LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (03/11/01)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Board structure not in tune with fraternalism

Dear Editor:

As a lifelong fraternalist, a 50-year Ukrainian National Association member and a 60-year Ukrainian Fraternal Association national officer, I read with interest the proposed UNA By-Laws changes that are to be voted by the previous convention's delegates.

Taras Szmagala's pitch for a "yes" vote in the February 4 issue of The Weekly was well-written, but, in my humble opinion, he came to the wrong conclusion - especially when he writes: "most importantly a switch to this system would preserve our fraternal status."

Where can he show that a corporation administrated by a board of directors operates in a fraternal manner? The fact is that what is proposed is a "business type corporation" for the purpose of selling insurance (supposedly at a fraternal discount). Does Mr. Szmagala and other supporters of this change really believe they can compete with the commercials, just because a board of directors will be running this organization?

Mr. Szmagala, the UNA By-Laws may need some changes. The existing ones do provide for that. This process has been going on at most conventions. However, such a drastic change could very well cause a loss of interest by the local branches, especially their leader, who render volunteerism, motivated by Ukrainian patriotism, etc.

No, Mr. Szmagala, the way to save our "soyuzes" (fraternal organizations), is to "unite" all four fraternals, expand our fraternal activity, find a way to interest the new Ukrainian arrivals - the newest immigrants - find out their needs and try to create programs and policies to fill those needs. A united organization can do so much more for its members, for our Ukrainian community and for our ancestral country, Ukraine.

A united organization can work with our Ukrainian credit unions in a joint venture for a more profitable investment strategy.

It can concentrate more on Ukrainian culture, and less on partisan politics.

The "old" system worked well for over 100 years for the Ukrainian National Association, 90 years for the Ukrainian Fraternal Association and quite a few years for the other two Ukrainian fraternal societies.

At fraternal conventions, democratically conducted, we always managed to elect competent officers. Of course, now and then, not everyone was the best available, but, overall things worked out. As has been proven, specialists were and can be hired to perform duties elected officials cannot.

For the time being, lets stay the course set by our fraternal forebears. Some of them did such a wonderful job that their names should be inscribed in a Ukrainian Fraternal Hall of Fame.

Mr. Szmagala, here is one "no" vote on the proposed changes.

Joseph Charyna
Coconut Creek, Fla.

Marlboro congregation moves to new location

Dear Editor:

St. Wolodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Church of Marlboro, N.J., has moved to a new interim location. The congregation is celebrating divine liturgy at the new location at Monmouth Chinese Christian Church on 1209 W. Front St., Lincroft, NJ 07738-1262, beginning on Saturday, March 3, at 5 p.m.

St. Wolodymyr's UCC extends its most grateful thanks to the Rev. Paul Chang and the Rev. Al McNally, pastors, as well as the leaders and deacons of the MCCC.

This new arrangement will allow the growth of St. Wolodymyr's UCC through access to better and more complete facilities than previously available.

St. Wolodymyr's UCC has been using the original church building of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church in Marlboro for the last 16 years. The parish needed to move as a result of interior renovations that are necessary to preserve the historic Roman Catholic church which was built over 100 years ago.

This is a continuation of renovations of exteriors that was undertaken a few years ago as joint undertaking of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Gabriel's with the Ukrainian Catholic parish of St. Wolodymyr. Unfortunately, St. Gabriel's future plans for expansion of their cemetery and their own use of the chapel required St. Wolodymyr's to find a new home.

Over time St. Wolodymyr's UCC parishioners have grown fond of the church building which they have called home for the past 16 years. Especially emotional was the farewell for those who have buried their loved ones at the St. Gabriel cemetery, which adjoins the church property.

The Rev. Victor Bek
Carteret, N.J.

The letter writer is pastor and administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Wolodymyr in Monmouth County and Patronage of the Mother of God in Carteret, N.J.

Response to assertions by executives of UFA

Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to comments by President Ivan Oleksyn and Vice-President Stephen Wichar of the Ukrainian Fraternal Association regarding the sale of Verkhovyna (March 4).

I would like to state that on June 20, 2000, at the meeting of the UFA Supreme Council, Mr. Oleksyn stated that besides the Ukrainian American Cultural Foundation there are two Ukrainian groups which are interested in purchasing the Verkhovyna Youth Center. One group is headed or represented by attorney Peter Piddoubny and the other by Stefan Kapczak.

In the event that the UACF was unable to purchase the Verkhovyna Youth Center, the question then is: Why is it that Mr. Oleksyn has rejected the offers to purchase Verkhovyna made by the other Ukrainian groups and chose to sell to a non-Ukrainian American buyer? This is against the decision of the 24th UFA Convention in 1998.

Also, it is important to inform the public that, during the meeting between the representatives of the UFA and the UACF which took place on January 21, two days after the expiration date of the closing with David Willner, UACF representatives offered to match the price of $1,078,750 offered by Mr. Willner and wanted to sign a contract right then and there at the meeting. Mr. Oleksyn offered to call a meeting of the executive board the next day in order to formally approve the contract with the UACF and said he would inform the attorney immediately. Well, the UACF is still waiting.

The membership of the UFA and the Ukrainian American community must find out why Mr. Oleksyn does not want to sell the Verkhovyna Youth Center to any Ukrainian American organization or group.

After comparing the two contracts of sale - one to the UACF and the other to Mr. Willner - it appears that Mr. Oleksyn had never intended to sell Verkhovyna to a Ukrainian group.

The question is: Why not?

Olga Filimonchuk
Glen Spey, N.Y.

Kids in Ivano-Frankivsk need our assistance

Dear Editor:

Four Ukrainian orphan children, age 6-14, Anastasia, Katrusia, Roman and Lidia Orbov, who live in Ivano-Frankivsk with their young woman guardian, Halyna Partsei, may end-up on the street if unable to get their own apartment.

This poor and wonderful family has to vacate their present apartment at the end of May this year to make room for the new owner. They cannot acquire a new place to live on their own, and are asking people of good heart to help them in their critical situation.

A small two-room apartment costs about $7,000. The money received for this family will be deposited at the Self Reliance (N.Y.) Federal Credit Union in New York, account No. 17785002. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

Please write checks to the Orphans Aid Society, include the above account number and mail to one of the following 2 addresses: Self Reliance Federal Credit Union, 108 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003; or Orphans Aid Society, 129 Ridge Road, Douglaston, NY 11363.

Each donation, which is tax-deductible, will be acknowledged with thanks and gratitude by the Orphans Aid Society, Ukrainian American organization.

Roman Slysh
Raleigh, N.C.

We, too, must use proper terminology

Dear Editor:

As we Ukrainians battle the American press on the proper use of our Ukrainian names/places, along with their correct spelling, we should also get our own house in order.

On February 27 I had the opportunity to attend the installation of our new metropolitan in Philadelphia. A commemorative booklet was distributed to all. Page 2 shows that a greeting will be given by His Beatitude Cardinal Husar, metropolitan of Galicia.

When did Halychyna revert back to Poland? As a faithful reader of The Ukrainian Weekly, I can only assume that I failed to read that article.

Michael W. Bohdan
Union, N.J.

The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association.

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