2012 UMD Annual Report
u n ! i t a n ed w e c
The Global Macedonian United, We Can Make a Difference
2012 UMD Annual Report
I. Executive Summary
II. UMD Financial Statement
III. UMD Operations / Events
IV. Youth and Education
V. Promoting Macedonian Culture
VI. Charitable Activity
VII. A Voice for Macedonia
VIII. Macedonian Companions Program I. Executive Summary
Founded in 2004, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is a leading international non-governmental and non-pro!t organization promoting the interests and needs of Macedonians and Macedonian communities worldwide.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., UMD has built a formidable operations network throughout the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe, with membership spanning six continents.
UMD Objectives t4BGFHVBSEJOHUIFSJHIUTPG.BDFEPOJBOTBSPVOEUIFXPSME t6OJGZJOHUIF.BDFEPOJBOEJBTQPSB t$PMMBCPSBUJOHXJUIUIFHSFBUFSJOUFSOBUJPOBMDPNNVOJUZUPQSPNPUFUIFVOJWFSTBMJEFBMTPGQFBDF GSFFEPN self-determination, equality, and justice t1SPNPUJOHUIF.BDFEPOJBOFUIOJDIFSJUBHFBOEJEFOUJUZ t1SFTFSWJOH.BDFEPOJBOUSBEJUJPOTWJBFEVDBUJPOBM TPDJBM BOEDIBSJUBCMFQSPHSBNT
UMD Policy Issues t4VQQPSUJOHUIF3FQVCMJDPG.BDFEPOJBTDPOTUJUVUJPOBMBOESJHIUGVMOBNF t%FGFOEJOHUIF.BDFEPOJBOFUIOJDBOEOBUJPOBMJEFOUJUZJOUFSOBUJPOBMMZ t4BGFHVBSEJOHUIFIVNBOSJHIUTPG.BDFEPOJBOTFWFSZXIFSF t*NQSPWJOHCJMBUFSBMSFMBUJPOTCFUXFFO.BDFEPnia and the nations in which UMD operates t4VQQPSUJOHUIF3FQVCMJDPG.BDFEPOJBTNFNCFSTIJQJOSFHJPOBMBOEJOUFSOBUJPOBMPSHBOJ[BUJPOT TVDIBTUIF/PSUI Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union
UMD recognizes that the success and well being of Macedonian communities worldwide is essential for the success and well being of Macedonia.
6.%T FČPSUT BSF VOEFSUBLFO CZ JUT QSPGFTTJPOBM TUBČ JOUFSOT BOE WPMVOUFFST BOE DPPSEJOBUFE GSPN JUT JOUFSOBUJPOBM headquarters in Washington, D.C. along with regional o"ces and representatives serving Macedonian communities in: "VTUSBMJB "VTUSJB $BOBEB 'SBODF (FSNBOZ (SFFDF 3VTTJB UIF6OJUFE,JOHEPN UIF6OJUFE4UBUFTBOEFMTFXIFSF 2012 Executive O!cers 6.%T EBJMZ PQFSBUJPOT BSF DBSSJFE PVU CZ JUT &YFDVUJWF UMD Regional Representatives 0ďDFST XIP UJSFMFTTMZ XPSL UP BEWBODF 6.%T FČPSUT 6.% 3FHJPOBM 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT BSF BU UIF DPSF PG 6.% Primarily all volunteers, the Executive O"cers devote operations serving as liaisons between UMD and its substantial time and their substantial professional NFNCFSTBOE.BDFEPOJBODPNNVOJUJFT6.%3FHJPOBM expertise to UMD. 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT QSPWJEF B WJUBM MJOL CFUXFFO 6.% BOE JUTNFNCFST LFFQJOHNFNCFSTVQEBUFEPO6.%FČPSUT 4UPKBO/JLPMPW Chairman BOEBDUJWJUJFTBOEMFBEJOHFČPSUTUPSFDSVJUOFXNFNCFST .FUPEJKB",PMPTLJ President JOUP6.%ćF3FHJPOBM3FQSFTFOUBUJWFTBMTPXPSLXJUI Aleksandar Mitreski, Vice President the UMD Executive O"cers to plan and hold UMD events Lidija Stojkoska, Treasurer in their respective regions. George Peters, Secretary Ordan Andreevski, Director of Australian Operations 2012 UMD Regional Representatives Jim Daikos, Director of Canadian Operations Tanja Angelovski, Munich Trajko Papuckoski, Director of U.S. Operations Vera Arsova, New York City Alexander Avramoski, Sydney/New South Wales "SHJF/#FMMJP Indiana UMD Board of Directors Mark Branov, Toronto #e UMD Board of Directors is the highest authority Filip Altiparmakovski, Benelux within UMD. Several members of the Board have been /BUBMJB#VSMJOH#FUJOTLJ Chicago with UMD since its earliest days and are responsible for /JLPMB$VDVMPWTLJ Tennessee TFUUJOH 6.%T PCKFDUJWFT BOE GPS FOTVSJOH UIBU 6.% Igor Danajlovski, Dusseldorf has the resources to achieve its goals. #e Board meets at Gjorgji Gjeorgjievski, Seattle and Washington State least quarterly to review UMD operations and annually Mishko Josifov, Miami and Florida conducts its annual meeting where its members are #PSJT,BNDIFW St. Petersburg, Russia elected from the UMD membership and where it charts ,SJTUJKBO,PSVOPTLJ Poland 6.