UCCA executive board meets (12/09/01)

UCCA executive board meets

by Tamara Gallo
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

NEW YORK - Following the observance of the 68th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, the executive board of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) held its regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday, November 17, at its headquarters.

UCCA President Michael Sawkiw called the meeting to order and proposed two issues for the agenda: the "Fourth Wave" of Ukrainian immigrants; and the financial status of the UCCA. The minutes of the previous executive board meeting were read by executive secretary Marie Duplak and adopted unanimously.

The topic of the newest influx of Ukrainian immigrants received the bulk of attention at the meeting. In addressing this issue, Mr. Sawkiw repeated sentiments expressed during various UCCA regional conferences, where participants underscored the importance of the UCCA's work in trying to integrate the latest wave of Ukrainian immigrants into the greater Ukrainian American community. Many members of the executive board participated in the discussion, which centered upon the perceived lack of activity and community service of the newest immigrants.

In a decision of the executive board in the early months of the year 2000, the first floor rooms of the UCCA building were to be remodeled to serve as a focal point of coordinating activities for the "Fourth Wave," such as the administration of social services, ESL (English as a Second Language), employment opportunities and computer-training courses. Many executive board members expressed a desire to continue striving to reach out to the newest immigrants.

UCCA Chicago Branch President Orest Baranyk proposed that a formal community activities plan from the UCCA's Fourth Wave Committee be submitted to the UCCA executive board for ratification at the board's first meeting in the new year. The motion was approved by a majority of those present.

UCCA Treasurer Mykhajlo Spontak presented a snapshot of the UCCA's financial status for fiscal year 2001. The treasurer reported that, to date, annual collections for the Ukrainian National Fund (UNF) have amounted to 75 percent of its proposed budget, and donations for the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) are at 86 percent of its planned budget. A proposal was offered by the UCCA treasurer and unanimously supported by the executive board to withhold 10 percent of all "extraordinary collections" made through the UCCA to help cover administrative costs.

Prior to the meeting's adjournment, Executive Vice-President Laryssa Kyj reminded everyone that the UCCA-sponsored film "The Undefeated" is now available on video for purchase. Furthermore, the UCCA president mentioned that this year the UCCA will be selling Christmas/holiday cards for $1 each. Both the videos and the holidays cards may be purchased at the UCCA headquarters (203 Second Ave.; New York, NY 10003); and online (http://www.ucca.org).

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