PRCUA Convention Held in Buffalo
With 252 Delegates in Attendance

Chicago, IL - After many months of hard work on the part of the Pre-Convention Committee, the 59th National Quadrennial Convention of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America officially began on Sunday, August 13, 2006.

To ensure that all would be ready for the Convention at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo, New York, staff from Information Systems, the General Office and the Membership Department arrived on Thursday, August 10, to prepare for registration, exhibits, and all the functions that were to follow through Wednesday, August 16, 2006.

During a PRCUA-sponsored Welcome Reception at the Hotel on Saturday evening, President Wallace and Joann Ozog celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary by cutting a beautifully-decorated sheet cake and joyfully feeding each other the first piece of cake. Delegates and guests sang “Sto Lat” and wished the couple many more years of wedded bliss.

Saturday, August 12 (Photos 1)

SUNDAY, August 13 (Photos 1 2 3 4 5)

On Sunday morning, delegates and guests were transported by bus to nearby Assumption Parish, where the Opening Mass was celebrated, followed by a luncheon.

Upon returning to the Hotel, Convention proceedings began with the Opening Prayer. The Pre-Convention Committee, under the leadership of Chair Dr. Mary Lou Turkiewicz, welcomed all delegates and guests to Buffalo and extended best wishes for a productive Convention.

President Wallace Ozog opened the Convention at 2:25 p.m. EST.  After the report of the Credentials Committee, the Oath of Office was administered to the assembled delegates by Rev. Anthony D. Iwuc, National Vice Chaplain.

The Budget and Grievance Committee presented their report, followed by the election of officers to the Presidium:  Convention Chairperson Joan Smuda, Society 408, Chicago, IL; Male Vice Chair-person Julius S. Szymczyk, Society 904, Warren, MI; Female Vice Chairperson Diane Karpinski, Society 2144, Cleveland, OH; Secretary Kelly E. Salatowski, Society 162, Wyandotte, MI; and Stenographer Charlene R. Pasternik, Society 261, Detroit, MI. Each of the Presidium officers was escorted to the dais by family and/or friends.

In her opening remarks, Chairperson Joan Smuda thanked the delegates for their confidence in her, looked forward to spirited discussion, hoping that when all left the convention, they would be united.

A stenographer, licensed by the State of Michigan, was appointed, and $1,000 was included in the budget as payment.

The Redistricting Committee, Constitution & By-Laws Committee, and Long Range Planning Committee met after the Opening Session of the Convention to discuss common grounds to review and fairly redistrict the 10 districts presently existing in the PRCUA. Since the redistricting recommendations made at this Convention fall under the purview of the Redistricting Committee, but are also within the parameters of the Constitution Committee and affect the Long Range Planning Committee’s recommendations, it was imperative for the matter to be considered by all three Standing Committees.

The session was adjourned to allow the delegates to prepare for the banquet that evening.

A gala banquet was held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. At the banquet, Richard Sielecki, a representative of Governor George A. Pataki of the State of New York, presented a Proclamation to President Wallace Ozog, honoring the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.

MONDAY, August 14 (Photos 1 2)

The Monday morning session included the Opening Prayer, Standing Committee Reports, and the introduction of guests speakers. A detailed report of the financial condition of the Union was made by Actuary Joseph H. Steimla of Steimla & Associates, Inc. The Report of the Budget was made by John Cwiak, Chairman of the Budget and Grievance Committee.

The Evening Business Session consisted of the Candidates Qualifications Report. 

Guests speakers addressed the delegates, including Wallace J. Zielinski, President of the Polish Falcons of America; Frank Spula, President of the Polish National Alliance and Polish American Congress; Grazyna Migala, Secretary General of the Polish Women’s Alliance; and Jan Lorys, Director of The Polish Museum of America.

Delegates were appointed to the Telegraph, Resolutions, Youth, Senior, and Publications Committees.  Additional Sergeant-at-Arms were also appointed.

From the report of the Consulting Actuary, Joseph Steimla, delegates were given a better of such concepts as Premium Income vs. Investment Income, the significance of a Decreasing Surplus, the Strength of a 110% Solvency, and the need for increasing Reserves due to the introduction of the Annuity.

Many reactions from the floor included questions about the Marketing Program and building maintenance, which included flooding and sewage expenses, the one-time donation of $200,000 by the PRCUA to Orchard Lake’s SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary Library, and budget increases for fraternal activities.