%TDPVSTF ,POTUBOUJO/BLPWTLJ Cleveland, Northern Ohio %JNJUBS/BTFW Los Angeles 2012 UMD Board of Directors "MFLTBOESB/BTUFTLB Montreal 4UPKBO/JLPMPW &VHFOJB/BUTPVMJEPV Greece .FUPEJKB",PMPTLJ Zhikica Pagovski, Washington, D.C. Aleksandar Mitreski 3PCFSU1BTRVBMF Australia Treasurer George Peters Goce Peroski, Sttutgart Lidija Stojkoska Dejan Petkovski, Houston and Texas Ordan Andreevski Claude Zoran Spasevski, Paris, France Jim Daikos Goran Saveski %BNF,SDPTLJ Trajko Papuckoski UMD Advisory Council #e UMD Advisory Council is a multi-sector advisory group. Membership on the Advisory Council comes by invitation from the UMD Board of Directors, and drawn from the worlds of the arts, business, and public service. UMD bene!ts greatly GSPNUIF6.%"EWJTPSZ$PVODJMNFNCFSTFYQFSJFODFTJOB variety of !elds to further assist in our mission, particularly in the establishment of innovative partnerships with relevant institutions worldwide.
2012 UMD Advisory Council UMD Voice Ambassador Ljubica Z. Acevska Chris Antoniou George Atanasoski Tale Buling %BOB-,MFJO (FPSHF,PSPMPČ George Markou Mark B. Mitskovski +FSSZ/BVNPČ &MJ[BCFUI/BVNPWTLJ Jim Pavle Chris Stanwyck ćPNBT/5BOFČ Gligor Tashkovich UMD VoiceJT6.%TRVBSUFSMZNBHB[JOFBOEUIF /JDIPMBTćBX premier publication for the Macedonian Diaspora. UMD Lou Vlasho Voice is distributed to UMD members in a printed edition; it can also be downloaded from the UMD website. Each issue of UMD Voice is generally downloaded approximately UMD OFFICES 25,000 times from the UMD website upon the publication of each issue. UMD Headquarters )4USFFU /8 4VJUF #e magazine reaches out to a very wide range of people, Washington, D.C. 20005 of all ages and professions, from all over the world. Aside 1IPOF from stories about Macedonia itself, UMD Voice is also [email protected] your source of news about UMD events, as well as feature interviews with prominent Macedonians in the Diaspora, UMD Canada and features about Macedonia and the Balkans, including 3555 St. Clair Avenue East human rights, economic development, tourism, culture 5PSPOUP 0/ .,- and many other topics of interest. 1IPOF6.% [email protected] On the Web and Social Media UMD Australia P.O. Box 3122 www.umdiaspora.org Hawthorn, VIC 3122 www.facebook.com/UnitedMacedonianDiaspora 1IPOF www.twitter.com/UMDiaspora [email protected] www.linkedin.com/groups/united-macedonian-diaspora
II. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Statement of Activities 2012 CONSOLIDATED
Revenue Special Events $ 70,010 27% Membership Dues 77,331 29% Contributions and Sponsorship 116,459 44%
Total Public Support and Other Revenue $ 263,800 100%
Operating Expenses Charitable and Educational Programs $ 151,045 61% Cultural Programs 39,196 16% Management and Administrative 26,357 11% Fundraising and Special Events 30,192 12%
Total Expenses $ 246,791 100%
Change in Net Assets $ 17,009
UMD 2012 Operating Expenses UMD 2012 Operating Income
Special Events $26,357 $30,192 Charitable & Contributions 27% Educational and Cultural Programs Sponsorship 44%
Management & Administrative Membership $39,196 Fundraising & Special Dues and Events $151,045 Donations 29% Statement of Activities Retrospective Comparison
Revenue 2012 2011 2010 2013 2011 2010 Global Conference $ 70,010 $ 59,225 $ (33,191) 27% 25% 24% Membership Dues 77,331 157,102 114,710 29% 66% 84% Contributions, Sponsorship and Grants 116,459 21,834 50,000 44% 9% 37% UMD Voice 474 4,750 0% 0% 3%
Total Public Support and Other Revenue$ 263,800 $ 238,636 $ 136,269 100% 100% 100%
Operating Expenses Charitable and Educational Programs$ 151,045 $ 146,544 $ 5,750 61% 59% 4% Cultural Programs 39,196 15,938 19,757 16% 6% 12% Management and Administrative 26,357 56,404 88,902 11% 23% 56% Fundraising and Special Events 30,192 28,890 33,380 12% 12% 21% UMD Voice 10,522 0% 0% 7%
Total Expenses $ 246,791 $ 247,776 $ 158,311 100% 100% 100%
