PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The New Jersey District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association (UNA) held its fall organizing meeting at the organization’s Home Office on December 2, with representatives of UNA Branches 37, 42, 76, 133, 155, 171, 269 and 287 in attendance. The UNA Corporate Board of Directors was represented by UNA President and Chief Executive Officer Roman Hirniak.
Maria Drich, district chairperson, welcomed all in attendance. After acceptance of the agenda and verification of quorum, Oksana Stanko, secretary of UNA Branch 37 and member of the organization’s Fraternal Advisory Board, was selected to chair the meeting, while Ms. Drich was tasked with recording the minutes.
George Stanko, recording secretary from the District’s previous organizing meeting held virtually in November 2020, read the minutes, which were accepted as read.
Ms. Drich reported on this year’s life insurance sales through October 31, which were slightly lower than in 2021.
It was pointed out that this year has been unusual in that the focus of many Ukrainians has been on Russia war on Ukraine. People’s efforts, both individually and with their respective organizations, have been heavily focused on aiding the war effort. In spite of this, the UNA continued to be a visible presence in tri-state area festivals.
As New Jersey District Chairperson during 2022, Ms. Drich organized UNA representation at the following area events: St. Thomas Sunday observances on April 30-May 1 in South Bound Brook, N.J.; the Ukrainian Cultural Festival at Soyuzivka Heritage Center on July 16 in Kerhonkson, N.Y.; the Connecticut State Ukrainian Day celebration on September 11 in Stamford, Conn.; the Ukrainian Festival at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey in Whippany, N.J.; the Clifton Ukrainian Festival on September 25 in Clifton, N.J.; and Ukrainian Heritage Night during the New Jersey Devils National Hockey League game on October 30 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Ms. Drich acknowledged with much appreciation all of the volunteers who participated in these events.
The discussion then turned to projected fraternal activities for 2023. It was agreed that the UNA must continue to be visible in the Ukrainian community by participating in area events, specifically those held by organizations that have benefited from the UNA’s financial support.
Participants of the meeting also agreed that the UNA should hold more community outreach events, such as those held in past years (for example, the Petrykivka workshop and Health and Wellness presentation).
Possible cities in New Jersey that could host such events include Whippany, Jersey City, South Bound Brook, Passaic, Newark and Perth Amboy. And district representatives agreed that young adults should be a target market for the events. With families of their own, they should be encouraged to become members of the UNA.
The district representatives also discussed better utilization of the UNA’s website, where District newsletters and photographs and continuous updates about UNA products can be posted.
It was proposed that a series of articles about the UNA, its products and the importance of having life insurance can be written and published in The Ukrainian Weekly. District representatives also agreed that these articles should appear in other Ukrainian publications.
To improve organizing efforts on the district level, it was suggested that the Home Office provide secretaries and organizers with regularly updated product flyers as well as letter templates that could be used to communicate with District members. Such an initiative could also utilize a portal on the UNA’s website.
Mr. Hirniak greeted all attendees. He reported on recent positive meetings that the UNA executives have had with insurance regulators. One target market that was brought up was the younger generation and the need for the UNA to connect with this group. They are much more technologically oriented and do business through their mobile devices. He also spoke about the volatility of the current market and how it impacts the UNA’s annuities.
Mr. Hirniak affirmed the need to establish the UNA’s relevance in the community and his support for standard, regular communications with other UNA branches.