The Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) held its annual convention in Castlegar on February 25 and 26 at the Brilliant Cultural Centre.
Delegates representing member communities in the Kootenay Boundary and the Vancouver, Okanagan and Calgary regions and organizational committees and groups met to review the organization’s spiritual and cultural activities, the state of its finances and assets, and structural changes implemented in 2010.
Delegates expressed their appreciation to members of the organization’s governing body, the executive committee composed of Chairperson Jim Horkoff of Nelson, Treasurer Robert Zwick of Glade, Secretary Michael Davidoff of Ootischenia, Spiritual and Cultural Development Liaison Barry Verigin of Grand Forks, Finances and Asset Stewardship Liaison Briane Verigin of Winlaw, Youth, Membership and Communications Liaison Bonnie Strukoff of Delta and External Relations and Administration Liaison Maxim Voykin of Vancouver, for their effective implementation of structural changes and their prudent management of organizational affairs.
USCC Community Representatives for Spiritual and Cultural Development, Colin Markin (South Kootenay communities), Leonard Markin (North Kootenay communities) and Stephanie Swetlishoff (Grand Forks communities); for Finances and Asset Stewardship, Fred Bojey (South Kootenay communities), Lovette Nichvolodoff (North Kootenay communities), and Larry Jmaiff (Grand Forks communities), and for Youth Membership and Communications, Wendy Voykin (South Kootenay communities), Paris Voykin (North Kootenay communities) and Ellen Strelaeff (Grand Forks communities), were also thanked for their work in advancing structural changes and for initiatives undertaken within their respective communities and across the organization during their terms of service.
The convention expressed its appreciation to USCC Ladies Organizations and related groups in Grand Forks and the Kootenays, the Union of Youth Council, the Cultural Interpretive Society and the Kootenay Men’s Group and to other organizational groups ranging from Children’s Sunday Meetings to Ladies Spiritual Meetings and Psalmists groups in the Kootenays and Grand Forks for sustaining the Doukhobor Life Concept, culture and traditions, their support of the organization and their involvement in the wider community. In addition, the editor and staff of Iskra Publications and volunteers administering the organization’s website were also gratefully acknowledged by delegates, who also welcomed the development of a Communications Advisory Board.
During the convention delegates adopted new bylaws as well as resolutions empowering the Executive Committee and relevant Standing Committees to investigate ethical investment options, how to leverage organizational finances and assets to advance membership benefits and organizational interests, and ways to encourage more youth and adults to become engaged in organizational affairs.
Delegates were pleased by the transparency and clarity of the financial report and adopted a balanced budget for 2012, with a $30 increase to membership donations across all membership categories.
Appreciation was also expressed to the Ladies Organizations and Kootenay Men’s Group for their financial support, and to Theresa Dergousoff for her ongoing advice and assistance.
Convention delegates expressed their appreciation to JJ Verigin for his service to the organization and membership and unanimously reaffirmed him in his role as Executive Director.
Verigin thanked the delegates for their confidence and support and pledged to continue efforts to deepen the spiritual understanding and the cultural horizons of membership and to strengthen their sense of community.
A highlight of the convention took place on Sunday following a traditional Doukhobor moleniye when Nick and Mildred Relkoff and Mike and Nina Jmieff, from the North Kootenay Communities, George and Katie Koochin, Peter and Vera Makeiff, and Mike and Patsy Popoff, from the South Kootenay Communities, and John and Mary Harasemow, Anne Ogloff, and Phyllis Gritchen from the Grand Forks Communities were recognized, thanked, and gifted for their lifelong dedication and service to the USCC and its membership. The convention was ably chaired by Larry Veregin and proceedings recorded by secretaries and assistants Marcia Strelaeff and Vera Kanigan, and Val Samsonoff and Fay Malins. A sumptuous meal and snacks were provided by the Kootenay Ladies organization, and convention setup and takedown was attended to by the Kootenay Activity Fulfillment Team.