THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM
Olek-Scott and Prypchan receive Hrushka Awards
CHICAGO - Two UNA "champions," Helen Olek-Scott and Roman Prypchan, were honored in Chicago on Saturday, September 12, with the Gregory Hrushka Award for Fraternal Excellence.
Presenting the award to Mrs. Olek-Scott was Dr. Myron B. Kuropas, former UNA vice-president, who emphasized her many contributions to the Ukrainian National Association. "A true fraternalist, Helen has been active in our community since her teen years," stated Dr. Kuropas. "She was one of the founding members of both the Ukrainian Youth League of North America and the Ukrainian Catholic Youth League. As secretary of Branch 22, she was without equal. She was always signing up new members and taking care of her branch members with a variety of fraternal activities. She was the best," he added. Dr. Kuropas was joined by his son, Stefko Kuropas, the UNA's first vice-president, in presenting the plaque.
Presenting the award to Mr. Prypchan was newly elected UNA Advisor Andrij Skyba, who took over Mr. Prypchan's branch. "I've learned a lot from Mr. Prypchan regarding fraternalism and Ukrainian community activities. No one can replace Mr. Prypchan who was able to build his branch from just a few members to one of the largest in Chicago. I have personally gained from his example, and I will do my best to follow in his footsteps," noted Mr. Skyba.
Some 20 UNA secretaries and delegates attended the meeting, including one of the oldest UNA members in the area, former Vice-President Stephen Kuropas.
Three Pennsylvania districts hold joint organizing meeting
LEHIGHTON, Pa. - A joint organizing meeting of three Pennsylvania districts of the UNA, Allentown, Shamokin and Wilkes-Barre, and Branch 467 was held on Saturday, October 10, at the Ukrainian Homestead. Presiding was Ukrainian National Association President Ulana Diachuk.
The aim of the get-together of the region's branch and district officers was primarily to report on their organizing activities and achievements during the first ninemonths of this year. The growth in UNA membership and the future of the association depends on the success of organizing efforts, the UNA president underlined.
Mrs. Diachuk reviewed the achievements of individual organizers in each district. The chart below reports the accomplishments in each district.
Mrs. Diachuk thanked all organizers present for understanding the importance of maintaining constant organizing activity and for their dedication, and reminded them that at the UNA Convention in May of this year they, as delegates, obligated themselves to organize at least 10 new members for their branches. Some of the delegates have almost reached this goal, while others need a little more effort in order to attain the desired target, she added.
In the latter portion of the meeting Mrs. Diachuk introduced and explained the new UNA program titled "Blue and Gold Membership." The program includes a UNA discount card allows the insured to save up to 50 percent on travel, lodging, vision care, prescriptions, dental care and much more. This program includes $3,000 of life insurance coverage under the blue plan and $10,000 coverage under on the gold plan. Some participants requested more information about hotels and retailers that provide discounts under this program.
Much time was devoted to explaining the new administrative program that the UNA is installing at the Home Office as well as how the UNA might streamline its scholarship benefits. A long discussion took place as to how to entice more visitors to Soyuzivka and increase the number of subscribers to both UNA newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly.
The vice-president of the Wilkes-Barre District, Tymko Butrej, expanded on how to utilize local American organizations and schools to support schools and organizations in Ukraine. Many participants took part in the discussion on this topic.
| SHAMOKIN DISTRICT | 18 new members | $205,000 of coverage | |
| Joseph Chabon | Branch 242 | 7 members | $128,000 |
| Marguerite Hentosh | Branch 305 | 4 members | $40,000 |
| Julia Cresina | Branch 382 | 4 members | $21,000 |
| Helen Slovik | Branch 7 | 2 members | $13,000 |
| Mary Petruncio | Branch 78 | 1 member |
| ALLENTOWN DISTRICT | 16 new members | $148,129 of coverage | |
| Stephen Kolodrub | Branch 137 | 9 members | $80,000 |
| Oksana Koziak | Branch 47 | 2 members | |
| Anna Haras | Branch 438 | 1 member | |
| Katherine Sargent | Branch 438 | 1 member |
| WILKES-BARRE DISTRICT | 9 new members | $56,000 of coverage | |
| Genet Boland | Branch 409 | 4 members | $32,000 |
| Mary Bolosky | Branch 282 | 3 members | $11,000 |
| Tymko Butrej | Branch 164 | 1 member | |
| Gisela Stefuryn | Branch 169 | 1 member |
Home Office reports on organizing results for August
The UNA Home Office's Organizing Department has released the following information about organizing activity during the month of August.
Olga Maruszczak, secretary of Branch 82, was the top organizer, enrolling eight new members insured for $50,000.
Four members each were enrolled by: Andre Worobec, secretary of Branch 76, $30,134 of insurance; Eugene Oscislawski, secretary of Branch 234, $90,714 and John Danilack of Branch 777, $100,000.
In August 39 organizers enrolled 87 new members insured for a total of $1,394,935. During the first eight months of 1998, the UNA received 528 new members insured for more than $8 million.
During that eight-month period the UNA's top organizers were: Eugene Oscislawski, Branch 234, 19 members insured for $512,237; Stephanie Hawryluk, Branch 88, 15 members insured for $82,000; and Lubov Streletsky, Branch 10, 13 members insured for $82,000.
The UNA encourages all branch organizers and secretaries to join in the 1998 membership campaign and to compete for the titles of top UNA organizers.
Correction
In the story about the Northern New Jersey District's garage sale (October 4), Branch 76, whose secretary is Andre Worobec, was ommited from the list of branches that participated in this fund-raising effort.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 25, 1998, No. 43, Vol. LXVI
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