EDITORIAL: The UCCA 24 years later (10/10/04)

EDITORIAL

The UCCA 24 years later

The 19th Congress of Ukrainian Americans held two weeks ago marked a turning point in the history of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America as it was the first time that the Ukrainian National Association had participated in a UCCA conclave since 1980. That year over 20 organizations, including the UNA, staged a walk-out in protest against intolerance of dissenting views, violations of the UCCA By-Laws and procedural irregularities at the congress.

Twenty-four years later the UNA is back. The UNA arrived at the congress hoping, as President Stefan Kaczaraj said, "to find common ground for the good of our community." Its delegates actively participated in the 19th Congress, taking part in deliberations and committee work, and proposing much-needed amendments to the UCCA By-Laws. It must be stated the UNA's representatives found a welcoming atmosphere and fellow delegates who were willing to listen and to compromise. For their part, the UNA's officers came prepared to work and to join the ranks of the UCCA leadership so that they could work from within for the betterment of the umbrella organization, and ultimately the entire Ukrainian community in the United States.

To be sure, the 19th Congress was far from perfect, and the UCCA could use a major tune-up (perhaps overhaul is a better word) both in terms of how it conducts its congresses and its now outdated by-laws. A few observations are in order.

First and foremost, it must be stated that the conduct of the congress left much to be desired. The minutes from the 18th Congress were neither read at the conclave nor published in book form as were the reports of UCCA officers and other officials. The congress chairman summarily made decisions on motions proposed by delegates and curtailed discussion. The Verifications Committee reported on the number of delegates qualified to vote only on the last day of the congress, right before the election of the UCCA National Executive Board. That the UCCA By-Laws are in need of major changes has been evident to many in our community, but the fact that there are serious discrepancies, as was revealed at the congress, between the Ukrainian- and English-language versions of the document is simply unfathomable.

Finally, we must point out that it would have been much more productive if the findings and/or suggestions that emanated from the eight significant workshops held during the congress had made their way into the congress resolutions in the form of concrete proposals that would form part of an action plan for the umbrella organization - and not declarative statements about the need to focus attention on, say, youth, or new immigrants, or participation in community life. Perhaps that may yet come to pass once the UCCA's National Council is constituted and gathers for its meeting.

But there was notable progress at the 19th Congress. That could be seen in the passage of UNA-proposed amendments to the UCCA By-Laws and the adoption of a forward-looking resolution which noted that more remains to be done. The resolution stated: "The 19th Congress of the UCCA further appreciates the contribution of the UNA and appreciates the good faith efforts made so far which have led to the participation of the UNA in the 19th Congress of the UCCA. The Congress also acknowledges that further refinement of outstanding issues must take place, which will serve to strengthen the relationship and will serve as a means by which to unify Ukrainian American organizations in our community under one central umbrella organization."

In his address to the 19th Congress, UNA President Kaczaraj underscored: "It is time for us to set aside our quarrels and to work together for the good of our entire community and Ukraine. We call on this congress to extend its hand and begin negotiations with all Ukrainian organizations that are not members of the UCCA, and to be willing to compromise."

The hope is that the UNA's move to rejoin the UCCA structure, its activity at the 19th Congress and its resolve to serve as a catalyst for change will lead to an even greater turning point on the road to unity for the entire Ukrainian American community. For, "In unity there is strength."

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