THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (07/20/97)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA volunteer recalls Fourth of July in Ukraine

Following is the text of an article that appeared in the July 2 issue of the North Port Sun Herald of Florida that was written by UNA'er Atanas T. Kobryn, identified as a columnist for that newspaper. We reprint it here for our readers.

by Atanas T. Kobryn

For three years in a row, I participated in a program sponsored by the Ukrainian National Association, "Teaching English in Ukraine." The program is based on courses in English as a Second Language taught in the United States. It consists of three levels: beginning, intermediate and advanced, and the schedule calls for four weeks, five days per week, four hours per day of intensive class work, with no fewer than four hours of home studies.

The administrative responsibility for this program in Ukraine lies with the Prosvita Ukrainian Language Association headquartered in Kyiv. Tasks include selection of students, procurement of teaching space, and the provision of room and board for the volunteer American teachers. Thus far, several hundred volunteers have participated in the program. They have taught several thousand young Ukrainians not only the English language but also the "American way": our culture, our democratic way of life, and our political and religious freedoms.

In 1994, I had left the United States early in July to begin my teaching assignment in the city of Ilichivsk near Odesa on July 4. It appears that the local organizers of the Prosvita Association were unaware that July 4 is a national holiday in the United States. Having been informed that the class of 39 students would be waiting for me in the conference hall of the city library, I felt it would be best to go there and commence the program. I had no idea what would happen if the group would have consisted of beginners, which was my assignment a year earlier in another city. This time it was the intermediate group (some of the members of the group would have easily qualified for advanced placement), who knew more about America than the organizers.

Having arrived in the makeshift classroom, I was greeted by two young ladies who presented me with a bouquet of red, white and blue roses and a brief speech containing best wishes to America and to all Americans. Needless to say, I was surprised and moved. I could hardly muster the words "thank you" in English and "diakuyu" in Ukrainian when the entire group burst into singing "Mnohaya Lita," a traditional Ukrainian song wishing many years.

Inasmuch as the first day of lecturing was primarily designated for organizational matters (in this case, I had arranged for a division of the group into two classes), and outlining the schedules and assignments, I made it clear that I would answer any and all questions relating to Independence Day observances. The students took full advantage of my offer, and I was once more amazed and surprised at their intelligence and fair knowledge of the United States.

Upon returning to my home away from home another surprise awaited me. My hosts had invited their married daughter and her family to dinner, of which I was aware. But the surprise came when I learned that dinner was in honor of, you guessed it, U.S. Independence Day - and for me as the representative of the American nation in their midst.

I was presented once again with a bouquet of roses, had to endure kisses (it was tough, ha-ha!) from all the ladies and girls present, and a champagne toast. In addition to the superb dinner of six or seven courses, there were two delicious and artistically decorated tortes (one made by my hostess and the other by her daughter) with appropriate inscriptions.

Even though I felt bad about being away from my wife and family on that important day, I was convinced once more that America's best friend in Europe is Ukraine, and that being away from home on the Fourth of July is not so bad if one finds himself in Ukraine.

UNA District Committee Meeting

New York

by Mary Dushnyck

NEW YORK - The annual meeting of the UNA's New York District Committee was held at the Self Reliance Hall here with representatives of 12 branches present. They were welcomed by the district chairman, Dr. Vasyl Luchkiw, as were UNA Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky, Auditor Iwan Wynnyk, Honorary Member of the General Assembly Mary Dushnyck and guest Roma Hadzewycz, UNA advisor and editor-in-chief of The Ukrainian Weekly.

Following the reading of the minutes of last year's annual meeting by the secretary, Dr. Luchkiw thanked all who had cooperated with him, especially the secretaries. He said he would like to see the districts given greater recognition by the UNA Home Office. He reported that the New York District realized 31 percent of its quota by enrolling 46 new members.

Treasurer John Choma reported that the district's finances were stable but could be better if branches paid their dues.

Following a brief discussion on the reports, Michael Spontak, head of the Auditing Committee, asked for a vote of confidence for the outgoing officers, which was given.

The Nominating Committee, consisting of John Choma, Yuriy Kostiw and Roman Forostyna, submitted the following slate, which was elected: chairwoman - Barbara Bachynsky; vice chairs - Mrs. Sawczuk and Mr. Kostiw; treasurer - Mr. Choma; (the secretary's post was not filled but an appointment will be made); press - Zenobia Zarycky (Ukrainian) and Mrs. Dushnyck (English); organizing - Maria Szeparowycz and Olga Liteplo; program - Sam Liteplo; members-at-large - Mr. Forostyna, Ivan Darnobid and George Yurkiw.

