UNA General Assembly meets at annual session (12/19/04)

UNA General Assembly meets at annual session

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The Ukrainian National Association General Assembly met on Friday through Sunday, November 19-21, at the UNA resort, Soyuzivka, for its annual meeting, which reviewed all facets of the fraternal organization's work

The weekend session was attended by the following members of the Executive Committee: Stefan Kaczaraj, president; Martha Lysko and Eugene Iwanciw, vice presidents; Al Kachkowski, director for Canada, Christine E. Kozak, national secretary; and Roma Lisovich, treasurer.

Also present were Auditors Zenon Holubec and Alexander Serafyn, and Advisors Eugene Oscislawski, Joseph Hawryluk, Vasyl Luchkiw, Wasyl Liscynesky, Andrij Skyba, Myron Groch and Gloria Horbaty. The General Assembly's honorary members, who take active part in the sessions, but with no voting powers, were represented by Taras Szmagala Sr. and Tekla Moroz.

Not present at these sessions were Auditor Yaroslav Zaviysky and Advisors Stefan Hawrysz (excused due to medical reasons), Myron Pylypiak (excused), Pawlo Prinko (not excused) and Michael Kuropas (excused). Honorary members are not obliged to attend the meeting.

The meeting began with the traditional laying of a wreath at the monument of the UNA's patron, Taras Shevchenko. Honorary Member Moroz read a short passage describing the many interesting facets of Shevchenko's character, talents and life. The American, Canadian and Ukrainian national anthems were played and the ceremony, which was concluded with all singing Shevchenko's "Zapovit" (Testament).

The General Assembly meeting was chaired by UNA President Kaczaraj. The meeting began with a prayer led by Mrs. Moroz, after which a moment of silence was observed for the following deceased members of the UNA: former General Assembly Honorary members William Pastuszek and Helen Olek-Scott; Alex Skibicky (Branch 285), Olga Liteplo (Branch 361), Petro Tymkiw (Branch 458) and Mary Lesawyer, wife of former UNA President Joseph Lesawyer and all other members of the UNA family.

The agenda and the minutes from 2003 meeting of the General Assembly were unanimously approved. Planning committees were established as follows.

Financial Committee - Mr. Szmagala Mr. Wasyl Liscynesky, Ms. Lisovich, Mr. Luchkiw, Mr. Serafyn;
Organizing Committee - Ms. Horbaty, Ms. Lysko, Mr. Hawryluk, Ms. Kozak, Dr. Holubec;
Fraternal Committee - Mr. Oscislawski, Mr. Skyba, Mr. Iwanciw;
Canadian Committee - Mr. Kachkowski, Mr. Groch, Mrs. Moroz.

All the members of the General Assembly prepared written reports of their UNA activity from the last meeting, as required by the UNA By-Laws. The following members did not submit any reports to the board - Advisor Prinko, (second year in a row) and Auditor Zaviysky.

President Kaczaraj, National Secretary Kozak and Treasurer Lisovich expanded on their written reports.

Mr. Kaczaraj summarized his written report, expanded on the financial status of the UNA, and reassured the General Assembly members that the UNA is slowly moving in the right direction. He reminded all that the fraternal industry has been suffering in the last decade due to the recession, and many fraternals did not survive. The UNA had not only survived, but slowly is recovering. He emphasized the importance of a qualified sales force to increase UNA insurance sales.

Ms. Lisovich thanked all present for their dedication to the UNA. She strongly emphasized working together toward the UNA's success, as well as the success of Soyuzivka and the UNA's publications. She encouraged every secretary and district chairman, and all members of the board to participate in this grand effort. With some measure of success, the UNA has met its challenges. The treasurer stressed the development of a stronger sales force.

The UNA's strategy is to become more visible in the community, regain its integral role and again become the motivating force of the community, continued Ms. Lisovich. A close partnership with the community serves the UNA well, it was once and is now a successful strategy.

The treasurer reported that the financial figures were a little disappointing for the first nine months of 2004. She noted, however, that for the year ending December 2003 - for the first time in a decade - there was a surplus increase. However, this year, due to contributing factors that surplus will not appear, she added. The slow economic recovery has made consumer demand for insurance and annuity products lower. Therefore, premium income decreased from $3,722,000 in 2003 to $3,042,000 in 2004.

