SUSK holds 48th congress in Hamilton (04/02/00)

SUSK holds 48th congress in Hamilton

by Roman W. Zakaluzny

HAMILTON, Ontario - The Ukrainian Canadian Students' Union (SUSK) held its 48th annual congress here over the weekend of February 24-27. Twenty-one delegates from across Canada and the United States converged on "Steeltown" for the three-day conference with sessions held at McMaster University.

"The congress was an interesting experience, as it is every year," said re-elected SUSK President Michael Ilnycky. "Even with the lower than expected turnout, it appeared that everyone had a good time and was able to take something and hopefully apply it to their work in the Ukrainian community," he added.

Students from Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; London, Toronto and Windsor, Buffalo, N.Y., Cleveland and Detroit met up with Hamilton students and agreed on a number of resolutions for the upcoming year. Some of the resolutions included: for SUSK to be at more community events; to investigate the feasibility of a SUSK summer tour to Ukraine; to investigate questionable immigration policies of the Canadian government; and to actively seek out and promote internships for students in firms and non-governmental organizations in Ukraine.

The keynote speaker was Eugene Czolij, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Mr. Czolij spoke on the need for more cooperation between the two groups, and suggested ways this could be achieved. SUSK resolved to actively support and promote political positions taken by the UCC.

A SUSK executive was elected for the year. Commenting on his re-election as president, Mr. Ilnycky said he was looking forward to serving a second term. "Working with other members of the SUSK executive who have also maintained their positions will add a great deal of continuity, along with a wealth of experience."

The executive also includes: Pavlo Horbal, vice-president, internal; Daria Bindas, secretary; Jeannette Mandrusiak, treasurer; Roman Zakaluzny, vice-president, external; Myron Genyk, vice-president, external, Ukrainian organizations; Kathy Dmytrisin, projects director; Marta Stangret and Ivan Horich, directors of communications and publications; Lubko Belej, alumni and archives; Christina Duzyj, U.S. representative; Michael Wesolowsky, vice- president, Great Lakes Region; and Myroslava Hirna, vice- president, Mountain Region.

The regional positions of vice-president for the Laurentians and the prairies remain vacant.

As to the congress itself, most delegates who attended agreed it was well worth it. "I'm going to fail my midterm, and I've fallen irreparably behind in my other work, but I'm still glad I went," said Mr. Horbal of Windsor.

Mr. Horbal and other delegates praised the congress organizing committee from Hamilton, and its chair, Michael (Mishko) Wesolowsky. "I know that the organizers of next year's congress are going to have a lot of work if [they] want to top this year," said Edmonton delegate Christina Gaborak.

Plans for the upcoming year include more active participation from all members of the SUSK executive and the development of an effective system of communications between SUSK and its member-clubs, said Mr. Ilnycky. "This includes providing them with the tools to help address their concerns and challenges," he added.

It was resolved that the 49th congress will be held in Edmonton next year. For more information, please consult the organization's website at www.susk.ca.

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