Resolutions of the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention

The 37th National Convention of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada (UNF) and Affiliated Organizations (AO) assembled in the City of Edmonton, on November 9-11, 2012 celebrating the UNF’s 80^th anniversary, extends warm greetings to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of Her Diamond Jubilee, to the Ukrainian Churches, Ukrainian World Congress, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and all of their member organizations. We also send greetings to all Ukrainians of the Diaspora and to the people of Ukraine.

1. WHEREAS eight decades ago, in the year the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada was founded, Soviet authorities launched a premeditated genocide of the Ukrainian nation by starvation, known as the Holodomor 1932-33, in which millions perished from hunger notwithstanding rich harvests and in the face of silence from the civilized world;

AND WHEREAS in 2008 Canada was the first country to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide, while Ukraine’s current President Yanukovych and his regime refuse to do so;

BE IT RESOLVED that the participants of the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention bow their heads before the blessed memory of the victims of the Holodomor, and demand that the current Government of Ukraine stop being complicit in the cover-up of the Holodomor as an act of genocide.

2. WHEREAS the concept of an international body uniting all Ukrainian organizations outside Ukraine was first proposed by Colonel Andrij Melnyk, Head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in 1957;

AND WHEREAS the former National President of the UNF of Canada, Mykola Plawiuk spearheaded efforts to mobilize support for and implement this concept which resulted in the formation of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians (since Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the Ukrainian World Congress);

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada was a founding constituent member organization of the Ukrainian World Congress established in New York City, USA, in November 1967;

AND WHEREAS the Ukrainian World Congress continues to be, since its founding 45 years ago, a strong and uncompromising voice speaking out for the national, political and human rights in Ukraine and those of Ukrainians around the world;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention congratulates the Ukrainian World Congress on the auspicious occasion of its 45^th Anniversary and extends greetings to the UWC President Evhen Czolij and UWC General Secretary Stephan Romaniw and the whole UWC Board of Directors, as well as to all UWC member organizations in 33 countries around the world;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada begin preparation for and commit the required resources for its full and constructive participation in the work of the 10^th Ukrainian World Congress to be held in Lviv in August 2013, including the work of its working committees in advance of the Congress.

3. WHEREAS the Ottawa-Gatineau Branch of the UNF of Canada since its revival in February 2010, has played an active role in our National Federation;

AND WHEREAS the UNF Ottawa-Gatineau Branch took on itself the task of successfully piloting the first “Canada’s Parliament Educational Forum” for the Paul Yuzyk Institute on October 6-9, 2012 in Ottawa;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF and AO National Convention commends the UNF Ottawa-Gatineau Branch for developing and implementing this important new program for the development of Ukrainian Canadian youth.

4. WHEREAS the year 2014 marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of the Ukrainian National Poet, Taras Shevchenko;

AND WHEREAS Ukrainians in Canada and around the world have been inspired by the literary and artistic genius of Taras Shevchenko to pursue liberty and justice and to preserve their language and culture wherever they have settled;

AND WHEREAS the current Government of Ukraine has only taken symbolic steps to mark the anniversary, and then only doing so in conjunction with the Russian Federation to highlight Shevchenko’s Russian writings, risking the high-jacking of the 200^th anniversary for purposes of furthering their anti-Ukrainian policies to advance russification and undermine the national unity and state sovereignty of Ukraine;

AND WHEREAS the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian World Congress and the World Ukrainian Forum are jointly and separately undertaking programs to mark the 200^th Anniversary and have struck special committees to carry out this work both to appropriately celebrate Shevchenko as a Ukrainian poet and National Bard of Ukraine;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the UNF of Canada Board of Directors, all branches of the UNF and Affiliated Organizations, and the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership to undertake programming over the next two years to introduce or re-introduce the works and significance of Taras Shevchenko to the members of the UNF and AO;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the Government of Ukraine to commit adequate resources for a fitting non-political celebration of the anniversary that promotes the Ukrainian language and the national solidarity of Ukraine;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the UNF of Canada Board of Directors to ensure that the required resources are permitted to participate in the Shevchenko anniversary committees of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (nationally, provincially and locally) and the Ukrainian World Congress, and to see to the dissemination of information regarding their commemorative programs to the local branches of the UNF and AO, and the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership, so that they may include them in their own 200^th anniversary activities.

5. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada has shown its commitment to training young leaders in our community through the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada through the Paul Yuzyk Institute explore the possibility of sponsoring and organizing a yearly youth leadership summer camp program, bringing youth from across Canada to one location;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the program should include components on organizational and community history, structure, leadership development and basic organizational skills.

6. WHEREAS Ukrainian Canadians have achieved excellence in many fields;

AND WHEREAS there’s a need to improve the entrepreneurial profile of our community by developing, new and more business leaders;

BE IT RESOLVED the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership to develop mentorship and training programs to assist young Ukrainian Canadians in their pursuit of a successful entrepreneurial path.

