THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (04/05/98)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING

Detroit

by Stephen M. Wichar Sr

WARREN, Mich. - The annual meeting of the Detroit/Toledo/Windsor District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association convened in Warren, Mich., on March 1. Nine branches sent approximately 30 delegates to the meeting. After a quorum was established, the assembly was called to order by Dr. Alexander Serafyn, chairman of the Detroit District Committee, who greeted branch secretaries, officers, guests, UNA Advisor Roman Kuropas and UNA Vice-Presidentess Anya Dydyk-Petrenko. UNA Auditor Anatole Doroshenko, who was listed as an official speaker, was unable to attend.

A memorial service was conducted for UNA members who died in 1997-1998. A presidium was selected with Dr. Serafyn as chairman, and Roman Lazarchuk as secretary. Mr. Lazarchuk then read the minutes of the March 1997 annual meeting, which were unanimously accepted with a commendation.

The reports of outgoing officers began with that of the chairman. Dr. Serafyn, who is also a UNA advisor, summarized his UNA activities on both the national and local levels. These included participation in UNA General Assembly meetings, the blessing of the newly acquired UNA Corporate Headquarters building, deliberations of various UNA subcommittees, organizing meetings, the author's night for Dr. Myron Kuropas, UNA Day at the Dibrova estate, and screenings and distribution of the film "Hryvnia" to interested groups.

Also listed by Dr. Serafyn as his duties were representation of the UNA at the Michigan Fraternal Congress, a meeting with U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham regarding immigration issues and a mass naturalization ceremony, as well as the presentation of special UNA diplomas to graduating students of the local school of Ukrainian studies.

Mr. Lazarchuk presented a report covering his duties as secretary and commented on local and national UNA issues. Yaroslaw Baziuk, treasurer, reported on the financial status of the Detroit District, noting that it was a relatively inactive year in terms of both income and expenses.

Advisor Kuropas followed with a report on his activities with Michigan Gov. John Engler's office and the Republican Party.

Olha Marusczak, the district's auditing committee chairperson, commented on her audit of the treasurer and secretary, noting that both officers follow high standards in organizational bookkeeping. She added a verbal commendation for Zenon Wasylkevych and Stephen Wichar Sr. for their performance in the sphere of public relations and publicity. She offered her highest praise to Mr. Serafyn, who "provided much-needed UNA leadership in the Metropolitan Detroit area; he has, indeed, fulfilled his role as a national advisor."

At this point, Ms. Marusczak made a formal motion to grant the outgoing board a vote of confidence; the proposal was unanimously accepted.

Mr. Wasylkevych, chairman of the nominations committee, presented a slate of candidates for the coming 1998-1999 term. The following were named: Dr. Serafyn, chairman; Mr. Wichar, vice-chairman and public relations/publicity (English) officer; Mr. Baziuk, treasurer and financial secretary; Mr. Lazarchuk, corresponding and recording secretary; Dr. Atanas Slusarczuk, PR (Ukrainian); Mr. Wasylkevych, publicity (Ukrainian); Jurij Rub and Osyp Bihun, programs and hospitality; Gregory Korbiak, Dmytro Koszylowsky, Mr. Kuropas and Petro Zaluha, advisors; Ms. Marusczak, Josef Postolowsky and Serafina Marzotto, auditors. The proposed slate was unanimously elected.

After congratulations were offered to the new board, Dr. Serafyn invited Ms. Dydyk-Petrenko to address the delegation. After briefly welcoming the audience, Ms. Dydyk-Petrenko provided data about the Detroit District. Thirteen branches enrolled 29 new members for total insurance coverage of $184,000. Only 41 percent of the district's assigned quota of 70 members was achieved. Total membership of the Detroit District is 1,982; a loss of 95 members was sustained in 1997. Among the UNA's 27 districts, Detroit placed 20th in terms of organizing activity. The district's top organizers were: Vera Krywyj (Branch 174) , who enrolled 10 new members; Alexandra Lawrin (Branch 175), five members; and Ms. Marusczak (Branch 82), four members.

In an informal dialogue, Ms. Dydyk-Petrenko fielded all pertinent questions. A major portion of the discussion was devoted to the proposed merger between the UNA and the Ukrainian Fraternal Association. Other subjects included payment of dividends, and the UNA's official publications, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly.

Next on the agenda was a plan of work for the next term, including a UNA Day at Dibrova, an organizing conference, a meeting with professors from Ostroh, Ukraine (a project of Dr. Kuropas), a seminar with the Self-reliance Federal Credit Union regarding consumer fraud and continued screenings of the UNA video "Helm of Destiny" to interested groups. The district also plans to re-energize dormant branches and to better manage publicity that can advance the fraternal interests of the UNA.

After the 1998 annual meeting was formally adjourned, participants enjoyed an evening repast and camaraderie.