Auditing Committee members are: Mr. Spontak, chairman; Taras Schumylowych and Mrs. Zarycky, members.

Dr. Luchkiw as named an honorary chairman of the New York District Committee.

Mr. Olesnycky prefaced his address by stating that he serves as the UNA's attorney in the mergers with two fraternals (the Ukrainian Fraternal Association and the Ukrainian National Aid Association) and in the sale and purchase of UNA headquarters buildings. He then explained in great detail exactly what is involved in these matters, including dealings with the New Jersey State Department of Insurance, which has supervision over fraternals.

As to organizing new members, Vice-President Olesnycky said most fraternal insurance companies are losing members and organizers due to assimilation and other reasons. In the case of Ukrainian fraternals, new arrivals from Ukraine are not interested in the UNA or in joining Ukrainian organizations. The speaker said he sees a need for major changes in the UNA so its base will be solid, while retaining its Ukrainian character via Soyuzivka, Svoboda, The Ukrainian Weekly, scholarships and so on.

Turning to Svoboda, he said there are some options being considered, such as the paper being delivered twice a week and thus saving on mailing costs. According to the New Jersey Insurance Department, Svoboda should show a profit, Mr. Olesnycky said. The UNA is the only fraternal with a daily paper. The vice-president also broached the subject of eliminating the print shop, stating that many leading newspapers do not have print shops, which results in lower costs.

On the matter of suspended dividends for 1997, Mr. Olesnycky expressed his view that they would be restored eventually, following the mergers.

As far as the professional sales force is concerned, the speaker averred that these professionals are necessary and that the UNA needs more of them in these changing times and with the appearance of new insurance products. The Newark, N.J., area has two professional salesmen and they are largely responsible for selling $4.5 million worth of insurance in 1996; Toronto sold $8 million worth, he added.

Many searching and emotional questions were put to the speaker, dealing primarily with the sale and purchase of the buildings, the mergers and Svoboda. Seeking answers or expressing their opinions were Mrs. Bachynsky, Motria Milanytch, Ms. Hadzewycz, Mrs. Liteplo, Mr. Spontak, Antin and Tekla Hnatyshyn, and Mrs. Zarycky.

In answer to a question about how the New York District compares with other districts, Mr. Olesnycky pointed out that the New York District was in 20th place as to quota realization and in sixth place as to new members organized and in value of new insurance written ($414, 243).

Participating in the New York District's organizing effort in 1996 were the following: with five members each - Mrs. Dushnyck (Branch 93) for $59,000 of insurance; Halyna Kolessa (Branch 489) for $38,000, Mr. Spontak (Branch 204), Mr. Liteplo (Branch 361) and Eustachia Milanytch (Branch 450), each for $15,000; three members each - Maria Reynarowych (Branch 158) for $11,000; two members each - Mrs. Bachynsky (Branch 184) for $59,243, Marion Klymyshyn (Branch 5) for $40,000, Dr. Ivan Sierant (Branch 85) for $13,000, Oksana Lopatynska (Branch 194) and Mr. Choma (Branch 293) for $6,000 each. Mr. Yurkiw (Branch 130) sold the highest amount of insurance coverage to a single member: $100,000. There were seven others who organized one member each for various amounts. Seven branches did not organize a single member in 1996.

A suggestion was made that Soyuzivka have a computer listing of the UNA membership to facilitate registration and check-out if members do not have their membership cards with them.

In conclusion, the newly elected chairwoman, Mrs. Bachynsky, thanked all for electing her and stated that she would endeavor to have the New York District expand its fraternal role for the good of the community and the UNA.

Young UNA'ers

Chase Oleksander Nolan, son of William and Lidia Nolan, is a new member of UNA Branch 59 in Bridgeport, Conn. He was enrolled by his grandfather Wasyl Peleschuk.

Nicholas S. Kochan, son of Stephen and Christina Kochan, is a new member of UNA Branch 307, the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Society in Boston. He was enrolled by his grandparents Romanna and Walter Michajliw.

Stephen Michael Bubniak, son of Andrew and Patricia Bubniak, is a new member of UNA Branch 86 in New York. He was enrolled by his aunt and uncle, Oksana and Jaroslav Bubniak.

Zenon Dimitri Drobocky, son of Oles and Kamyl Drobocky, is a new member of UNA Branch 417 in Jeffersonville, Ky. He was enrolled by his parents.

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