UMD Board Message
Dear Friends!
It is the start of a New Year and we hope that you are all doing well! Our end-of-the-year fundraising campaign raised $35,000, of which $25,000 has been matched! Thank you so much to everyone who donated and who spread the word! This past weekend, the UMD Board of Directors met for our Annual Meeting to discuss the future of our organization. We are in the process of formulizing various outcomes of this meeting, which will be sent to all our members in good standing. This June, during the 3rd Annual UMD Global Conference, we will hold elections for three Board members. Nomination forms will be sent out this Spring and those that will not be able to attend the conference will have the opportunity to vote via proxy. Earlier this month, UMD's Secretary Michael A. Sarafin stepped down from the Board of Directors due to personal reasons. Ivona M. Grimberg, current UMD Board member was appointed as Acting Secretary until June. Another important decision made by the Board is to release UMD's 2009 and 2010 Financial Statements to the public via our website. These statements will be released in the coming weeks, and will be sent to our members and donors. Please enjoy reading our bulletin!
Sincerely,UMD Board of Directors |
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UMD Donates Two Macedonian Books to Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia
On December 21, 2010, UMD President Metodija A. Koloski and UMD Development Coordinator Diana Booth visited Ms. Francesca Winch's World Literature Class at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. After speaking to a class of 25 Senior students about the history, geography and people of Macedonia, Koloski presented Ms. Winch with 25 copies each of Stale Popov's well-known novel The Legend of Kalesh Andja, and Macedonian Gold by Dr. Michael Seraphinoff. Both books were donated to UMD for such purpose by UMD Honorary Lifetime Member Dr. Michael Seraphinoff. Ms. Booth whose daugther Michelle had taken this class the previous school year arranged for the donation of books.
Ms. Winch will input these two books within her class curricullum for the next school year. UMD is pleased that Macedonian literature will be taught at Yorktown High School for years to come. "This is a great opportunity to educate students of diverse backgrounds about the history of Macedonia and the Macedonian people," said Booth.
To obtain your copy of either The Legend of Kalesh Andja for only $10.00, please click HERE or Macedonian Gold for only $12.00, please click HERE. These books would make a perfect gift to your children or grandchildren. |
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News-Sentinel Op-Ed: Numerous slights raise questions of Obama's support of ally Macedonia
UMD Indiana Representative Argie N. Bellio discussed U.S.-Macedonia relations under the Obama Administration in an opinion editorial piece published on December 30, 2010 in the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based News-Sentinel. Click HERE to read. |
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Zimbabwe and Bolivia Become 130th and 131st Countries to Recognize Macedonia's Name
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Bolivia became the 131st country to recognize Macedonia's constitutional name on January 18, 2011.
On January 14, 2011, Zimbabwe became the 130th. Bolivia and Zimbabwe join other countries like the United States, Canada, Russia, India, and China who recognize Macedonia's right to self-determination.
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Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski and Zimbabwe President Mugabe met on the sidelines of the Africa-EU Summit in Tripoli, Libya in December 2010 to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Thank you Zimbabwe and Bolivia! |
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UMD and ATAA Held 3rd Annual Macedonian-Turkish Friendship Happy Hour
On January 21, 2011, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations and UMD held the 3rd Annual Macedonian-Turkish Friendship Happy Hour at ATAA's Turkish House Washington, D.C. Over 80 guests joined in the festivities, which featured Macedonian and Turkish wine and cuisine, and traditional music and dancing, making it the most attended Macedonian-Turkish Friendship Happy Hour thus far.
ATAA President Gunay Evinch welcomed the guests, "The Turkish House is your house. Turks and Macedonians share a common heritage from the Ottoman centuries. Today, Turkey is a main supporter of Macedonia, and Macedonia is a gem in the Balkans. ATAA is personally committed to supporting Macedonian Americans and Macedonia. I am personally dedicated, for my grandparents came from Skopje and Kumanovo, Macedonia to Manisa, Turkey, and from Turkey to the United States. I am a proud Turkish American of Ottoman Macedonian heritage, and now we are all proud Americans in this great country!"
Proceeds raised during the event were donated to the D.C. Children's Hospital.
Click HERE to read more and see more pictures. |
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Become a Monthly Donor to UMD!
In order for us to continue our advocacy and outreach, we are asking for your support in the form of a monthly financial donation. Your monthly donation will go a long way towards achieving our goals to further the Macedonian cause.
Corporate Matching
Your donation to UMD could be matched dollar for dollar! Many companies offer matching gift programs that will double, even triple a donation's value. Check with your company to find out if your company will match your charitable contribution to UMD.
Please Note: Canadian donors who donate above $100.00 should mail a check to our Canadian office address instead of an online donation in order for you to receive a tax-receipt. |
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Important Survey of the Australian-Macedonian Community
In partnership with the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UMD, you are invited to participate in the following survey about people of Macedonian background in Australia. The survey is about the ways in which connections with Macedonia are maintained by migrants, children of migrants and those who have a close connection with Macedonia. It should take from 10 to 20 minutes to complete depending on how much you want to say.
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Upcoming Events
January 28-February 4, 2011 - Australia - The well-known documentary about Macedonian children refugees from the Greek Civil War, Next Year in Lerin, will premiere in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. To buy tickets or for more informationa, click HERE.
