: THE YEAR IN REVIEW: At the UNA: Soyuzivka is the focus of activity (01/11/04)

2003: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

At the UNA: Soyuzivka is the focus of activity

Soyuzivka was the focus of activity at the Ukrainian National Association during 2003. The new year got off to an interesting start, as it was out with the old and in with the new at the UNA's year-round resort in the Shawangunk Mountains of upstate New York.

The UNA Executive Committee announced in the January 19 issue of The Weekly that Nestor Paslawsky, of Ramsey, N.J., was "joining the UNA to spearhead our Soyuzivka Project Renaissance," and had been appointed as director of hospitality services. "After 15 years of continuous service, John Flis, general manager of Soyuzivka will be leaving to pursue other endeavors," the executives noted.

The following were announced as members of what was referred to as "the new management team at Soyuzivka": Olesia Guran - reservations and front desk manager, who came on board in the summer from Florida and the Best Western Hotel; Daria Nyzankiwsky - operations manager, in charge of maintenance and housekeeping, a former Soyuzivka employee, who returned from the Nevele Resort; Andrij Sonevytsky - executive chef, who will also serve as banquet manager; and longtime Soyuzivka employee Sonia Semanyshyn, who assumed a new position as manager of accounting and back-office operations.

In March a special feature in The Weekly headlined "Soyuzivka's new management staff optimistic about resort's renaissance" focused on the new team's ideas and their total of over 36 years of combined experience working in major American resorts and hotels.

Mr. Paslawsky was quoted as saying of the resort that "We have so much here that we're not utilizing," and went on to state that one of his goals was to clear and mark wilderness trails on the grounds, with the goal of eventually connecting these to the Minnewaska State Park trail network.

Furthermore, the new manager said, "We need to increase activities, service and cleanliness. The idea is to come in and make noticeable changes, to show them [guests] honest changes and energize everyone for the next phase." Mr. Paslawsky described many of these changes as incremental, building slowly from one to the next while at the same time reinvigorating not only the resort, but its clientele. "We're going to build on small successes," he emphasized.

The first of several work weekends at Soyuzivka was on April 12-13, which was dubbed "Trailblazing Weekend." Two score plus volunteers arrived at the resort to help. Some came armed - with rakes, machetes, weed-whackers, chainsaws, pickaxes and shovels - while others were allowed to "pick their weapon," related Mr. Paslawsky. Their task was to clear wilderness trails on the resort's property, with a view toward making them accessible for hikers, mountain bikers and others to enjoy Soyuzivka's natural beauty - and especially the mountaintop view from the resort's waterfall. At the end of the day, the volunteers had succeeded in clearing a 4-foot-wide trail to Soyuzivka's waterfall, and, as Mr. Paslawsky observed, it was a glorious success as the trailblazers took "a victory photo" at the top of the mountain.

"Lest readers think this trail was blazed in a day," we wrote in our front-page story, "it must be noted that two Soyuzivka stalwarts, Serge Nalywaiko and Andrew Olynec, had spent weeks prior to the day mapping out the trail using GPS."

Among the 40-45 volunteers was UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich, who commented: "A big thank-you is due to everyone who joined us. The weather welcomed everyone with warm, sunny skies, and fun was had by all. Not only was a trail blazed, but the Hutsul at the resort's gatehouse was renovated and painted, and the youngsters helped out by planting flowers all around Soyuzivka." By the time summer arrived, another trail was cleared and marked, and a connecting trail between the routes to the waterfalls and the cliffs was added.

The Weekly contained a special UNA pullout dedicated to Soyuzivka Project Renaissance in its May 4 issue, which also happened to be the issue in which we ran our annual supplement titled "A Ukrainian Summer." The pullout contained the details about the Soyuzivka Renaissance Fund and marked the kick-off of the campaign to raise funds for the development of Soyuzivka and increase revenue at the resort. An updated version of that pullout appeared in the May 25 issue. And, it should be noted, similar pullouts also appeared in Svoboda.

These special advertising sections contained a reference to a definite deadline for the project to revitalize Soyuzivka: September 30, 2003. By that date, Soyuzivka needed to demonstrate a financial turnaround. As September 30 was soon after the close of the summer season, it was bookings during the summer, as well as advance bookings for the subsequent fall, winter and spring months, that were critical to secure the future of the resort

In the months that followed, Soyuzivka was spruced up all around, inside and out. The Main House's exterior was repainted and its dining room was gutted and subjected to a complete makeover, with guests commenting most favorably on the end product. Karpaty, Chernivtsi, Odesa and Lviv also were refurbished and/or upgraded. A roller rink was built next to the volleyball court; and a tiki bar was placed between the volleyball court and the pool. The latter in particular was a popular addition, as evidenced by the use it got during its first season.

UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj reported in June that bookings were up and underscored that a significant increase in reservations would signal the community's support of Soyuzivka and help the resort continue its renovation campaign. The UNA CEO stressed that improving Soyuzivka will require a collective effort, saying, "The emphasis has to be on each member of the Ukrainian community. All of the people need to participate."

