THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (12/09/01)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Report of the Auditing Committee of the Ukrainian National Association

The Auditing Committee, in accordance with the UNA By-Laws, on November 27-29 conducted a review of the business operations of the Ukrainian National Association for the first nine months of 2000. The previous audit was conducted on May 8-10.

The Auditing Committee's plan of action consisted of reviewing the implementation of decisions of the 34th UNA Convention, as well as operations of the financial and recording departments, UNA publications, the Soyuzivka resort and other matters.

1. Implementation of decisions of the 34th Convention of the UNA

The delegates to the 34th Convention adopted a series of resolutions that were to be implemented by the General Assembly and the Executive Committee of the UNA.

All resolutions were implemented except one: the erection at Soyuzivka of a monument to Patriarch Mstyslav.

2. Financial Department of the UNA

For the first nine months of 2001, the UNA's operating profit was $194,000, as compared with $110,000 for the first nine months of 2000. The UNA surplus increased by $1 million to the sum of $7,791,000. The principal reason for the increase was changes in financial markets, changes in the value of the Canadian dollar and calculations of Canadian and American reserves for insurance.

The new UNA Home Office building became profitable to the tune of $107,000 in the year 2000. However, payments of commissions on the rental of space during 2001 caused a deficit of $42,000 for the first three quarters of 2001.

The funds held back from the time of the sale of the UNA building in Jersey City ($122,000) were paid out with interest ($12,158).

3. UNA Publications, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly

As of the end of September 2001, the number of Svoboda subscribers was 7,226, while The Ukrainian Weekly subscribers totaled 6,679. In comparison with the end of 2000, the number of Svoboda subscribers decreased by 202, while the number of Weekly subscribers declined by 133.

The deficit of both publications for the first three quarters of 2001 was $86,000. For purposes of comparison, we note that in the first nine months of 2000 it totaled $138,000. In accordance with the budget, the deficit of both publications should not be over $100,000 annually.

4. Soyuzivka

For the first nine months of 2001, Soyuzivka lost $462,000. During the entire previous year's losses of Soyuzivka totaled $579,000. Thus, the current year will be similar financially to last year.

As directed by the General Assembly, the Standing Committee on Soyuzivka on April 30 presented the Executive Committee with a detailed plan regarding the future of the resort. The plan was updated during the summer. In the meantime, the Executive Committee sought the opinion of the insurance authorities of New Jersey regarding several points in the plan, and it will be discussed at the meeting of the General Assembly in early December.

5. Organizing Department of the UNA

In accordance with statistical data, during the report period, the first nine months of 2001, the UNA has 27 districts encompassing 238 branches in the United States and Canada. During the report period only 326 new members insured for a total of $5,823,000 were enrolled.

It should be noted that nearly all districts enrolled new members during the report period, however, when reviewing the work of districts on a percentage basis, the Albany district has already met its quota by 698 percent (District Chairman Nicholas Fil); while the highest number of new members, 62 members insured for $1,724,000 was enrolled by the Northern New Jersey District (District Chairman and Advisor Eugene Oscislawski).

Evaluating the organizing achievements of branch secretaries, the highest number of new members was enrolled by the secretaries Myron Pylypiak (Branch 496), 39 members; Lubov Streletsky (Branch 10), 24 members; and Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk (Branch 88), 27 members.

Evaluating the organizing activity of the UNA we affirm that during the report period nearly all new members were enrolled by branch secretaries because there were no professional organizers.

6. Miscellaneous

Reinvigorated sales of life insurance certificates and annuities, as well as further decreases in expenses, especially those associated with the problem of Soyuzivka deficits, will stabilize the financial state of the UNA.

The next convention of the UNA is planned for May 24-28, 2002. The convention should determine the fate of Soyuzivka and our plans in Canada, as well as delineate the work of the UNA as a whole for the future.

The Auditing Committee calls on the entire Ukrainian patriotic community to become subscribers to UNA publications and to contribute to their press funds.

For the Auditing Committee:

William Pastuszek, chairman
Stepan Hawrysz, vice-chairman
Dr. Alexander Serafyn, secretary
Myron Groch, committee member
Yaroslav Zaviysky, committee member

(Translated by The Ukrainian Weekly)

OBITUARY: Leon Hardink, Woonsocket UNA stalwart

by Martha Lysko
UNA National Secretary

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - Leon Hardink, secretary of Branch 206 in Woonsocket, R.I., for over 37 years passed away at home on November 22. Funeral services were held on November 26 at St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Woonsocket and burial was at the parish cemetery.

Born in Woonsocket on June 20, 1916, Mr. Hardink spent most of his life in the area, except for the years he served in the United States Army during World War II.

He was first elected UNA branch treasurer in 1960 and served in that capacity for four years. In 1964 he was elected branch secretary and held that position until his death. He later became chairman of the UNA Woonsocket District and worked tirelessly in both positions as branch secretary and district chairman. His dedication to the UNA was evident in everything he did.

As an active UNA'er, he attended many UNA conventions and was often called upon to serve on committees. At the 1998 Convention he served as chairman of the Convention By-laws Committee. His knowledge of the UNA and its needs was a tremendous help in formulating positive and necessary changes to the UNA By-Laws.

Each year he made sure that his district met its organizing quota. He was one of the first secretaries to learn how to market the UNA's new term insurance. Last year he achieved 130 percent of the district's organizing quota by July. Because of his organizing skills his district often reached 110 percent or more of its established quota. Under his guidance the branch and the district flourished.

This spring when this writer visited the district for its annual meeting we talked about the future of the UNA district and branches in Rhode Island. He was anxious to find successors among the younger generation who would understand the UNA and the need to expands membership. It will be difficult to find someone to fill his shoes.

Not only was Mr. Hardink active in the UNA, he also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Infantry Veterans Association, and was a member of St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Survived by his wife, Eugenia; son, Michael; daughter, Anne Afshar and three grandchildren. He will be missed not only by his family and the Woonsocket UNA District, but by the entire UNA family. The UNA is grateful for his 41 years of service and will long remember him and his great dedication to the organization.

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