Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society

From the desk of President, Janette Martin-Lutzer
Greetings to all of our members and welcome to our new members!

Upcoming calendar of events

Society news

Concensus decision-making

Society member Karen Berezon recently facilitated a workshop for the Board on governance, consensus decision-making, identifying our core values, and visioning for the future. Come to our general members meeting in September to hear more about this and provide input and feedback on the future direction of the Society. Much appreciation to Karen for her guidance and leadership!

Pool Party

See attached poster about the Pool Party. What a nice way to honour and celebrate Father’s Day!

Ride the Shuttle Bus

I recently sent out an email asking members about volunteering to “Ride the Shuttle Bus” during MusicFest. There will be two bus routes that MusicFest attendees can take to/from the venue. The ride is $5 per person with children under 12 free. Our volunteers collect the $5 fee upon boarding. Yes, you will travel on the bus back and forth. All proceeds will be split between First Student bus drivers and CVUCS. I’ve attached a schedule of 3-hour shifts. Please volunteer 3 hours of your time (or even more!). Please let me know at jmlutzer@shaw.ca or cvukrainianculturalsociety@gmail.com your preference for a shift. The sooner you sign up, the better the chances you’ll get the shift you prefer ☺!

Final Monthly Meeting

Our final monthly meeting before the summer break on Tuesday, June 13th continues our series on Ukrainian immigration to Canada in the 20th century. Open to everyone.
In Search of a Better Life, Part 2:
The presentation will begin with a brief recap of Part 1, the First Wave of Ukrainian immigration to Canada (1891-1914) that will consider internal Canadian factors that brought Ukrainians to the “Last Best West.”
In Part 2, participants will gain a greater understanding of the key reasons families left Ukraine in the second (1919-1939) and the third (1945-1990) waves of Ukrainian immigration to Canada. This entails considering the far-reaching global geopolitical effects of World War I, the Interwar Period, World War II, and the Cold War era, not only within Ukraine but also in relation to immigration trends and priorities in Canada.

Participants will have an opportunity to build a foundational understanding of the historical forces that shaped and impacted the differing waves of Ukrainian immigration to Canada. This basis will help to build further understanding about why families left Ukraine, why they settled where they did in Canada, and what contributed to their experience as newcomers in their new homeland.

A final hope is that participants will continue to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Ukrainian-Canadian as the process of shaping the culture of Canada continues. Sharing your family’s stories is encouraged.

End of year Beach Day

Society members have traditionally enjoyed a year-end picnic/BBQ. This year we will have a Beach Day and potluck picnic at the group site at Air Force Beach campground. More details to come closer to the date.

Ukraine Independence Day

CFUS members with our Integration Coordinator Oksana are planning a celebration of Ukraine Independence
Day on August 24th. Last year we had a turn-out of over 90 people at Marina Park!

Earlier that day, a group called Comox Men’s Shed will be dedicating the Zaporizha Tree – one of their members travelled to Zaporizha, Ukraine in 2019 and brought back an acorn that fell from a 700-year-old oak tree. He planted it in a pot at home. The tree has now been planted at Quarry Park in Comox. A plaque has been ordered and dignitaries have been invited to a dedication ceremony. The group invites CVUCS members and Ukrainian newcomer families to join them in this ceremony. Read more

Holodomor Bus

The Holodomor Mobile Bus is coming to Courtenay and will be at our three high schools the week of September 17th. I am in discussions with the tour organizers about putting on a community event for the public to attend and learn more about this horrific event in Ukrainian history. FMI: https//holodomortour.ca

Tryzub Dance Concerts

In collaboration with Ukraine Nightingale Project, CVUCS is bringing the Tryzub Dancers of Calgary to town. This is a fundraising event for us! Andy Frost of UNP presented to the Board as well as to members the success of this event when it was held in the south Okanagan earlier this year.

Andy will be looking for CVUCS members to work with him on securing corporate and organization sponsorships, coordinating donations, marketing and advertising. I know we have members who have expertise in these areas – please let me know if you are excited to be a part of this event and work with Andy on a committee.

I am seeking members that are interested in helping out with the concert aspect with me. Many of you know that I have been dancing, and teaching Ukrainian dance most of my life and was the Artistic Director of our Dolyna Dancers for almost 20 years. So this is where I will be focusing my energies and I invite you to join me.

Canadian Fund for Ukrainian Survivors (CFUS)

Are you interested in knowing how we are supporting Ukrainians that are rebuilding their lives here in the Comox Valley? CFUS members (Susan Plensky, Eugene Hrushowy, Donna Baydock, Lori Palahicky, and myself, along with our Integration Coordinator Oksana) have dedicated many volunteer hours over the past year to support families.

Weekly Foodshare hampers, English-Ukrainian classes, direct financial support, a 2-week summer camp for Ukrainian children in both July and August, welcome baskets to new arrivals, and volunteer recruitment and development – are just some areas we’ve been working on. CVUCS member Leah Carlos recently resigned from CFUS – many thanks to her for her tireless dedication to supporting Ukrainian families.

Facebook Page

Our Facebook page is a great resource for keeping up to date on what’s happening. Check it out!

Society Website

Our website will be launched this week. A work in progress, so please be patient and kind. I’m interested in your feedback on what you would like to see added or changed, etc. Many thanks to member Stephanie Dyhin for her leadership in developing the website and to Haley Toal for her assistance to me. Thank you to the members of the Board and CFUS for their contributions.

Society Phone Number

A reminder that we have a Society cell phone number! It is 250-792-0646. Our Vice-President Carol McCallum monitors the phone calls. You can text or leave a message on voicemail.

Update Your Details

Members, have you moved or changed your contact info? Please let us know in writing so we can update our membership list. Send info to: cvukrainianculturalsociety@gmail.com or to our Secretary, Caron Paulovich at caron.rbsp@gmail.com.

Enjoy our lovely weather, stay healthy and happy and I hope to see you at our events!

Janette

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