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.
The
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.
Next,
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.
The
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