Change in Net Assets $ 17,009 $ (9,141) $ (22,042)
UMD Revenue Comparison Retrospective category comparison
UMD Voice $160,000 Fundraising and Special Events $140,000 $120,000 Global Conference Management and Administrative $100,000 Cultural Programs Membership Dues 2010 $80,000 Charitable and Educational Programs $60,000 2011 Contributions, UMD Voice $40,000 Sponsorship and Grants 2012 Contributions, Sponsorship and Grants $20,000 UMD Voice $ Membership Dues $(20,000) 2012 2011 2010 Global Conference
$(40,000) $(50,000) $ $50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000
UMD Program Expense Comparison Change in Net Assets
$20,000 $160,000 $17,009 Charitable and $15,000 $140,000 Educational Programs $10,000 $120,000 Cultural Programs $5,000 $100,000 $80,000 Management and $ Change in Net Administrative 2010 2011 2012 Assets $60,000 $(5,000) Fundraising and Special $(9,141) $(10,000) $40,000 Events $20,000 UMD Voice $(15,000) $ $(20,000) 2012 2011 2010 $(22,042) $(25,000) III. UMD Operations & Events
A New Year in a New O!ce At the beginning of 2012, UMD celebrated its move to )4USFFU /8 8BTIJOHUPO%$ćFOFXPďDFJTJO close proximity to the White House and the McPherson Square Metro Station and will enable UMD to conduct its operations more e"ciently. In addition to two desks, UMD has access to space for its interns, a conference SPPN GPS DMPTF UP QFPQMF BOE BCPVU TUBOEJOH room for receptions and gatherings. UMD is able to conduct roundtables, and panel discussions regularly in the facilities.
New O!cers, Board Members and Volunteers UMD further expanded its operations this year with the addition of several new o"cers and volunteers. Natalia Buling-BetinskiXBTTFMFDUFEBTUIFĕSTUFWFS$IJDBHP3FHJPOBM3FQSFTFOUBUJWF Eugenia NatsoulidouXBTEFTJHOBUFEBTUIFĕSTU3FHJPOBM3FQSFTFOUBUJWFUP(SFFDF Zhikica PagovskiXBTFMFWBUFEUPUIFQPTUPG3FHJPOBM3FQSFTFOUBUJWFGPS8BTIJOHUPO%$ .BSZMBOE BOE7JSHJOJB 6.% BQQMBVEFE UIF TFSWJDF PG PVUHPJOH 4ZEOFZ/48 SFQSFTFOUBUJWF Tony Joseski and welcomed the support of new representative Alexander Avramoski. Aleksandra Nasteska was selected as the !rst regional representative for Montreal in late December. Milka Trajkova BTVNNFSJOUFSO JTOPX6.%T4PDJBM.FEJB$PPSEJOBUPS Prior to the end of the year, UMD appointed new representatives Nikola Cuculovski UP UIF 5FOOFTTFF 3FHJPO Gjorgji GjeorgjievskiUPUIF4FBUUMF8BTIJOHUPO4UBUF3FHJPO Mishko JosifovUPUIF.JBNJ'MPSJEB3FHJPO BOEDejan Petkovski to UIF)PVTUPO5FYBT3FHJPO In addition, UMD announced the appointment of two new members of the Board of Directors, Lidija Stojkoska and Trajko Papuckoski, who was later promoted to Director of U.S. Operations. 2012 UMD Awards %VSJOH UIF /"50 4VNNJU JO $IJDBHP JO .BZ 6.% In 2012, UMD awarded its Macedonia Friendship Award to presents its Goce Delchev Award to Janez Jansa, Prime Major General Michael D. Dubie and Dr. Ahmet Davutoglu, .JOJTUFS PG UIF 3FQVCMJD PG 4MPWFOJB JO SFDPHOJUJPO PG IJT 'PSFJHO.JOJTUFSPGUIF3FQVCMJDPG5VSLFZ MFBEFSTIJQJOTPMJEJGZJOH4MPWFOJBTSFMBUJPOTXJUI.BDFEPOJB #e Award was presented at the Hilton Chicago before a private BVEJFODFJODMVEJOH.BDFEPOJBT1SFTJEFOUBOENFNCFSTPGUIF Macedonian and Slovenian cabinets.
Major General Dubie has been a strong supporter of .BDFEPOJBT /"50 BDDFTTJPO FWFS TJODF IF DPNNBOEFE FJHIUZ .BDFEPOJBO TPMEJFST ĕHIUJOH BMPOHTJEF 7FSNPOUT UI *OGBOUSZ #SJHBEF $PNCBU 5FBN EVSJOH B DBNQBJHO JO 0OF PG 6.%T NPSF QSFTUJHJPVT EFTJHOBUJPOT UIF -JGFUJNF Afghanistan and he continues to be a leading advocate for Achievement Award, was given to James Saunders. .BDFEPOJBOT /"50 NFNCFSTIJQ BOE UIF FOIBODFNFOU PG Mr. Saunders founded the United Macedonians of Canada bilateral relations between the U.S. and Macedonia. and served two terms as president of the organization. He laid the groundwork for Macedonian advocacy in Canada and exempli!ed a !rm and resolute commitment to Macedonian rights long before the nation achieved independence.
