Ukrainian National
Association holds 37th Convention
KERHONKSON, N.Y. – The Ukrainian National
Association held its 37th Regular Convention at the
Re-elected by acclamation
to the six-member Executive Committee were President Stefan Kaczaraj, National
Secretary Christine E. Kozak, Treasurer Roma Lisovich (all from
Also elected by acclamation
were First Vice-President Michael Koziupa and Second Vice-President Eugene
Oscislawski, both of
The convention was opened
with a brief ceremony at the heritage center’s monument to Taras Shevchenko,
where participants heard welcoming remarks from President Kaczaraj. An opening
prayer was offered by retiring First Vice-President Zenon Holubec. Afterwards,
the women members of the General Assembly placed flowers before the statue of
the Rev. Hryhory Hrushka, first editor of Svoboda and founder of the
Ukrainian National Association.
The convention heard
reports by the UNA’s executive officers, auditors and advisors, as well as the
editor-in-chief of The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda, Roma
Hadzewycz.
President Kaczaraj stated:
“We have survived the worst the economy could throw at us, and we have
thrived.” National Secretary Kozak reported that the UNA’s net premium income
rose from almost $2.4 million in 2006 to more than $35.9 million in 2009.
Treasurer Lisovich underscored that UNA assets had reached a new milestone:
$110 million.
The series of wide-ranging
and well thought-out resolutions adopted by the convention called for creating
a UNA Publication Endowment Fund to ensure the future of Svoboda and The
Ukrainian Weekly; continuing efforts begun over the past term to return
Ukrainian Cultural Courses for middle and high school students to Soyuzivka;
and improving the image and visibility of the UNA in Canada.
In addition, one of the
convention resolutions expressed “serious trepidation regarding the current
political changes” and the “threat to the recent progress toward democracy” in
Ukraine, directing the UNA leadership to voice concern about these developments
and to participate in “ongoing delegations meeting with government officials to
voice their concerns regarding the future relationship between the U.S.A.,
Canada and Ukraine as permitted by current law.”
Convention delegates
approved the UNA’s new logo, reflecting a modern organization with an
illustrious history that is moving forward and stands ready to meet the
challenges of the future.
During the four days of
sessions, delegates also had an opportunity to attend a Secretaries Course, get
advice from the UNA’s top organizers, and hear a presentation about how the
UNA’s insurance and annuities products can be used in funding a child’s college
education.
The keynote address at the
convention banquet was delivered by Petro R. Stawnychy, president of the
The convention was chaired
by Nestor Olesnycky, and co-chaired by Raymond Komichak and Roman Hawryluk,
assisted by Dr. Andrij Szul as parliamentarian.
The convention is the
highest decision-making body of the UNA, where voting power was held by 60
delegates of UNA branches, as well as 17 members and one honorary member of the
General Assembly.
The UNA is the largest and
strongest Ukrainian fraternal benefit society. Its mission statement asserts:
“The Ukrainian National Association exists to promote the principles of
fraternalism; to preserve the Ukrainian, Ukrainian American and Ukrainian
Canadian heritage and culture; and to provide quality financial services and
products to its members. As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian
National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit of its members and
the Ukrainian community.”
PHOTOThe UNA’s Executive Committee for 2010-2014 (from left): Second Vice-President Eugene Oscislawski, First Vice-President Michael Koziupa, Treasurer Roma Lisovich, President Stefan Kaczaraj, National Secretary Christine E. Kozak and Director for Canada Myron Groch