NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BRANCH OFFICERS,
AND TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
THAT THE
40th REGULAR CONVENTION
of the
UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
will be held at
Soyuzivka Ukrainian Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, NY
Friday, May 13, 2022 – Sunday, May 15, 2022
In accordance with the By-Laws of the UNA, information about Branch elections of Delegates to the 40th Regular Convention, Delegate qualifications, number of Delegates that will represent each Branch, as well as information regarding the Credentials Form for Delegates, is provided below. The UNA General Assembly issues this call of the 40th Regular Convention (further Convention). The transition of the UNA from a General Assembly governing structure to a Corporate Board of Directors governing structure is effective as of July 1, 2022. In preparation for the Convention, please review the section “IMPORTANT INFORMATION” and act to meet the requirements.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
UNA Governance and Membership:
UNA adopted new By-Laws that went into effect on January 31, 2020. However, not all elements of these By-Laws can be implemented until the Corporate Board of Directors (CBD) is elected and seated at the start of the next administrative year that begins July 1, 2022. Until July 1, 2022, UNA’s corporate governance remains in a transition phase between the existing governance structure, during which the General Assembly (GA) acts to accomplish UNA objectives, and the future governance structure, after which all executive powers will rest with the CBD. During the transition phase, the GA will continue to function as UNA’s governing body equivalent to the CBD. For purposes of the 40th Regular Convention to be held May 13-15, 2022, all references to Corporate Board of Directors (CBD) are changed to General Assembly (GA)
Consistent with New Jersey statutes, all Annuitants are now considered UNA Benefit Members. Annuitants can participate in UNA activities that include voting for Delegates to serve at the Convention and to represent their Branch. Given this new addition to of UNA membership, as well as the fact that we are in a transition phase, the UNA waives payment of dues to the Fraternal Fund for Annuitants through the current UNA administrative year ending June 30, 2022. Starting July 1, 2022, Annuitants will need to pay annual dues to the Fraternal Fund as established by the UNA.
Please note a one-time change to address the issue of UNA members with paid-up policies who reside in states where the UNA is not doing business currently. For purposes of the 40th Regular Convention these policyholders will be allowed to participate in the selection of Delegates and to stand for election as Delegates to the Convention. These policyholders will be considered UNA Social Members with payment of dues to the Fraternal Fund waived through the current UNA administrative year that ends June 30, 2022.
Important Dates:
The election of Delegates and Alternate Delegates must be held within 60 (sixty) days of the Announcement of the Convention. Since the Convention was announced on January 13, 2022, the 60-day term for election of Delegates and Alternates ends on March 14, 2022. Please hold Branch elections prior to this date.
Within 10 (ten) days of Branch elections, and not later than 60 (sixty) days prior to the Convention, March 14, 2022, the Branch shall submit to the National Secretary-Chief Operating Officer (COO) the Credentials Form listing the names of such elected Delegates and Alternate Delegates. This Credentials Form will be given to the GA for approval. Any Branch failing to comply shall be considered as having forfeited the right to representation and to vote at the Convention, except for good cause, which may be determined by the GA. Good cause shall be defined as the inability of Branch officers to comply in a timely fashion for demonstrable reasons beyond their control.
Branch Elections of Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the Convention:
Nominations for election of Branch Delegates shall be received from the floor or by electronic means. All candidates shall be presented to the Branch membership for a vote. The candidate(s) receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected as Branch Delegate(s). Branch Alternate Delegates shall be elected by separate vote in the same manner. All tie votes involving Delegates or Alternate Delegates shall be immediately resolved by another ballot for the candidates involved. Every Branch member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote for each Delegate and Alternate Delegate authorized to the Branch. No vote by proxy shall be allowed.
If a Delegate is unable to attend a Convention, an Alternate Delegate shall be seated, and shall remain seated for the duration of the Convention. If a Branch has more than one Delegate, the seats of the absent Delegate shall be occupied by an Alternate Delegate(s) in the order of the number of votes each person received during the Branch election.
Confirmation of the Delegates and Alternate Delegates:
Although duly qualified and elected by the Branch, no person shall be seated as a Delegate or Alternate Delegate until credentials have been approved by the GA. At least 30 (thirty) days prior to the opening of the Convention, April 13, 2022, the GA shall ascertain the qualification of each such elected Delegate and Alternate Delegate and shall have the names of all approved Delegates and Alternate Delegates published in UNA official publications.
In the event of the rejection of a Delegate, the Alternate Delegate, if qualified, shall serve for their Branch as a Delegate. If both the Delegate and the Alternate Delegate are not approved, then the Branch shall be notified immediately, whereupon, within 10 (ten) days from such notification, the Branch shall hold a Special Meeting to elect other members as Delegate(s) and Alternate Delegate(s) to replace the individuals who were not approved.
A new Credentials Form, reflecting the results of the Special Branch Election, shall be submitted to the National Secretary-Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Delegate and Alternate Delegate elected at the Special Meeting, likewise, shall be subject to approval by the GA, which shall retain such authority until, and throughout, the Convention.
Duly elected and approved Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall serve not only at the next Regular Convention, but also at any subsequent Special Convention following the Regular Convention, and until such time as their successor Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the next Regular Convention have been elected and approved.
Membership Categories:
The following members may be elected as Delegates:
A) Benefit Member (INCLUDES ANNUITANTS)
- Any individual age 16 or older.
- Has been accepted for membership in accordance with UNA By-Laws and as determined by the GA.