Ms. Kozak reported on the membership status of the UNA. There is a slow upturn in sales of policies - 54 more policies were sold in the first nine months of 2004 than in 2003 for the same time frame for a total face amount of $5,230,062. The UNA annuity product has also been doing rather well, with a total of 76 annuities sold in nine months of 2004 for premium collectes of $1,428,849.

Ms. Kozak reported that the slow upswing in sales is credited to the professional sales force hired by Western Catholic Union that is working primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. This sales force is responsible for 16 percent of total sales with a face amount of $492,062 and 29 annuities with a total premium collected of $768,258.

Many of the UNA's losses stem from matured endowments, expiring terms, cash surrenders and, with the aging population of certificate owners, death claims. There are presently 19 districts in the U.S. and four in Canada, according to the national secretary.

There is a continuous agenda of representing the UNA in various communities, including festivals, church functions, banquets and the like. In many cases the UNA hosted a "meet and greet" function to introduce the UNA and explain some of its products. This has been successful and has brought some new business. This is an ongoing effort, and the UNA is encouraging the combined efforts of the Home Office, branch secretaries and districts to organize various community events, Ms. Kozak noted.

The national secretary reported on the creation of the position of national organizer, held by Oksana Trytjak. This position will help with the new strategy of developing and maintaining contacts with the Ukrainian community. This will be the UNA's prime focus for the new year. Again, this must be a joint effort with UNA secretaries, the sales force and districts - together we will be successful, Ms. Kozak underscored.

The Auditing Committee, represented by Dr. Holubec and Dr. Serafyn, reported on the independent audit they conducted prior to the General Assembly meeting.

The remaining session concentrated on strategic planning for Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, development plans for Soyuzivka and various possibilities to increase membership.

Committee recommendations

The General Assembly's committee issued recommendations as follows.

Organizing Committee:

Develop promotional materials to promote the UNA.
In our publications we should address the newest immigration with materials that are of specific interest to them.
Publish a promotional book for secretaries to use when making a sales pitch.
Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly subscription flyers to be included in UNA premium billing.
Distribute promotional materials about the UNA, our publications to every visitor at Soyuzivka.

Fraternal Committee:

Re-institute Ukrainian Cultural Courses at Soyuzivka.
Promote an essay contest in both languages on "Why I am Proud to be Ukrainian," and advertise this contest in middle schools. Also, promote an art contest on an Easter theme for children ages 1-4.
At district meetings promote the latest Ukrainian movies that are available, including "Helm of Destiny."
The UNA should consider sponsoring the Garden State Festival.
Conduct and sponsor an oral history project for high school students.
Work with the Ukrainian American Veterans organization to promote the registry of Ukrainian American veterans.

Canadian Committee:

There is a need for a National Organizer in Canada.
Look for secretaries and/or a sales force from within the latest immigration.
At district meetings show movies, videos about the UNA fraternal activities including photos of Soyuzivka.

Financial Committee:

Discussed the budget for 2005 and made specific recommendations.
The mileage allowance was increased to 37.5 cents/mile effective November 2004, which complies with the Internal Revenue Code.
A cost of living increase of 3 percent was approved for the three UNA executives effective 2005.

All committee reports and recommendations were approved.

The budget report for 2005 was accepted as given.

The date of the 36th UNA Convention was set as for May 24-28, 2006, at Soyuzivka.

There was much discussion as to how to attract the newest wave of immigrants into the UNA. This is the newest influx of Ukrainians - close to 400,000 since the late 1940s. There is hope that they will join the UNA's ranks and revitalize its membership. It was noted that the UNA has had some success with secretaries who are themselves new immigrants and that they have organized successful branches.

Also noted was that, to attract the younger population, UNA secretaries must be licensed in order to convince a more savvy consumer. The UNA must use a professional sales staff; selling UNA products the way it was done in the early 1940-50s is not going to work in this day of computers, PowerPoint presentations and the like.

Discussants pointed out that it is imperative that the UNA once again become the focus of the community and become more visible. It was noted that the executives are earnestly working towards this goal. To that end, there is a concerted effort of meeting with various communities, districts, churches and organizations.

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