December meeting minutes. The minutes were corrected to show that the Festival of Nations 2001 theme is Costumes, not Christmas Customs. The minutes were accepted as corrected.

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Financial Report. There was a brief report of the income and expenses for the preceding month. the ending balance was $957.38.

Support for the Ethnic Census in Slovakia. The Association sent a check for $350.00 to support an ethnic census in Slovakia. the census should give a more accurate count of the rusin population in Slovakia.

Larry Goga announced his decision to retire after seventeen years as president of the Association. He reminisced briefly about some of the events and accomplishments of these years. Larry thanked the members and urged them to continue to develop our Rusin heritage. Although the members knew this change was coming, we were still left speechless. No words seemed adequate to give proper recognition for the job Larry has done. Without him, there would be no Rusin Association. We did celebrate Larry after the meeting at a surprise retirement party at his home.

Election of Officers for 2001. The following offices were filled with unanimous nominations and elections:


President -- Karen Varian
Vice-President -- John Super
Secretary -- Matt Dion
Treasurer -- Barb Breza
Board Members -- Mary Anne Uram and Ann Grapp
Past President -- Larry Goga


Old Business
Board Report on the future of the Trembita - Karen Varian will be the editor. Dues - The consensus was to leave the dues at $15.00 per year. Festival of Nations Theme - The theme is 'Costumes and Adornments.' The display should involve festive occasion clothing or special work clothes. Someone suggested a group of figures processing from a church as on a religious holiday. A brainstorming meeting will be held at Jacob's 101 restaurant at 6 P.M. on Wednesday, January 31.

New Business
Papal visit to the Ukraine - Pope John Paul II will visit the Ukraine in June. the visit may include the Carpathian mountain region. Expanding the membership of the Association -- There is a general concern about the need to invite new people to join the Association, especially people who will carry on into the next generation. Members were urged to invite their children and grandchildren. Should new membership be a priority for this year? Can we interest more people from St. Mary's. Other ideas mentioned were advertising our meetings and activities in local newspapers; reviewing old membership lists and trying to reactivate inactive members; ccontacting people with Rusin names from the phonebook; meeting with the clergy from St. John's and St. Mary's; devoting part of each meeting to membership issues. A motion was passed to establish a memberhip committee. Barb Breza, Marty Super, and Matt dion will be on the committee. The committee will meet after the regular meeting in February.
The meeting was adjourned at 12 Noon.


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