THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (12/17/95)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Statement and appeal of the UNA Auditing Committee

The Auditing Committee of the Ukrainian National Association - consisting of Stefan Hawrysz, William Pastuszek, Anatole Doroshenko and Iwan Wynnyk (Stefania Hewryk was unable to participate) - in discharging its duties as stipulated in the UNA By-Laws, during the period of October 21-25, 1995, conducted a review of the operations and organizing status of this institution, including the operations of its publishing house, its Soyuzivka resort and the Ukrainian National Urban Renewal Corp.

As a result of its review, the Auditing Committee affirms the following:

1. During the year under review, UNA assets grew by $1,744,936, reaching the total of $74,695,540. It should be noted that during the report period, a dividend totaling $503,873 was paid out to members and scholarships amounting to $58,850 were awarded to students.

Speaking of the UNA's finances, it was affirmed that, in keeping with the decision of the General Assembly that took into account the smaller income from investments, the Executive Committee was compelled to decrease the amounts allocated for the annual dividend paid to members and student scholarships as well as to cut back on personnel in certain departments in order to stop a further drain on the reserves.

2. The work of the Organizing Department, which is charged with taking steps that will result in the enrollment of new members, is the foundation of the UNA's growth. It was affirmed that during the period between January 1 and September 30 of this year, 804 new members were enrolled for $14,622,000 of life insurance coverage. To this should be added 65 annuity certificates for nearly $1 million. Comparing these figures with those for January through September of 1994, one sees that this year $5 million more of insurance was sold; and this is laudable.

3. The Recording Department, which is directed by Secretary Martha Lysko, conducts wide-ranging correspondence with branch secretaries and serves them with expert advice regarding UNA insurance. This work has become more complicated due to the introduction of new classes of insurance, plus the new program aimed at transforming 28,000 paid-up policies to single-premium life certificates. This effort is beneficial especially for younger members who can significantly increase their insurance coverage, and for older members who do not need additional medical examinations for this coverage. During the first two months of this program (September and October), more than 150 members took advantage of this offer and the UNA gained $81,000 in membership dues.

It should also be noted that the Recording Department has begun to merge smaller branches with larger ones when needed, especially in cases of branch inactivity. During the report period, 18 branches were merged; their members can now expect improved service.

4. The review of publishing operations included the Ukrainian-language daily Svoboda, the English-language Ukrainian Weekly and the bookstore. It should be mentioned that during the 33rd UNA Convention in Pittsburgh delegates spent much time on the fate of UNA publications, which were supported each year by a sizable UNA subsidy. In order to decrease losses and the disbursement of funds from the UNA's reserve, the delegates decided to increase the subscription fees for Svoboda and The Weekly for both members and non-members. Whether Svoboda remained a daily or was transformed into a weekly newspaper depended on this increase.

In order to decide this matter, the General Assembly at its annual meeting in May voted to poll the readers via a special questionnaire asking whether they would agree to pay a higher fee and keep the paper a daily, or if they would prefer to keep the price the same but transform the paper into a weekly. In accordance with the wishes of 60 percent of the readers who returned the questionnaire, Svoboda remained a daily.

In conjunction with historic events that take place daily in independent Ukraine, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly continue to provide the latest news.

5. The UNA resort, Soyuzivka, which is directed by a professional manager, John A. Flis, continues to fulfill its role as a Ukrainian cultural center, presenting performances of the best Ukrainian artists of the U.S. and Canada, as well as independent Ukraine. Thus it is attractive to young and old alike. A very important facet of the resort's activity is the tennis camps, dance workshops and, most recently, the Plast camp for preschoolers (Tabir Ptashat), which this year attracted 110 children age 4-6 during a two-week period. The UNA also annually funds two-week pedagogical courses for teachers of schools of Ukrainian studies in the U.S. and Canada.

It would be remiss not to mention a significant change in service to Soyuzivka guests: guests now they may choose to stay at the resort and pay for accommodations only, or they may choose accommodations plus a meal plan. The new system has proven to be successful.

