UWO Toronto Branch Annual General Meeting

By Genya Hunchak

The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada, Toronto Branch held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday January 28, 2007. Lunch served prior to the Meeting was appreciated, especially on such a cold blustery day, as a good way to get warmed-up by the hardy members who attended. 

  After lunch, the Annual Meeting was chaired by UWO of Canada National President Natalie Bundza-Iwanytzkyj who first spoke about the growth of our organization and our members’ important contribution. Natalie Obal and Nadia Ostapchuk were the Ukrainian and English Secretaries of the Meeting. The Chair welcomed UNF Toronto Branch President Zenon Chwaluk and special recognition was given to Golden members in attendance: Osypa Maksymiw; Rozalia Nestorowsky and Pauline Barchynsky.  One of the Meeting’s highlights was the reading of last year’s AGM Minutes, read in Ukrainian by Daria Diakowsky. The Minutes are a beautifully written history of the past year reflecting all the work and Branch activities accomplished.   The UWO National President recommended that the Minutes be sent to The New Pathway as an example and record of the organizational work being done.

It was one of the first AGM at which all executive members presented written reports, all informative and interesting.  The focus and highpoint of the Meeting was the presentation of the slate of names for election to the Branch Executive. Up to that point in time, only the Nominating Committee and the nominees knew who was on the slate. Nomination for President was only confirmed in the week prior to the Annual Meeting. When the Nominating Committee Chair, Julie Bahrych-Korol read the election slate and announced Stacey Suessmuth had graciously accepted nomination for President of the UWO Toronto Branch, our members clapped and cheered.  In her acceptance speech, Stacey Suessmuth thanked everyone for their faith in her. When first told about accepting the nomination for Branch President, her daughter Sharon said tearfully “Baba would be so pleased”.  The newly elected President thanked our outgoing President, Genya Hunchak, for her extraordinary work and efforts and, for her love for our organization adding that she hopes all of us follow the Past President’s philosophy to “enjoy life, live, love and laugh”.  In her concluding remarks, the new President invited everyone to work together with energy and enthusiasm for the good of our organization, Canada and Ukraine. 

The meeting ended with the singing of the Ukrainian and Canadian national anthems.  Everyone agreed that it was one of the best UWO meetings ever held.

 PHOTOS 

1 - Newly elected President of the UWO of Canada, Toronto Branch, Stacey Suessmuth

2 - L. to R.: Genya Hunchak, Natalie Bundza-Iwanytzkyj, Natalie Obal and Nadia Ostapchuk