UCC-SPC members elect new Board during weekend Annual General Meeting

Photos to come

May 14, 2007 -- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress -- Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) held its Annual General Meeting and Board Elections on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Auditorium in Saskatoon. In attendance were delegates from across Saskatchewan including the communities of Canora, North Battleford, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Weyburn, and Yorkton.

AGM delegates welcomed guests Senator A. Raynell Andreychuk as well as Christine Devrome, UCC-SPC’s first executive director who was instrumental in the creation of the Saskatchewan Council of Cultural Organizations, the forerunner to SaskCulture, of which UCC-SPC is a founding member.

The proceedings were chaired by outgoing President Eugene Krenosky, who concluded his third term as President of the Council. He extended sincere gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who served with him on the UCC-SPC Board and particularly to newly elected President Ed Lysyk.

In his report to delegates, Eugene Krenosky said that the UCC is an organization steeped in tradition and, at the provincial level, has been growing in strength, visibility, and recognition.

“It continues to be dynamic, forward-looking, in touch with today’s community, while moving optimistically into the future,” said Krenosky.

UCC-SPC Executive Director Danylo Puderak presented the audited financial report for fiscal 2006. Puderak indicated that with controlled expenditures in a number of administrative areas, the Council made strides in reversing past deficits, and is well on its way to implementing a contingency plan to ensure fiscal stability for the future.

The report of UCC-SPC Executive Director Danylo Puderak focused on the cultural and economic impact of the Ukrainian community on the province of Saskatchewan.

“It is not an overstatement to say tens of thousands of volunteers, a significant portion of which are youth, give their time to bring to life the celebrations and expressions of our culture,” said Puderak. “This also translates into a significant economic impact to their home communities.”

While respecting and celebrating heritage, the UCC-SPC accepts change and growth as positive forces, Puderak said. Hundreds of immigrants from Ukraine are now choosing Saskatchewan as their home.

“These young families are some of the building blocks to our community’s future,” said Puderak.
To this end, the Council and a number of its branches have established immigration settlement committees to assist the newcomers with integration.

“We serve our community and strive to provide a ‘place’ for all, young and old, new Canadians as well as those with deep roots in our province.”

Newly elected UCC-SPC President Ed Lysyk thanked the delegates for their trust. After a brief description of his background and involvement in the community, he highlighted plans for the future work of the UCC-SPC on behalf of the Ukrainian community and in the best interests of Saskatchewan.

The newly-elected Board of Directors is:
President - Ed Lysyk (Regina)
Vice-President - Slawko Kindrachuk (Saskatoon)
Secretary - Merle Maximiuk (Yorkton)
Treasurer - Elaine Koshman (Saskatoon)
Past President - Eugene Krenosky (Regina)
Directors-at-Large - Peter Abrametz (Prince Albert), Larry Balion (Saskatoon), Orest Gawdyda (Regina)

Completing the 15 member Board are the Presidents of UCC-SPC’s seven branches:
Paul Kardynal (Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council)
Taras Korol (UCC-Canora)
Elmer Malec (Prince Albert & District Veselka Ukrainian Heritage Club)
Orest Warnyca (UCC-Regina)
Slawko Kindrachuk (UCC-Saskatoon)
Stan Ganczar (Weyburn Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council)
Harry Kardynal (UCC-Yorkton).