Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, СІЧЕНЬ 201 3 WWW. UNWLA.ORG 15 The UNWLA Honorary Members, when asked their opinion o n how to attract and interest new membership, offered similar opinions across the board, save for one. And that was language. The two opposing viewpoints expressed were that we need to preserve our identity through the Ukrainian language, including UNWLA b ranches, OR that we must be realistic and head off total a s- similation by accepting English - speaking or bili n- gual branches. This has been a debate in our o r- ga n ization since the 1950s when the “third wave” immigrated to America. My personal belief is that we should encourage and promote the use of the Ukrainian language as much as we can, but shouldn't exclude anyone because of the language. The truth of the matter is that Our Life has been bilingual for many years, many branches now fun c- tion on a bilingual l evel, and our website is bili n- gual. I am convinced that we should never exclude women who identify themselves as Ukrainian and who have the desire to learn and to contribute to our communities because of their lack of facility with the language. There is n o way we can turn back the clock. As our conversation progressed, these fine ladies expressed their understanding that times have indeed changed and that the UNWLA needs to change with the times in order to survive. They made these comments, however, in t he context of our discussion about technical advancement ma k- ing communication significantly easier. Many of the ladies stated that the fact that the present E x- ecutive Committee consists of people who are sca t- tered throughout the country and no longer ce n- te red in one city is a positive development. They felt that this arrangement more fairly represented our membership. But they also firmly stated that personal contact with the branches was essential and that technology could not be a substitute, but rather a supplement. A discussion about our ever - growing pool of members at large ensued: yes, th e- se members care about our organization and su p- port it through their membership, but was there a way to engage them, to interest them in some pr o- ject participation and tap their talents? We need to thoroughly examine this developing demographic model. Intermittently, the conversation would r e- turn to a past Convention, to an analysis of the strengths of one President or another, or to a time they enjoyed together in the heyday of our co m- munity organizations, including the UNWLA. That sparkle in their eyes and their determination are qualities I wish we could encapsulate and dole out to our women. It was an honor that they agreed to spend a few hours with me and share their thoughts and experiences. Allow me to end with quotes (a sentence per interviewee) from the 2009 interviews with these remarkable women. • We have a responsibility to maintain the UNWLA for our daughters and granddaughters. • Our organization is built on Branches. It is up to US to attract new members and organize new Branches. • It is easy for one woman to fall by the wayside, but very difficult for a group to do so. • I am confident that our young women, who have some excellent ideas, will tak e the UNWLA to a higher position both nationwide and in local ar e- as. I suggest we contemplate and act on each of these wise but practical statements! I would like to thank the Honorary Me m- bers of Branch 56 for taking the time to meet with me and for their honesty and thoughtfulness, but I especially wish to thank them for their love of and dedication to our organization! During this time in Florida, at a well - attended luncheon held at St. Andrij’s Community Center, I was afforded the opportunity to thank Branch 56 and all organizations and individuals present for their generosity towards the UNWLA Women’s Studies Lectureship at the Ukrainian Catholic University in L’viv. Thank you! Wishing all of our readers, membership and their famil ies a Healthy and Safe New Year — filled with happiness and blessings from God! 1, 0 00 дол. ― 101 - ий Відділ CУA в Чікаґо, Ілл. $50 ― Anya Reynarowycz 500 дол. ― 73 - ій Відділ CУA в Бріджпорт, Конн. $25 ― Jerome Maryniuk and Diane Lee Bertoy Our sincere thanks to our contributors. T O CONTRIBUTE TO THIS EFFORT , PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHE CK PAYABLE TO "UNWLA" with the notation reading "UNWLA Endowment Fund at UCU " AND MAIL DIRECTLY TO UNWLA H EADQUARTERS 203 S ECOND A VE , NY, NY 10003
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
