THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (03/20/05)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Chicago district honors longtime branch secretary who turns 100 this year

CHICAGO - Stefania Kochey was honored at the annual meeting of the UNA District Committee of Chicago on Saturday, March 5.

Mrs. Kochey received a bronze plaque recognizing her 48 years of service as secretary of UNA Branch 472 in Chicago. She was elected to her post in 1957. Making the presentation was Honorary Member of the UNA General Assembly Myron B. Kuropas, who commented on the dedication and hard work of those of Mrs. Kochey's generation.

"Your willingness to sacrifice and your enthusiasm for the UNA serve as an example for all of us," he said. "As of right now, you hold the record for longevity in the ranks of distinguished UNA secretaries." Mrs. Kochey will reach her 100th birthday this year.

Dr. Kuropas reminded those present of how a UNA branch secretary once played a vital role at the grassroots level of the Ukrainian National Association. Branch secretaries not only organized new members, they also maintained a record of dues payments and sent reminders to members who fell behind.

They often organized branch activities and made sure every member was taking advantage of all of the privileges UNA membership offered. Secretaries like Mrs. Kochey once collected dues on a weekly basis, usually after liturgy in the church basement or in the UNA hall. Branch secretaries, Dr. Kuropas concluded, were the life blood of the UNA.

UNA Advisor Andrew Skyba presented a report on the annual session of the UNA General Assembly. A discussion followed his interesting commentary, which included both the pluses and minuses of UNA activity at the national level.

District committee executives reported on their activities during the course of the meeting and were rewarded with re-election. Everyone was pleased to learn that the Chicago district committee achieved 83 percent of its quota for new members, placing it fourth among all district committees. After receiving a vote of confidence from the membership all board members were re-elected by acclimation.

Remaining to lead the Chicago District Committee for another year are Stefko M. Kuropas, chairman; Andrew Skyba, secretary; and Bohdan Kukuruza, treasurer.

"Moisei" opera excerpts presented at UNA headquarters

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - A concert featuring Myroslav Skoryk, composer and pianist, and Oleh Chmyr, baritone, took place at the UNA Corporate Headquarters on Sunday, February 20. With nearly 100 people in attendance, the performance included arias from the opera "Moisei," other original compositions by Maestro Skoryk, as well as video excerpts from the opera. The concert was organized by the Morris County Branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and was sponsored by the Ukrainian National Association and Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union. Pictured (from left) are: Orest Ciapka, SUAFCU; Maestro Skoryk; Christine Kozak, national secretary of the UNA; Mr. Chmyr; and Michael Koziupa,UCCA.

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