FACES AND PLACES: Assuming the leadership challenge (05/31/98)

FACES AND PLACES

by Myron B. Kuropas

Assuming the leadership challenge

You'll forgive a dad for boasting, but it seems like only yesterday that I wrote an article titled "To My Son, the UNA Delegate." In reality, that was in May of 1986, 12 years ago, just prior to the UNA convention in Detroit. Today, Stefko, you're a UNA vice-president, the third Kuropas to serve as the vice-president of one of the oldest, continuously-functioning Ukrainian organizations in the world.

You have made our whole family proud, as has your brother Michael, who worked hard for you and received 70 votes for UNA Advisor even though he never actively campaigned. Your Aunt Vera also labored on your behalf. It was a family thing because the UNA has been in our blood for three generations.

As you celebrate your victory, however, remember that you defeated Eugene Iwanciw, a UNA activist, and a long-time member of the assembly. Mr. Iwanciw's record as the head of the UNA Washington Office set a precedent that will never be matched. He deserves our respect.

Remember also how critical you were of your predecessor. He and some of his supporters accused you, and others that raised questions about the past eight years, of being "negative," of not being a "team player," of not being "fraternal," of being a "troublemaker," even of being "sleazy." You may get more of the same in the future. People who have new ideas, who make waves, who question the establishment, are always vulnerable. The spotlight is now on you. You will be expected to perform. But then you know all about that.

The 1998 UNA convention was difficult and more unpredictable than most conventions are. The elections at this convention were not, as some critics have suggested, simply a "popularity contest." This time there was a clear message.

As I see it, the delegates wanted change and elected many younger people to the General Assembly. With 99 votes, Roma Hadzewycz made a very respectable showing in her run for the presidency. Had 12 more delegates voted for her and not the incumbent, she would have won. That says something. The retention of Anya Dydyk-Petrenko, Taras Szmagala, Jr., Alexander Chudolij, Nick Diakiwsky and the election of Yaroslav Zaviysky, Andrij Skyba, Wasyl Szeremeta and Halyna Kolessa, a member of Ukraine's fourth immigration wave also says something.

Although they sought change, our delegates also craved a certain amount of predictability. This explains the retention of Ulana Diachuk, Martha Lysko, William Pastuszek, Stefan Hawrysz, Alexander Serafyn and other, older, more experienced assembly members. In theory, old and new should be a good mix, provided personal animosities are overcome and a certain amount of team effort is developed.

Our delegates are to be congratulated. They sat through hours of deliberations, bordering at times on chaos. They were tired, occasionally disruptive, but they endured. With rare exceptions, they listened and responded. We can be especially proud of our older delegates, the last of a rare breed of dedicated UNA'ers who, despite their age, rarely complained. A perfect example is your amazing 97-year-old grandfather. I was tired. He was invigorated.

The convention provided many choice moments. The exemplary performance of the father-son team of the two Taras Szmagalas (Senior and Junior) is worthy of note. By-laws changes at a convention are never an easy task, especially when there are many different perspectives. The Szmagalas handled the task with efficiency, grace and humor.

As difficult as it was, Stefko, getting elected was easy compared to what lies ahead. Now comes the hard part. Some UNA'ers were not pleased with your election and they may block new initiatives. It won't be pleasant. I know. I've been there. Changing the way the UNA does business will take planning, tact and patience.

As I suggested on these pages prior to the convention, our latest conclave promised to be a historic one. We were not disappointed. Monumental decisions were made regarding mergers with the Ukrainian Fraternal Association, the Ukrainian National Aid Association, the future adoption of a corporate structure, making Svoboda a weekly, shortening Soyuzivka's season, and more slashing of fraternal benefits. We were told, over and over again, that "we have no choice." Perhaps.

The next four years will be even more decisive. If approved by the state insurance commissions and the UFA delegates, the upcoming mergers will inaugurate a whole new chapter in our history. How will our new members be accepted? How will they fit in? What new ideas will they bring? What impact will the mergers have on the Ukrainian community? Will our community finally wake up and realize that the future of the "new" Ukrainian National Association may well determine their future as well?

Some people believe that the convention gave us a number of "lemons." Perhaps. But lemons often produce lemonade.

Take the transformation of Svoboda into a weekly. You and I voted against the decision, but now that it's been made, we need to move forward. The editors of Svoboda have an opportunity to remake Svoboda into a weekly worthy of the name. More ads, more pictures, more articles geared to the fourth wave. Handled properly, this lemon could produce the best lemonade Svoboda has had in years. The fact that subscriptions will now be only $50 annually is a great selling point for UNA membership. New Ukrainian-language gazettes are emerging everywhere, it seems. They are self-supportive. What do their managers know? Can we learn from them?

Reverting to a summer-only scheduled at Soyuzivka could also be a good thing. That's how Soyuzivka began its existence many years ago and it seemed to work out just fine. Other resorts seem to be doing very well. SUM-A resorts in Ellenville, N.Y., and Baraboo, Wisc., are thriving. Why? Can we learn something from their management?

Contrary to popular opinion among some UNA executives, not all ethnic fraternal associations are experiencing difficulties. The Polish National Alliance, the Greek Catholic Union and the Sons of Norway are holding their own. What can we learn from them?

You have made us all proud, Stefko, and we know you'll do your best. The delegates have entrusted you with an important assignment. Along with your team of like-minded assembly members, you can make a difference. Keep your cool, son, follow your conscience, and don't take yourself too seriously. Above all, have fun and make the next four years truly memorable.

Myron Kuropas' e-mail address is: mbkuropas@compuserve.com