Earnest discussions led to a suggestion from the Actuary that the sale of common stocks for the purchase of more preferred stocks and more bonds would lead to an immediate improvement of the decreasing rate of return on invested assets. This would have a more immediate positive effect than the suggestion to paying less on Annuities.

Overall growth in net assets was attributed to the introduction of the Annuity Program.

A suggestion from the floor was made to encourage fraternalism by creating a Credit Union.

Delegates requested and were given current salary levels and the new increased compensation levels for the executive officers, which were accepted as recommended.

Delegates also mentioned that although the objective of mergers is membership growth, efforts should be made by the officers to pursue cost control and to  streamline the organization.

Concerned Delegates emphasized the need to increase the number of life insurance agents/deputies and the need to fill two additional new staff positions in sales and marketing.

After the Candidates Qualification Committee announced the written withdrawal letters that they had received from candidates thus far, all the candidates running for contested offices were officially presented to the delegates. Delegates were informed that each candidate would be allowed to make a three-minute presentation before the elections, which were to be held during the Tuesday afternoon session.

During a joint meeting held on Sunday by the Budget and Grievance Committee, Redistricting Committee, and Long Range Planning Committee members, the following issues were considered in making recommendations for review:

1. The recommendation should fairly represent a review of all of the current statistics, the input from the members and directors in each district, a review of the present society and district structure, and what to do if a district increases or decreases in membership.
    

2. Consideration should be given to the appropriate and related issues of the Long Range Planning Committee.
    

3. Recommendations should be in compliance with the Constitution of the PRCUA. Furthermore, the Constitution Committee should review the existing Constitution and make recommendations to modernize the Constitution and to accommodate the proposed approved recommendations.

As a result of this meeting, the three Committee Chairs issued a Consensus Report of the Constitution, Redistricting and Long Range Planning Committees, which jointly recommended the following resolution:

That the Convention Chair appoints a Task Force of 13 members. Three members of the Task Force should be the newly appointed Chairpersons of the Constitution Committee, the Redistricting Committee, and the Long Range Planning Committee. In addition, there should be one member designated by the district delegates from the ten districts to the convention. The Task Force should meet quarterly. The Task Force will issue written reports on a quarterly basis to the Board of Directors.

They further recommended that the Task Force will hold meetings in each district and invite the Directors, delegates to the Convention, and members to testify before this Task Force. After reviewing and analyzing this information, the Task Force will issue its recommendation to either a special convention or to the next convention of the changes to the Constitution, Redistricting, and the structure of the PRCUA.

After discussion from the floor, an Amendment to the Consensus Report was issued in which the three Committee Chairs jointly recommended the following resolution:

That the Convention Chair appoint a Task Force of 14 members. Three non-voting members of the Task Force should be the newly appointed Chairpersons of the Constitution Committee, the Redistricting Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee. In addition, the delegates of each district shall elect a member to the Task Force from the delegates of their respective district. Those ten members, in turn, will elect an eleventh member from among the Convention delegates, to chair the Task Force.

Members of the Task Force will be elected at a caucus of Convention delegates by district. After the Fraternal Luncheon on Tuesday, the President will announce the location of each caucus. The caucus will occur under the direction of the existing directors) of the district. The election results of the Task Force members shall be reported at the same time that the other election of the convention will be reported.

The creation of the Task Force was considered by many delegates to be the most important and most significant accomplishment of the 59th PRCUA Convention.

