UCEF Event Focuses on Community Leadership and Management

In Toronto, on June 14th, 2012 the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) hosted an event, “Leadership and Management of Non-Profit Organizations”. The capacity audience filled the Golden Lion Restaurant, and was eager to hear how the panel would address the challenges and share the successes from their personal experiences with community involvement.

1 - Alex Kuzma, Executive Director, UCEFThe evening began with Alex Kuzma, Executive Director, UCEF, providing an update on the current situation at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). He invited the crowd to tour the new Striskiy Park campus in Lviv where in August the inaugural blessing of the Collegium Residence Hall will take place. He then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Natalia Bordun, Director, Institute for Leadership and Management, UCU.  Bordun spoke passionately about the need for developing a non-profit sector as part of building a civil society in Ukraine. She shared the many successful projects initiated by students graduating from the Institute. She also outlined the unique programs being offered, including free tuition for orphan students, who otherwise would not have access to these types of management courses.

2 - Natalia Bordun, Director, Institute for Leadership and Management, Ukrainian Catholic UniversityNext, Christine Kuzyk, Develop-ment Associate, UCEF, introduced the panel moderator, Alexandra Chyczij and the panellists. Chyczij started by providing definitions of charities, non-profit, and for-profit companies as well as explaining their purposes, and then turned the floor over to the panellists. Each panellist presented a different topic: Dr. Lesia Babiak addressed governance and risk management, Anastasia Baczynskyj examined volunteerism and organizational change, Don Sirko focused on fiscal responsibility and accountability, and Natalie Witiuk highlighted effective branding, marketing and communication. The presentations were followed by a moderated panel discussion, where Chyczij skilfully questioned the panellists on the themes, drawing out a wide range of responses based on each one’s depth of experience.

3 - Left to right: Alexandra Chyczij, panel moderator, panellists – Dr. Lesia Babiak, Natalie Witiuk, Anastasia Baczynskyj, Don SirkoThe highlight of the evening was the Q&A session where attendees lined up to ask the panel direct questions and to share their opinions. Issues discussed included attracting volunteers to organizations, Founder’s Syndrome and getting the right people on your Board, perceived conflict of interest and trust issues.

The event ended with a lively post panel discussion in the restaurant area that as a venue was graciously donated by Anna Kisil, owner of Golden Lion, and President of Fourth Wave, a community organization. The other sponsor was the Ukrainian Credit Union, a strong supporter of community events.  One attendee noted that it was great to see UCEF organize an event that gives back to the community, in the same way that UCU is training its students to be leaders and ‘give back’ in Ukraine. Another participant felt that the timing is right for a larger forum, and thanked the UCEF organizers and UCU for addressing the topic of leadership and management. At the evening’s end, Kuzyk stated, “It’s what we do at UCU.  We’re not afraid to ask the big questions. As a university, we feel it is our responsibility to initiate societal change and contribute to the community, not only in Ukraine, but also in Canada. It’s part of our mission.” 

 

The UCEF supports projects at the Ukrainian Catholic University, for example, scholarships and professorships, through programs and endowments.  For more information on UCEF, visit www.ucef.org or contact Christine Kuzyk at 416-239-2495; email Christine.kuzyk@gmail.com UCEF is a registered Canadian charity (#82224 5098 RR0001).

 

PHOTOS

1 - Alex Kuzma, Executive Director, UCEF

2 - Natalia Bordun, Director, Institute for Leadership and Management, Ukrainian Catholic University

3 - Left to right: Alexandra Chyczij, panel moderator, panellists – Dr. Lesia Babiak, Natalie Witiuk, Anastasia Baczynskyj, Don Sirko