Press Release
CYC/USRL 59th Biennial Convention
Initial report
The Ukrainian Self-Reliance League (CYC/USRL) 2015 Convention was held on August 05 to 09 in Calgary. All sessions were held in the Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre. The convention theme was ‘Together as One’. The Official Opening was on Wednesday evening, August 05 with greetings from His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij, the newly elected Chancellor, Fr. Taras Udod and the CYC/USRL President Dr. Tony Harras followed by a wine and cheese reception.
On Thursday morning the Convention started with a Moleben officiated by His Eminence, Fr. Taras Krochak and other attending clergy. Following the service the ‘business’ portion of the Convention got underway with about an hour long presentation by David Irvine, an internationally sought motivational speaker. The title of his presentation was Renewing Our Organization, Ukrainian Self-Reliance League (CYC/USRL). Following his presentation there was a comprehensive workshop which examined numerous issues as well as options for renewal. The delegates and guests were thoroughly impressed with Mr. Irvine such that at the end of the day they sang for him Mnohaya Lita.
Thursday wrapped up with presentations on 1) the 2013 CYC/USRL futures workshop by Daria Olynyk and recommended options for ‘follow-up’ and 2) an up-date on the CYC/USRL history book project by Natalia Aponiuk.
Friday was dedicated to business sessions of the Component and Affiliated member organizations of CYC/USRL and a trip to Banff by the CYMK (Ukrainian Orthodox Youth) delegates and their advisors. These sessions were held independently of each other so the matters dealt with varied, but in general annual reports as well as financial reports were presented. In addition resolutions were debated and elections were held. In the late afternoon the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CYC/USRL commenced. Friday evening was dedicated to the presentation of the CYC/USRL Awards of Excellence and a video, Mamyna Sorochka, by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. There were 14 recipients of the Awards, they were 1) from British Columbia: Bill and Kathy Miske and Sophia Kniaz, 2) from Alberta: Jean Mekitiak, Elizabeth Roshko and Mykola Woron, 3) from Saskatchewan: Sonia Bremner, Gerald Luciuk and Olyne Patryluk, 4) from Manitoba: Irka Balan and Very Reverend Protopresbyter Dr. Oleh Krawchenko, and 5) from Ontario: Dobr. Larysa Makarenko and Vera Melnyk.
On Saturday the CYC/USRL AGM continued. By the closing of the morning session the 1) report from the President and Treasurer were presented, 2) as well as proposed changes to the Bylaws as required by the Federal Government’s Articles of Continuance, 3) receipt of resolutions from member organizations and 4) the election of the National Executive Committee of the CYC/USRL. Those who were elected to the National Executive Committee were:
President: Dr. Tony Harras
Secretary: Sonia Bremner
Treasurer: Cathy Luciuk
1st Vice President: Lesia Perritt, National President of UWAC
2nd Vice President: Emil Yereniuk, National President of USRA
3rd Vice President: Liza Zienchuk, National President of CYMK/UOY
Director from St. Petro Mohyla Institute: President Steve Senyk
Director from St. John’s Institute: Dr. Tania Mysak
Director from St. Vladimir Institute: Darcia Moskaluk-Rutkay
Director from the Ukrainian Museum of Canada: President Sonia Korpus
Director from the SUS Foundation of Canada: President J. William Strus
Director from the St. John’s Fraternal Society: President Dr. Ernest Skakun
Director from the British Columbia CYC/USRL Provincial Executive: Gladys Andreas
Director from the Alberta CYC/USRL Provincial Executive: Greg Faryna
Director from the Saskatchewan CYC/USRL Provincial Executive: David Prokopchuk
Director from the Manitoba CYC/USRL Provincial Executive: Maurice Bugera
Director from the Eastern Region CYC/USRL Executive: Dmytro Spytkowsky
Not elected but are part of the NEC by virtue of their position or selection are:
Past President: Sonja Bejzyk
Chaplain: Fr. Michael Maranchuk
During the luncheon on Friday there were presentations on behalf of 1) St. Petro Mohyla Institute by Sara Detenshen, 2) St. John’s Institute by Suzanna Brytan, and 3) St. Vladimir Institute by Darcia Moskaluk-Rutkay. On Saturday there was a report by Gerald Luciuk on the deliberations of the Joint Standing Committee (of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League) followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. There were a number of general questions directed at Dr. Tony Harras and an excellent summary by His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij on the significance of and role for CYMK in our Ukrainian Orthodox community.
The number of delegates and others registered for the Convention was 140 consisting of: UWAC (46), TYC (20), CYMK (49), UMC (16), Institutes (3) and guests (5). The numbers in brackets do not add up to 140 since there was some double counting as some delegates registered as representing more than one organization.
The organizing committee under the leadership of Greg Faryna did a wonderful job in organizing the facilities and services plus many of the program details. A huge ‘congratulations’ is due to him and his team of dedicated workers. Thanks for a job extremely well done.
This is the first of several press releases regarding the 2015 CYC/USRL Convention. These will be issued once more information becomes available.
Submitted by T. Harras
2015, August 15