UNF & AO Convention Ready to Challenge the Future with 80 Years Perspective

Delegates and guests at 37th UNF & AO National Convention in Edmonton, November 8-11, 2012

By John Pidkowich

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Facing the “challenge” of early winter snowy conditions and chilly temperatures, delegates and guests from across Canada gathered in Edmonton to attend the 37^th Ukrainian National Federation (UNF-UNO) and Affiliated Organizations (AO) National Convention with the theme Challenge the Future, held on November 8-11, 2012. What for some may have been lacking outside, especially for ease of transportation either by foot or taxi, was more than made up for by the warmth of Western hospitality extended by the host Edmonton UNF Branch. This year, the UNF of Canada is celebrating its 80^th anniversary, established in Edmonton on July 17^th, 1932, and appropriately, held its convention and gala in the city of its birth.

In recognition of the Convention being held in Alberta’s capital, it was with great honour that a UNF and AO delegation was hosted in the Alberta Legislature on November 8 by Janice Sarich, Member for Edmonton–Decore. During a session of the Legislative Assembly, she spoke of the significance of the UNF in the history of Canada, and where Speaker Gene Zwozdesky welcomed and introduced the delegation, and acknowledged the Convention.

The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada (UWO-OYK) held their conference sessions at the UNF Edmonton Hall on Nov. 8-9. A generous open invitation was made to all UNF and AO delegates and guests in town Thursday evening to attend the OYK Conference Official Opening. Mistress of Ceremonies Iryna Tatko introduced presidents who brought organizational greetings: Yaroslava Iwasykiw (OYK National), Tamara Vorotilenko (OYK Edmonton), and Taras Pidzamecky (UNF of Canada). A cultural program was presented including folk songs sung by Natalka Boyko and Tanya Bombak, and Lesia Sribniak’s recitation of Lesya Ukrainka’s poem “Krylo”. A wine and cheese reception followed to allow delegates and guests to socialise further, reminisce and view a large mural photo display about significant events in the history of the UNF Edmonton Branch.

Aside from regular conference agenda items, a video presentation of 80 Years of UWO was shown and a panel discussion was conducted on “The Role of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations”. Olha Sheweli from Hamilton, Ont. is the newly-elected UWO National President.

Registration for the UNF and AO Convention at the UNF Edmonton Hall allowed initial time for delegates and guests to congregate with fellow members and rekindle old acquaintances. Once indoors from a cold Friday evening, ‘ice–breaking’ then took on another meaning with veteran convention goers and new members alike taking the challenge of introducing each other, removed from more familiar surroundings and faces. Added atmosphere was provided by Inna Luzanec playing piano lounge music as a prelude to a delicious hot “light” supper that served home-made traditional Ukrainian dishes prepared by the host OYK and UNO branches. Over dessert, delegates and guests were able to view Chester Kuc’s famous pysanky-Easter egg displays prior to gathering for the Official Opening of the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention.

Opening evening Master of Ceremonies Ivan Lypovyk called upon flag bearers to enter the hall for the Presentation of Flags, representing the UNF and its affiliated organizations: UWO-OYK; Ukrainian National Youth Federation of Canada (UNYF-MUNO); and Ukrainian War Veterans’ Association of Canada (UWVA). This rousing march was accompanied by UNF Edmonton’s Ukrainian Drama Children’s Group “Dzerelo” singing “Ne zabuvaj”. A Call to Order signalled the singing of the Canadian and Ukrainian National Anthems, followed by a moment of silence in memory of deceased members. Welcome and host greetings were delivered by UNF Edmonton Branch President, George Yopyk, Tamara Vorotilenko (UWO) and Marianna Sech (UNYF). National greetings were brought by UNF President Taras Pidzamecky, UWO President Olha Sheweli, Denis Polishchuk from UNYF, and Petro Kowalczyk, UWVA Secretary.

The first order of business was the election of the Convention Chair - Bohdan Diakow, Vice Chair - Jaroslaw Bilak, and Secretaries - Oksana Levytska and Ivan Lypovyk. Next was the election of Convention Committees and Chairs: Finance – Daniel Cherkas; Constitution – Taras Pidzamecky; Nominating – Leslie Salnick; Resolutions – Yurko Serhijczuk; Verification – Taras Rohatyn; and Mission Statement – Kristin Glover.

In his report as UNF National President, Taras Pidzamecky highlighted the intensification of previously initiated themes, new programs created by the Paul Yuzyk Institute (PYI), expanded activities of the Ridna Shkola initiative, Summer Day Camp programs, and the speaking tours of Mykola Yakovyna and Vasyl Oliynyk. Special recognition was made to the re-established UNF Ottawa-Gatineau Branch for their lead role in organizing and running PYI educational programming and activities. The New Pathway Board of Directors was acknowledged for maintaining the solid financial footing in operating the newspaper.

UNF National Treasurer Daniel Cherkas reported on the organization’s finances and stressed the importance of national and branch reporting as required by Canada Revenue Agency and upcoming new changes in legislation.

The opening evening was rounded attractively, proudly presenting a cultural program that included fine performances of “Dzerelo”, UNF’s Ukrainian Drama Theatre Group “Suzirya”, solo voice and instrumental playing, and even a light humoresque reading by Ivan Lypovyk. An all-out wine and cheese “plus” reception followed for the enjoyment of delegates and guests before buckling down to the tasks and work at hand for convention sessions and committee meetings.

