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.
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
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The 2020 Almanac of the Ukrainian National Association, which is published by Svoboda Press, was mailed earlier this year to Svoboda subscribers, but it is available for purchase by others who may be interested in this unique publication, which this year marks its 105th annual release.
The Ukrainian-language publication is devoted to historic anniversaries of the year 2020. The 288-page UNA Almanac opens with an article by the late Ivan Kedryn Rudnytsky, the well-known journalist active in Ukraine and the United States who was a longtime member of the Svoboda editorial staff. This excerpt from his memoirs speaks about the momentous year 1920 and what it meant for Ukraine.
Petro Kraliuk writes about the Treaty of Warsaw of 1920 through the eyes of a Ukrainian, while Lev Konstantynovych describes the dilemma faced by Ukrainian political leader Symon Petliura (1879-1926).
Other sections of the UNA Almanac for 2020 cover historic developments and entities such as the world’s first democratic constitution, that of Ukrainian Hetman Pylyk Orlyk, dating to 1710; the highly respected Ukrainian newspaper Dilo, the first daily newspaper for Ukrainians in Halychyna, which was founded 140 years ago, and its connections with the Ukrainian American newspaper Svoboda; the Ukrainian Military Organization (known by the Ukrainian acronym UVO) that was established in 1920; and the centennial of the Sich Riflemen’s movement as well as that of the Prosvita Society in the Zakarpattia region.
The Almanac also contains articles on political science topics, significant events in the literary and judicial fields, and the 70th anniversary of the death of Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) Commander-in-Chief Roman Shukhevych.
Notable personages and jubilees are the focus of yet another chapter in the book. Literary works, miscellaneous stories about interesting topic, and articles about maintaining good health round out the volume, whose editor is Petro Chasto.
Copies of the 2020 UNA Almanac are available for purchase at $20 per book by mailing a check made out to UNA Publications at 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Вгорі – перша фотографія працівників Українського Народного Союзу та його газет ,,Свобода” і ,,The Ukrainian Weekly” перед новим будинком УНСоюзу в місті Парсипані, Ню-Джерзі. Фото було зняте у жовті 1997 року після того, як УНСоюз і його газети переїхали підчас вікенду 10-13 жовтня з Джерзі Ситі, Ню-Джерзі, 30 миль на захід до Парсипані. Хмаросяг УНСоюзу в Джерзі Ситі (при 30 Montgomery St.) був проданий 14 серпня, а нова двоповерхова будівля у Парсипані (2200 Route 10) була закуплена 28 серпня. Посвячення нової Головної Канцелярії УНСоюзу відбулося в неділю 10 листопада. А вже 9 грудня встановлено новий напис перед будинком на якому було написано „Ukrainian National Association Corporate Headquarters”. (Фото: Рома Гадзевич)
PARSIPPANY,
N.J. – The Ukrainian National Association’s Home Office on has mailed a voting package
to all delegates to the last UNA Convention, held in May 2018, and to current
members of the UNA General Assembly.
The
package contains proposed changes to the UNA By-Laws and a ballot that is to be
returned via the mail by January 21. Delegates and General Assembly members are
being asked to vote on proposed changes to the UNA By-Laws, a draft of which
was presented to delegates at the UNA’s 2018 Convention.
The
voting takes place as the UNA celebrates the 125th anniversary of
its founding. As noted in a letter from UNA President/CEO Stefan Kaczaraj that
was sent with the ballots, “The passage of these By-Laws is an important and
crucial step to ensure the UNA’s viability for the next 125 years.”
Also
included in the packet sent by certified mail to convention delegates and
General Assembly members were the Proposed Amended Charter and By-Laws of the
Ukrainian National Association, Inc., as well as a summary of the key
highlights of the proposed amendments.
In
the event that any delegate or General Assembly member did not receive the
packet, they are urged to phone the Home Office at 973-292-9800.
Come celebrate 125 years of the UNA Insuring our Community.
Saturday, November 2nd, 2019.
