THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (02/15/04)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Branch 13 in Watervliet holds annual elections meeting

WATERVLIET, N.Y. - The yearly meeting of St. Nicholas Brotherhood Society, Branch 13 of the Ukrainian National Association in Watervliet, N.Y., was held on Sunday, January 18, in the Ukrainian American Citizens' Club.

Despite cold weather, 30 members came to listen to the reports and elect a new executive committee for the year 2004. President Nicholas Fil opened the meeting with a prayer (a brotherhood tradition during the 108 years of its existence), followed by "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "O, Khto, Khto Mykolaya Liubyt (which is dedicated to St. Nicholas).

The long-time secretary of the brotherhood, John Zendran, read the names of over 140 deceased members, and UNA Branch Secretary Paul Shewchuk read the names of the deceased members of the UNA. A moment of silence followed to honor past members. The secretary then read the minutes of the last monthly meeting, and one new member, Stefan Yedynak, was accepted as a member of the St. Nicholas Brotherhood.

The meeting participants proceeded to elect Slavko Tysiak as chairman and Jacob Spiak as a secretary to conduct the yearly election process. First Mr. Tysiak asked the outgoing executive committee to give its report for the year 2003.

Mr. Fil outlined the entire year's activities, noting that there were seven monthly meetings.

During the pre-Easter Bazaar held by the local chapter of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, UNA Branch 13 had a table with information about the UNA. On Good Friday and Holy Saturday brotherhood members formed an honor guard at the Watervliet church.

In June 2003, Branch 13 and the Albany District Committee of the UNA organized a trip of about 100 people to the UNA's resort, Soyuzivka, for the traditional Father's Day dinner. Mr. Fil noted that members said the 2003 dinner was the best so far.

In December, in keeping with branch tradition, members attended liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Watervliet, where Father Michael Myshchuk read the names of all members who had passed away since the branch's founding 108 years ago. After the divine liturgy members went to the Ukrainian Club for a breakfast prepared by Theodosia Shewchuk and Mariyka Fil.

During the year Semen Ksenych, Stefan Gebuza, Mr. Shewchuk, Andrij Demczar, Mr. Zendran, Mr. Fil and others visited sick and old members in hospitals and their homes.

Treasurer John Suchowacki reported that 2003 was very challenging for the branch because it donated $500 for Soyuzivka's renaissance and another $500 for the new patriarchal cathedral in Kyiv during the visit of Cardinal Lubomyr Husar on December 11, 2003, to the Watervliet parish. In addition, the branch donated $30 to the UCCA National Fund, $30 for candy during the annual St. Nicholas Play and paid the Ukrainian Club for use of its hall.

UNA Secretary Mr. Shewchuk reported that Branch 13 had signed up 11 new members (Mr. Shewchuk - 7, Mr. Fil - 4), which exceeded the quota of six new members. Last year eight college students from the Watervliet branch received UNA scholarships.

After the reports and a short discussion, the election committee proceeded with the election of new officers. The entire executive was re-elected: president - Mr. Fil, vice-president - Wolodymyr Litynsky, secretary - Mr. Zendran, alternate secretary - Taras Myshchuk, treasurer - Mr. Suchowacki, alternate treasurer - Andrij Wasienko, UNA secretary - Mr. Shewchuk, alternate - Mr. Fil, committee to visit the sick - Messrs. Ksenych and Gebuza, auditors - Mr. Tysiak, Mr. Spiak and Mr. Demczar.

After the elections Mr. Fil thanked the members for cooperation during the past year and outlined the activities for 2004. In order to rebuild the branch treasury a dance is planned in February or April (after Easter) at the Ukrainian Club. In addition, he noted that the branch's agenda for the year includes bread-baking as well as the making and selling of varenyky.

After the meeting, members enjoyed delicious canapes prepared by Ms. Shewchuk, Melanie Suchowacki, Olga Zendran and Ms. Fil.

Correction

The last name of Ulana Stelmach Steck was incorrectly listed as Stec in the Young UNA'ers column on February 1. Her last name was also incorrectly listed in an earlier story about donations to Soyuzivka.

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