The Ukrainian National Home in Fisher Branch is making changes for the year ahead, announcing a slate of new by-laws at its annual general meeting last week.
The organization held its AGM on April 23, bringing members and community members together to reflect on the past year and plan for the future. This year, the group is focusing on driving membership and reconnecting with its founding mandates.
The Ukrainian National Home first opened in 1901, established by the area’s Ukrainian community as a way to preserve culture and traditions far from home. Since then, the large community centre has grown and been upgraded, now featuring a fully stocked and operational kitchen — rated among the top three in Manitoba this year for cleanliness and functionality.
Today, the organization’s purpose is to:
• Preserve the legacy of the founding members;
• Aid in the continued growth of Ukrainian heritage and culture;
• Comply with the Manitoba Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
• Ensure that the rights of all nations are respected within the boundaries of The Ukrainian National Home, welcoming all without prejudice;
• Provide a safe place for members and non-members to gather and celebrate;
• Endeavour to be cultural and community-minded.
Over the years, The Ukrainian National Home has hosted countless events, including community celebrations, fundraisers, and raffles. The hall is used weekly by the Fisher Branch Seniors Resource Council for floor shuffleboard from October to May, while weekly cribbage and darts tournaments are open to the entire community. The rural municipality and other local groups also use the space for safety meetings, funerals, birthdays, cadet wind-up events and more. The organization frequently donates in-kind support, such as discounted hall rentals for local groups.
Last year, The Ukrainian National Home elected a new board of three members. Treasurer Michelle Sanderson said they have spent the past year rewriting the organization’s constitution and by-laws, which were initially created in 1919.
“They had big ideas back then, so we want to bring those back but make them in line with today,” she said.
The new by-laws, announced at the AGM, outline the organization’s purpose, use of funds, membership guidelines, meeting protocols, board operations, officers’ responsibilities, board committees, standard care expectations for board members and officers, constitution amendment procedures, and dissolution.
The Ukrainian National Home is working to make the group and hall a more inclusive space, while maintaining a strong emphasis on Ukrainian culture. People of all backgrounds are welcome — and encouraged — to join, with the goal of reflecting the diversity of Fisher Branch.
“Our community is growing, and our community is changing,” said Sanderson. “Fisher Branch has many good entities within its borders and a lot of things have closed down, but a lot of people have moved in. We have so many different cultures in the Fisher Branch area that have come. Part of why we want to grow with the community is so that we can incorporate everybody and be inclusive.”
The group hopes to expand its board to at least seven members and grow its current membership of 65. Plans are underway for new fundraising opportunities in 2025, along with the introduction of a scholarship program for local youth.
“We have wonderful things coming in the future,” Sanderson said. “We’ve done some big things in the past, so come be part of the board. We want to open to community members affected by the goings-on and who utilize the hall.”