7. WHEREAS the year 2012 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives;

AND WHEREAS the Ukrainian War Veterans’ Association and later the UNF of Canada under the leadership of Wasyl Topolnycky and other Ukrainian Canadian co-operative pioneers organized the first consumer co-operatives and credit unions in Canada including Kalyna Co-op in Winnipeg (est. 1929), New Community Credit Union in Saskatoon (est. 1939), Carpathia Credit Union in Winnipeg (est. 1940), Ukrainian Credit Union Limited in Ontario (est. 1944), and Ukrainian National Credit Union in Montreal (est. 1944 – since 2005 united into Caisse populaire Ukrainienne de Montral);

AND WHEREAS these Ukrainian Canadian co-operatives continue to play a key role in maintaining and mobilizing the community to retain the Ukrainian language, keeping their identity and playing a lead role in supporting credit unions in Ukraine;

AND WHEREAS it would be valuable for the UNF of Canada and its members to continue to provide leadership in the Ukrainian Canadian co-operative movement and the Canadian co-operative system;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention extend greetings to and commend the work of New Community Credit Union in Saskatoon, the Ukrainian Co-op in Regina, Carpathia Credit Union Limited in Winnipeg, North Winnipeg Credit Union Limited, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited and Buduchnist Credit Union Limited in Ontario, and the Caisse populaire Ukrainienne de Montral;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention encourages UNF and AO branches and members to join, be active members, and promote these Ukrainian Canadian co-operatives and other co-operatives in their communities, and consider sharing their talents in leadership roles in them with an eye to maintaining the co-operative legacy of the UNF and the broader Ukrainian community in Canada;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention ask UNF of Canada Board of Directors and the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership to consider developing programs to educate UNF members and youth about the co-operative movement in Canada to promote the development of leaders for that movement.

8. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada has benefited from close cooperation with the academic institution of the Ukrainian Language Education Centre of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta in developing its teacher training programs of the last several years;

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada has in the past enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship in the areas of cultural and educational programming with Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre which was founded by the UNF in Winnipeg in 1944;

BE IT RESOLVED by the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention that the UNF of Canada Board of Directors explores ways of strengthening and/or developing cooperation with the said institutions and others in Canada and beyond to enrich the programming of the UNF across Canada by applying the expertise, insight and human resources that such cooperation would offer in strengthening the capacity of the UNF to achieve its objects.

9. WHEREAS Alexander Gregorovich (1893–1970) was the first, or one of the first, qualified teachers of Ukrainian origin in the public school system in Alberta; he served as an Assistant Editor of the New Pathway in 1934-1939, became a civil servant in the Citizenship Department of the Government of Canada, and translated several English-language books into Ukrainian, such as Our Canada into Nasha Kanada, for the post WWII displaced person immigrants to Canada;

AND WHEREAS in July 1932 Alexander Gregorovich was one of the founders of the Ukrainian National Federation and was elected the First President of the UNF 1932-33, and later was First National Executive President of the UNF 1933-36; under his presidency, more UNF branches were established than during any other time; he was a founder and the Secretary of the first Ukrainian Credit Union in Canada established at the UNF in Saskatoon; and Evhen Konovalets invited him to be Canadian member No. 1 of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists;

AND WHEREAS Wladimir Kossar (1890–1970) was the longest serving National President of the UNF having held office for 17 consecutive years from 1937 to 1954; under his leadership, the UNF founded the Oseredok Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg; Wladimir Kossar was instrumental in the establishment of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee in 1940 (forerunner of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress); his presidency spanned a very tumultuous time in Canadian and world history and at this time the UNF spearheaded moral and material support for the establishment of the Carpatho-Ukrainian government (1938-39); under his leadership, the UNF lobbied for the admission of Ukrainian displaced persons into Canada after World War II; and, furthermore, he helped integrate Ukrainian displaced persons into the UNF of Canada;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada Board of Directors forms a committee within six months to properly recognize these two Presidents.

10. WHEREAS it is common for organizations whether they be community, entertainment, corporate or politically based to have branded themselves by having their emblems, symbols and portraits of key historical figures visible upon visiting their buildings, offices, stadiums and halls;

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada has a vibrant history, with its own symbolism, emblems and historical figures that have played a key role in its development, or historical figures that were closely affiliated with the organization’s past;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary that the UNF of Canada and its branches clearly brand themselves, to distinguish themselves, from other Ukrainian Canadian organizations;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada Board of Directors sets up a committee, which includes members from across the country, which would have up to one year after the 37th UNF and AO National Convention in Edmonton to determine a standardized or common branding of UNF Canada and its branches.

11. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada needs to ensure:

a) The organization’s assets are safe from improper handling and preserved for the members;

b) The viability and where required provide recommendations to the Board of Directors on expanding or reinforcing the branch or on closing and, or consolidating a branch;

c) Branches are adequately represented on the National Board of Directors, and that the rights of the branches are assured within the Constitution and Bylaws of the UNF of Canada;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada, over the next two years forms a committee of members from across the country to evaluate the status, condition, and viability of the branches of the UNF across Canada to include:

a) Review of all membership statistics confirming official membership numbers;

b) Financial records and reports providing statistics, such as cash receipts and expenditures, accounts payable and receivables, profit and loss, bank statements, property and other assets, holdings and other items pertinent to the operation of the branch;

c) The UNF Branch Treasurer to provide the UNF Branch Audit Committee a complete record of all financial records at least 15 days prior to the Annual General Meeting;

d) Facilities evaluation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every three years, a detailed branch asset inventory as well as a complete audit and review of all financial records be conducted by the UNF National Auditing Committee. The completed audit report will be forwarded to the UNF National Executive.

12. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada needs to review and evaluate the status, condition, viability and efficiency of the organization’s overall structure;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada, over the next two years forms a committee of members from all affiliates to:

a) Determine if the Mission and Vision of the affiliate organizations are still accurate and required considering the current environment;

b) Find efficiencies in the recruitment, retention, management and tracking of members to the organization and its affiliates;

c) Ensure that the structure as prescribed in the Constitution and Bylaws of the UNF of Canada is maintained, and that all affiliates and branches understand their rights within that structure and recommend an amendment to the Constitution as may be required;

d) Ensure that all affiliates and branches of the organization are in compliance with all regulatory requirements for non-profit organizations.

13. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada needs to ensure its branches remain viable and sustainable;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada work with each branch, using input from professionals, to develop a business plan ensuring revenue generation, development and expansion of the membership proceeds actively through programming and community involvement.

14. WHEREAS the UNF of Canada shares a long-standing historical and values-based connection with international affiliated organizations that were united into ISNO in 1975;

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada has determined that it would benefit from a renewal and, or strengthening of those ties with its international affiliated organizations on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation that would advance the objects and current projects of all concerned;

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada and the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODWU) in the United States made a joint appeal to the other international affiliated organizations (IAOs) to revive ISNO, and since that time, UNF of Canada Board of Directors has increased ties with ODWU and our IAOs in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and South America, and has received a positive response to further intensifying our relationships with a view to mutually beneficial cooperation;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the UNF of Canada Board of Directors to continue its efforts to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with its international affiliated organizations and pursue, on the basis of equality and autonomy of each constituent organization, the formal revival of ISNO by May 31, 2013, to create a well-defined mechanism for future cooperation among themselves internally, and with respect to international forums including the Ukrainian World Congress of which ISNO is a member.

15. WHEREAS Oleh Olzhych Kandyba, prominent poet and Ukrainian nationalist (second-in-command to Organization of Ukrainian Nationalist leader Colonel Andrij Melnyk), perished at the hands of Nazi Germany on June 9^th, 1944 at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp;

AND WHEREAS June 9^th, 2014 will mark the 70^th anniversary of Oleh Olzhych Kandyba’s heroic and tragic death;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada and its branches make a conscientious effort to commemorate his contribution to the struggle for the independence of Ukraine.

16. WHEREAS the Olzhych Foundation in Canada shares a historical, financial and ideological legacy with the UNF of Canada;

AND WHEREAS UNF and AO members have for many years played a leading role in the leadership of the Olzhych Foundation;

AND WHEREAS the UNF of Canada is desirous of strengthening the positive links it has with the Olzhych Foundation in Canada and seeking closer cooperation with it to further cultural educational projects of common interest;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention urges the UNF of Canada Board of Directors to pursue consultations with the Olzhych Foundation in Canada to identify both national and international projects of common interest that would jointly further the objectives of both organizations.

17. WHEREAS the current President and Government of Ukraine have to date proven themselves unwilling to promote and protect the national, human and democratic, Ukrainian language and other rights of the Ukrainian people, and the national interests of the Ukrainian people, and have in fact in a pre-mediated fashion acted in a hostile way to those rights and interests;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention condemns these anti-Ukrainian and undemocratic actions, and urges the Ukrainian people to stand firm for their rights and to advance them in ways that are respectful of the high standards of contemporary international human rights, solidarity among all persons, irrespective of faith or nationality, and consistent with Christian and ethical principles.

18. WHEREAS one of the objectives of the UNF of Canada was to unite Ukrainian Canadians regardless of their political, religious, or other beliefs, and to raise the cultural standard of the Ukrainian community in Canada, and also embrace those 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th or higher generation Canadians of Ukrainian descent who may feel ostracized by their lack of Ukrainian language skills;

BE IT RESOLVED that the UNF of Canada and its branches, where appropriate and where alternatives are lacking, establish adult Ukrainian language classes and reach out to subsequent generations of Canadians of Ukrainian descent to gain language skills.

19. WHEREAS the War of 1812-14 marked a key turning point in the history of Canada for retaining a distinct national identity and placed Canada on the road to becoming an independent country in the British Commonwealth;

AND WHEREAS it has been documented that soldiers of Ukrainian origin were members of the British army in British North America and participated in the War of 1812;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 37^th UNF and AO National Convention honours the memory of the war dead and veterans of the War of 1812 whose sacrifice two hundred years ago laid the foundation for preserving an independent national course for Canada.