THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (05/11/03)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Albany District Committee holds its annual meeting

by Slavko Tysiak

WATERVLIET, N.Y. - This year's annual meeting of the Albany District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association (UNA), which comprises Branches 13, 57, 88, 200 and 266, began at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, in the Ukrainian Citizens Club located in Watervliet, N.Y. A total of 30 members were present, including branch secretaries, district officers and UNA members. It should be noted that Branch 13 celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2003.

After welcoming everyone, District Chairman Nick Fil, opened the meeting and called for a moment of silence for UNA members who passed away during the past year. Paul Shewchuk was elected to chair the meeting and Walter Litynsky was elected to record the minutes. Mr. Shewchuk called on District Secretary Litynsky to read the minutes of last year's meeting.

Mr. Fil then gave a report on the overall organizing performance of the individual branch secretaries during the past year. What the annual report indicated is that the branches whose secretaries had played an active role in their local community were able to recruit new members and were poised for growth in the future. The Albany District took first place by signing up 41 new members (102.5 percent of the assigned quota) for a total of $1 million in insurance. The best organizers were Stephanie Hawryluk (Branch 88, Kerhonkson), 16 members; Mr. Fil (Branch 13, Watervliet/Troy), 14 members; Walter Krywulych (Branch 266, Amsterdam), seven members; Anna Slobodian (Branch 88), three members; and Ronald Gordon (Branch 88), one member. Branches 57, (Cohoes) and 200 (Ozone Park) did not enroll any members. Mr. Fil stated that the district had received an award at the 2002 UNA Convention in recognition of its fraternal activities.

Following the reading of the annual report, John Udych, chair of the Nominations Committee, indicated that all of the 2002 district officers had expressed a willingness to serve another one-year term with the exception of Mr. Litynsky, who said he wished to step down from serving as secretary. Mr. Udych then nominated Slavko Tysiak for secretary. All were elected by acclamation. District officers for 2003-2004 include the following: Mr. Fil, chairman; Mr. Shewchuk, honorary chairman; Ms. Hawryluk and Michael Sawkiw, senior vice-chairs; Mr. Tysiak, secretary, Mr. Krywulych, treasurer; Mr. Shewchuk, Stanley Mochulsky and Andrij Demczar, auditors; Mr. Udycz, Peter Spiak and Wasyl Terlecky, nominations.

After the elections, Mr. Fil expressed a special thanks to Mr. Litynsky for his many years of service as district secretary. The members acknowledged Mr. Litynsky's record of service to the UNA with a round of hearty applause.

Next, District Chairman Fil announced that the UNA Home Office is asking districts and branches to self-impose recruitment goals. A general discussion ensued about a proposed 4 percent recruitment goal for the Albany District, meaning the enrollment of 36 new members in 2003-2004. After the discussion, the district members voted to establish a 3.5 percent recruitment goal for the district and to help branch secretaries in their efforts to reach the goal of 32 new members in the coming year.

Ms. Hawryluk then described the changes taking place at Soyuzivka, including more of an emphasis on youth-oriented activities focused on teenagers and young adults. She described the openness of the new general manager and staff to try new events such as the Cinco de Mayo celebration and to restore events such as the heritage concerts. .

Ms. Hawryluk said there is a need for continued support for Soyuzivka during this period of transition and said that one way all can help is by volunteering to work on specific projects, such as creating nature trails and helping clean up and update the facilities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the district chairman reviewed planned activities, highlighting the annual Father's Day trip to Soyuzivka and upcoming efforts to promote the UNA at local events. He stressed the need to tap deeper into the pool of people with Ukrainian American roots as well as so-called "Fourth Wave" Ukrainians who do not live among and participate solely in the Ukrainian community.

Following the official close of the annual meeting, a group picture was taken to mark the occasion and a buffet meal prepared by the ladies of the district was served.

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