Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history (04/04/04)

Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history

A special yearlong feature focusing on the history of the Ukrainian National Association.

The ninth convention of the UNA was held in Scranton, Pa., on June 25-28, 1906, with 72 delegates participating. It was reported that the UNA had grown to 139 branches and 7,888 members. Assets now totaled $23,705.34.

Among the notable decisions adopted at the convention were: St. Volodymyr was named the patron saint of the UNA; and the phonetic alphabet was adopted for use by Svoboda and the UNA - that is the alphabet used in all Ukrainian schools, books and newspapers.

Also, the UNA would henceforth accept Canadians as members, the benefit amount to be paid out on insurance policies was increased to $1,000, and members were to contribute 2 cents per month to the Reserve Fund and 1 cent each to the Indigent Fund and the newly created National Fund. Convention delegates also voted to contribute $100 to the Liberation Fund in Halychyna.

Constantine Kyrchiv was re-elected to his second term as UNA president.

A Svoboda editorial commented: "This convention reorganized the UNA, giving it a firm foundation and thus assuring further growth and a bright future."

Source: "Ukrainian National Association: Its Past and Present, (1894-1964)," by Anthony Dragan (translated from the original Ukrainian by Zenon Snylyk). Jersey City, N.J.: Svoboda Press, 1964. The border featured in this special feature is reproduced from a UNA membership certificate dating to 1919.

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