by UNA | 2020 4, Nov | Announcements, News
Along with the UNA General Assembly and the UNA staff, please join me in extending deep thanks and best wishes to Roma Hadzewycz, editor-in-chief of Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, who will retire from the Ukrainian National Association on December 1, 2020.
For more than 43 years, Ms. Hadzewycz has been an indefatigable and respected member of the UNA fraternal family. Her contribution to our association has been invaluable and her commitment to excellence unequaled. Ms. Hadzewycz’s encyclopedic knowledge of UNA history will be greatly missed, as will her dedication, talent, professionalism and experience.
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by UNA | 2020 16, Oct | Announcements, News
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – For the first time in the 126-year history of this fraternal organization, the Ukrainian National Association’s highest governing body between quadrennial conventions did not meet in person, convening instead by videoconference and teleconference due to continuing restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The UNA General Assembly, which encompasses executive officers, auditors and advisors, met virtually on Monday and Tuesday, October 5-6, with members signing in from their respective locations across the United States as well as Canada.
General Assembly members plus the editor-in-chief of the UNA’s official publications, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, submitted written reports in advance of the meeting.
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by UNA | 2020 28, Aug | Announcements, Educational, News, Scholarship
The Ukrainian National Association has a long-standing tradition of assisting students in their pursuit of higher education. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus, the UNA continued that tradition in 2020. The UNA Scholarship Committee met on June 26 to review all applications for scholarships and awards.
There was a total of 54 applicants from 26 different UNA branches. The number and quality of applicants this year was truly exceptional, with a number of students applying for more than one scholarship for which they were eligible.
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by UNA | 2020 4, Aug | News
With deep shock, family, friends and colleagues of Marta Kolomayets, former Kyiv correspondent and Kyiv Bureau chief of The Ukrainian Weekly, received news of her passing on Sunday, August 16, in her home near Kyiv. On behalf of the Ukrainian National Association’s General Assembly and the thousands of UNA members who waited each week to read Marta’s reports and columns, allow me to express our condolences to the many who loved Marta dearly.
I write here not only as a member of the UNA General Assembly, but also as a colleague of Marta. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, Marta and I crossed paths in Washington, Rome and New York City, and worked side-by-side with journalists in Ukraine. We were together during the 1988 Millennium of Ukrainian Christianity events in Rome – I as a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s media team organized by Bishop Basil Losten and Sonya (Hlutkowsky) Soutus, Marta as a correspondent for The Ukrainian Weekly. It was then that I first witnessed both Marta’s strength of character and her skills as an intrepid reporter.
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by UNA | 2020 26, Jun | Announcements, News
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound effect on the global community, including the Ukrainian National Association, a fraternal benefit society that serves the Ukrainian community and its members throughout North America. And yet, we are proud to say, UNA operations have continued throughout the pandemic.
At the UNA’s Home Office, which is based in Parsippany, N.J., we reacted immediately and put into effect a business contingency plan previously developed for such an eventuality. Out of an abundance of caution, our Home Office was closed and, beginning on Monday, March 16, our employees began to work remotely in order to continue serving our members without disruption. Thus, the UNA was focused on both protecting the health of its Home Office staff and meeting the needs of its thousands of members.
During this temporary work arrangement, the UNA continued to accept membership applications, process claims and handle all variety of matters important to our policyholders. All the while, members could reach us during business hours (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) via our customer service number at 800-253-9862. We sincerely thank our members for their patience, cooperation and understanding during this trying time for us all.
At the same time, the UNA closely monitored developments related to the coronavirus pandemic, carefully following all guidelines issued by government officials and health authorities. As a result, the work-from-home plan was extended several times.
On Monday, June 1, the Home Office began transitioning to a multi-phased return to regular operations. We are taking all precautions to make sure our staff stays protected, as we are spending more time in the office and increasing our interactions. The office schedules of our employees have slowly been increased, hand sanitizer and disinfecting agents are available throughout the office, face masks are provided and required to be worn, and social distancing is encouraged. In addition, our offices are being sanitized on a regular schedule.
Just as we care about the safety of our staff, we care about the well-being of our members throughout the United States and Canada. We encourage you to follow the guidance and instructions issued by your local, state and federal authorities so that together we can overcome COVID-19. Please stay safe and stay healthy!
For over 126 years, the Ukrainian National Association has always been there for our members. While we are not yet back to operations as they were before the coronavirus pandemic, we pledge to you that we will continue to serve you as we always have – with the utmost professionalism, respect and care. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have. Our dedicated staff is ready and able to respond.
As we all do our part in the global fight against this novel coronavirus, remember that we truly are all in this together.
Fraternally,
Stefan Kaczaraj
President/Chief Executive Officer
Ukrainian National Association