Foreign Minister Davutoglu has worked tirelessly to improve relations between Turkey and Macedonia from his position as Turkish Foreign Minister. Turkey has been a long-time ally of Macedonia and was one of the !rst countries to recognize .BDFEPOJBCZJUTDPOTUJUVUJPOBMOBNF6OEFS.S%BWVUPHMVT direction, the two nations have forged increased economic and military cooperation and worked towards mutual prosperity. IV. YOUTH AND EDUCATION
6.%JTIFBWJMZJOWFTUFEJOUIFFEVDBUJPOPG.BDFEPOJBOTXPSMEXJEFBOE UISPVHIPVU VOEFSUPPLFČPSUTUPJNQSPWF .BDFEPOJBOTFEVDBUJPOBTXFMMBTFEVDBUFPUIFSTBCPVU.BDFEPOJBBOE.BDFEPOJBOJTTVFT
UMD runs two Fellows programs in the areas of International Policy and Diplomacy and Public Relations and Communications.
#ese internship opportunities are designed for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in Macedonia and 4PVUIFBTU&VSPQF BOETFSWFTBTBOFČFDUJWFNFBOTUPJOUSPEVDFBOEBEWBODFBDBSFFSJOGPSFJHOQPMJDZ JOUFSOBUJPOBMSFMBUJPOT journalism, public relations, human rights, advocacy, government, or the non-pro!t sector.
#e 2012 UMD International Policy and Diplomacy Fellows worked with UMD at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Ananija Ananievski Milena Furnadziska Veronica Bishop Tamar Gzirishvili Ana Donevska David Milka Trajkova Maria Elenski Zlata Unerkova
Rebecca Sherri"sXPSLFEBT6.%T.FEJB1VCMJD3FMBUJPOT*OUFSOCBTFEJO1FSUIBOE6.%T4PDJBM.FEJB$PPSEJOBUPS Milka Trajkova, managed social media as well as the UMD website from Skopje.
6.%1SFTJEFOU.FUPEJKB",PMPTLJIBTEFTDSJCFEUIFGFMMPXTBTiUIFGVUVSFMFBEFSTPGPVSDPNNVOJUJFT wBOE6.%UBLFTQSJEF in investing in their professional development. UMD also awarded !ve scholarships in 2012. #e John L.N Bitove Macedonian Heritage Scholarship is named for the well-known philanthropist, businessman and pillar of the global Macedonian community, and it was established to assist Macedonians pursuing undergraduate degrees in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States.
Candidates write an essay about the importance of the role of their Macedonian heritage and scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, commitment to civic leadership, and involvement in their Macedonian communities.
UMD has given out around $30,000 to Macedonian students of the Diaspora.
ćF SFDJQJFOUT PG 6.%T +PIO - / #JUPWF $. Macedonian Heritage Scholarship Awards:
Dragan Gjorgiev Chicago Loyola University Double-Major in Political Science and Environmental Science
Stefan Nicolo" Toronto $ISJTUJFT&EVDBUJPO .BTUFSTJO.PEFSOBOE$POUFNQPSBSZ"SU
Helen Jankovski Toronto York University Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree Geography and Urban Studies
Aleksandra Vuchkovska Chicago Judson University #BDIFMPST%FHSFFJO#JPDIFNJTUSZ
Filip Petkovski Skopje Duquesne University Double Major in #eatre Direction and Multimedia V. PROMOTING MACEDONIAN CULTURE
UMD worked throughout 2012 to facilitate events promoting and advancing Macedonian culture, including cross- cultural events so that Macedonian and non-Macedonian friends could participate in cultural exchanges, and learn about Macedonian culture.
0O"QSJM 6.%T$IJDBHP0QFSBUJPOTPSHBOJ[FEUIF64MBVODIPGUIFCPPLChildren of the Greek Civil War, Refugees and the Politics of MemoryBUUIF4UT,JSJMBOE.FUPEJK.BDFEPOJBO0SUIPEPY$IVSDIJO )JOTEBMF *MMJOPJTćFBVUIPST-PSJOH.%BOGPSUIBOE3JLJ7BO#PFTDIPUFOQBSUJDJQBUFEBOETQPLFBU length about the interviews they conducted throughout the years in preparation for the book with Greek and Macedonian children refugees.
0O"QSJM 6.%"VTUSBMJBBOEUIF&UIBO$PXBO6OJWFSTJUZJO1FSUIDPIPTUFEUIF2nd Annual International Food and Culture Festival. #e event celebrated the rich con$uence of cultures in Australia and featured cuisine prepared in the style of Macedonia, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, South "GSJDB *UBMZ $IJOB *OEJB 4XFEFOBOEPUIFSTćFFWFOU XIJDIXBTBUUFOEFECZBOFTUJNBUFEHVFTUTJODMVEJOHGPSFJHO dignitaries and distinguished academics, underscored the value of cultural collaboration.
