THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (04/24/05)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Northern New Jersey District Committee holds annual meeting

by Roma Hadzewycz

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Northern New Jersey District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association, which encompasses 18 branches, held its annual meeting here at the UNA Corporate Headquarters on Friday, April 15.

The meeting was brought to order by District Chairman Stephan Welhasch, who welcomed branch representatives, district officers and two members of the UNA General Assembly, UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj and Advisor Eugene Oscislawski. Fifteen people representing the district's various branches participated in the meeting.

Mr. Welhasch opened the meeting and called for a moment of silence in honor of Northern New Jersey District members who had passed away during the past year. Mr. Oscislawski was elected to chair the meeting; while Roma Hadzewycz recorded the minutes.

In lieu of the minutes from the previous annual meeting, Mr. Welhasch read the official report on the meeting that was published in the UNA's newspapers.

The district chairman then delivered his report, thanking all for their cooperation and noting that in his first year as chairman he was still learning a lot about the organization's work. He thanked UNA National Secretary Christine Kozak for her assistance.

The chairman also cited the district's successful bus trip to Soyuzivka for Father's Day in 2004 and the involvement of the district's members - especially Stefko Woch, Christine Brodyn and Oksana Trytjak - in manning UNA information tables at various festivals around the state and beyond, including New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

As well, Mr. Welhasch reported on the Northern New Jersey District's organizing accomplishments, pointing out that the district experienced a 10 percent growth in members and was responsible for $1.5 million in new insurance. However, he added, the district's membership quota for 2004 was met by only 54 percent.

Vice-Chairman Julian Kotliar then reported, joking that it's easy to be vice-chairman when the chairman does everything. He focused on organizing activity, stating that it is hard to enroll new members these days and suggesting that a new approach is needed to attract younger members.

Speaking on behalf of the Auditing Committee, Mr. Oscislawski, chairman, said that he and his committee members, Christine Brodyn and Lydia Ciapka, had reviewed the district's books and had found everything to be in order. He expressed commendations for a job well done to Treasurer Walter Honcharyk and reported that the district had a balance of $2,046.54 in its account.

The reports were unanimously approved by meeting participants.

Next on the agenda was the election of district officers for the new term. A proposal from the floor to re-elect the entire slate of officers was greeted with applause and the slate was re-elected by acclamation.

District officers are: Mr. Welhasch, chairman; Mr. Kotliar, vice-chairman; Daria Semegen, secretary; Mr. Honcharyk, treasurer; Ms. Hadzewycz (The Ukrainian Weekly editor-in-chief), English-language press liaison; Irene Jarosewich (Svoboda editor-in-chief), Ukrainian-language press liaison; Ms. Trytjak, organizing director; Lon Staruch and Michael Bohdan, members-at-large; Mr. Oscislawski, Ms. Brodyn and Ms. Ciapka, auditing committee. Wolodymyr Bilyk and John Chomko remain as honorary district chairmen.

UNA President Kaczaraj then addressed the gathering, reporting on the state of the organization for 2004. He noted that insurance sales were up slightly, but not enough to cover costs of UNA operations. Expenses of Soyuzivka nearly doubled, he said, explaining that while the resort had more guests than during the previous year, expenses increased to $620,000. The UNA's newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly also had increased expenses, up from $161,000 in 2003 to $240,000 in 2004.

Mr. Kaczaraj then revealed that discussions are under way about transferring Soyuzivka from a limited liability corporation that is wholly owned by the UNA to a foundation that would be created as a separate entity. It is hoped that the foundation could then secure a significant loan for the purpose of renovating facilities at Soyuzivka, in particular its Main House, in hopes of attracting corporate business year-round.

In regard to the UNA's newspapers, Mr. Kaczaraj said that the UNA had hired a consultant, who is to report on how to cut down expenses. Later, during the question and answer session, the UNA president explained that the consultant is also to suggest how the publications can increase income.

Among other subjects discussed during the open discussion part of the meeting were: renovations and town houses at Soyuzivka; the importance of both the UNA's newspapers and Soyuzivka to the UNA as fraternal benefits; and the new foundation for Soyuzivka, which will have 501 (c) (3) status.

The final item on the meeting's agenda was a plan of activity for the year. Mr. Welhasch said that the district will once again organize a bus trip to Soyuzivka for Father's Day. He also underscored that the district needs to devote more attention to new immigrants and their needs, and he opened a discussion on how the UNA can reach this new wave.

Meeting participants, including professional sales agents and one member of what is known as the Fourth Wave of immigration, expressed various ideas on how to accomplish this, as all agreed that the UNA has something to offer these newcomers to the United States. Nina Bilchuk of the UNA's Home Office noted that, with the positive changes in Ukraine, there is an increase of interest in identifying with Ukraine. She said she is optimistic that members of the latest wave of immigrants will eventually join the UNA, though it may take time. She also noted that UNA brochures must be written in a language they understand and that there are many Ukrainians in Brooklyn who can be approached.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Staruch mentioned that there will be a Ukrainian Day at Giants Stadium on September 17 and that the UNA should participate with an information table. Likewise, Mr. Bohdan suggested that a UNA information table be set up at St. Thomas Sunday (Providna Nedilia) observances at the Ukrainian Orthodox Center in South Bound Brook, N.J., as the event attracts thousands of people.

Mr. Welhasch read a notice from National Secretary Kozak about a special course on annuities that is planned to be held at the UNA Home Office. Ms. Trytjak, who is president of the UNA Seniors, distributed leaflets about the organization's annual seniors' conference, which will take place at Soyuzivka on June 12-17.

Once the meeting was adjourned, discussions continued over refreshments.

Young UNA'ers

Sophia Yamanishi, daughter of Alexandra C. Bodnar and Mike Yamanishi, is a new member of UNA Branch 13. She was enrolled by her parents, who live in Pepperell, Mass.
Mark Andrew Rokycky, son of Svetlana and Andrew Rokycky of Wethersfield, Conn., is a new member of UNA Branch 277. He was enrolled by his grandparents Vira and Lubomyr Rokycky.
Pavlo Odemchuk, son of Halyna and Oleksandr Odemchuk of Kent, Wash., is a new member of UNA Branch 496. He was enrolled by his parents.
Pavel and Lidiya Pashchuk, children of Oksana and Andrij Pashchuk of Kent, Wash., are new members of UNA Branch 496. They were enrolled by their parents.

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