The Convention Chair Joan Smuda re-appointed each of the three Standing Committee Chairs thus they will serve on the Task Force in accordance with the resolution: William F. Marutzky, Chairman, Constitution and By-Laws Committee, Chicago, IL, Soc. 987; Thaddeus S. Klamerus, Chairman, Redistricting Committee, Dearborn Heights, MI, Soc. 87; and Donald Versen Sr., Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, Des Plaines, IL, Soc. 308. As a result of the caucuses held by the Districts, one delegate (and one alternate) from each district was elected to the Task Force: District #1 - Marsha Mikuszewski, Adams, MA, Soc. 359; District #2 - Mary Louise Turkiewicz, MD, Buffalo, NY, Soc. 765; District #3 - Walter Schultz, Philadelphia, PA, Soc. 2013; District #4 - Michael Turkiewicz, Portland, OR, Soc. 1492; District #5 - President of Alliance of Poles, a Division of the PRCUA, John Borkowski, Parma, OH, Soc. 2220; District #6 - Susan Plewa, Secretary, Milwaukee, WI, Soc. 2303; District #7 - PRCUA President Emeritus Edward G. Dykla, Vice Chairman, Barrington, IL, Soc. 1580; District #8 - Anna Toltzman, Rockford, IL, Soc. 1622; District #9 - Michaeleen A. Lamont, Hammond, IN, Soc. 418; District #10 - Past Director Neil Sawicki, Wyandotte, MI, 162. These ten members then chose Gregory B. Olma of Buffalo, NY, Soc. 540, as Chair of the Task Force, bringing the number of members to 14. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 (Photos 1 2)

On Tuesday, the Feast of the Assumption, a Memorial Mass was held at St. Stanislaus Church in Buffalo, a beautiful church built in 1873 which recently underwent  renovations that restored it to its original beauty. The Principal Celebrant at the Mass was Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, Bishop of Buffalo.  Concelebrants were Bishop Edward M. Grosz, D.D., V.G., Auxiliary Bishop and Pastor of Stanislaus Parish; Rev. Timothy F. Whalen, Chancellor of Orchard Lake Schools; our beloved Vice Chaplains Reverend Canon Anthony D. Iwuc and Very Reverend Monsignor Stanley E. Milewski.

During Mass, a Memorial Tribute was conducted. Nine long-stem red roses were individually placed in a vase before the Our Lady of Czestochowa icon in memory of PRCUA leaders who have passed on since the 58th Convention. A rose was presented for Rev. Edwin F. Karlowicz, PRCUA National Chaplain, by Secretary-Treasurer Josephine Szarowicz;  Regina Ocwieja, Past Vice President and Director, by Resident Vice President Anna Sokolowski; Sophia Andruszkiewicz, Past Director District #1, by Director Kasimer J. Zabek; Alexander S. Bzdyra, Past Director District # 1, by Director William E. Nowakowski; Pauline Kurpiewski, Past Director District # 1, by Director Barbara Toboy; Casimir A. Lech, Past Director District #3, by Director Edward F. Kaplaniak; Frances Ruczynski, Past Director District #3, by Director Joanne I. Zajac; John F. Jakubowski, Past Director District #4, by Director Richard P. Turkiewicz; and Michael Kurzeja,  Past Director District #9, by Director Elizabeth Grabowski.

The Fraternal Luncheon was also held at this parish. The highlight of the luncheon was spectacular entertainment by PRCUA's Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Artistic Director Misia Jaminski and Choreographer Richard Jaminski and the Piast Dancers from the Alliance of Poles in Cleveland, OH, a Division of the PRCUA. They are under the direction of Choreographers Malgorzata Kacki and Agnieszka Kotlarsic. Both groups did a marvelous job!

After the Fraternal Mass and luncheon, the afternoon session began with the Opening Prayer and Standing Committee Reports.  By Tuesday, a total of 252 delegates had officially registered at the Convention.

Immense gratitude was expressed by the guest speaker Rev. Timothy Whalen, Chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools, for the receipt of the generous donation of $200,000 from the PRCUA for the Seminary Library. The delegates heard about many graduated seminarians, who traced their beginnings to Orchard Lake, and how they went on to various ministries throughout country.  He concluded with a hearty wish that God may repay the PRCUA as he offered a heartfelt, "BOG ZAPLAC!"

This productive session included the introduction of candidates for office and their speeches, followed by the election process. While delegates voted, various Committees presented their reports, as a necessary quorum on the floor was maintained at all times to accept the reports. While delegates voted, various committees presented their reports. Copies of a written report by Executive Editor Kathryn Rosypal were distributed to delegates and approved as an attachment to the minutes.

Some recommendations of the Resolutions Committee included more fully utilizing new technology (i.e. Internet in two languages), Polish Radio Stations, and Polish Parishes, including a Youth Hospitality Room at Conventions and demonstrating special support to the Youth of our future.

The Education Committee stressed the need to increase money grants to include awards to elementary and middle schools, not only higher levels.

