UCPBF: First Steps in Rebuilding for the Future

By Raya Shadursky

Fifteen leaders of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional Business Associations, from Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, along with members of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation (UCPBF), met in Toronto at the UNF Community Centre on May 6, 2006 for a full-day conference.

The Federation is currently rebuilding its position within Canada with the help of the 15 local associations across the country.  This rebuilding is a vital exercise to ensure the organization is meeting the needs of its members.

The conference workshops started with a discussion of the changes in the demographics of the Ukrainian-Canadian community.  It was agreed that the majority of Canadians with Ukrainian roots are now married to non-Ukrainians. The community also consists of new immigrants from Ukraine, Poland and other Eastern European countries.  This diversity poses a dynamic challenge for the Federation in reaching out to the community.

With this enormous diversity also comes the need for the Federation to be more inclusive.  In the past, though the working language of the UCPBF has been English, in many Ukrainian-Canadian organizations, particularly, in Eastern Canada, the Ukrainian language was the only language used at meetings and events and in correspondence.  As a result many were excluded and in some cases, not considered “real” Ukrainians if they didn’t speak the language. Recognizing that language is important, it was agreed that the community should evolve so that language is not a barrier to involvement.

The Federation’s and associations’ relationship with Ukraine was also examined. It was concluded that this relationship needs to exist but the emphasis in the organizations needs to shift to the issues and concerns of the Ukrainian community in Canada.

With relation to Federation/association affairs, the group discussed the following topics:

• What is the local associations’ role in the community and their relationship to other organizations? 

• What programs/projects could local associations provide for their members?

• How can the associations attract and retain members?

• How can the associations and federation communicate more effectively, with each other and its members?

In the discussions, it was agreed that the local associations need to take a leadership role in the community. They need to partner with other organizations to be more effective and assist in the change required to exist in today’s environment.

Also, in the past, associations measured success by the number of their members.  It was proposed that success should now be measured by the number of people attracted to local events as such a measure would indicate how many individuals are aware of an association’s existence and its value to the community. 

Furthermore, a number of recommendations, including the development of a new website were presented.

In conclusion, it was agreed that a great deal of work needs to be started, projects need to be continued and visibility increased.  All this requires healthy financial support.  Therefore, fundraising efforts will take place to assist the federation in rebuilding its mandate in Canada and its relationship with Ukraine.

After the meeting, representatives attended a banquet organized by the UCPBA-Toronto and the Ray Hnatyshyn Foundation.  At the banquet the association presented a Life Time Achievement Award to John Gregorovich, who is a past president of the Toronto association.  Entertainment was provided by one of the award recipients of the Hnatyshyn Foundation.  

Preparations are underway for a western UCPBF Conference in 2006.