More News and Events
News and Events
64th National Sr. ACRY & 25th National Jr. ACRY Convention
Money Raised and Donations | Strategic Plan | I.T. Team | Liturgy | Featured Speakers | Scholarships and Presentations | New Officers | Mission Statement | Convention Photos
National A.C.R.Y. Convention Information
The 64th Annual Convention of the National Senior and Junior ACRY (American Carpatho Russian Youth) took place on Labor Day Weekend, Fri August 29 ñ Monday September 1, 2008 at the Hampton Inn in Woodbridge, NJ. This yearís convention was hosted by the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Elizabeth, NJ ACRY Chapter #34. Those in attendance enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the Elizabeth Chapter.
The Junior ACRY under the leadership of President Katherine Steinstra, Senior Advisors, Amy Oblinsky and Adam Rogers and Spiritual Advisor, Very Rev. Miles Zdinak set into motion plans to further the growth of the Jr ACRY and its outreach to the youth of the diocese.
The members reviewed the progress of their successful Grow 2020 membership campaign, noting the re-activation of several chapters in the past year and the prospect for the reactivation or establishment of four more in the coming year. Plans were also finalized for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Jr. ACRY which will take place at the Annual Fall Encounter at Camp Nazareth on November 7-9, 2008.
The members also reviewed their successful campaign in support of the St. John The Compassionate Mission of Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Through their efforts, over $4,000 was raised to assist the mission in renovating its kitchen facilities. It was decided that the JR ACRY would sponsor a mission trip to St. Johnís in the coming year, where the participants would offer ìhands ñonî assistance to the poor and needy of Toronto.
The Juniors conducted their ìpass the hatî collection for International Orthodox Christian Charities with more than $200.00 being raised.
Philanthropy, outreach and evangelism characterized the deliberations and accomplishments of the Senior ACRY component of the national convention. Most notably, due to the hard work and diligence of Mary Ann Hudak of the Bayonne Chapter who spearheaded the Lots of Luck Calendar fundraiser, $10,000 was raised during the past year. The proceeds of the fundraiser were distributed in the following manner: $5,000 to the Diocesan Mission Fund and $5,000 to Christ the Saviour Seminary.
It was decided that the proceeds of the Lots of Luck fundraiser would be allocated to the Diocesan Mission Fund, St. John The Compassionate Mission, St. Nicholas Orphanage in Slovakia , Orthodox Orphans of Serbia Benevolent Project and the establishment of an ACRY Blessing (charity) fund.
Other charitable donations approved at the Convention include, $5,000 to the Junior ACRY in honor of their 25th Anniversary, $2,500 in additional funds to assist needy children to attend camp, $1,000 to the Diocesan Apostolate For Youth to sponsor an edition of the Daylight youth newsletter, $1,000 to establish a transportation fund to help underwrite the costs of youth attending the Diocesan Pilgrimage and the Fall Encounter at Camp Nazareth. The ìpass the hatî collection was taken to benefit the Diocesan Apostolate For Youth.
One of the most significant items of discussion was a power-point presentation on the strategic plan for the ACRY. During the past year, Carolyn Kushner, working with a subcommittee of the national board members, crafted a comprehensive strategic plan of growth for the ACRY which relied on the feedback offered through various surveys conducted by the national board and the planning workshop held at last yearís convention. This new strategic plan includes mission and vision statements, recommendations for the establishment of four subcommittees, Technology, Membership, Publicity and Charitable Outreach/Missions; implementation strategies; and annual and three to five year goals.
The strategic plan was enthusiastically received by the delegates, and it was decided that it would guide the officers and general membership during this coming year. It will be reviewed on an annual basis, beginning at next yearís convention.
In ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the ACRY it was noted that in the past year significant efforts were made to more effectively utilize the available digital technology of electronic mail (e-mail) and the internet. The ACRY website is presently undergoing a major re-design and will be continually updated and enhanced during the coming year. It will be overseen by an information technology team that consists of ACRY members skilled in web-design, content generation and data entry. The board members also conducted for the first time ever, a special conference call meeting.
Recognizing the need for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the convention took place within the context of the liturgical life of the Church, opening with Liturgy on Saturday morning concelebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Peter Paproski, National Senior ACRY Spiritual Advisor and Very Rev. Fr. Miles Zdinak, National JR ACRY Spiritual Advisor.
Following the final business session on Saturday, the Confession Service took place with several members availing themselves of the opportunity to participate in the Holy Mystery of Repentance. Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Nicholas Church in Elizabeth, NJ by His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, assisted by the Very Rev. Fr. Miles Zdinak, Very Rev. Fr. John Pribish, host pastor, Very Rev. Michael Zak and Deacon Oleg Aminov. The responses to the Liturgy were beautifully sung by the St. Nicholas Church Choir.
Other highlights included presentations on the difficulties faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, by Archon John Halecky, and Outreach and Evangelism by Very Rev Protopresbyter Michael Rosco, Very Rev. Fr. Luke Mihaly and Reader Jonathan Bannon The Very Rev. Father Peter Paproski was the keynote speaker at the Sunday Night Grand Banquet.
At the Grand Banquet the following scholarships were awarded:
Trade/Technical College: John Steinstra, Freshman: Katherine Stienstra, Sophmore: Rachel Pribish & Stacey Carlisle; Junior: Anna Stienstra & Katlin Righetti; Mary Kay Wanchak Scholarship: Stacey Carlisle; Pani Jeanette Moriak Scholarship: Lindsey Matolyak.
Other presentations included the Chapter Achievement Award which was given to St. Michaelís ACRY Chapter, Binghamton, NY and the Individual Achievement Award Sonyia Woloshyn, Eastern Seaboard District President.
The Newly elected SR ACRY officers include: Matthew Peifer, President; Adam Rogers, Vice President; Aaron Zak, Treasurer; Deborah Samilenko, Financial Secretary; Corresponding Secretary: Mary Ann Hudak; Adam Zak, Stephanie Nakonecznyj and Christina Dutko, Auditors; Nicholas Dzubak, Sergeant at Arms; Danielle Fecso, Athletic Director; Amy Oblinsky, Junior ACRY Advisor.
Junior ACRY officers include: Alex Breno, President; Alison Tusick, Vice President; Emily Tusick, Corresponding Secretary: Joanna Puzakulics, Treasurer; Angela Sudick, Financial Secretary; Maria Korchak, Sergeant at Arms; Chanis Halapin and Paul Zdinak, Auditors.
The participants in this yearís 64th National Convention were blessed with the opportunity to gather together as a family in Christ, to chart the future of the ACRY and enjoy Christian fellowship. It was clear to all who attended that the newly articulated Mission Statement is more than mere words, but expresses the essence of the ACRY which is trulyÖ
Öan Orthodox Christian family fellowship dedicated to the purpose of encouraging spiritual growth through charitable and apostolic missionary works, prayer and fellowship for the Glory of God and the building up of the Church and our Diocese. (Mission Statement of the National Senior ACRY)
Click here to view photos of the convention on ACROD's website.
Top of page
From The President | News and Events | Calendar | Orthodox Network | History | Officers | Links | Contact | Home
© 2008 National American Carpatho Russian Youth, E-mail