On August 2, 2012, UMD celebrated the 109th Anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising, one of the most pivotal revolts against the late Ottoman Empire, by hosting a panel EJTDVTTJPO BU 6.%T 8BTIJOHUPO %$ )FBERVBSUFST FOUJUMFE Macedonia’s Euro- Atlantic Prospects form Journalists’ Points of View.
#e panel consisted of Macedonian journalists Voice of America’s (Macedonian Language Service) Vedran Andonovski, the Macedonian Information Agency’s Cvetin Chilimanov, and Macedonian TV’s Irina Gelevska. #e discussion IJHIMJHIUFEUISFFLFZJTTVFTUIFFWPMWJOHSFMBUJPOTIJQPGUIF6OJUFE4UBUFTBOE.BDFEPOJB .BDFEPOJBT&VSPQFBOQSPTQFDUT JOMJHIUPG(SFFDFTPCTUSVDUJPOPG.BDFEPOJBT&6NFNCFSTIJQ BOE.BDFEPOJBTDPNNJUNFOUUP/"50MFBENJTTJPOTBOE FWFOUVBM/"50NFNCFSTIJQ
0O0DUPCFS 6.%$BOBEBIFMEJUTAnnual Gala at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto. ćFFWFOUTQFBLFSTQSPWJEFEBOPWFSWJFXPGUIFFČPSUTPG6.%$BOBEBPWFSUIFQBTUZFBS BTXFMMBTUIFTUBUFPGBČBJSTPGUIF organization and its mission worldwide.
#roughout the year, UMD also hosted social and networking events for members of the Macedonian diaspora and as friends of Macedonia fostering a sense of community in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Toronto. 2012 NATO Gala "EBZQSJPSUPUIF$IJDBHP/"50 Summit, the UMD held one of its most TVDDFTTGVM FWFOUT PO .BZ JO $IJDBHP JO TVQQPSU PG .BDFEPOJBT /"50 NFNCFSTIJQ BOE JO IPOPS PG His Excellency Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, President of Macedonia.
In the backdrop of the Grand Ballroom of the historic Hilton Chicago, the Gala celebrated Macedonian culture, and emphasized the importance of building strong alliances with trusted allies, based on common values and principled defense of Macedonian issues. Attended by approximately 330 people, guests traveled from Canada, Macedonia, Turkey, and throughout the U.S., including Detroit, Florida, Houston, /FX:PSL 4BO'SBODJTDP BOE8BTIJOHUPO %$UPUBLFQBSU in the evening.
At the Banquet, President Ivanov was presented with the UMD Public Service Award for his service to the Macedonian people BOEIFUIBOLFE6.%GPSUIFFWFOUOPUJOHi8FBSFFTQFDJBMMZ grateful to the United Macedonian Diaspora, the organizer PG UPOJHIUT FWFOU 8IFUIFS UIFZ MJWF JO UIF IPNFMBOE PS are part of the Diaspora, Macedonian patriots have always fought and advocated for freedom of Macedonia, just as today with unhidden enthusiasm they promote the truth about .BDFEPOJB BOEUIF.BDFEPOJBOTw
Turkish Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmet Davutoglu gave a NPWJOHTQFFDIBďSNJOH5VSLFZTTVQQPSU.BDFEPOJBPOUIF JOUFSOBUJPOBMTDFOFBOEJUTSFDPHOJUJPOPG.BDFEPOJBTPOFBOE only constitutional name while accepting the UMD Macedonia Friendship Award for his strong support for Macedonia from UMD Advisory Council Member Mark Mitskovski. VI. CHARITABLE ACTIVITY
$IBSJUZPOCFIBMGPGUIF.BDFEPOJBOQFPQMFJTPOFPGUIFQJMMBSTPG6.%TNJTTJPO BOEDPOUSJCVUFTTJHOJĕDBOUMZUPUIFPSHBOJ[BUJPOTJOUFSOBUJPOBMSFBDI*O 6.% directed two major events that produced tangible aid for Macedonian children in need. Both events were made possible through the dedicated service and monetary donations of individuals and companies.
0O4FQUFNCFS 6.%IPTUFEUIFĕSTUBOOVBMAjvar 5K Run and Walk in Bluemont Park of Arlington, Virginia. #e event was co-sponsored by Ajvar, LLC and raised funds for needy children in Macedonia, and the date of the event commemorated the 21st anniversary of Macedonian independence.
Proceeds were donated to the Fund for Macedonian Children, a joint project of UMD and Splashes of Hope, a non-pro!t specializing in the artistic beauti!cations of childcare and community facilities. #e Fund for Macedonian Children also assists in providing hygienic supplies, distributing clothing and shoes, and delivering education materials to disadvantaged Macedonian children and seeks to inculcate a strong sense of personal dignity by endowing a scholarship for Macedonian youth seeking post-secondary education.
