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Our Life | Наше життя 23 SUMMARY Approximately, 40% of Branch presidents completed the survey. Due to various degrees of shutdown, activities were greatly curtailed, which was to be expected. However, Branches continued communications via email, teleconference and videoconference, and still managed to be somewhat engaged. Even though Branches could not be very active, the survey made clear that members love this organization and intend to mobilize and continue our volunteer work once this virus is abated. We Soyuzianky do not give up! Suggestions to keep Branch members engaged Choose a theme for your next virtual/ teleconference. For example, Ukraine’s Independence Day is fast approaching, and that could be a meeting topic. Other possibilities include sharing healthy recipes for backyard grilling. During this time of increased stress, new stress relieving techniques can be shared among members. Getting together for weekly virtual exercise classes is one Branch’s creative way of doing fundraising. Celebrate members’ birthdays during a meeting is another possibility, including holding a catch up birthday celebration for those missed since March. The best part: you can safely have a cocktail and not worry about driving home! Ask your Membership Chair to send out virtual or mail birthday cards. Think of a health or financial topic of interest to your members, and ask an expert to join your meeting. Invite an artist to do a demonstration of a craft or artwork. Avoid discussing politics since the topic is so polarizing and unpleasant these days. Think and be positive! As leaders, you can empower and lift members’ spirits with a gentle strength. Speak kindly during meetings. All it takes is one kind word to lift someone up from sadness, fear, anger, or despair. Positive emotions are contagious! And, don’t forget to smile into the camera! Remember elderly members. If a member does not have access to the internet, please ensure that they can call in with a call in number. When this coronavirus pandemic has passed, life as we knew it will certainly be different. However, the UNWLA is a strong, resilient organization that has seen much worse during our 95 years of existence. We leave you with a few quotes to consider: As the great scientist Madame Marie Curie said, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” For what use is our fear right now? As the great humorist Erma Bombeck wrote, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but never gets you anywhere.” All responding Branches said they would be reluctant to hold in-person meetings until safe to do so. Safety of members was the priority in all responses. They will continue to use virtual, telephone and email methods to meet. One Branch will hold one in-person meeting outdoors. A few Branches have memberships that are significantly older; this is a serious concern. One Branch mentioned difficulty in fundraising as at the time of the survey, no bazaars or fairs were being allowed. One Branch will continue to find some type of “distance” projects. Will your Branch be facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic? The responses to this question were divided in this manner: 55% (15) responded “no” and 44% (12) responded “yes.” Branches whose bank accounts balances were low at the beginning of the year may encounter financial stresses.
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