- Is current in paying premiums on a certificate of insurance or holds an annuity contract.
- Currently, pays dues to the Fraternal Fund or as stated in “IMPORTANT INFORMATION.”
- May participate in the affairs and activities of the local Branch in which they are a member.
- Upon reaching the age of 18, a Benefit Member may:a) Be elected as a Delegate to the Convention,
b) Hold office on local and national levels,
c) Has the right to vote in the corporate and insurance affairs of the Association.
d) Annuitant Members please reference “IMPORTANT INFORMATION.”
B) Senior Social Member
- Is a person age 65 or older.
- Has been accepted for membership in accordance with the By-Laws and as determined by the GA.
- Has a paid-up certificate of insurance.
- Pays dues to the Fraternal Fund.
- May be elected as a Delegate to the Convention.
- Hold office on local and national levels.
- Has the right to vote in the corporate and insurance affairs of the Association.
C) Social Member
- A policyholder in any state where the UNA is not currently doing business shall be considered a “Social Member” with dues to the Fraternal Fund waived through the current UNA administrative year ending June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, Social Members will need to pay dues to the Fraternal Fund as established by UNA.
- May participate in the affairs and activities of the local Branch in which they are a member.
- May be elected as a Delegate to the Convention.
- Hold office on local and national levels.
- Has the right to vote in the corporate and insurance affairs of the Association.
Member in Good Standing
- Is one who is current in paying their insurance premium and Fraternal Fund dues as defined in “Membership Categories”.
- Senior Social Members and Social Members with paid up policies and are current with Fraternal Fund dues.
- Annuitants who are current in their Fraternal Fund dues. Please reference “IMPORTANT INFORMATION”.
Branch Qualification for Members in Good Standing:
Only UNA members in good standing may be present at the Branch meeting and vote for Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the convention.
- A Branch Member in Good Standing may vote only at the Branch where they pay dues to the Fraternal Fund.
- A Branch Member in Good Standing has a certificate of insurance or annuity in the UNA on which dues are being paid.
- A member may not be present at the meeting nor vote if they transferred to forbearance status, have paid-up insurance, and not paid fraternal dues, or are suspended.
Qualification for Branch Members as Delegates and Alternate Delegates in Good Standing:
Only those members may be elected as Delegates or Alternate Delegates who are in Good Standing and have all the following qualifications for an officer of the Branch:
- A member of the UNA not less than one year and of their Branch not less than six months.
- Pays dues to the Fraternal Fund. Please reference “IMPORTANT INFORMATION.”
- Is over 18 years of age.
- Is of Ukrainian or other Slavic heritage, or any person related through marriage to such a person of Ukrainian or other Slavic heritage.
- Is not an officer or assembly officer, agent or salesperson of any other similar fraternal organization or life insurance company.
- Is fulfilling all obligations toward the UNA, in particular, having shown active participation in organizational and promotional work for the UNA.
- No person shall be eligible for Delegate or Alternate Delegate position who, at any time, unjustifiably or maliciously instituted or caused to be instituted any suit, action or proceeding against the UNA either on their own behalf or on behalf of any other member.
- Is an American or Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident of the United States or Canada.
- Is proficient in the English language.
- Shall not have a felony conviction of record.
Number of Branch Delegates:
Every duly established Branch in good standing, having 50 (fifty) or more eligible members, shall be entitled to representation and to vote on all matters to be acted upon at the Convention as follows:
- Branches having 50 (fifty) to 99 (ninety-nine) members inclusive, 1 (one) Delegate.
- Those having 100 (one-hundred) to 149 (one-hundred forty-nine) members inclusive, 2 (two) Delegates.
- Those having 150 (one-hundred fifty) to 199 (one-hundred ninety-nine) members inclusive, 3 (three) Delegates.
- Those having 200 (two-hundred) or more members, 4 (four) Delegates.
- Each Delegate shall be entitled to 1 (one) vote.
- No Branch shall be entitled to more than 4 (four) votes.
- A Branch having less than 50 (fifty) members, for the purpose of representation at the Convention, may unite with another Branch also having less than 50 (fifty) members, and if, when combined, the aggregate of the two Branches shall be no less than 50 (fifty) members. They shall have the right to elect 1(one) Delegate. The unifying of Branches is subject to the approval of the National Secretary-Chief Operating Officer (COO).
- Unless otherwise agreed by the mutual consent of both Branches, the Branch having the greater number of members shall be entitled to elect the Delegate, and the Branch having the lesser number of members, the Alternate Delegate.
- The GA, when issuing a call for a Convention, shall, for the benefit of such Branches, make available a list of all the Branches having fewer than 50 (fifty) members and provide the contact information of their officers.
- A member may vote for a Delegate to the Convention only once and only in the Branch where the member has paid dues to the Fraternal Fund, as explained previously.
Click here – Credentials Form:
The Credentials Form listing the names of elected Delegates and Alternate Delegates must be sent to the UNA Home Office within 10 (ten) days of the Branch elections, but no later than 60 (sixty) days prior to the Convention.
The Credentials Form is attached (Click Here).
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION:
STEFAN KACZARAJ, President/CEO
GERALD TYSIAK, First Vice-President
EUGENE SERBA, Second Vice-President
EUGENE OSIDACZ, Director for Canada
YURIY SYMCZYK, COO/National Secretary
ROMA LISOVICH, CFO/Treasurer
January 13, 2022, Parsippany, NJ