EDITORIAL

The UNA: renewal and rebirth

The Ukrainian National Association's 35th Regular Convention (that's to differentiate from the Extraordinary Conventions that, in accordance with the UNA By-Laws, can be convened when necessary) is now history. A total of 122 delegates, 22 members and four honorary members of the General Assembly participated in the convention, which is held every four years. This time - and only for the second time in the UNA's 108-year history - the convention was held in the beautiful and unique city of Chicago, home to a vibrant and growing Ukrainian community. Commendations go to the Chicago Convention Committee for seeing to it that all delegates had an opportunity to enjoy this wonderful city and become acquainted with its people.

It was a landmark convention to be sure. Not only was it the first convention of the new century and the new millennium, as outgoing President Ulana Diachuk noted in her opening address, but it was also the first time that anyone can recall that the entire Executive Committee was elected by acclamation. It was also a convention that radically changed the composition of the UNA General Assembly as the organization's executive officers now include two newcomers, three members who have moved up in the ranks, and one former advisor who has returned as a vice-president. It is a younger and more diverse Executive Committee that holds much promise for the future. There are changes also among the auditors and advisors - all of which one can consider a sign of renewal.

To be sure, there was some sadness in the fact that some General Assembly members are not on that body for 2002-2006 - most of them chose not to return for various reasons, and one was defeated in his campaign for higher office. President Diachuk rightfully received several standing ovations during the course of the convention for her 52 years of service to the organization - the last 12 of them as president and the 18 years before that as treasurer. Thanks should go also to the other 14 non-returnees, who devoted many years of volunteer - yes, volunteer - work for the UNA, as none of them were paid executives.

It is a plus that the five members of the newly created Soyuzivka Redevelopment Committee includes dedicated veterans who dealt with the issue when they served as members of the General Assembly's Standing Committee on Soyuzivka: Stefko Kuropas, Taras Szmagala, Anya Dydyk-Petrenko, Alex Chudolij and Al Kachkowski. The five were named to the new body despite the fact that four of them chose not to seek elective office for the 2002-2006 term. It is a sign of the UNA's maturity that delegates voted to choose the persons most suitable for the all-important task of saving the UNA resort, regardless of whether they were seeking re-election.

The convention enacted a number of by-laws changes, the most significant of which reduced the size of the UNA Auditing Committee from five members to three, and the number of UNA advisors from 14 to 11. A proposed reduction in the number of executive officers from six to four did not win the required number of votes (two-thirds of the registered delegates) to pass. As well, delegates approved a measure that prohibits UNA employees from simultaneously holding a job with the UNA and serving on the General Assembly, and adopted an amendment that more clearly specifies the duties of advisors, including the enrollment of members, keeping in touch with local branches and being active in regional district committees, and belonging to one of the standing committees of the General Assembly.

Much discussion was devoted to the "Fourth Wave" of immigrants from Ukraine, and, indeed, their influence was felt at the convention. There were a number of delegates from this newest group of immigrants, and that fact was reflected in the increased use of the Ukrainian language alongside English during convention deliberations. It is noteworthy also that two Fourth Wavers were elected as advisors, making them the first General Assembly members from that group. Myron Pylypiak has been a very successful UNA organizer in the Seattle area, while Paul Prinko of the Philadelphia area is somewhat new to the UNA but comes equipped with new ideas about the public relations campaign that is absolutely essential for the expansion of the UNA. In addition, many speakers spoke in favor of reinstituting a bilingual (English-Ukrainian) application form for UNA membership that would help organizers attract members whose English may not yet be up to par.

In many ways, then, the 35th Convention of the UNA brought renewal. May that renewal be a harbinger of the UNA's rebirth in the new millennium.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 2, 2002, No. 22, Vol. LXX

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