, President ( Australia ), George Neonakis, Vice President ( New Zealand ), Manuel Starakis, Secretary ( Australia ), Maria Lagoudakis, Treasurer ( Australia ), Stavros Perdikis ( Belgium ), Xanthipi Gelasakis ( USA ), Alexandra Saridakis ( Luxembourg ), Ipokratis Beladakis ( USA ), Manolis Kougioumoutzis ( Germany ), Ted Manousakis ( USA ), Dimitris Giannadakis ( Germany ).