ćFFWFOUXBTBTVDDFTT BUUSBDUJOHPWFSSVOOFSTBOEXBMLFSTBOESBJTJOHPWFS JO DBTIEPOBUJPOT/VNFSPVTMPDBMDPNQBOJFTDPOUSJCVUFEĕOBODJBMEPOBUJPOTJODMVEJOH&VSP'PPET $PTNPQPMJUBO(SJMM 8IPMF 'PPET (PMET (ZN 1FODJM ,JET *OUFSOBUJPOBM 4VCXBZ -VU[ %PNNFM&VSPQFBO"ČBJST $PDP'JUOFTT .BY.VTDMF /PWB'PPU and Ankle Center, and Evermay.
On Friday, December 21, 2012, UMD paired with the United Macedonian-Americans of Detroit (UMAD), Ajvar LLC, and 1FODJMT,JET*OUFSOBUJPOBMUPTVQQMZCFETBOETDIPPMTVQQMJFT UP .BDFEPOJBO PSQIBOT 6.%T 8BTIJOHUPO %$.BSZMBOE 7JSHJOJB3FHJPOBM3FQSFTFOUBUJWF;IJLJDB1BHPWTLJEFMJWFSFEUIF materials to “11th October” Orphanage in Skopje, Macedonia, where he was greeted with joyous singing and dancing QFSGPSNBODFTCZUIFSFTJEFOUDIJMESFOBOEUIFJSTUBČ VII. A VOICE FOR MACEDONIA Global Macedonian Advocacy through Education
UMD serves as a leading voice for Macedonia and always works to educate the public, policy makers, and governmental o"cials around the world about Macedonia and Macedonian issues.
6.%IBTCFFOBOESFNBJOTBMFBEJOHWPJDFJOUIFPOHPJOHJOUFSOBUJPOBMFČPSUTUPTFDVSF.BDFEPOJBTQMBDFXJUIJO/"50 B QMBDFUIBUJUIBTBMSFBEZFBSOFECZJUTBDUJPOT BOEUJSFMFTTMZXPSLTUPDPVOUFSUIFBTTBVMUPO.BDFEPOJBTOBNF DVMUVSBMJEFOUJUZ and history by those who attempt to deny Macedonia and the Macedonian people their name, cultural identity and history.
A. Supporting Macedonia’s NATO Membership #roughout 2012, UMD continued its support for Macedonia in its ongoing mission to KPJO/"50 DVMNJOBUJOHBUUIF.BZUITU/"504VNNJUJO$IJDBHP
0O'FCSVBSZ 6.%QVCMJTIFEBSFQPSUPO.BDFEPOJBTSPBEUP/"50NFNCFSTIJQ titled Un!nished Business: "e Importance of NATO Membership for Macedonia. #e report EFUBJMTXIZ.BDFEPOJBEFTFSWFTUPKPJO/"50BOEXIZUIF(SFFLHPWFSONFOUTPOHPJOH PCKFDUJPOTUP.BDFEPOJBTNFNCFSTIJQBSFVOGPVOEFEBOEEBOHFSPVTUPSFHJPOBMTFDVSJUZ #e report was distributed to policymakers worldwide. UMD also forwarded a petition XJUI TJHOBUVSFTUP1SFTJEFOU#BSBDL0CBNBBOEBMMPUIFS/"50)FBETPG4UBUF urging them to grant membership to Macedonia at the Chicago Summit.
*O.BSDI 6.%1SFTJEFOU.FUPEJKB",PMPTLJBOE7JDF1SFTJEFOU"MFLTBOEBS.JUSFTLJ hosted a delegation of thirteen senior Congressional sta", sponsored by Turkish Coalition of America, on a visit to Macedonia. #e delegates visited the picturesque city Ohrid, SFGFSSFEUPBTUIFi1FBSMPGUIF#BMLBOT wBOEUPXJUOFTTUIFJNQSFTTJWFEFWFMPQNFOUFČPSUT underway in the capital Skopje. #e group then met with U.S. Embassy representatives and senior Macedonian government o"cials, including Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, and Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi UPEJTDVTTUIFDSJUJDBMFČFDU.BDFEPOJBTNFNCFSTIJQUPUIF&VSPQFBO6OJPOBOE/"50 XPVMEIBWFPOUIJTZPVOHOBUJPOTGVUVSFQPMJUJDBMBOEFDPOPNJDQSPTQFSJUZ
On March, 30, 2012, $%y-four members PG UIF 64 )PVTF PG 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT TFOU B CJQBSUJTBO MFUUFS UP 1SFTJEFOU #BSBDL 0CBNB TUSPOHMZVSHJOHIJT"ENJOJTUSBUJPOiUPNBLFTVSFUIBU/"50ĕOBMMZPČFSTUIF3FQVCMJDPG.BDFEPOJBJUTXFMMEFTFSWFE GPSNBMJOWJUBUJPOUPKPJOUIF"MMJBODFEVSJOHUIF$IJDBHP4VNNJU wPO.BZ ćFTJHOBUVSFTSFQSFTFOUUIFNPTU $POHSFTTJPOBMTVQQPSUGPS.BDFEPOJBT/"50CJEFWFS BMNPTUUISFFUJNFTNPSFUIBOMFBEJOHVQUPUIF-JTCPO4VNNJUćJTJT not just a letter, but also a symbol of growing support for U.S. support for Macedonia and frustration with the status quo. On April 3, 2012, UMD joined other member organizations of the Southeast Europe Coalition (SEEC) in calling on President 0CBNB UP TIPX MFBEFSTIJQ PO /"50 FOMBSHFNFOU BU UIF VQDPNJOH/"50TVNNJUJO$IJDBHP CZQSPNPUJOHUIF/"50 aspirations of aspirant nations based on their merits. In a letter to the President, the SEEC shared information about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro, their respective /"50BTQJSBUJPOTBOEUIFPCTUBDMFTUIFZGBDF