He reiterated a quote from a letter by the UNA Executive Committee to UNA members and friends: "Soyuzivka remains of prominent importance to our community, and is a symbol of the contribution Ukrainian Americans and the UNA have made to our American society. We should be proud of this accomplishment and be in a position to proudly share it with others outside our community who want to learn about our culture and enjoy the unique ambiance it provides."

Other innovations related to Soyuzivka included the Summer Heritage Concert Series at the resort, the "Soyuzivka Datebook" published each week on the last page of The Weekly, a redesigned Soyuzivka website (www.soyuzivka.com) and the Soyuzivka Internet Newsletter, which travels through cyberspace to the resort's e-mail list.

Even with all the innovations and the ongoing renovations, the resort's popular camps and sports competitions took place in 2003 as usual. And, a new Miss Soyuzivka was crowned on August 16. She is Diana Shmerykowsky of New York. Meanwhile, The Ukrainian Weekly published special pages titled "Soyuzivka Photo Album" in an effort to inform readers about all the goings-on at the resort.

By year's end, judging by the reports delivered at the annual meeting of the General Assembly, as well as the November report of the UNA Auditing Committee, Soyuzivka was doing much better financially in 2003 as compared to 2002. According to the auditors, Soyuzivka's deficit for the first nine months of 2003 was $227,000, as compared with $480,000 for 2002. The decrease, they noted, was due mainly to donations to the resort's renaissance, which totaled $174,000, as well as to an increase in bookings during the summer season.

Beyond Soyuzivka, there was other significant activity at the Ukrainian National Association during 2003. At the beginning of the year the Svoboda Press released the annual UNA Almanac, this year dedicated primarily to the 110th anniversary of Svoboda, the Ukrainian-language newspaper of the UNA, which began publication as a biweekly on September 15, 1893. The Ukrainian-language volume - the 93rd almanac published by Svoboda Press - also contained a special section devoted to the 70th anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, as well as sections titled "History - Our Teacher," "Names, Dates," "The World After September 11," "Fathoming the Unfathomable," "Traditions of Other Nations," and "Meditations." An introductory article by UNA President Kaczaraj, titled "We Have Earned These Great Jubilees," referred to the 110th anniversaries of Svoboda in 2003 and the UNA in 2004.

In March the annual special section on the UNA's scholarship recipients for the current academic year (2002-2003) was printed in The Weekly and Svoboda. For 2003-2004, the UNA distributed $23,550 in scholarships, including $5,500 in special scholarships funded by private individuals and bequests that are awarded to outstanding students in particular fields. More on the latest batch of scholars - all 123 of them - in early 2004, when our newspaper publishes the next special section.

The UNA Auditing Committee - Dr. Zenon Holubec, chairman, Yaroslav Zaviysky, vice-chairman, and Dr. Alexander Serafyn, secretary - conducted two audits during the course of the year, as is customary. The first was in May and reviewed UNA operations for all of 2002, and the second came in November, on the eve of the annual meeting of the UNA General Assembly, and examined operations during the first nine months of 2003. The November audit noted an increase in the UNA's reserves (surplus) of $1,289,000.

In June, the UNA hosted its traditional Father's Day celebration at Soyuzivka. Some 300 people attended the 19th annual event, which featured a luncheon and a concert.

Another annual UNA endeavor is Christmas cards. This year's series of 12 cards featured works by artists from the United States, Ukraine, Canada and Switzerland, who allowed their works to be used as part of this fund-raiser designated for the renaissance of Soyuzivka through the Ukrainian National Foundation.

News at the UNA included an innovative gift-giving project set up in conjunction with the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America. Via the new program, purchasers of UNA insurance policies can support the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, perhaps the most unique educational institution in independent Ukraine, which also happens to be the oldest university in all of Eastern Europe. "It's a natural fit," exclaimed Ihor Wyslotsky, president of the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America. "The Kyiv Mohyla Foundation was seeking a broader appeal to the Ukrainian community and to raise awareness of the NUKMA and its mission beyond the borders of Ukraine, while the UNA," he continued, "more than any other Ukrainian organization in North America, is engaged in Ukraine."

The concept behind the program is simple: a buyer of a UNA insurance policy can designate the NUKMA as his/her beneficiary via the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation. And, the program is attractive to members: for someone interested in providing significant support to an extraordinary institution - in leaving a legacy - the costs are low, but there is a substantial benefit to that institution in the long-term.

The UNA also did its part to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, as it published an updated and revised curriculum guide for high school teachers that was prepared by Dr. Myron B. Kuropas, a historian and educator who happens to be an honorary member of the UNA General Assembly. The curriculum guide has already been utilized at two teachers' workshops: the first held in October in New Jersey at Rider University, more specifically its Julius and Dorothy Koppelman Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center, and the other in November in Colorado at the University of Denver.

Copies of the curriculum guide will soon be made available to schools and the public. Look for details in upcoming issues of The Ukrainian Weekly.

In other developments at the UNA, President Kaczaraj, who attended the eighth Ukrainian World Congress, held in Kyiv in August, was elected to its board of directors.

