Teddy Manolios

Dear Brothers:

       I know that I don’t have to introduce myself to most of you but for those whom I may not have had the pleasure of meeting, I would like to introduce myself: my name is Teddy Manolios. I was  born and  lived my younger years in  Skiathos, Greece. My parents originally immigrated to Skiathos, Greece from Smyrni (Asia Minor). I finished high school in Volos, Greece and continued with my college education in Athens, Greece. I served in the Greek army as an officer - first lieutenant-and was stationed in Cyprus for 19 months. In 1970 I moved to the United States. It is during the 70’s that I continued with my college education. In 1975, I proudly became an American citizen. Later on, I married my wife, a secondary math teacher. During the years, we raised our family and eventually sent our two children off to college; our son studied architecture and our daughter accounting. As a result of all our hard work, we now have a wonderful son inlaw, a daughter inlaw and two wonderful grandsons: Yanni and Teddy. 

      My profession is that of culinary chef. Over the years, I established two successful restaurants, worked in several well known establishments and also worked in the capacity of consulting. I am presently employed as an executive chef for a large catering firm.  

      From 1975 – 1997, I served on the Parish Council  of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine holding various positions on the executive board including President of the Parish Council of St Nicholas. I also was advisor of the Jr. GOYA of St Nicholas and actively participated with  the inter Goya between Nassau and Suffolk counties for approximately 10 years. During this time I also chaired the Greek festival of St Nicholas for several years.  

      Since coming to the United States, I always had  a passion  to become an Ahepan. I began  researching about the Ahepa and found that at one time, there existed a chapter within my community of  St Nicholas, Babylon , NY having been  started in 1962.Through a lot of investigating, some phone calls and more searching , I was able to find the original charter, some of the original brothers  and enough people to reactivate   the Ahepa  Babylon Chapter 416 which was dormant for over 28 years years. Babylon Chapter 416 was originally formed in 1962 with 10 members. For twenty eight years, the chapter was basically inactive and in 1990 I reactivated the chapter with 12 members and throughout the next 7 years as president of our chapter, I was able to increase our chapter 416 membership from 12 brothers to 75   brothers. During my first year I also helped reactivate the Daughter’s of Penelope Lyra Chapter 315 which was also dormant for an equal amount of years. 

      As president of Chapter 416 during the first year, I, along with my chapter, initiated the first ever Suffolk County Half Marathon as a fundraising event. It was such a huge success that it is still in existence 19 years later and ever so popular. Each year part of the proceeds from the marathon are donated to our Chapter’s scholarships. We have since expanded our horizons and made the Suffolk County Half Marathon a very popular and successful fundraiser for our chapter. Suffolk County has served as a large sponsor of our marathon and to date they still graciously offer assistance. Many   of the proceeds have gone to donations and  have been expanded to include various charities, scholarships, and donations to St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine, Babylon , NY.

      As first year chapter president, I volunteered my chapter to host the District Convention which was held at the Marriott in Islandia, NY. Through hard work, needless to say, the convention was a phenomenal success. Since then, we have hosted several District Conventions. I have chaired and co -chaired many District  Conventions and have had the honor of working along side many brothers and sisters throughout the district.

      As president, working along with my chapter, I initiated the organization of the first Ahepa Picnic for families and friends which we hold every year during the month of July. In 1995 I began a scholarship committee within the chapter. And I am proud to say that since its inception, we have given out thousand of dollars to many deserving students. I also started a program where on the last Monday of each month, the Ahepa brothers and their wives dine out.  To show our appreciation to various restaurants for all their support throughout the year, we have dinner once a month at a different restaurant which has always been supportive of our Ahepa chapter.

      After having moved from presidency, I was asked to hold a seat on the board of directors of Chapter 416 and to also serve in position of Advisor to the Chapter for several years.

      After several years had passed, I was re- elected president for three years. Prior to that the membership began to decline and I worked within the Chapter to raise the  membership number to exceed what it was before. It was also during this term of presidency that I, along with the brothers of chapter 416, initiated the Golf Outing as another fundraiser which was also a huge success and is still ongoing…. 

     As chapter President I deemed it important for my chapter to be involved with the District Lodge and other chapters within the District. Our lines of communications were always open. 

  As chapter president and thereafter, I can proudly say that I attended every District Convention and most all National Conventions since I was initiated as a brother in 1990. During the conventions, I always served on various convention committees. 

  In the year 2000, I was elected to the position of District Marshal of which I served one year. During this year, along with the District Governor, I attended all visitations, District Lodge meetings and many District / chapter functions. It was this year that I chaired the District’s committee for the Greek parade. 

  The following year, 2001, I was elected as District Treasurer. As District Treasurer,  I reorganized the District’s treasury books and set up an accounting system on excel, attended District Lodge meetings and in addition went on visitations with the Governor and attended Chapter and District Functions. 

  In 2002   I was elected District Lieutenant Governor. During this year, because the District Governor was from Albany, NY, I assisted the District Governor   due to the fact he was not able to conduct the District Lodge meetings; he gave me the responsibility to conduct the Lodge meetings. I was responsible for the communications between the District Lodge, the District Chapters and the District Governor. This year,  I conducted many of the District’s visitations to the chapters. It was during this year that I initiated the Vasilopita dinner in the month of January. 

  In  2003 ,  I  was  elected  District  Governor . I was able to continue with the agenda from last year that I put forth as Lt. Governor. I continued the visitations as I had done the year before, I held monthly District Lodge meetings. It was this year that for the first time I was able to initiate the opening of our District Website with the help of Brother Mark Theophilis.  As you all know, open and constant intercommunications  within  the  Districts and Chapters is imperative to  success. 

  I continued in assisting with the annual Poster Contest which was originated by Brother John Koronakos.  I held a Spring Conference and a Fall conference as District Governor which were held at St Basil’s Academy and also at New Rochelle.

  Each year, as you know, we host the annual Ahepa Christmas party which Past District Governor Brother Jim Vlahakis started. As District Governor, I worked diligently with the Christmas party committee to see that it be a success as always.

     This year, it was through my recommendation that our District voted to donate $1000 for the inception of the NY Greek Museum.

     As District Governor, I served on a committee which met several times that year at the Archidiocese on several occasions. I along with the District Governor of the Daughters of Penelope, the executive board members of the Greek Children’s Foundation, the National Philoptohos President, members of the Archidiocese along with the Archbishop met to discuss the feasibility of establishing separate housing for the Greek children that are ill that come from Greece and Cyprus.

     When I began my year as District Governor, the district membership had decline and I am proud to say the year I was District Governor we initiated over 100 new  brothers. By the end of my year as District Governor, I along with the District Lodge and the brothers in the Chapters in our district were able to vastly increase the district membership. As you all know, membership is a most important aspect of keeping our District strong and vibrant.

     As District Governor, I conducted visitations to most of the chapters of our district including upstate and downstate chapters in addition to having attended many of these chapter’s functions

     As District Governor I held 2 very successful mass initiations during which I had the honor of having Supreme President Jack Georgalas in attendance for one of the initiations and Supreme President Frank Mannios attended the other mass initiation.

     After serving on the District Lodge, I remain active by serving on different committees as director and assisting the District in any way that is beneficial to the District and my brothers. And I will gladly continue to assist in any way that I may be needed……