An appeal to UNA members, convention delegates, officers of district committees and branches (10/22/00)

An appeal to UNA members, convention delegates, officers of district committees and branches

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Ukrainian Weekly issue of October 8 (No. 41) carried a special supplement with proposed changes to the UNA By-Laws. These changes were prepared by the UNA By-Laws Committee headed by UNA Advisor Taras Szmagala Jr. in accordance with a resolution of the past UNA Convention held in May 1998. The convention's intention was to propose a change of governance of our society, which the proposed by-laws changes reflect.

The process of preparing the changes started after the convention. The General Assembly at its December, 1999 annual meeting discussed the first draft of the proposal but ran out of time to finish the review. A By-Laws Subcommittee met on May 10 to finalize the draft. The published proposal was the result of that work. It will be reviewed by the General Assembly at its upcoming meeting to be held on December 1-3.

The final version of the proposed by-laws changes, which might include comments received from members, after the approval of the General Assembly, will be submitted via a mail ballot to the delegates of the past convention and the members of the previous General Assembly for approval or rejection. In order for approval the by-laws changes to go into effect at the next convention in May 2002, a two-thirds "yes" vote is necessary.

Before the final version of the changes is approved, the General Assembly is asking for input from the UNA membership. It is of utmost importance that all members, delegates and officers of district committees and branches carefully read the published proposed changes, familiarize themselves with the issues, discuss them in their branches, and write their viewpoints, questions and comments, which will be published in Svoboda or The Ukrainian Weekly.

The proposed changes of the governance are of major importance to the future of our organization. They deserve the full attention and consideration of the UNA membership.

Your comments and questions should be directed to National Secretary Martha Lysko and Advisor Taras Szmagala Jr.

Ulana M. Diachuk, president

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