SUM organizes third annual Youth Leadership Seminar in D.C. (12/17/06)

SUM organizes third annual Youth Leadership Seminar in D.C.

by Lida Mykytyn

WASHINGTON - The imposing historic Georgetown mansion that is home to the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington was the backdrop and set the tone for the third annual Youth Leadership Seminar, organized by the Ukrainian American Youth Association (known by its Ukrainian acronyn as SUM) and held on November 11-12.

A few select high school juniors and seniors from across the United States, who have proven their leadership potential and dedication within the ranks of SUM, were invited to participate in this scholarship-based seminar. These participants were selected based on their nomination and support by their local SUM branch, a very competitive screening process, and approval by the organizing committee.

The seminar focused on leadership, marketing and public relations, project management and motivation in non-profit organizations. Speakers included Bohdan Shevchik, Genya Kuzmowycz-Blahy, Oleksa Breslawec, Ihor Naumenko and the Rev. Bohdan Danylo. These speakers equipped the participants with theories that would form the base the participants would then transform into practice, not only at the seminar, but back in their communities upon their return.

During the two-day seminar the participants were exposed to thought-provoking discussions, challenging teamwork exercises, lectures by prominent community figures and even a moonlight tour of the nation's capital, including its many architectural and historic landmarks.

The goal of the seminar was two-fold: to equip the future leaders of SUM and the Ukrainian community with an understanding of true leadership, and to help them personally evolve and grow.

Part of the seminar's itinerary was a tour of the Ukrainian Embassy, which has historic meaning to both the American government from the times of George Washington as well as to the Ukrainian government. The participants had the opportunity to meet with a representative of the Ukrainian government, Viktor Nikitiuk, head of the Department for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation in Ukraine.

Sunday, November 12, proved to be as enriching as the previous day. The entire group traveled to Washington's Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family to attend morning liturgy. After this excursion, the group was back at the Ukrainian Embassy, where the session focused on extending and applying the principles of leadership and organization learned the previous day. The participants were charged with organizing a project from concept-building through execution. This hands-on workshop, crafted by Lida Mykytyn, Ms. Kuzmowycz-Blahy and Marta Matselioukh, crystallized the individual facets of concept-building, target marketing, public relations, organizing logistics, budgeting and financing, program development, project management, etc. The participants had to work together, under the pressure of time, to formulate and present their project - a new camp.

Through the interactive sessions on both days, the participants underscored the need to "think outside of the box." They understood the need to change and evolve to become more efficient, productive and alluring, without compromising the vision, ideals and missions of organizations.

SUM leaders extended their sincerest appreciation to the Ukrainian Embassy and to the U.S-Ukraine Foundation for their warmth and hospitality, which was instrumental in making the leadership seminar successful and memorable.

Andriy Bihun, SUM's director of youth and the orchestrator of the Youth Leadership Seminar, said that this seminar has met all of its goals and that its continuation is vitally important to the future of SUM and to the Ukrainian community.

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