Dolan Hall Performance Center – College of Saint Elizabeth
Morristown, NJ
Doors Open 5:00 PM ** Show Starts 5:30 PM
*All proceeds to benefit the UNA Publication Endowment Fund
UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: Snapshots from history, 1997
More than 160 persons helped the Ukrainian National Association celebrate the blessing of its new headquarters building in Parsippany, N.J., on Sunday, November 9, 1997. The rite was conducted by clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches: the Rev. Marian Struc, pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Jersey City, N.J. (home to the UNA’s former headquarters); the Rev. Oleh Hucul, pastor of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, N.J.; and the Rev. Myron Stasiw, a UNA advisor who is pastor of Holy Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto. The blessing took place in the two-story building’s spacious atrium, with the guests gathered in the atrium and on a balcony overlooking the ground floor. After blessing the atrium, the priests headed upstairs, where they blessed the offices of the Ukrainian National Association, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. Among the guests were representatives of many Ukrainian community organizations, as well as district and branch officers from the tri-state New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region. Almost all the members of the UNA General Assembly, which had just completed its annual deliberations at Soyuzivka the previous day attended the ceremonies. Also present were many employees of the UNA and its two official publications. The event began with welcoming remarks by UNA President Ulana Diachuk, who then turned the proceedings over to the masters of ceremonies, Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky and Vice-Presidentess Anya Dydyk-Petrenko. Brief congratulatory messages were delivered by several representatives of Ukrainian organizations and institutions. A musical program featured the Lviviany vocal-instrumental ensemble and bandurist Alla Kutsevych of Lviv. Afterwards guests proceeded to the second floor, where the offices of the UNA and its publications are located, for a reception.
Following is a list of the executive officers of the Ukrainian National Association elected at UNA conventions from 1894 through the convention of 2018. Readers will note changes in terminology in the names of executive offices, e.g. supreme president to president; as well as theelimination of certain executive positions, e.g. supreme vice-presidentess, supreme organizer. The list was compiled based on convention reports, UNA histories and information published through the years in Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. An asterisk (*) indicates that an officer died before completing his/her term of office.
SUPREME PRESIDENTS
Theodosius Talpash, 1894-1895
John Glowa, 1895-1898
Yuriy Khyliak, 1898-1900
Rev. Anthony Bonchevsky, 1900-1902
Rev. Nicholas Stefanovych, 1902-1904
Konstantine Kirczow, 1904-1908
Dmitro Kapitula, 1908-1917
Konstantine Kirczow, 1917-1920
Simon Yadlowski, 1920-1925
Theodore Hrytsey, 1925-1929
Nicholas Muraszko, 1929-1949*
Gregory Herman 1949-1950 (acting president)
Dmytro Halychyn, 1950-1961*
Joseph Lesawyer, 1961-1978
John O. Flis, 1978-1990
Ulana Diachuk, 1990-1994
PRESIDENTS
Ulana Diachuk, 1994-2002
Stefan Kaczaraj, 2002-2018
SUPREME VICE-PRESIDENTS
Michael Yevchak, 1894-1895
Theodosius Talpash, 1895-1896
Oleksiy Kuryla, 1896-1897
Petro Sekerak, 1897-1898
Ivan Dobosh, 1898-1900
Alexis Sharshon, 1900-1902
Michael Kravchyshyn, 1902-1904
Semen Mytrenko, 1904-1906
Ivan Paryliak, 1906-1908
Theodore Kulychytsky-Gut, 1908-1910
Ivan Marton, 1910-1912
Vasyl Suvak, 1912-1914
Ivan Vaverchak, 1914-1917
Andrew Stefanovych, 1917-1920
Theodore Hrytsey, 1920-1925
Michael Uhorchak, 1925-1929
Vasyl Hryshko, 1929-1933
Volodymyr Malewich, 1933-1937
Gregory Herman, 1937-1950
Joseph Lesawyer, 1950-1954
Michael Piznak, 1954-1958
Joseph Lesawyer, 1958-1961
Stephen Kuropas, 1961-1970
John Teluk, 1970-1974
John Flis, 1974-1978
Myron Kuropas, 1978-1990
Nestor Olesnycky, 1990-1994
Maria Cheremshak, 1908-1912
Mary Bilyk, 1912-1920
Maria Olshanytska, 1920-1929
Julia Bavoliak, 1929-1933
Maria Olshanytska, 1933-1937
Mary Malevich, 1937-1950
Genevieve Zepko-Zerebniak, 1950-1958
Anna Herman, 1958-1966
Mary Dushnyck, 1966-1982
Gloria Paschen, 1982-1994
PARSIPPANY, NJ – Throughout 2019, the Ukrainian National Association, one of the oldest fraternal insurance societies in America, will celebrate a landmark anniversary – 125 years of protecting Ukrainian Americans and Ukrainian Canadians, and serving Ukrainian communities.
