TWG re-elects president, honors officers past and present (09/07/03)

TWG re-elects president, honors officers past and present

by Michael Drabyk

WASHINGTON - The Washington Group has re-elected its president, Ihor Kotlarchuk, to a fourth one-year term. At their annual meeting held on June 26 in Washington, TWG members also approved a slate combined of returning officers - some of whom moved to different posts on the board - along with some new faces. TWG also presented achievement awards to two of its past and present officers for distinguished service.

Honoree Roman Stelmach served as TWG treasurer for nearly 10 years, and currently resides in New Jersey. The second award recipient, Laryssa Courtney, continues on the board as TWG Cultural Fund Director. Mr. Stelmach accepted his achievement award at the annual meeting, while Ms. Courtney will be honored at an upcoming TWG Cultural Fund event.

Changes on the TWG board include the following: Adrian Pidlusky takes on the combined role of vice-president and membership director. Marta Mostovych joins the board as member-at-large; Daria Stec and Jaroslav Dutkewych join Michael Kowalysko on the Auditing Committee; and George Masiuk moves from vice-president to member-at-large and will be spearheading the organization of next year's Leadership Conference celebrating TWG's 20th anniversary.

Several former TWG presidents hold positions on this year's board. They include Orest Deychakiwsky as immediate past president; Nick Babiak, George Masiuk and Natalie Sluzar as board members-at-large; and Ms. Stec as Auditing Committee member. In addition, Yaro Bihun continues to participate in both TWG and the TWG Cultural Fund.

President's report

Members heard a series of reports, starting with that of TWG President Kotlarchuk, describing the activities of The Washington Group since the previous annual meeting in June 2002.

These included a presentation by Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko of Ukraine, titled "United States-Ukraine Relations." Another event was a talk, co-sponsored with the Shevchenko Scientific Society, by Dr. Taras Kuzio of the University of Toronto, who spoke on the topic "Ukraine: Quo Vadis after Kuchma." "To Catch a Spy" was the title of a presentation about espionage given by TWG President Kotlarchuk. Also, a "Meet Muskie Fellows from Ukraine" social event at Washington's Wardman Park Hotel enabled TWG members to meet more than 40 Muskie fellows from all parts of Ukraine.

Other TWG events described by Mr. Kotlarchuk included a Potomac River Dinner Dance Cruise on the Dandy, an "Evening of Jazz" with Ukrainian Canadian jazz pianist John Stetch at the Blues Alley nightclub in Georgetown, and the regularly scheduled TWG happy hours usually held the first Friday evening of each month.

Other reports

TWG Treasurer Steve Boyduy reported assets at the time of the annual meeting of more than $42,000.

Membership Director Adrian Pidlusky reported that TWG membership had dipped to 184, but was rebounding. He attributed the boost to stepped-up recruitment and retention efforts, including a positive response to membership renewal letters sent out prior to the annual meeting.

The TWG Cultural Fund reported on numerous successful events during the year. These included a fashion show dubbed "Because Life is Beautiful" held at the Embassy of Ukraine to benefit breast cancer awareness and detection in Ukraine. The Cultural Fund also continued its popular music series during the 2002-2003 season, with five concerts at the Lyceum in Old Towne Alexandria, Va. These included appearances by the musical ensemble Harmonia, as well as the Leontovych String Quartet led by violinist Oleh Krysa. Other Music Series performers included bass Stefan Szkafarowsky, and pianist Lydia Artymiw.

TWG Fellowship Fund Chair Michael Drabyk reported that as of the annual meeting on June 26, selection of the 2003 TWG Ukrainian Embassy student intern from a total of 22 applicants was nearly completed. He also indicated that the Fellowship Fund would be conducting a fund drive in the coming year.

List of candidates

The following slate of candidates was presented and approved: Mr. Kotlarchuk, president; Mr. Pidlusky, vice-president and membership director; Mr. Boyduy, treasurer; Andy C. Szul, public relations and TWG News editor; Ms. Courtney, TWG Cultural Fund; Mr. Drabyk, TWG Fellowship Fund, Andrew Bihun, Business Development Forum; Olena Gaponenko, events; Irene Jarosewich community liaison; Mr. Deychakiwsky, immediate past president; Nick Babiak, Arthur Belendiuk, Oles Berezhny, John Hewko, Oleg Jerschkowsky, George Masiuk, Jurij Mojsiak, Marta Mostovych, Natalie Sluzar, Andrew Sorokowski and Marta Zielyk, Daria Stec, Jaroslav Dutkewych and Michael Kowalysko, members at large; auditing committee; Messrs. Kotlarchuk and Drabyk, TWG News assistant editors.

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