NEWS AND VIEWS: The changing face of the engineers' society (09/09/01)

NEWS AND VIEWS

The changing face of the engineers' society

by Andrew Wowk

NEW YORK - In the past weeks, most of us have probably talked on a cellular phone, used a computer, or seen a building being raised. But if you were to ask someone to name the Ukrainian American organization whose members actually design these items, you may get a blank stare. The answer is the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America (UESA). Founded more than 50 years ago, the UESA currently has some 700 members in 10 branches located across the United States. Besides engineers, it also counts scientists, architects and many other technical professionals among its members.

Headquartered in New York City, the UESA organizes technical and social events, publishes a technical journal (Visti TUIA), and provides valuable networking opportunities for its members. Past UESA presentations have explored such topics as the Ukrainian aerospace industry and communications in the digital age. Many in the Ukrainian community have probably heard of, or attended, such annual UESA social functions as the Christmastime "Yalynka" in New York City, or UESA-sponsored debutante balls in Philadelphia and Detroit.

Like may Ukrainian organizations, the UESA has responded to the changing Ukrainian diaspora and the "Information Age." Today, many of its new members are from the younger generation of Ukrainian American professionals, and from the "Fourth Wave" of immigrants from Ukraine. The UESA has also created a home on the World Wide Web (www.uesa.org), to provide members and the public with access to news, events, technical information from the United States and Ukraine, and branch activities. The website also includes a recently created survey, which is very important for verifying member information. An e-mail discussion list (uesa@yahoogroups.com) also is available.

For the future, the UESA is considering new value-added services for its members, such as discounts on express mail and car rentals. The organization is also co-sponsoring events with other Ukrainian American organizations. For example, the New York and New Jersey branches of the UESA will hold a fall dance on November 10 in New York City with the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) and the Ukrainian Institute of America (UIA).

The UESA is also planning other social and professional events, such as awards banquets, technical presentations and sports outings for members and their guests. Other activities in the works include establishing UESA student groups among Ukrainian American students at various colleges and universities, and holding career days for students and newly arrived technical professionals from Ukraine.

For the latest information about upcoming UESA events, to obtain a membership application, or to fill out the UESA membership survey, visit www.uesa.org, or write to: UESA, 2 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10021. To join the UESA e-mail discussion list, send an e-mail message to uesa@yahoogroups.com. Information about past or "missing" UESA members is also appreciated.

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