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OUR LIFE Monthly, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America VOL. XXXVIII NOVEMBER 1981 EDITED BY A. H. Sawyckyj Viewpoint ’’MEMBERSHIP AT LARGE” IS KEY TO UNWLA’S GROWTH by Olenka Savyckyj Flexibility and adaptability to changing social condi tions have been key ingredients in UNWLA’s success over the decades and will be crucial to its further growth in the 1980’s and beyond. One area in which UNWLA has shown sensitivity to the circumstances in which some Ukrainian women find themselves is in its development of the concept of ’’members at large” (vilne chlenstvo). This concept, developed in 1978, enables a Ukrainian woman who lives far from a Ukrainian community, or for some other reason is unable to belong to a local UNWLA Branch/to belong to UNWLA as an "member at large.” Like other members, she pays dues, subscribes to Our Life and has access to UNWLA’s national events. For most women, activism in a local UNWLA branch is preferable. After all, UNWLA is built on a network of branches. It is usually easier to accomplish a goal with a group effort. Also, in a group a woman can exchange ideas, share problems and socially interact with her peers. Not least of all, a branch provides a financial base for activities. However, Ukrainians in the U. S. are living increa singly mobile lives, often far removed from Ukrainian communities. Today, there are Ukrainian women of all ages living in almost every state of the Union. They have settled there because of careers, higher education, health or other reasons. In many instances, they may be the only Ukrainians living in the area. For such women, ’’member ship at large” in UNWLA can provide a vital link with their ethnic communities. For them, UNWLA can play a great role, perhaps more significant than for a branch member. What are the ways in which UNWLA could help ’’members at large”? First of all, by providing information about the nearest UNWLA branches or addresses of other Ukrainians in the area, particularly other ’’members at large.” Secondly, families living far from Ukrainian commu nities must often function as a Ridna Shkola for their children. They may not always have access to the approp riate instructional materials. UNWLA could provide lists of suitable children’s books, teaching guides and study plans which would help both parents and children. Ukrainian, wherever they find themselves, are always eager to inform their communities about Ukrai nian culture and history by participating in exhibits, booths at festivals, and other events. In cities removed from Ukrainian communities, this task can be a little harder. UNWLA could help and encourage ’’members at large” in this cultural-educational sphere by providing guidelines, brochures and other materials to make the job easier and put such exhibits on a more professional level. The development of such a cultural-educational package by UNWLA would benefit not only the ’’members at large” but also the branches. Since 1978, UNWLA has acquired over forty ’’members at large”. This is less than 1% of UNWLA’s approximate 3,500 membership. If the growth of ’’members at large” has been slow, it is no reflectionon the merits of the concept, but of insufficient popularization of the idea. How can we bring this option to the attention of the general public? The best way is through current UNWLA members. Annoucements in the Ukrainian press and Our Life could be increased. Most importantly, Ukrainian women must understand the concept of ’’membership at large” and UNWLA must develop a program to prepare materials for them. To reiterate the goals of ’’membership at large”: 1) To keep Ukrainians in remote areas close to Ukrainia- nism. 2) To include all those women who for any number of reasons cannot belong to a branch. 3) To adapt UNWLA programs in all areas to the needs of "members at large” and to prepare special materials for them. 4) To be a source of information to ’’members at large”. 5) Most importantly,to keep in touch with them. It is my opinion that if we can greatly increase the number of "members at large”, the benefits will be two fold: UNWLA will perform a valuable service to Ukrainian society, and it will assure itself of growth and success in the decades ahead. Ms. Olenka Savyckyj is the quintessential mobile Ukrainian woman, having been a member of two UNWLA branches (N. J. and III.) in ten years. Currently residing in Riverside, Conn., she has become a ”member at large”of UNWLA. This article is adapted from a talk she gave at UNWLA’s 19th Convention in Philadelphia in May 1981.
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