UMD Board Message
Dear Friends!
It is around 75 degrees in Washington, D.C. - it feels like Summer rather than Spring. On this beautiful day, we wanted to send you our Spring Bulletin for you to enjoy. A lot has happened at UMD in the last few months, so just in case you missed anything, we've included some of the highlights in this Bulletin. For those of you who are members in good standing, by now you should have received nomination petitions for the 2011 UMD Board of Directors Election from UMD Board Secretary Ivona M. Grimberg. Only members in good standing will be able to vote, so don't forget to renew your membership. Ivona will be sending out the voting ballots/proxies towards the end of May. Elections are on June 25, 2011 in D.C. Please enjoy reading our bulletin!
Sincerely,UMD Board of Directors |
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2010 UMD Bitove Scholarships Awarded
Applications Open for 2011/2012
On Sunday, April 10, 2011, UMD presented three aspiring young Canadian-Macedonians with their 2010 John L. N. Bitove, C.M. Macedonian Heritage Scholarship Awards ("Bitove Scholarship"). The Awards, in the amount of $2,000 each, were presented to Alexandra Close, Alexander Karapancev, and Biljana Markovska during a ceremony at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Canada before family members, friends and supporters of UMD.
APPLY NOW FOR THE 2011/2012 BITOVE SCHOLARSHIP!!! |
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1st Macedonian Food Festival in Australia a Major Success!!!
On Friday 8th April 2011, for the first time in Australia, UMD organised the first ever Macedonian Food Festival in Perth. The event took place at Edith Cowan University Joondalup campus, showcasing Macedonian culture through its delicious cuisine to Students and visitors of all backgrounds.
The Macedonian Food Festival was attended by over a thousand students and visitors, including special guests such as the President of the Western-Australian Macedonian Parliamentary Friendship group, WA Parliament Liberal party member Mr Tony Krsticevic, who was accompanied by other local politicians and Diplomatic representatives of various Nations.
In other news...
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UMD Proudly Announces Formation of Congressional Macedonia Caucus
Encourage your Representative to join the Caucus Today!
On behalf of our nation's close to half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, UMD is proud to announce that United States Congresswoman Candice S. Miller of Michigan has formed the first-ever Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans. (Its short-form name is the Congressional Macedonia Caucus.) The Congressional Macedonia Caucus is a bipartisan group of members of Congress dedicated to maintaining and strengthening a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Macedonia.
Click here for more...
ACTION ALERT: HELP Macedonia by encouraging your Member of Congress to join the first-ever Congressional Macedonia Caucus. |
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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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UMD Meets with UN Envoy Ambassador Nimetz
Works to protect Macedonian language at the UN and EU
On Thursday, April 14, 2011, UMD met with the United Nations ("UN") Special Envoy, Mediator Matthew Nimetz, in New York. During the meeting UMD stressed the unprecedented resolution asking the Republic of Macedonia to negotiate over its official name. These imposed "name negotiations" have de facto deprived the basic right of self-identification from the millions of Macedonians worldwide, and the UMD delegation used the opportunity to call once again for their immediate termination.
In other news...
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Greek Government Sponsors Anti-Macedonian UofT Lecture
UMD was dismayed by the insulting "Insights To Hellenism" lecture - sponsored by the Greek government -- on March 5th at Hart House, the University of Toronto. The lecture spread hatred, intolerance and prejudice.
In other news...
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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 Helps Baba and Dedo in Macedonia
On March 7-8, 2011, UMD donated pajamas, socks and sweaters to the elderly in the Kiro Krstevski Platnik Senior Citizen's Home in Prilep, and the Mother Theresa Senior Citizen's Home in Skopje. UMD was also able to provide a washing machine to the Senior Citizen's Home in Kumanovo. UMD thanks its partner, Konekt, from Macedonia for their help in coordinating the project and efforts delivering the aid to the seniors.
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Macedonia to hold Early Elections on June 5, 2011
Diaspora has right to vote for first-time ever!
On Sunday, June 5, 2011, Macedonia will hold early elections to fill all seats within the Macedonian Assembly (Members of Parliament). For the first time, in the last twenty (20) year history of independent Macedonia, the Diaspora, or those living outside of Macedonia who hold Macedonian citizenship, will have the right to vote in these elections. Specifically, Macedonian citizens living abroad will have the right to vote for their own Member of Parliament at Macedonian diplomatic and consular missions abroad. Three (3) Members of Parliament will come from the Diaspora (one (1) from Australia, one (1) from Europe, and one (1) from North America).
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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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UMD Meets with Canadian International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan
 On Tuesday, February 15, 2011, UMD Liaison Officer and Board Member Goran Saveski met with Canadian International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan. Saveski and Van Loan discussed advancing Canadian-Macedonian business and trade ties and the establishment of a free trade agreement between both countries.
In other news...
Canadian MP Congratulates Macedonia on Opening Holocaust Centre
Upcoming Canadian-Macedonian Events:
May 15 - Reassessing the Demotic Text of the Rossetta Stone
May 20 - Fundraiser in support of the Educative and Cultural Movement of Voden |
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