THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (03/22/98)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING

Pittsburgh

by Jaroslawa Komichak

AMBRIDGE, Pa. - The Pittsburgh District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association held its annual meeting at the UNA club in Ambridge, Pa., on Saturday, February 14. The executive committee of the Ukrainian National Association was represented at the meeting by UNA President Ulana Diachuk. About 30 members from seven branches attended the meeting.

In her initial remarks, Mrs. Diachuk spoke of the organization's quest for young membership in order to assure its future. She had the highest praise for the Pittsburgh District for exceeding its 1997 quota for new members. She particularly praised Michael Turko, secretary of UNA Branch 63 in Ford City, Pa., who enrolled 35 new members in 1997 for $186,000 in life insurance. Mrs. Diachuk rewarded Mr. Turko with a monetary gift, and those present gave him a round of applause.

The present officers of the district committee were re-elected. They are: Nick Diakiwsky, chairman; Osyp Polatajko, vice-chairman; Jaroslawa Komichak, Ukrainian-language secretary; Angela Honchar, English-language secretary; and Eli Matiash, treasurer.

In her further talk, Mrs. Diachuk spoke of the monumental task facing fraternal insurance organizations as they enter the 21st century. They will have to adopt new technology to operate efficiently. Some will have to merge to survive, while others will have to enlist professional insurance agents to compete.

Mrs. Diachuk touched upon the upcoming UNA convention to be held in Toronto in May of this year and the problems that it will have to resolve. But most of her remarks centered on the possible merger of the Ukrainian Fraternal Association and the Ukrainian National Aid Association of America with the Ukrainian National Association.

Zenon Komonytsky, honorary member of the executive board of the Ukrainian Fraternal Association, spoke convincingly in favor of the merger. After a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of such a merger, Michael Komichak of Branch 264, proposed a non-binding resolution in favor of the merger under the name Ukrainian National Fraternal Association. It was passed unanimously with a request that the vote be made public in Svoboda as an expression of the will of the UNA's Pittsburgh District Committee.

The UNA now has 1,770 members in the Pittsburgh area organized in 12 branches. The largest branch is in Ambridge, Pa., with 428 members; Ford City has 377 members; and Pittsburgh proper has 330 members in two separate branches.

Mrs. Diachuk also spoke about the great expense the UNA encounters in the publication of its two newspapers: the Ukrainian-language Svoboda and the English-language Ukrainian Weekly. She pointed out that the postage alone costs the UNA $1,500 a day, almost $500,000 a year. Steps are being taken to reduce the expense of publishing both papers she said, adding that this matter will be reviewed at the convention.

After the meeting all present were treated to a buffet luncheon as discussions about the UNA went on.

Mrs. Diachuk was then interviewed for the "Ukrainian Radio Program" by its director, Mr. Komichak.

Young UNA'ers

Adriana Lidia Rubycz, daughter of Romana Lashewycz-Rubycz and Taras Rubycz, is a new member of UNA Branch 70 in Jersey City, N.J. She was enrolled by her parents.

Danielle Andrea Kruchowy, daughter of Nadia Hlushko Kruchowy and Eugene Kruchowy, is a new member of UNA Branch 8 in Yonkers, N.Y. She was enrolled by her grandparents Rozalia and Dmytro Hlushko.

Lauren Keiko Yoneyama Sergejewich, daughter of Peter Sergejewich and Norma Yoneyama, is a new member of UNA Branch 888 in Toronto. The 1-year-old was enrolled by her grand-parents Peter and Maria Sergejewich.

Natalie Cap, daughter of Andrew Peter and Becky Marie Cap, is a new member of UNA Branch 47 in Bethlehem, Pa. She was enrolled by her grandparents Jean-Pierre and Biruta Cap.