Turning the pages back... November 16, 1997 (11/11/01)

Turning the pages back...

November 16, 1997

Four years ago, The Ukrainian Weekly published a report on the annual meeting of the Ukrainian National Association's General Assembly - its last before the regular convention of the largest Ukrainian fraternal benefit society scheduled for May 1998 in Toronto.

During its three days of deliberations on November 6-8, 1997, at Soyuzivka, the UNA General Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the UNA between its quadrennial conventions, took the following actions: examined and approved merger agreements with the Ukrainian National Aid Association and the Ukrainian Fraternal Association, which were to be presented for final approval to the UNA convention; discussed and approved several proposed amendments to the UNA By-Laws that were to be presented to convention delegates (who must ratify any changes by a two-thirds majority); adopted a budget for 1998 of $10,774,000 in income and $11,024,000 in expenses; and confirmed the Executive Committee's acceptance of a request made by Treasurer Alexander Blahitka for a leave of absence for medical reasons, effective immediately through June 30, 1998.

At the annual meeting UNA President Ulana Diachuk announced that, acting in accordance with the UNA By-Laws, the Executive Committee had appointed an acting treasurer. He was Stefan Kaczaraj, C.P.A., who was the UNA's chief accountant for the past four years, and prior to that had served as an outside auditor for the UNA. Mr. Kaczaraj was to serve out the remainder of the treasurer's term (though June 30, 1998).

The General Assembly also adopted a mission statement of the Ukrainian National Association that underlines the principles enumerated in the UNA's charter and renews the fraternal commitments made therein. The mission statement is designed to serve as both a shortened version and an updated restatement of the organizational purposes delineated in the UNA charter. The wording unanimously approved by all members of the General Assembly read as follows:

"The Ukrainian National Association exists: to promote the principles of fraternalism; to preserve the Ukrainian, Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian heritage and culture; and to provide quality financial services and products to its members.

"As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit of its members and the Ukrainian community."

On November 9, 1997, UNA executive officers, auditors, advisors and honorary members of the General Assembly traveled to Parsippany, N.J., for the official blessing of the UNA Corporate Headquarters.

Source: "UNA General Assembly holds pre-convention annual meeting" by Roma Hadzewycz, The Ukrainian Weekly, November 16, 1997, Vol. LXV, No. 46.

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