During the report period, i.e. during the first nine months of this year, income at Soyuzivka was $755,838, while expenses were $1,017,830, thus showing a deficit of $261,993.

6. As regards the UNA building, the Ukrainian National Urban Renewal Corp., during the annual meeting of the General Assembly held in May, the majority voted to sell this building because income from rentals does not cover all the costs of taxes, administration and interest on loans.

During the first six months of 1995, the UNURC collected rents totaling $2,267,809 and other income of $3,004; expenses were $1,908,972.

The UNA's loan at this time stands at $10,927,530.25, while UNA members hold promissory notes for a total of $6,301,691.

The Auditing Committee calls on the patriotic Ukrainian community of the U.S. and Canada to continue providing moral and material support in order to buttress the independence and sovereignty of the Ukrainian state.

The Auditing Committee appeals to branch officers in the U.S. and Canada to intensify their organizing efforts so that there is not a single branch that does not enroll at least one new member. Remember, new members guarantee the growth of our long-standing institution.

Auditing Committee of the Ukrainian National Association

Chicago District holds seminar, honors activists

CHICAGO - The Chicago District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association held a fall seminar to update secretaries on changes in UNA insurance plans. The meeting, geared toward branch secretaries and their assistants, was held in Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Cultural Center.

UNA Secretary Martha Lysko conducted the seminar, which was attended also by Honorary Members of the General Assembly Stephen Kuropas and Myron Kuropas, and former UNA Vice-Presidentess Gloria Paschen.

Two of the branches in attendance introduced new young assistant secretaries. Branch 259 Secretary Julia Guglik brought her assistant secretary, Leigh Pitula, and treasurer, Laurie Chico; Branch 399 Secretary Roman Prypchan brought his assistant, Andrew Skyba.

The meeting was an occasion also to recognize the many years of work by UNA branch secretaries as a follow-up to the organization's centennial celebrations. This portion of the program was conducted by Advisor Stefko Kuropas.

The following secretaries were honored:

For 20 or more years of service to the UNA: Jaroslaw Bylen, Helen Olek Scott, Sophie Orich, Bohdan Wowchyk, Mychajlo Olshansky, Esther Cebak, Wasyl Wanshuha, Mrs. Paschen, Lew Bodnar, Mychajlo Soroka, Peter Pytel, Wolodymyr Matyczak, Anthony Kobylanski, Wolodymyr Turczynowsky, Mykola Chujko, Mrs. Guglik, Petro Wrubliwsky, Stephanie Lisowych, Mr. Prypchan and Stefania Kochy.
For less than 20 years of service (active in 1994): Victor Holyk, Walter Zenczak, Michael Marchuk, Larysa Robinson, Olga Berejan, Paul Oleksiuk, Stefan Golash, Ruth Jaworsky, Vera Gojewycz, Kateryna Hulchiy and Natalie Shuya.

Posthumous awards were also given to Wolodymyr Nychy, Michael Ostap, Mike Karachewsky, Michael Semkiw and Roman Smook.

Mrs. Lysko noted that it is worthwhile to underscore the great contributions of branch secretaries to the growth of the UNA, for they are the organization's builders. She noted in particular that recently it has become difficult to find dedicated persons to take over the responsibilities of branch secretaries, but she added that the work is rewarding and can be an additional source of income for young people or for women, perhaps mothers of young children, who can work only part-time. Mrs. Lysko concluded her remarks by expressing hope that more young people would become active in the oldest Ukrainian fraternal organization, the UNA.

Young UNA'er

Petro Chudolij, son of Lillianna and Alex Chudolij of Clifton, N.J., is a new member of UNA Branch 182. He was enrolled by his grandmother Tatiana Chudolij. The little tyke promptly took advantage of one of the many fraternal benefits offered by the UNA: he is seen above enjoying his subscription to The Ukrainian Weekly (available to UNA members at a 33.3 percent discount off the regular price of $60 per year).

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