February 12, 2011 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida - UMD is organizing the premiere of A Name is A Name, together with the Honorary Consul of Macedonia to the U.S., Dana Klein, and St. Dimitrija Macedonian Orthodox Church at the renowned Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. Cinema Paradiso is home to the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. To buy tickets or for more information, click HERE. March 23-24, 2011 - Baltimore, Maryland - The U.S. Balkans Business Summit will be held at the University of Baltimore on March 23-24, 2011. Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski will be attending. Click HERE for more information. Several UMD events are being planned for the next few months. If you want to help plan a UMD event in your town/city, please e-mail us at events@umdiaspora.org. |
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Join us as we celebrate Macedonia in Washington, D.C.!
Macedonians and friends of Macedonia will converge on Washington from June 23-25, 2011 to discuss the progress Macedonia has made in the last twenty years, the current situation, and what needs to be done - Shaping the Future for generations to come!
Be part of history by taking out an advertisement in the 20th Anniversary of Macedonian Independence Commemorative Journal by clicking HERE.
Interested in becoming a sponsor of our conference, click HERE for more information.
PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! |
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UMD Launches Mid-Atlantic Regional Operations
On December 12, 2010, UMD launched its Mid-Atlantic Regional Operations, which will cover Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Over 40 friends of UMD, and UMD members attended the mid-afternoon launch hosted by long-time UMD members and supporters Vladimir and Stephanie Atseff.
Blagoj B. Petkovski, originally from Syracuse, New York, and now a resident of Arlington, Virginia was appointed as the UMD Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative. Petkovski, born in Bitola, Macedonia, a graduate of Fordham University, will work together with UMD Headquarters to build UMD's membership base and promote Macedonia.
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UMD Meets Canadian Parliament Member Irwin Cotler
On December 14, 2010, UMD's International Policy and Diplomacy Fellow Rafael Primeau-Ferraro met with Canadian Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler (MP for Mount Royal). The meeting focused on Canadian-Macedonian relations, Macedonia's goals to join NATO, and the Macedonian human rights situation in Greece. A member of the Order of Canada, and a past president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Mr. Cotler serves on the Parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and its sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development, as well as on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. In 2000, he was appointed special advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the International Criminal Court. |
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First Macedonian Orthodox Divinity Service in Washington, D.C.
On January 15, 2011, around 50 Macedonians and friends of Macedonia gathered for the first Macedonian Orthodox Divinity Service in the history of Washington, D.C. The service was conducted by Very Reverend Father Slobodan Petkovski who travelled from his parish in New Jersey, Saints Kiril and Metodij Macedonian Orthodox Church. Held at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, the divinity service was conducted with the blessing of Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church of America and Metropolitan Metodij of the American-Canadian Diocese of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Ambassador Dr. Zoran Jolevski and his family were part of the Divinity Service.
 After the divinity service, guests continued to the Embassy of Macedonia for the 6th Annual Macedonian Old New Year's - Vasilica Celebration that was attended by around 150 people including guests from the State Department, Congress, and the diplomatic corps. Every year per tradition someone volunteers to make Macedonian bread (rolls) and insert a coin in one of the rolls. This year, the rolls made by Kiril Stavrev, were passed around the room, and UMD member Jovica Stevcev was the lucky one to find the coin. The coin in Macedonian Orthodox faith symbolizes luck for the entire year. Mr. Stevcev and his wife Liljana will sponsor the 7th Annual Vasilica Celebration in 2012.
Special thanks goes to Slavco Madzarov, Slaviya, Euro Market, and Balkan Grill for their sponsorship of the event.
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Join UMD Today! or Renew Your Membership!
Become a member of one of the leading and fastest growing Macedonian organizations in the world, the United Macedonian Diaspora, Today!
What are the benefits of UMD Membership? Click HERE.
New Members: All UMD Memberships are for 1 year. When you join now, your membership will be valid until December 31, 2011.
Current Members: If you did not renew by the December 31, 2010 deadline, please renew as soon as possible for your membership to remain in good standing. Once renewed your membership will be valid until December 31, 2011. Only members in good standing are eligible to vote in the UMD 2011 Board Elections.
Please Note: Canadian donors who donate above $100.00 should mail a check to our Canadian office address instead of an online donation in order for you to receive a tax-receipt. |
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Calling all Leaders
We need your help!
Are you a leader? Do you want to become more actively involved in the Macedonian community? This is a great opportunity!
UMD is looking for volunteers to get involved. Although any involvement in the community is a good place to start, we do have a critical need in certain areas.
- Advocacy
- Event Planning
- UMD Voice
- Fundraising
- Writing Press Releases
- Translations in Macedonian
- Charitable Efforts
If you would like to volunteer to help in any of the above areas, please contact Meto Koloski at mkoloski@umdiaspora.org. |
Are you a Student?
UMD offers internships throughout the year in Washington, D.C. The internship program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in Macedonia and Southeast Europe. The internship can serve as an effective means to introduce and advance a future career in foreign policy, journalism, public relations, human rights, advocacy, government, or the nonprofit sector. Prospective applicants from a variety of academic majors are welcome, and all majors are eligible. Candidates for UMD should expect to work a minimum of 15 hours per week during the academic year and 35 hours per week during the summer. This position is unpaid, but may offer a small stipend. To apply for an internship, please send a copy of your resume, writing sample(s), and a brief description about your interests in the Southeast European region, especially Macedonia, to Meto Koloski at mkoloski@umdiaspora.org. |
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