EDITORIAL: The UNA's new beginning (06/30/02)

EDITORIAL

The UNA's new beginning

As of tomorrow, July 1, the General Assembly elected at the Ukrainian National Association's 35th Convention in late May officially takes office for the next four years. The transition from one General Assembly to the next is always an important milestone for the UNA, but this year's transition has particular significance due not only to its occurrence at a crucial time in the UNA's history, but also to the fact that the new body's composition has changed greatly as 14 of the 25 members of the General Assembly for 1998-2002 are no longer on the assembly (13 of them opted not to seek election).

Perhaps most significant is the fact that the Executive Committee for 2002-2006 includes four new members among its six-members. Two experienced hands are returning, but in new capacities: Treasurer Stefan Kaczaraj, a CPA widely praised for his no-nonsense handling of UNA finances and for a new degree of openness, moves from CFO to CEO in his new role as UNA president. National Secretary Martha Lysko, while leaving the UNA's employ as the full-time executive officer in charge of its insurance business, returns as the non-salaried first vice-president.

Newcomers to the executive committee are Eugene Iwanciw, a UNA advisor in 1974-1998 and formerly the director of the UNA Washington Office that functioned in 1988-1995, who joins the executive as second vice-president; and Al Kachkowski, a one-term advisor who has much experience in the realm of charitable giving, who now will serve as director for Canada.

In addition to the president, there are two other full-time UNA executive positions; both will be held by capable young women. The new national secretary is Christine Kozak, formerly the UNA's director of insurance operations, who has worked at the UNA Home Office since 1995. Roma Lisovich, the new treasurer is new to the UNA and to the General Assembly; however, she is far from new to her field since she has more than 20 years' experience in banking and corporate finance.

The Auditing Committee, which has been downsized from five members to three in accordance with an amendment to the UNA By-Laws adopted at the convention, includes two experienced UNA auditors: Alexander Serafyn, an MBA and Ph.D., and Yaroslav Zaviysky, a credit union manager. Joining them as the top vote-getter among the auditors is newcomer Zenon Holubec, a CPA who is president of his own accounting firm.

The advisors, too, have qualifications that will be most beneficial to the UNA as it works to improve its bottom line by focusing on increasing its membership. Four of them - Eugene Oscislawski, Joseph Hawryluk, Stefan Hawrysz and Myron Pylypiak - are top UNA organizers, and Mr. Hawrysz is a former UNA supreme organizer and longtime field organizer (not to mention a former auditor). Nine of the 11 advisors (formerly there were 14) are branch secretaries - a most significant factor now that the by-laws have been changed to include among the advisors' duties the enrollment of new UNA members.

So, to the new 20-member General Assembly we offer our wishes of good luck, wisdom, perseverance, patience and much success in leading the Ukrainian National Association in the next four years and beyond.

To those retiring, or otherwise not returning in the next term - who represent a collective 159.5 years of service on the General Assembly - we send a fond farewell, a thank-you and best wishes. May the UNA always remain dear to them.

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