Pancretan Association of America

The Pancretan Association of America is an ethnic fraternal association in the United States and Canada for people of Cretan Greek ancestry.

History

A number of local Cretan organizations had been established in the United States in the 1910s and 1920s, such as the Omonia in New York City, Arkadi of Pittsburgh and Epimenides of San Francisco. On April 7, 1929 these groups met at the Omonia in New York to set up a preparatory committee to found a general federation of Cretan clubs. On October 14 of that year a convention was held in Chicago with representatives of the above groups as well as the Cretan Fraternity of Chicago, Minos of Salt Lake City, Psilorites of Detroit, Mutual Benefit of Cleveland and Minos of Chicopee. The delegates founded the Pancretan Association of America. KPHTH the newsletter of Omonia was adopted as the national publication.[1] Female groups were established the next year [2] and Pancretan Youth Association was founded in 1948.[3]

Organization

In the 1970s the PAA's headquarters were in Ceres, California,[4] though by December 2012 they had relocated to Astoria, New York[5] The national convention meets ever two years; in the interim it has elected officers and a board of trustees. In June 1978 the Association had 3,300 in 40 local chapters, including junior and female chapters in seven divisions.[6] Today the group claims over 70 chapters.[7]

In the late 1970s membership was limited to individuals who have a least one parent, grandparent or spouse hailing from Crete.[8] Today membership is open to "individuals of Cretan lineage and their spouses." Some chapters provide for "friends of Cretans" to become members.[9]

References

  1. ↑ http://pancretan.org/history.aspx
  2. ↑ Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press 1980 pp.251-2
  3. ↑ http://www.pancretan-youth.org/about.html
  4. ↑ Schmidt pp.251-2
  5. ↑ KPHTH YEAR 84th - NO 848November 2012 p.3
  6. ↑ Schmidt pp.251-2
  7. ↑ http://pancretan.org/history.aspx
  8. ↑ Schmidt pp.251-2
  9. ↑ http://pancretan.org/benefit.aspx

External links

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