UMD and the Southeast Europe Coalition worked together with the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian- Americans to host its !rst-ever Congressional brie!ng regarding the Chicago Summit on April 2, 2012. #e brie!ng was hosted by Representative Candice Miller and Representative Mike TurnerBOEQSPWJEFEBMPPLBUUIF/"504VNNJUTJNQPSUBODFGPS 4PVUIFBTU&VSPQFćFCSJFĕOHBMTPSFDPHOJ[FE.BDFEPOJBTGVMĕMMNFOUPGFWFSZQSFSFRVJTJUFGPS/"50NFNCFSTIJQBOETFOU a strong message to the Alliance that enlargement should be on the Chicago agenda.
Leading up to the summit on April 11, 2012, UMD launched a special website to promote “Macedonia in NATO”- XXXNBDFEPOJBJOOBUPPSHBTQBSUPGJUTTPDJBMNFEJBDBNQBJHOJOUIFMFBEVQUPUIF/"504VNNJUJO$IJDBHPćSPVHIJNBHFT an informative video, text and multimedia, the website makes the case for XIZ.BDFEPOJBT/"50NFNCFSTIJQJTMPOHPWFSEVFćFTJUFFOVNFSBUFT .BDFEPOJBTGVMĕMMNFOUPGUIF/"50NFNCFSTIJQDSJUFSJBBOEPVUMJOFTUIF reforms Macedonia has undergone to ful!ll such criteria. It also stresses the DPOUSJCVUJPOT.BDFEPOJBIBTNBEFUPUIF/"50"MMJBODFJONJTTJPOT TVDI as ISAF in Afghanistan), and how Greek obstructionism on the issue is not in the interest of regional security.
0O "QSJM 6.% 1SFTJEFOU .FUPEJKB ,PMPTLJ IPTUFE B 6.% presentation entitled Preview to the Chicago NATO Summit 2012: Viewpoint from Washington, D.C., at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, in Toronto, Canada.
*O UIF NPOUIT BęFS UIF /"50 4VNNJU PO 4FQUFNCFS B EFMFHBUJPO SFQSFTFOUJOH 6.% NFU XJUI )JT &YDFMMFODZ %S(KPSHF*WBOPW 1SFTJEFOUPGUIF3FQVCMJDPG.BDFEPOJB BUUIF6OJUFE/BUJPOTJO/FX:PSL$JUZEVSJOHUIF67th Session of the UN General AssemblyćFNFFUJOHTBHFOEBDPOTJTUFEPGBEJTDVTTJPOPGUIFPOHPJOHOBNFEJTQVUFXJUI(SFFDFBTXFMMBT .BDFEPOJBT&6BOE/"50NFNCFSTIJQBTQJSBUJPOT B. Congressional Caucus #e Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian- Americans is a bi-cameral and bi-partisan group of members of Congress dedicated to maintaining and strengthening a positive and mutually bene!cial relationship between the United States and Macedonia. Its members include:
3FQ$BOEJDF.JMMFS .JDIJHBO $IBJS 3FQ.JDIBFM5VSOFS 0IJP 3FQ$ISJT4NJUI 5FYBT 3FQ5FE1PF 5FYBT 3FQ4UFWF4UJWFST 5FYBT 3FQ1BUSJDL5JCFSJ 0IJP 3FQ"EBN,JO[JOHFS *MMJOPJT 3FQ3PCFSU#"EFSIPME "MBCBNB 3FQ,FOOZ#FOUJWPMJP .JDIJHBO 3FQ5SFZ3BEFM 'MPSJEB 3FQ#JMM1BTDBSFMM /FX+FSTFZ 3FQ"MDFF)BTUJOHT 'MPSJEB 3FQ(FSBME&$POOPMMZ 7JSHJOJB 3FQ1FUFS+7JTDMPTLZ *OEJBOB 3FQ+BNFT.PSBO 7JSHJOJB 3FQ.BEFMJOF#PSEBMMP (VBN 3FQ&EEJF#FSOJDF+PIOTPO 5FYBT 3FQ%BO.BČFJ 5FYBT 3FQ"EBN4NJUI 8BTIJOHUPO
C. Religious Freedom 0OUIFFWFPG*OUFSOBUJPOBM3FMJHJPVT'SFFEPN%BZ 6.%DBMMFEPOUIFJOUFSOBUJPOBMDPNNVOJUZUPTUSPOHMZDPOEFNOUIF (SFFLHPWFSONFOUTPOHPJOHEFOJBMPGCBTJDSFMJHJPVTGSFFEPNTUPBMM(SFFLDJUJ[FOT