The Museum Committee delineated the many activities of the Museum. They acknowledged that it is supported by a team of 150 volunteers. Support also comes from various monetary grants, but the PMA continues to need more support and increased membership. They  concluded by stating the PMA’s Mission to "Look forward while preserving the past.”

The Publications Committee made various recommendations including the addition of a “Dear Babcia Column” to enable youth to more keenly become aware of Polish customs and traditions.  Also mentioned were a possible restructuring of the front page, include a translations page, include a Youth News page, and  Internet Links to be printed in the paper.  A suggestion from the floor was to place the entire Paper in a PDF format to be accessed on-line and have all type styles the same.

Elections took place on Tuesday evening, with a second run-off election in District 8 taking place late into the night. It culminated with the announcement of the final winners of the election.  A motion by acclamation was carried to accept all uncontested Officers and Directors for a four-year term.

Chairman Smuda concluded the Session with an announcement that the last session on Wednesday morning would begin with the introduction of the newly elected Officers and Directors.

Standing Committees who reported at the Convention included: Budget and Grievance Committee - John F. Cwiak,  Chairman, Des Plaines, IL, Soc. 1598; Teresa Gibala, Secretary, Erie, MI, Soc. 1633; Joseph Drobot, Bloom-field Hills, MI, Soc. 843; Ed Muszalski, Burbank, IL, Soc. 1622 and Eileen T. Hanley, Alternate, Sparks, MD, Soc. 527; Candidates Qualification Committee - Past Res. V.P. Dolores H. Spejewski, Chairperson, Munster, IN, Soc. 413; Past Dir. of District 7, Shirley L. Dudzinski, Secretary, Chicago, IL, Soc. 1147; Paul J. Zurawski, Park Ridge, IL, Soc. 795; Constitution and By-Laws Committee - William F. Marutzky, Chairman, Chicago, IL, Soc. 987; Past Dir. of District 10, Shirley A. Galanty, Vice-Chairman, Dearborn Hts, MI, Soc. 1614; Mark S. Dobrzycki, Secretary, Harwood Hts, IL, Soc. 1580; Past Dir. of District 3, Richard Orlowski Jr., Butler, PA, Soc. 237; Past Dir. of District 9, Constance L. Bonin, Calumet City, IL, 413; Long Range Planning Committee - Donald Versen, Sr., Chairman, Des Plaines, IL, Soc. 308; Retired PRCUA Controller Lucian Biegacz, Vice-Chairman, Chicago, IL, 1228; Past Director of District 2, Diane Synakowski, Secretary, Vero Beach, FL, Soc. 631; Michael Purcell, Riverview, MI, Soc. 162; and Frank Zacharias, Hamtramck, MI, Soc. 1477; Redistricting Committee - Thaddeus S. Klamerus, Chairman, Dearborn Hts, MI, Soc. 87; Past Director of District 7, Stephan J. DeLonka, Vice-Chairman, Schaumburg, IL, Soc. 475; Dolores L. Krysztofik, Secretary, Trenton, NJ, Soc. 2019; Michael L. Krajewski, Toledo, OH, Soc. 1584; and Bernice Adamkiewicz, Warren, MI, Soc. 1693.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16 (Photos 1)

After the Opening Prayer, the doors opened wide for the procession of Chaplains, Officers, and Directors, each of whom was escorted to the dais by an entourage of family and friends.

President Ozog addressed the assembly, stating that during the past 8 years he is always learning something. He complimented the delegates and said "You delegates should pat yourselves on the back." He said he was proud that delegates heard from our youth because we need our youth.

He described the creation of the Task Force as “extraordinary.” He said that he foresees the Task Force as the major accomplishment of the 59th Convention and he referred to it as a way to move the PRCUA into the 21st Century.  He said, “My last appeal is that delegates go home and talk to their directors.” 

Father Ptak said, “As we go forward, we walk out of here with a call to action for new members to participate more in activities, make more contributions and meet the challenge that each one attempt to bring in at least one new member.” Rev. Walter J. Ptak, National Chaplain, administered the Oath of Office to the newly-elected PRCUA officers, directors and chaplains.

Chairperson Joan Smuda thanked everyone for the opportunity to have the last word as she declared the Convention “adjourned” in mid-morning on Wednesday, August 16th.

Written by Exec. Editor Kathryn Rosypal and William  Seranko, with information provided by William Seranko

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