The year of events will begin on Friday, February 22, in Shamokin, Pa., the city where the Ukrainian National Association (UNA) was established exactly on that day in 1894.
Three members of the UNA Executive Committee, President/CEO Stefan Kaczaraj, COO/National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk and CFO/Treasurer Roma Lisovich, will travel to Shamokin to receive a proclamation from Mayor John Brown congratulating the UNA on its 125th anniversary and commemorating Shamokin as the UNA’s birthplace.
“United by the bond of our common Ukrainian heritage, the UNA was established as a fraternal insurance society to protect our people from the stress of financial uncertainty,” noted Mr. Kaczaraj. “We have done this successfully for more than 12 decades – truly a unique legacy in America’s history. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than 600 fraternal insurance societies. Now there are less than 100. We are one of them. This is a testament both to the commitment of the UNA to our members and our community, as well as the loyalty of our members and our community to the UNA. I am proud to say that, for 125 years, the UNA has been insuring our community.”
“UNA: Insuring Our Community for 125 Years” is the theme for the anniversary year, and a jubilee logo was designed by Nadiya Folk to reflect this milestone achievement. Throughout 2019, the UNA will introduce special programs and benefits to celebrate the 125th anniversary, among them a restructured youth scholarship benefit, as well as a charitable giving benefit. In addition, the anniversary will be actively promoted at festivals and community events throughout America and Canada. For a good sense of UNA achievements through the decades, a photo archive of UNA history has been posted for viewing on the UNA website: www.unainc.org.
The finale for the year will be a grand concert – “Celebrating 125 Years!” – that will be held Saturday, November 2. The concert will include performers from the United States, Canada and Ukraine. Among the performances will be dynamic dances by the world-renowned Ukrainian Shumka Dancers from Canada, as well as the lyrical sounds of the bandura by the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America. Also performing will be virtuoso violinist Vasyl Popadiuk.
The venue for the concert is Dolan Performance Hall, a state-of-the-art theater on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. Easily accessible both by car and public transportation, the theater is centrally located for dozens of major Ukrainian communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and other states in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast from which guests will be traveling. For those planning to travel for more than just the evening, the theater is near hotels and a train station, close to major airports, and an easy trip into Manhattan.
In mid-2018, the UNA 125 Committee was established to plan and manage anniversary events. The committee chair is UNA General Assembly member Bohdana Puzyk. “I consider this to be a great honor to have been asked to chair a committee that will plan the celebrations of such an auspicious year – honoring 125 years of the UNA’s continuous service to the Ukrainian communities in the United States and Canada. For generations, the UNA has been a powerful force for keeping Ukrainians in the diaspora united, through our newspapers, our publishing house, summer camps for children, scholarships for students, and major efforts such as the monument of Taras Shevchenko in Washington D.C., as well as numerous projects to battle against Soviet disinformation. We have much of which to be proud,” UNA Advisor Puzyk commented.
She added, “To help plan this year, I am fortunate to be working with a very talented and dedicated team that includes Nadiya Symczyk Folk, Roma Hadzewycz, Roman Hirniak, Irene Jarosewich, Myron Kolinsky, Roma Lisovich, Eugene Osidacz, Eugene Serba, Tanya Soltys, Oksana Stanko, Yuriy Symczyk and Luba Walchuk,” UNA Advisor Puzyk commented.
The Mission of the UNA
In 1894, the establishment of the UNA was driven by the need to help the thousands of new immigrants arriving from Ukraine who worked dangerous jobs in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Deaths were frequent, and young widows did not have the ability to pay for a funeral, much less receive future income. From the original “burial policies” that paid funeral expenses and provided income to the bereaved families, the UNA expanded into a full-service insurance provider with tens of thousands of members.
The distinction of being a fraternal insurance society is important. As a fraternal society, the UNA is a not-for-profit association. Proceeds from the sale of insurance products are not given to anonymous investors; rather, proceeds go directly to provide benefits to UNA members and to Ukrainian communities.
In keeping with a resolution adopted at the 39th Regular Convention of the UNA held in May 2018, special emphasis will be focused throughout the year towards growing the endowment fund for UNA publications.