All further working sessions of the UNF Convention were held at the Delta Centre Hotel on Nov.10-11 and included discussion on branch reports and issues, and programs. Between and, when necessary, during sessions, committee work proceeded. “Outside” the comfort of the main convention activity space but still an important agenda item, a dedicated small group representing the UNF and AO, not deterred by the inclement extreme weather, placed flowers at the Edmonton City Hall Cenotaph in memory of fallen soldiers and war veterans, and at the nearby Holodomor Monument to remember the victims of the Famine Genocide in Ukraine 1932-33.

The workshop “Relations with Ukraine” featured presentations by Dr. Roman Petryshyn, Director URDC, Grant MacEwan University, on Canada-Ukraine Cooperation, and by UNF National President Taras Pidzamecky on UNF-Ukraine Relations. The workshop “Ideas about Ukrainian Culture: Canada vs. Brazil” was presented by Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky, Director of the Kule Folklore Centre, University of Alberta. Convention attendees were not only impressed by the presentations of topics, but motivated and became increasingly engaged in a lively discussion and commentary. Luncheon Guest Speaker Ambassador Derek Fraser, World Ukrainian Congress Chief Observer, shared his views on Ukraine’s recent parliamentary elections. He spoke of the now publicized concerns by international observers about conditions leading up to and during the elections, plus the count and delay in final results. He said that Canada’s involvement in Ukraine and its developing democracy should be  for the “long-term”, and encouraged all Ukrainian Canadians to keep up with an ongoing commitment to the country.

Delegates from the affiliated Ukrainian War Veterans’ Association found time to meet separately. The Ukrainian National Youth Federation of Canada (MUNO) held a national teleconference by Skype from Edmonton and elected Marianna Sech as UNYF National President, Wasyl Luczkiw as Vice President – East, Anna Lahoda as Vice President - West, and member-at-large Denis Polishchuk.

The UNF and AO Convention elected a new Board of Directors and Controlling Committee with Ihor Walter Bardyn form Toronto as National UNF President. Mr. Bardyn spoke to the convention by a video presentation, referring to a reply card he filled out several years at a UNF Toronto event indicating how he would like to help the UNF. He praised the many UNF families whose generosity formed the financial core that established the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) for Ukrainian university interns in Canada’s Parliament some 22 years ago, and the opportunity now to expand its reach to include Canadian interns through the Paul Yuzyk Institute.

The UNF of Canada 80^th Anniversary Gala Banquet Programme was conducted by well-known Edmonton media personality, the fluently bilingual and eloquently spoken Roman Brytan as MC. Nearly 300 guests including delegates were treated to a UNF 80^th anniversary video and showcase of Edmonton’s finest talent with performances by Shumka and Cheremosh Ukrainian dance ensembles, and the Dnipro Choir. Banquet Keynote Speaker James Temerty, CM, spoke of his personal memories of the UNF Montreal in his youth, and of the legacy and importance of the UNF, and how to maintain its relevance in addressing the “Challenge of the Future”. UNF 80th Anniversary certificates we presented to newly appointed UNF Honorary Members Michael Kalimin and Jaroslaw Bilak, as well as to the oldest living UWVA member in Alberta, 90-year old Dmytro Petriw, accepted by his grandson Zahar Petriw. Among other presentations, notable was when Hamilton’s United Ukrainian Credit Union’s Chair Olha Sheweli and Director Yarko Makohon, presented a cheque for $20,000 to Ukrainian Credit Union’s Chair Eugene Roman (in consideration of their intent to merge) for community transfer to the UNF and its programming activities.

The Convention’s final working session on Nov. 11 heard reports of the Convention Committees with the bulk of the discussion around the Convention Resolutions presented.

The (18) Resolutions of the 37th UNF and AO National Convention will be appear soon in a future issue of The New Pathway.

2012-2015
UNF of Canada Board of Directors

Ihor Walter Bardyn   –   President   
Taras Pidzamecky    –   Past President
Robert (Bohdan) Diakow   –  Vice President
George (Yuriy) Yopyk   –   Vice President, West   
John Znaczko           –   Vice President, Business Development
Slawko Borys            –   Secretary   
Roman Litwinchuk   –   Treasurer   
Olya Sheweli             –   UWO President   
Stephan Pylypiak     –   UWVA President   
Marianna Sech        –   UNYF President   
Daniel (Danylo) Cherkas   –   Director, Financial Management
Leslie (Les) Salnick   –   Director   
Oksana Levytska       –   Director, Ridna Shkola Programming
Paul Migus                 –   Director, Canadian Affairs   
Wayne Hydeman        –   Director   
Yurko (George) Serhijczuk   –   Director, Inter-Organizational Affairs
Michael Maciuk          –   Director   
Dr. Roy Papish            –   Director
Dr. Taras Babick         –   Director
Kristin Glover              –   Director   
Natalie Witiuk             –   Director   
Chrystyna Cahute       –   Director, Youth    
Evhen Osidacz            –   Director

Audit Committee
Taras Jackiw
Stefania Bazylewicz
Yarko (Yaroslaw) Makohon
Michael Luczkiw
Irene Washchuk
John Bilous

Honorary Members
Jaroslaw Bilak
Natalie Bundza-Iwanytskyj
Michael Kalimin
Chester Kuc
Mary Pidkowich
Michael Romach
Anna Wach

Executive Director
Olya Grod