UKRAINIAN NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION
HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC
The Ukrainian National Credit Union Association (UNCUA) held its 34th Annual Meeting and Spring Conference June 5-6, 2015 in Washington, DC.
Thirty one participants representing thirteen Ukrainian American credit unions gathered to hear presentations on current topics of interest to credit union leaders, and to elect a new board of directors.
The conference commenced Friday morning with welcoming remarks by UNCUA Chair Wasyl Kornylo, UNCUA President Orysia Burdiak, and special guest Olya Sheweli, President of the World Council of Ukrainian Cooperatives (WCUC).
Presentations on topics of interest to the credit union industry followed, such as developing a member experience culture, the Bank Secrecy Act, trends and challenges in the U.S. credit union industry, and a briefing on the legislative, political and regulatory issues in Washington.
Dana Boyko of Toronto, currently a Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, presented the delegates with her findings on the financial performance of Ukrainian American credit unions during the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
Presentations concluded with a credit union roundtable facilitated by Tamara Denysenko, Board member and former CEO of Ukrainian FCU in Rochester. Challenges and changes facing our credit unions were discussed: Board assessment & volunteer development, Succession planning & management development, Membership growth & market penetration.
Joining the Ukrainian American credit union leaders that evening at dinner were distinguished Washingtonians. Representing the Embassy of Ukraine were Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires Yaroslav Brusiuck, Minister-Counselor Vitalii Tarasiuk – Head of the Economic and Trade Office, and Ms. Oresta Starak – First Secretary. Michael Sawkiw, director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, presented the delegates with an update on Ukrainian affairs in DC, and Nadia McConnell, President of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s future programs. Myroslava Gongadze of Voice of America made an appeal for humanitarian aid to Ukraine at this time of great need.
On Saturday, June 6th the Association conducted its annual meeting, which included reports by management and various committees. The election of board members for the 2015-2016 term was also held.
UNCUA Chairman Wasyl Kornylo reported on the activities of the Association for the past year, as well as the current status of Ukrainian American credit unions. As of March 31, 2015, assets of the fourteen UNCUA member credit unions totaled $2.887 billion, $39 million more than at year-end. Member deposits totaled $2.439 billion, $32 million more than December 31, 2014. Credit union membership increased to 99,247 individuals.
The 2014 credit union calendar was dedicated to the artwork of Edward Kozak. Over 29,000 calendars were distributed to credit union members, as reported by UNCUA President Orysia Burdiak.
2015 marks the 60th anniversary of Selfreliance Baltimore Federal Credit Union. The Association presented a plaque of recognition to Baltimore’s representative and UNCUA Vice Chair Stephen Kerda, congratulating the credit union on 60 years of service and dedication to the Ukrainian American community.
The following individuals were elected to the 2015-16 UNCUA Board of Directors and committees:
UNCUA Officers: Wasyl Kornylo – Chair (Ukrainian FCU, Rochester); Stephen Kerda – Vice Chair (Selfreliance Baltimore); George Stachiw – Secretary (Selfreliance New England). Executive Committee members: Mary Kolodij (Selfreliance, Philadelphia); Roman Kozicky (SUMA Yonkers, NY); Bohdan Kurczak (Self Reliance New York); and Bohdan Watral (Selfreliance, Chicago).
Members of the Board of Directors: Bohdan Czepak (Cleveland Selfreliance); Roman Jakubowycz (Osnova, Parma OH); Esteban Kaczurak (Ukrainian National, NY); Vera Kucyj (Future CU, Warren MI); Michael Lewko (Self Reliance NJ); Natalie Maruszczak (Selfreliance Michigan); and Eugene Szestak (Selfreliance, Pittsburgh).
Supervisory Committee: Andrew Jakymowych (Future CU, Warren MI); Bohdan Lisowsky (Selfreliance Michigan), and Bohdan Wruskyj (Selfreliance, Chicago).
Nominating Committee: Jaroslaw Fedun (Self Reliance NJ); Orest Liscynesky (Cleveland Selfreliance); and George Stachiw (Selfreliance New England)..
By-Laws Committee: Mary Kolodij (Selfreliance, Philadelphia); Orest Liscynesky (Cleveland Selfreliance); and Lubomyr Lypeckyj (Selfreliance Michigan).
Loan Protection and Life Savings Insurance Trustees: Orysia Burdiak, Esteban Kaczurak, Stephen Kerda, Mary Kolodij, Bohdan Kurczak, Ihor Laszok, and John Olijarczyk.
Orysia Burdiak was elected President of the Association and the Ukrainian Cooperative Insurance Agency in Chicago. UNCUA staff members are Christine Pylypowycz and Nina Bebko.
Esteban Kaczurak, Chairman of the Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union in New York City, invited the delegates to schedule their 2016 UNCUA fall conference and annual meeting in South Bound Brook, NJ on the occasion of Ukrainian National’s 50th anniversary celebration next year.
Respectfully submitted,
Orysia Burdiak, UNCUA President
