Telecommunications fund-raiser helps The Ukrainian Weekly (06/16/02)

Telecommunications fund-raiser helps The Ukrainian Weekly

by Roman Woronowycz

CHICAGO - Perhaps it was the genius of George Stromeckyj that led to the creation of "Dial All Day for the UNA," for some say that the simplest of ideas are usually the most ingenious. But, more likely, it was merely the work of a good businessman who wanted to help a newspaper, which he had faithfully read for years, get over difficult financial times.

Dial All Day for the UNA is a profit-sharing program developed by Mr. Stromeckyj in which the Chicago-based businessman, who owns Sputnik Global Telecommunications, gives a percentage of the money he makes on the service he provides to long-distance telephone service users to The Weekly. Thus far the program has already given the UNA newspaper $2,500.

"When I heard that The Ukrainian Weekly was having financial difficulties, I put two and two together and realized that I could help with this program," explained Mr. Stromeckyj, who added that he believes the program has yet to truly take off and reach its full potential.

The fund-raising program that the 44-year-old businessman created is a beneficial opportunity for both the The Ukrainian Weekly and long-distance telephone users. Mr. Stromeckyj's customers get competitive, affordable rates, while The Weekly gets a percentage of commissions generated by the purchase of long-distance services from Mr. Stromeckyj's company.

Sputnik Global Telecom donates money on a monthly basis to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund from commissions earned from clients who use long-distance telephone service provided by Sputnik. Depending on the total monthly volume of use by Dial All Day for the UNA customers, Mr. Stromeckyj's company donates anywhere from a minimum of 25 percent to a maximum of 50 percent of commissions earned. The more customers use the long distance service, the more money is donated.

Sputnik is an agent for Touch Tone Communications, located in Whippany, N.J., which has supported Mr. Stromeckyj's project and provides his clients competitive prices on its long-distance usage. Within the United States, customers can utilize the service for 4.9 cents per minute, whether for state-to-state, intra-state or local toll calls. To call Ukraine, the rate is equally affordable at 20 cents a minute when utilizing an access code.

Mr. Stromeckyj explained that, in essence, what he has developed is a variation on telecom fund-raisers, a marketing tool that has been around for years and uses incentives to ensure its effectiveness. For The Weekly to receive the maximum amount of dollar donations, long-distance users in the Dial All Day for the UNA program need to generate a total of approximately $20,000 in long-distance charges per month. Then, by the rules of the agreement, Sputnik would donate 50 percent of its commission, or approximately $2,000 a month, to The Weekly's press fund.

To achieve maximum potential, the Dial All Day for the UNA program needs an additional 700 to 800 customers averaging roughly $25 a month in long-distance phone calls. Mr. Stromeckyj said he believes the target figure is very realistic because other organizations have organized up to 15 percent of their membership to receive the benefits of the program. The Weekly would only need to sign up around 8 percent to get the monthly donation of $2,000.

"The way I look at it, every time a customer makes a long distance phone call, The Weekly makes money," explained Mr. Stromeckyj, who is a member of UNA Branch 399.

In the two years that the program has been in place Sputnik Global Telecom has issued a check for 25 consecutive months. To ensure that people are recognized for their effort, Mr. Stromeckyj also sends along a monthly list of subscribers.

"There is no downside to this," explained the president of the telecommunications firm. "We simply need to get the word out."

For additional information or to subscribe to Dial All Day For the UNA, call 1-847-298-5900.

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