“Communications are essential to maintaining the UNA network and serving our communities, both in print or electronically,” said Mr. Symczyk. “The UNA newspaper Svoboda, which began publication in 1893, a year before the founding of the UNA, strongly advocated for the establishment of this fraternal society. The UNA is indebted to the first editor of Svoboda, the Rev. Hryhoriy Hrushka, who consistently wrote about the vital need for Ukrainians to come together and help each other. The UNA has a long history of promoting the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians through the written word and, while it may now deliver the information in different formats besides on paper, most notably electronically through e-mails, social media and websites – the need for good writing, good editing, good content remains. The UNA Publication Endowment Fund will support this goal of sustaining quality communication.”
Throughout 2019, information about the UNA and 125th anniversary events and activities will be available through the UNA publications Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, both in print and online (svoboda-news.com and ukrweekly.com), on the UNA website (unainc.org), as well as by following Ukrainian National Association on Facebook.
Irene Jarosewich is an advisor on the UNA General Assembly.
Сьогодні виповнюється 125 років від дня заснування Українського Народного Союзу на північно-американському континенті. Саме з того дня бере свій відлік історія української громади у США. Тобто з моменту – застановімося над цією думкою – свідомого об’єднання прибульців з різних українських країв у спільну громадсько-допомогову організацію задля подвійної мети – задля легшого й успішнішого входження в абсолютно нове для них‚ абсолютно інакше американське суспільство‚ і водночас – задля збереження своєї етнічної ідентичности.
Відомо‚ що перші шукачі ліпшої долі з Галичини‚ Закарпаття‚ Буковини ступили на американську землю ще наприкінці 1870-их років. Окремі українці навіть раніше. Скажімо‚ киянин отець Андрій-Агапій Гончаренко опинився у Бостоні в січні 1865 року‚ згодом переїхав до Каліфорнії. Ми дещо знаємо про нього лише завдяки тому‚ що залишив по собі слід „чорним по білому“ – видавав газету „Аляска Геральд“. Також і про героя Громадянської війни і особистого товариша Авраама Лінкольна генерала Івана Турчина ми б нічого не знали‚ якби не польські автори‚ які зробили з цього леґендарного українця поляка‚ дарма що американці називали його „Відважним козаком“.
Є ще спорадичні свідчення про присутність українських людей в різних американських штатах і канадських провінціях ще в другій половині ХVІІ ст. Але це все ті випадкові „пазли“‚ з котрих годі скласти виразну документальну картину. Залишається лише пошкодувати‚ що багато цінного матеріялу пропало для докладного дослідження тодішніх обставин і людських доль. Оце вже направду – тіні забутих предків.
А незабуті починаються з заснуванням УНСоюзу: його історія повною мірою збігається з історією нашої американсько-канадської діяспори. Бо кожна без винятку ділянка життя об’єднаної у цій великій організації громади задокументована. Зі сторінок „Свободи“‚ а відтак і „The Ukrainian Weekly“‚ зі щорічних союзових альманахів‚ з архівів сотень Відділів УНСоюзу можна безпомильно відтворити системну‚ багатогранну і багаторівневу історію американської України. Довідаємося‚ хто і де будував церкви‚ школи і народні доми‚ хто навчав дітей і виховував молодь‚ хто засновував перші хори‚ оркестри і драматичні гуртки‚ спортові оселі‚ пластові і сумівські табори‚ наукові центри і видавництва‚ хто не дав заглухнути українській ідеї в людських серцях і хто завдяки своїм талантам і праці здобував загальноамериканське визнання і славу.
Проте‚ Український Народний Союз має за собою ще більшу‚ ще унікальнішу заслугу – справді загальноукраїнського історичного значення‚ бо кидає ясне світло на дуже складне питання: чому тут‚ в Америці і Канаді‚ так швидко й успішно відбувся процес переростання української етнічної генези в генезу національну? Адже перша хвиля іміґрантів‚ людей з різних закутків‚ були слабо між собю пов’язані навіть етнічним зв’язком‚ вже не кажучи про національне самоусвідомлення. Й от за лічені роки‚ ще перед Першою світовою війною‚ постає духовно й культурно єдина українська громада‚ національно свідома – попри другорядні етнічні‚ конфесійні чи мовні різниці. Як це могло статися – в той час‚ коли на матірній землі цей процес тривав так тяжко і так довго? Відповідь – в цьому одному слові: свобода. У пригнобленій чужими державами бездержавній Україні національна свідомість не мала можливости піднятися й набути сили. І тільки в Америці й Канаді‚ країнах свободи‚ українці довели собі і світові‚ що вони є єдиною‚ закоріненою у віки‚ а тому незнищенною нацією.
