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A Brief History of BAGABA
It all began with a group of businessmen (see footnote) who routinely gathered after Sunday church services at the Cathedral of the
Ascension in Oakland, California who discussed a broad array of business matters on the Church steps. Realizing that there was a need
in the community and observing the advancement of other ethnicities in creating an association to help each other and their community,
they decided to do something about it.
During the period of 1989-1990, they decided to formally create a business network or association that would bring like - minded Greek and
Philhellene business people together in the spirit of assisting each other in advancing business opportunities among their membership. This
new group came to be known as the Bay Area Greek American Business Association or "BAGABA" and began operating in April of 1990. The
Association also felt it was important to link its purpose and objective with a Greek mythological figure. Unknowing to some people, the
Ancient Greeks were pioneers in most areas of commerce, trade and transaction, activities mostly associated with the works of Hermes.
Symbolically he links us with our culture and ancient people.
The Association's credo at that time was to communicate, promote and facilitate business transactions among its members, as well as with the
American Hellenes and Philhellenes in the Greater Bay Area. In addition, its mission also valued the encouragement of its members to serve as
business mentors to the youth of our communities and to extend all possible business and professional orientation and assistance to newcomers
in our area who are of Greek descent or Philhellenes.
At that time, the Association had a membership of over 100 members including some living outside the Bay Area and United States. A membership
questionnaire that was conducted quantified an impressive $4,500,000 of business transactions had been consummated within the Association
by early 1993. BAGABA was the first of its kind in the San Francisco Bay Area and the State of California.
During the late 1990's, the Association lay dormant and inactive until a group of previous board members and others in the business community
(see footnote) decided to re-energize a renaissance of the Association in May 2003.
The original intent and spirit of the Association lives on today and continues to assist its membership and the Greek Community.
Today's Association offers its members and invited guests a number of ongoing programs through its "Networking Socials" (four times throughout
the calendar year) which are held every 1st Wednesday evenings, every quarter month for social gatherings that promote the exchange of
information, ideas and business networking opportunities in an informal casual setting. Also the Association's "Getting Down to Business"
program series (one to two times a calendar year) concentrates on initiating member business introductions with follow up question and answer
sessions on how the membership may help promote more business with each respective member. In addition, the Annual New Year "Kick Off and
Vasilopita" every late January is a popular event bringing its members and their families together in celebrating the new
business year combined with the Hellenic age-old celebration of cutting the Vasilopita.
The advancement of the internet has magnified the benefits of Association membership and BAGABA has taken full advantage of this growing
dynamic medium. The Association's website www.bagaba.org is quickly becoming the standard in content, communication and efficient and effective
delivery of timely information to its members and the communities in which they serve.
The Board of Directors are busy developing new programs and initiatives that will "go further" in promoting, developing and adding value of
being a member of BAGABA.
If you are interested or know of someone who would benefit in becoming a member, please click here to download a pdf membership application.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Association's President Michael Meniktas at meniktas@comcast.net.
Footnotes:
Original Founders: Andy Banis, Dimitri Carapanos, John Meniktas (Founding President), Michael Meniktas, Tasos Samouris (deceased), Dimitri
Magganas, John Frangoulis and George Konstantopoulos.
Renaissance Founders May of 2003: Michael Meniktas (Founding President), Dimitri Carapanos, Nick Tarlson, Patty Theodorides (Vice President),
George Theodorides (Treasurer), Niki Canotas, Spiros Kabitsis, George Karas ,George Benetatoes, John Galaxidas, Gina Papan and A.G. Konstantin.
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