THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (12/14/97)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

DISTRICT MEETING

Northern New Jersey

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Northern New Jersey District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association held its annual organizing meeting here at the association's new headquarters on Friday, November 14.

The meeting was opened by the district chairman, Eugene Oscislawski, who welcomed all present and introduced members of the UNA General Assembly in attendance, including President Ulana Diachuk, Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky, Secretary Martha Lysko, Advisor Roma Hadzewycz, and honorary members Joseph Lesawyer and Walter Sochan. Also present was UNA Acting Treasurer Stefan Kaczaraj, named just one week earlier to take over the duties of the ailing treasurer, Alexander Blahitka, who has been granted a leave of absence with pay through the end of June 1998.

Mr. Oscislawski also delivered a brief report on the activity of the district which was created on March 1 of this year when the Newark, Jersey City and Passaic districts merged into one Northern New Jersey District of the UNA. The highlight of the district's activity since that time was organizing a bus trip to Soyuzivka for the Fathers' Day celebration held at the UNA resort.

Mrs. Diachuk then took over conduct of the meeting. She also reported to the assembled representatives of the district's 22 branches that their district is in fifth place in terms of the number of new members organized during 1997: 97 members insured for $2,413,408, meeting 88 percent of the district's annual quota.

Secretary Lysko then addressed the gathering, focusing her remarks on the upcoming UNA convention and providing an explanation of how the number of delegates each branch is entitled to is determined. She also reminded the branch officers that a list of branches having less than 75 members (the number needed for a branch to qualify for one delegate) will be published so that these branches can unite with others in a similar situation to qualify for one delegate to represent them at the 1998 convention.

Mrs. Diachuk again took the podium to explain that UNA dividends were not paid out in 1997 because the UNA's actuary had advised against it and in view of the expenses expected in conjunction with the mergers of two Ukrainian fraternal organizations with the UNA.

Mrs. Lysko then spoke about the UNA's scholarship program and new rules for eligibility that will go into effect in the year 2000.

Next, the president spoke of the UNA's Mission Statement adopted by the General Assembly at its annual meeting on November 6-8. She also spoke of the proposed by-laws amendments that will be presented for a vote at the UNA convention.

In turn, Vice-President Olesnycky spoke about mergers with the Ukrainian Fraternal Association and the Ukrainian National Aid Association of America. He explained that the UNA General Assembly had approved the agreements of merger, which will now be published in the UNA's publications and then put to a vote by convention delegates. In order for the mergers to become effective, they have to be approved by two-thirds of the delegates and then sent for approval to the insurance commissioners of the states where these fraternal associations are chartered. Mr. Olesnycky also outlined some of the changes in the UNA By-Laws that will be necessitated by the mergers, including a proposed change in the name of the newly merged fraternal organization to Ukrainian National Fraternal Association.

Acting Treasurer Kaczaraj delivered a report on the figures associated with the sale and purchase of UNA headquarters buildings. He noted that the new building had cost the UNA $6,137,403, when one adds to the purchase price of $4.9 million all expenses for renovations and construction of office space to be used by the UNA and its subsidiary operations, plus legal fees and commissions.

Finally, on a motion by Mr. Oscislawski, which was unanimously approved by meeting participants, three new members were added to the district executive board: Andre Worobec, Maria Haluszczak and Maria Oscislawski.

A discussion followed about UNA insurance plans and the proposed mergers.

Young UNA'ers

Andrew J. Kebalo, 3, son of Andrian and Cheryl Kebalo of South Windsor, Conn., is a new member of UNA Branch 277. He was enrolled by his grandparents Helen and Paul Kebalo.

Elena Anna Odulak, daughter of Roma Slobodian Odulak and Dr. Taras Odulak, is a new member of UNA Branch 325 in New York. She was enrolled on the occasion of her first birthday by her grandparents Halyna and Iwan Odulak.

Mackenzie T. Danaher, daugther of Suzanne and David Danaher, is a new member of UNA Branch 146 in Warren, Mich. She was enrolled by her grandparents Peter and Maryanna Waselenko.

Kayla Michelle Sandoval, daughter of Jorge Sandoval and Laura Leigh, is a new member of UNA Branch 292 in Detroit. She was enrolled by her great-grandmother Zinovia Ogrodnik.

Siblings Kalyna Ola and Luca Pavlo Iwasykiw, children of Xenia and Marko Iwasykiw, are new members of UNA Branch 204 in New York. They were enrolled by their godmothers, respectively, Sofia Zielyk and Martha Zielyk.

Sarabeth Rebekah Martin, born April 13, 1996, to Alexis Martin, is a new member of UNA Branch 377 in Clearwater, Fla. She was enrolled by her grandmother Efrozyna Bojczuk and uncle Wasyl Gina.

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