Speaking of the UNA's involvement in community umbrella groups, the UNA General Assembly voted in November to rejoin the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, which the UNA, along with many other Ukrainian organizations had quit in 1980 after irregularities at the UCCA's ill-fated 13th congress. In a statement headlined "Let the healing begin," the UNA Executive Committee informed its members and the community at large that at the annual UNA General Assembly meeting, held November 21-23 at Soyuzivka, the General Assembly members came to a historic decision in passing the following resolution.

"The Ukrainian National Association Inc. recognizes the pressing need of our Ukrainian American community to stand strong and united. Only from a position of strength and cooperation can we, as a community have a powerful, united voice in the public arena. ... The UNA, as a co-founder of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, at its annual General Assembly meeting which was held at Soyuzivka votes to restore their decades-long relationship with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) on the same basis and status as had been established during its original membership. It is our sincere hope that this step will serve as an incentive for others to seek common ground on which to build mutual cooperation for the good of our community. For let us remember, only with unity comes strength."

At the same time, however, the UNA president underscored: "This action in no way impacts our present memberships and relations with any other community organization."

A precursor of the General Assembly's vote came in April when the Chicago District Committee of the UNA voted to join the UCCA.

As regards UNA organizing activity, UNA National Secretary Christine Kozak, took a pro-active role in revitalizing the UNA. The focus of the initiative, she explained, is to capitalize on UNA participation in locally sponsored events, which provide a forum for UNA executive officers to meet the community and introduce the UNA to the widest of audiences. The promotional effort put forth by the UNA Home Office for its branches included an organizing plan for 2003, the launch of a new product line, issuance of new flyers and brochures to promote the UNA and its products, a newsletter for branch secretaries, a referral program for secretaries and UNA members, articles about life insurance and annuities in the UNA's newspapers, plus suggestions for effective fraternal activities.

During the course of 2003, the UNA's Executive Committee held three meetings. The June 27 meeting reviewed the UNA's first quarter results and resolved to add a new annuity product to the UNA's line of offerings. Toward that end, it was noted that the UNA would begin the procedure of applying for the Coverdell Education Savings Account, or the Education IRA, which allows for an annual deposit of up to $2,000 per individual and permits tax-free withdrawals made for any educational purpose from elementary school through college.

At their next meeting, held on September 26, UNA execs looked at UNA operations at the mid-year point. The UNA Executive Committee held its last meeting of 2003 on November 20, on the eve of the General Assembly's annual meeting, at the UNA Corporate Headquarters.

At both the Executive Committee and General Assembly progress was reported on two fronts: the UNA's surplus increased by $1,289,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2003, a 22 percent increase over the balance of $5,835,000 as of December 31, 2002, for a total surplus of $7,124,000 as of September 30, 2003; and Soyuzivka's operating deficit of $721,000 was decreased in 2003 due to the combined efforts of restructuring, implementation of management and operating changes, and a donor drive. The deficit for the nine months ending September 30, 2003, was $227,000 - less than half the amount recorded during the same period in 2002.

The 2003 General Assembly meeting was held under the banner of "Focus Teamwork: Planning for the Future" and concentrated on setting a strategy for the future growth and development of the UNA. Participants of the three-day meeting - the UNA's executive officers, advisors, auditors and honorary members of the General Assembly - heard and discussed reports on the UNA's business operations and fraternal activities for the past year. This was the first opportunity the board of advisors had to come together to assess the company's performance after this, the first fully completed year of operation by the new administration elected in May 2002. In a departure from UNA tradition, the editors-in-chief of the UNA's two newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, were not invited to attend the annual meeting, though they did submit written reports.

During the General Assembly session, the board of the Ukrainian National Foundation held its meeting. Look for a report on donations to the UNF, which is a 501 (c) (3) organization, early in 2004.

We must note with sadness the passing of two former members of the UNA General Assembly during 2003.

Anna Haras, former supreme advisor of the Ukrainian National Association and an honorary member of the UNA General Assembly, as well as a longtime secretary of Branch 47 and chairperson of the Allentown District Committee, died on March 31. She was 82.

Wasyl Didiuk, honorary member of the UNA General Assembly, a former supreme advisor and supreme auditor, the UNA's longtime chief organizer in Canada and former UNA district chairman in Toronto, died on September 17. He was 88.

Finally, a word about the UNA's official publications. Svoboda marked its 110th anniversary on September 15. As noted in The Weekly, what many may not realize is that it was Svoboda that gave birth to the UNA, and not vice versa - truly a demonstration of the power of the press.

The Weekly also marked a milestone in 2003: the 70th anniversary of its founding (see the item about The Weekly at the end of the Year-in-Review section for more information). The anniversary date was October 6.

Both newspapers published special issues dedicated to their respective anniversaries and offered editorials about each other's milestones.

Both papers also were the beneficiaries of a Ladies' Night Out in northern New Jersey that raised money for their press funds through the Ukrainian National Foundation.

The UNA, in turn, will be celebrating its own significant anniversary in 2004 - its 110th - on February 22.

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