1987: A LOOK BACK: Ukrainian National Association (12/27/87)

1987: A LOOK BACK

Ukrainian National Association

Modernization was the motto at the Ukrainian National Association during 1987 as Home Office operations were being computerized, new and more attractive insurance plans were introduced, and establishment of a professional sales force proceeded apace.

Perhaps most noteworthy was the UNA's new insurance package - new classes and new certificates with low premiums based on the latest (1980) mortality tables - that easily competes within the general life insurance market. Seminars were held throughout the U.S. and in Canada to familiarize UNA'ers with the new products.

The UNA also sought to bolster its operations in Canada by seeking to purchase a suitable building in Toronto to serve as its Canadian headquarters and by hiring professional salesmen for various Canadian districts. In addition, the UNA began looking into the possibility of printing the portion of The Ukrainian Weekly's press run aimed at Canadian readers in Canada, thus making it possible to mail the paper from within the country and speeding up postal delivery.

The Supreme Assembly held its annual meeting at Soyuzivka on June 8-12. The fraternal organization's highest decision-making body between quadrennial conventions voted to award $115,250 in scholarships to 237 students, to make donations totalling $51,000 to various community organizations, and to allocate more than $100,000 for several publishing projects, among them a history of Ukrainian immigration to the U.S. by Dr. Myron B. Kuropas and a second book on the Chornobyl nuclear accident by Dr. David Marples.

Later in the year UNA execs voted to give $10,000 to support the U.S. Commission on the Ukraine Famine.

Supreme Assembly members also agreed that complimentary subscriptions to The Weekly should be sent to all members of the Senate and House of Representatives in an effort to familiarize them with the Ukrainian community's concerns.

UNA assets, of course, continued to grow. The association began the year with $57,253,791 and by November 30, the figure was $60,725,817.

There was news at the UNA resort, too, as Ukrainian Canadian sculptor Leo Mol's monument of the late Patriarch Josyf Slipyj was unveiled during Father's Day ceremonies. In addition, two new co-managers took over at the resort. They are John A. Flis and Lydia Kuczer. The Association of UNA Seniors held its annual conference at Soyuzivka on June 14-19, with Gene Woloshyn being elected president.

The UNA presented its first Fraternalist of the Year Award in 1987, and Petro Tarnawsky of Philadelphia was the honored recipient; and it continued its tradition of promoting Ukrainian culture by sponsoring the U.S. leg of a North American tour by the Lemkovyna Folkloric Ensemble from Poland.

Unfortunately, there was sad news also for UNA'ers, as Supreme Advisor Walter Hawrylak passed away on July 25 at age 74. The Rochester, N.Y., community activist was known not only for his UNA involvement but also for his work as manager and treasurer of the Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union and his activity in numerous other community groups.

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