MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
From the President's Desk:
Dear Fellow Members and Friends of the Wisconsin Polish American Congress,
On Saturday April 5, 2008 our State Division held its annual meeting at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.
There we reviewed our activities and accomplishments over the past year, elected officers and directors for the coming year beginning in April, and set our course of activities in support of our mission.
Here is a brief summary of our meeting:
1. Our finances are solid and our membership is growing. Our 2007 Polish Independence Day event was a success in every way. We are working to build our membership and outreach among Polish Americans in Wisconsin. We support the activities of all other Polish American community groups in our area and back the mission and work of the national Polish American Congress whose offices are in Chicago and Washington, DC.
Our quarterly newsletter, "Our Polonia," receives a good response from its readers. We have an attractive, well maintained website.
2. Our elections resulted in the re-election of all current officers and directors and the addition of several new directors. The elections were harmonious as was the tenor of the entire meeting.
We thank three of our directors who stepped down from office this year for their dedicated service to our organization: Dr. Sophie Thom, Mr. Jerry Kucharski, and Dr. Mark Pienkos, who has relocated to sunny Florida.
OUR ROSTER OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS IS AS FOLLOWS:
Prof. Don Pienkos, president, delegate, Milwaukee Society, Polish National Alliance Mrs. Claire Gaouette, 1st vice president, Individual member Milwaukee Alderman Joseph Dudzik, 2nd vice president, Individual member Mrs. Carole Gilette, general secretary, Ameripol Society, PNA Mr. Ted Cisek, treasurer, Polish Army Veterans Association Mrs. Luanne Landgraf, sergeant at arms, Pulaski Council of Milwaukee County
WISCONSIN PAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Mr. Waldemar Biniecki, individual member Ms. Judith Free, individual member Mrs.Sharon Haberski, Pulaski Council, National Director, Polish Roman
Catholic Union of America
Mr. Christopher Hoar, President, Caritas for Children Mr. William Kowalkowski, Pulaski Council and Past President, Federation Life
Insurance of America
Mr. Hank Kulesza, Individual member
Dr. Christopher Murawski, individual member Mrs.Berniece Mironski, Polish Army Veterans Association Mrs.Nina Nowakowski, Pulaski Council, Past Vice President, Polish Heritage
Alliance of Wisconsin
Mr. Al Prabucki, Individual member, past Vice President, Wisconsin PAC Mr. Len Posanski, Council 8 of PNA Mrs.Diane Reeve, State President, Polish Women's Alliance Mr. Ron Witkowiak, Milwaukee Society of PNA and its past President
Mr. Mieczyslaw Protasiuk, President of the Wisconsin State Polish Army Veterans Association continues on as Honorary Director.
(Clare Gaouette and Atty. John Pienkos were elected for two year terms in 2007.
They continue, with Don Pienkos, as the three national directors of the Polish American Congress representing our state division.)
Following the election, our members discussed our future activities, including possible themes for our eleventh annual Independence Day/Veterans Day event in November. We also agreed to sponsor presentations by representatives of the two major presidential candidates in Milwaukee in the Fall, circumstances permitting. The National PAC has asked us to do this, due to Wisconsin's importance as a "swing state" in the coming presidential election and our large and well informed Polish American population.
Americans of Polish heritage who won elective office in Wisconsin this past April were commended on their victories and for their devotion to public service. We wish them every success in the fulfillment of their duties on behalf of their constituents!
We also look forward to working to bring the Academy Award-nominated film, "Katyn," to Milwaukee.
Wisconsin PAC delegates and officers praised the Pulaski Council of Milwaukee County on its upcoming observance of Polish Constitution Day on Sunday May 4.
The PAC will be very well represented at this important and historic event and congratulated Susan Mikos of Polanki on being recognized by the Pulaski Council at its luncheon. For information on schedule and tickets contact Sharon Haberski at 282-2473. The deadline for ticket purchases is April 26.
Our meeting was cordial, constructive and lively. New members are always welcome. Just contact the President at 414-332-6289 or by e-mail(dpienkos@uwm.edu) for information.
Have a great Summer!
-Don Pienkos, President