December 2, 2016

The UNA General Assembly reports

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The Ukrainian National Association recently held the annual meeting of its General Assembly, the highest decision-making body of that fraternal organization (which happens to be our publisher) between its quadrennial conventions. The story that begins on page 1 of this issue notes the most significant news and reports from the annual session, including the key piece of information about the notable increase in the UNA’s surplus and the good news that profits have been up for four straight years. But there is so much more to the reports presented in written and oral form by the organization’s executive officers, advisors and auditors. Allow us to share our reflections upon having read each and every one of them.

First of all, it must be noted that, save for the three-in-house executive employees who are full-time employees of the UNA, everyone else on the General Assembly is a volunteer. However, even the UNA officers do a great amount of volunteer work beyond their duties, and they do it on behalf of the UNA. For example, the UNA president chairs the National Council of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the UNA treasurer is on the UCCA’s Auditing Committee and, prior to the most recent Congress of Ukrainians of America, served on its by-laws committee.

The reports of other General Assembly members revealed a variety of volunteer contributions. A few of the advisors are closely involved with the Soyuzivka Heritage Center’s programs, such as the Adoptive Families Weekend and its bilingual children’s camps, as well as its immensely popular annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival. Several executives, auditors and advisors are involved in political advocacy, organizing and meeting with their members of Congress, whether in their home states or in Washington, to discuss issues of concern to all Ukrainian Americans.

And then there are numerous local initiatives in which UNA activists are engaged in their respective communities throughout North America – in Florida, California, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ontario and Quebec and elsewhere. They are actively involved in festivals, commemorations and all manner of community gatherings. Plus, UNA General Assembly members are also members and activists of diverse organizations, among them the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Shevchenko Scientific Society and the new Ukrainian American Business and Professionals Association, not to mention local parishes.

To be sure, there are also countless community events attended by UNA General Assembly members, thus demonstrating their support for these endeavors – and raising the UNA’s community profile.

All of the above can be described as the UNA’s community outreach – something that through the course of the Ukrainian National Association’s 122-year history has always defined it.

The fact is that members of the General Assembly are known within their communities and are the local face of the UNA. As Advisor Gloria Horbaty noted in her report, “Being active in the Ukrainian community, I am approached often by both UNA members and non-members looking for news about our fraternal organization. They have opinions, suggestions and comments. I listen, respond when I have the necessary knowledge, and refer them to the Home Office or obtain the answer for them.” All of which gives her an opportunity to promote the UNA’s mission of service to our hromada.

Indeed, all the members of the General Assembly are true believers in the UNA and cognizant of what it has done and continues to do for our community. They are also true community activists who work on behalf of both the UNA and myriad other organizations in our midst – something that deserves to be noted and appreciated.

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