THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (01/20/02)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA district chairpersons meet in special session at Soyuzivka

by Martha Lysko
UNA National Secretary

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - A meeting of the district chairmen of the Ukrainian National Association was held at Soyuzivka on November 29, 2001. This was the first time since 1992 that the district chairmen had an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and discuss many issues facing UNA branches and districts, and the UNA's organizers.

In attendance were 13 district representatives and members of the UNA Executive Committee. Participants included: Nick Fil, Albany, N.Y.; Anna Haras, Allentown, Pa.; Stefko Kuropas, Chicago; Alexander Serafyn, Detroit; Ihor Hayda, Connecticut; Tekla Moroz, Montreal; Barbara Bachynsky, New York; Michael Zacharko, Central New Jersey; Eugene Oscislawski, Northern New Jersey; Stepan Hawrysz, Philadelphia; Christine Dziuba, Rochester, N.Y.; Ivan Hvozda, Syracuse, N.Y.; and Henry Bolosky, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and Myron Groch, Niagara District.

The meeting was conducted by UNA President Ulana Diachuk, National Secretary Martha Lysko and Treasurer Stefan Kaczaraj.

Mrs. Diachuk opened the meeting. With a moment of silence all present honored the recently departed Leon Hardink, Woonsocket District chairman, who had passed away a week earlier.

The first item on the agenda was reports by the district chairmen on the fraternal and organizing activities in their respective districts.

The first district to report was Albany. Mr. Fil, the district chairman, reported that the Albany District had organized 30 new members for the first nine months of 2001, achieving 75 percent of its annual quota. Albany has over 1,000 members in five UNA branches. The champion organizer for the district is UNA Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk, secretary of Branch 88, who organized 15 members during the report period.

The Albany District, according to Mr. Fil, has the most fraternal activities in the entire UNA network of districts and as a result of these activities the district was able to achieve such a high percentage of its organizing quota. Each month the district alone, or with other local organizations, sponsors dances, picnics, bazaars or other activities. They get together to bake bread or for breakfast after liturgy and church suppers. All proceeds go to various charitable projects, such as to buy candy for the children's Christmas Party, sponsor a seminary student in Ukraine, support a local public television stations that featured the Virsky Dancers and other worthwhile causes. Such activities give the secretaries a chance to be seen and to be active in the community, as well as a chance to look for new members while doing fraternal activities.

Second in order of fraternal activities is the Detroit District, chaired by Dr. Serafyn, UNA auditor, who detailed the activities of his district. Together with Shevchenko Scientific Society the district sponsored a lecture on the Ukrainian language. It participated with the Dibrova Committee in the annual clean-up day at the Dibrova resort in preparation for opening the camp for the summer season. In a longstanding summer tradition, UNA Day was held at Dibrova with a large turnout of UNA members.

The Detroit District participated in a banquet honoring 50 years of community service by Wasyl Kolodchin. It was also represented at the blessing of land for construction of an additional building for the local parish school. It sponsored and took an active part in a meeting of all Ukrainian organizations in the Detroit area. The district represented the UNA at the annual graduation ceremony of the Ukrainian Studies School. The district paid for Christmas greetings from the UNA on the Ukrainian Radio Hour and for greetings on the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

The organizing results for 2001, it was reported, are not very good, as only 10 percent of the assigned quota was met. There are 12 branches in the district encompassing 1,650 members.

Wilkes-Barre was represented by Chairman Bolosky, who reported for six branches and 691 members in his district. In 2001 the district organized two new members, thus achieving 10 percent of its quota. The district is involved in helping new Ukrainian immigrants establish themselves, and it is hoped that, in time, they will be able to join the UNA.

Mrs. Haras, honorary member of the General Assembly and a longtime chairman of the Allentown District, stated that for many years she has represented the UNA at all functions in the region. The Allentown District has 596 members in nine branches. During 2001 it organized two new members, reaching 6.6 percent of its quota.

There are nine branches and 895 members in the Central New Jersey District headed by longtime Chairman Zacharko, who reported that in 2001 the district organized 12 new members and reached 26.7 percent of its yearly quota. UNA Auditor Yaroslaw Zaviysky organized four members. The district actively participates in all local events and activities. This year it took part in the New Jersey banquet celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and also participated in the local church picnic.

Chicago District Chairman and the UNA First Vice-President Kuropas reported that his district had started preparations for the upcoming UNA Convention in Chicago, which is scheduled to begin on May 24. The UNA Chicago District, along with the Ukrainian American Justice Committee, sponsored a book signing by Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk of Canada. The district participated in a fund-raiser for the National University of Ostroh Academy. The district has 15 branches and 1,770 members. Twelve members were organized during 2001, thus completing 12.6 percent of its quota.

