GCM Youth and Engagement Committee Meets with New NUGAS Committee

GCM Youth and Engagement Committee Meets with New NUGAS Committee

On Monday 25 August, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) Youth and Engagement Committee met with the newly elected committee of NUGAS and agreed to the formation of a youth subcommittee, with the aim of expanding its membership following the Youth Forum that happened last Wednesday.

Focusing on how to encourage greater youth participation within the broader Greek community, the meeting discussed NUGAS’ upcoming plans for their term and how the GCM could help bring these ideas to life.

The meeting was convened by Chair of the GCM Youth and Engagement Committee, high school teacher and former NUGAS president, Tass Sgardelis. “It was a really positive meeting full of ambition and drive to rethink and re-energise how youth engage with Greek culture, building on the resurgence of community youth groups and the establishment of the GCM's youth and community outreach sub-committee,” he said.

Alongside Tass, were GCM Board Members Dora Papamakarios, Stella Moschos and President, Bill Papastergiadis OAM. For Bill, these types of meetings with NUGAS have remained an important part of his Presidency. Bill stated, “We are excited to continue to work with NUGAS on joint initiatives.  However, we want to take this relationship further and formalise it thorough a dedicated subcommittee that will be charged with a number of responsibilities.  First and foremost, the aim is that this committee taps into the knowledge and interests of our youth such that our events and functions resonate with them.  Secondly, to create a body that is relevant and contactable to our young members of our community.  Finally, to foster an environment that allows mentorship such that our next leaders emerge through this committee.”

Panos Stamatopoulos, Secretary of NUGAS commented “We emphasised to the youth committee the lack of broader community support for our initiatives. As a result, both organisations discussed working together on future events.” He further spoke on the importance of the subcommittee, stating that along with exploring “coordinating events, supporting university clubs, and improving educational pathways. This [subcommittee] will also help capable members of our team become part of GCM structures and continue to lead within the Greek community even after graduating from university.”

Although this was the first formal meeting between the two committees, collaborations between NUGAS and the GCM are already underway. In fact, they’ve already kicked off their first joint initiative: a youth forum that took place on Wednesday, 27 August at The Greek Centre.

“Together with Wednesday's youth forum and survey, the GCM is engaging in a meaningful process of listening to what the next generations are saying to help bridge gaps, develop pathways, programs and initiatives that cater to their needs,” Tass said.

Survey

In addition to Wednesday’s Youth Forum, the GCM and NUGAS have issued an online survey for young people aged 16 to 25. 

Share your thoughts, tell us what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d love to see more of in our community. This is an open and inclusive space to speak up, be heard, and shape the future of youth engagement in the Greek community.

Take the 5-minute survey here: https://wkf.ms/3VmvlyU

In attendance at the 25 August Meeting: 

GCM 
Bill Papastergiadis OAM 
Tass Sgardelis
Dora Papamakarios 
Stella Moschos 
Antonia Tsamis (staff)

NUGAS
Jamie Gallos
Panos Stamatopoulos
Nicholas Koumides
Demi Bourdopoulos
Martha Stamatopoulos
Spiros Zervos
Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsitting