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hand - meaning that only 5% is spent on adminis trative costs. We work on a shoestring budget, yet we accomplish so very much! Another participant (male, I might add) declared that the UNWLA will far outlive other organizations in our communities. Definitely a vote of confidence! Clearly, the UNWLA has a solid reputation as a proactive community organization that does what is needed to achieve its goals. But how are we to ensure that this legacy is passed on to the next generation? This can happen only if we find a way to make everyone feel included. Each and every woman must be proud to be a member of the UNWLA. She must be welcomed by existing members, and she must be given a chance to have a meaningful role in the organization. Before we can make this happen, we need to erase any misconcep tions or false images of our organization. Two misconceptions about the UNWLA were touched upon at Summit 2002. The first was that our organization is one for the “older” generation. Coming to our defense was a young man from Detroit, who pointed out that there are several “younger” branches in Michigan and that this old picture is slowly changing in the eyes of Detroit's younger Ukrainian Americans. It is important to note that these branches are drawing from a different pool and are approaching their mission from a more modem point of view. And yet, it is equally important to note that we must continue to learn from our more mature members and apply and adapt their vast knowledge and varied experiences to today’s issues. The second misconception was somewhat humorous, but nonetheless true. It was pointed out that Soyuz Ukrainok is known for selling platsky in church basements across the country. Everyone chuckled, acknowledging just how tasty our platsky are. I pointed out that the platsky were a means to an end - one of the more simple ways to help fund all the wonderful, numerous programs the UNWLA sponsors. Everyone nodded in agreement - platsky were no longer a laughing matter! Moving beyond these stereotypes, we must offer the young women an initial reason to join the UNWLA and a stronger reason to stay and actively participate. A member of the Engineers’ Society pointed out that Ukrainian women could use a mentoring and networking base of their own and that perhaps it was time for Soyuz Ukrainok to provide just this for the pool of young professional women. Could we not approach the scores of talented, professional women of Ukrainian background and invite them to join our ranks? Just imagine the wealth of knowledge and innovative and creative new ideas they would offer to help achieve our mission and our goals. What better incentive to join than the camaraderie of their professional peers? If a young woman has not belonged to a Ukrainian organization for a few years (or ever for that matter), she might be hesitant unless she is approached and made to feel both needed and welcome. But she will feel more comfortable if surrounded by her professional equals. One of the discussions at the conference addressed the fact that our organizations must adapt to today’s technologies in order to “speak the same language” as today’s youth. Our youth is scattered around the country and we can no longer bump into potential members on the streets as was possible when everyone lived in the same neighborhood. For this reason alone, websites are critical. They must be easily accessible and contain in-depth information about all our programs, since we cannot know in advance which program might catch the eye and interest of any reader. On the other hand, one of the younger participants of the summit commented that a face-to-face encounter and invitation to attend a meeting of an organization would be more effective than a website. While it its true that personal contact is the better recruiter, initial contact can be made through a website, advertisement, etc. One very articulate young ‘plastunka’ sug gested that we attempt to recruit college students and the 20-something age group of young women into our ranks. She added that although this particular age group might not be ready to join because of multiple obligations, keeping in contact with this base and trying to involve them in our projects would instill our ideals in them for the future. She suggested that our members visit college campuses and give presentations or sponsor “fun things” for the Ukrainian student clubs. We might also request students' help for UNWLA events (e.g. modeling for our fashion shows, selling raffle tickets, etc.). This very astute young lady also said that instilling a familiarity and respect towards the UNWLA could translate into membership when the circumstances of life allowed. All these routes should be pursued in our efforts to share our network of programs with the young Ukrainian women in our society. The recruitment of the “Fourth Wave” into community activity was obviously another important topic of discussion at Summit 2002. It was the consensus that this new immigration might not yet be ready or interested in joining our organizations. On the other hand, it was noted that we ourselves may be somewhat guilty of not making the “Fourth Wave” feel truly welcome. An interesting parallel was brought to my attention by Sophia Hewryk, the UNWLA's vice- president of membership. Ms. Hewryk reminded me
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