Dr. Hayda, chairman of the UNA Connecticut District, reported that the district annually takes an active part in celebrating Ukrainian Day in Stamford. During this event all the district's branch secretaries organize a UNA table and take turns in handing out UNA promotional materials. The UNA branches and the district participate in many programs and events sponsored in the area. The district's branches are scattered throughout the state and each branch sponsors one district meeting in its location. The Connecticut District has 866 members in nine branches. This year it achieved 14.3 percent of its quota by organizing five members.

The Montreal District has only three branches with 643 members. Its longtime chairman is UNA Advisor Moroz. Although it is a small district, it achieved 24 percent of its organizing quota by organizing six new members. All three branches are very active in the Ukrainian community of Montreal.

UNA Auditor Groch represented the Niagara District, since the chairman of the district, Judge Ben Doliszny, was unable to attend. The district attended the fall organizing meeting held in Buffalo, N.Y. There are six branches and 440 members in the district, which achieved 13.3 percent its the quota by enrolling two members during the report period.

The New York District has 18 branches and 1,780 members, as reported by the district's chairperson, UNA Advisor Bachynsky. Although the district is large, it does not organize district activities. During the year 2001 the district enrolled 12 new members, which is 12.6 percent of the assigned quota.

The Northern New Jersey District is chaired by UNA Advisor Oscislawski. In 2001 the district sponsored a "Yalynka" for local children at the UNA Corporate Headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. It also organized a bus trip to Soyuzivka for the annual Father's Day program. It was actively involved in planning the statewide banquet to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. In 2001 the district enrolled 62 new members and thus completed 37.6 percent of its organizing quota.

Ms. Dziuba, Rochester District chairperson, reported that the district is involved in collecting funds to aid the needy in Ukraine. It also sends cards to sick members and holds meetings regularly. Due to the illness of many district officers, the district was unable to organize any members for the first three quarters of 2001.

Dr. Hvozda briefly reported on the activities of the Syracuse District, which has 724 members in eight branches. Each branch is located in a different town with great distances between them. All branches try to meet annually at the district meeting. In 2001 the district organized 12 members, completing 34.3 percent of its quota. The top producer in the district is Michael Felenchak, secretary of Branch 271.

The largest district in the UNA system is headed by longtime Chairman and UNA Auditor Hawrysz. The Philadelphia District has 27 branches and 2,700 members. At this time the district does not sponsor any activities, but it does participate in the many activities of the Philadelphia area Ukrainian community. All branch secretaries and officers of the district are active members of the community. The district achieved 38.52 percent of its assigned quota by organizing 52 members. The best organizer in the district is Branch 10 Secretary Lubov Streletsky.

After the reports, the next item on the agenda was the topic of fraternal activities in the districts and branches. The main question discussed was how to increase these activities. There are no easy answers, since every district has its own specific circumstances; fraternal activities that are suited and successful in one district may not be appropriate for another area. However one thing is certain: districts and branches that have fraternal activities attract more people and thus promote the UNA, which leads to greater success in organizing new members. Discussants agreed that UNA'ers must actively seek out new and younger people to join us in our activities. Branches and districts with a wide range of activities and frequent meetings have greater success in attracting new members.

Another question discussed was the number of branches necessary to form a district and the number of districts the UNA should have.

The last item on the agenda focused on the participation of members, secretaries, branch officers and delegates in the annual meetings of their respective districts. Members of the Executive Committee often travel to the districts at a great expense of both time and effort only to be met with dismal attendance at the meeting. The question of attendance at UNA meetings was left unanswered, but it was agreed that it should be given some consideration in the future. It is very beneficial to all if the district chairmen, General Assembly members and other UNA officers participate in the meetings of their local branches. They are often better informed about the work of the UNA and can explain that work to branch members.

Other topics discussed were: direct billing, Christmas cards, the amount granted to scholarship recipients and Soyuzivka. Everyone actively participated in the discussion regarding these and other issues facing the UNA and tried to help find solutions to the many questions raised.

After the meeting, participants had an opportunity to view a video of the Kyiv celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Weekly receives more donations to "Copies for Congress" project

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit Union, New York has contributed $3,000 to The Ukrainian Weekly's "Copies for Congress" project. The donation arrived at The Weekly's offices at the end of 2001, along with an additional $1,000 donation toward The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund.

Another contribution was received on January 15 from The Selfreliance Baltimore Federal Credit Union, which sent a check for $250 for the "Copies for Congress" project, along with wishes for "much success in your work for the benefit of the Ukrainian nation in the new year 2002."

Thus far four Ukrainian American credit unions and two individuals have responded to The Ukrainian Weekly's letter of November 16, 2001, soliciting donations for its "Copies for Congress" project, which provides free subscriptions to all members of the U.S. Congress.

The Weekly's editor-in-chief had written to the Ukrainian American community's strongest financial institutions, its credit unions, as well as leading Ukrainian community institutions and organizations to solicit donations for the "Copies for Congress" project, whose annual cost is approximately $30,000.

Since that letter was sent The Weekly has received $5,000 in donations.

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