0O0DUPCFS "SDIJNBOESJUF/JLPEJN5TBSLOJBT UIFSFMJHJPVTMFBEFSPGUIF.BDFEPOJBO0SUIPEPY$IVSDIJO(SFFDF NFUXJUI%S4V[BO+PIOTPO$PPL UIF64"NCBTTBEPSBU-BSHFGPS*OUFSOBUJPOBM3FMJHJPVT'SFFEPNBUUIF64%FQBSUNFOUPG 4UBUF"SDIJNBOESJUF5TBSLOJBTCSPVHIUUP"NCBTTBEPS+PIOTPO$PPLTBUUFOUJPOUIFDIBMMFOHFTPGUIF.BDFEPOJBO0SUIPEPY GBJUI DPNNVOJUZ JO (SFFDF BOE UIF (SFFL HPWFSONFOUT MPOH standing policy of hampering down on faith-based communities. Archimandrite Tsarknias is the !rst clergyman of the Macedonian Orthodox Church to have such a high-level meeting with a U.S. Administration O"cial.
On October 23, 2012, UMD hosted a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. to address the rise of extremism in Greece and what impact it has had on non-Greek ethnic communities and religious minorities. Archimandrite Nikodim Tsarknias, leader of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Greece, was joined by Sali Bollati, Secretary- (FOFSBM PG UIF "MCBOJBO "NFSJDBO 0SHBOJ[BUJPO i$IBNFSJBw Eugenia Natsoulidou 6.% (SFFDF 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF BOE #e three-year research project explored the broad dimensions Sevin Elekdag 3FTFBSDI'FMMPXBUUIF5VSLJTI$PBMJUJPOPG of ties between the Italian, Macedonian, Tongan and the America. #e panelists discussed the problems their respective Vietnamese communities and their homelands. #e research minority groups face in Greece on an everyday basis. focused on trends in citizenship, identity and language use, personal ties and frequency of visits to the homeland, political 0O/PWFNCFS !e Hill newspaper published an op- and communal ties, caregiving, remittances and philanthropy FEQJFDFFOUJUMFEi!e US can help end extremism in Greecew and business and professional ties. #e research makes CZ 6.%T 1SFTJEFOU .FUPEJKB " ,PMPTLJ BOE UIF 5VSLJTI important policy and practice recommendations relating to $PBMJUJPOPG"NFSJDBT4FWJO&MFLEBH the role of diasporas in Australian bilateral relations.
D. UMD Australia #e speci!c report dealing with Macedonians, ‘#e Macedonian Diaspora in Australia: Current and Potential On February 23, 2012, in Melbourne, Australia, members of Links with the Homeland’ was co-authored by UMD Australia UMD attended a public hearing given by the Parliament of Director Ordan Andreevski. Australia Joint Standing Committee of Foreign A"airs. E. UMD Canada Between February 24, 2012, and March 2, 2012, UMD 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT NFU XJUI Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird and several Canadian parliamentarians in Ottawa and Toronto to discuss $BOBEB.BDFEPOJB CJMBUFSBM SFMBUJPOT .BDFEPOJBT /"50 accession, and the need for Canada to lead human rights PCTFSWBODFJO/PSUIFSO(SFFDF
Continuing its campaign to raise awareness of human rights WJPMBUJPOT PG UIF .BDFEPOJBO NJOPSJUZ JO /PSUIFSO (SFFDF UMD representatives met with Canadian MPs in Ottawa ćF IFBSJOH BEESFTTFE 6.%T SFDPNNFOEBUJPO UIBU UIF PO 0DUPCFS ćF EFMFHBUJPO EFUBJMFE UIF GPSDFE Australian government expand diplomatic operations and cessation of Macedonian language classes and the 20-year JODSFBTF TUBďOH BU JUT FYJTUJOH QPTUT "VTUSBMJBT QFSDFJWFE struggle to establish a Macedonian Orthodox Church in underinvestment in diplomacy and its con$icted foreign /PSUIFSO(SFFDFCZ"SDIJNBOESJUF/JLPEJN5TBSLOJBT policy regarding Macedonia. UMD encouraged Australia to !nally recognize Macedonia by its constitutional name. A highlight of the Ottawa visit was a public seminar at the 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 0UUBXBT -BX 'BDVMUZ FOUJUMFE ićF 3JTF PG UMD was active in seeking for fair and non-discriminatory &YUSFNJTNJO(SFFDFBOE*UT*NQBDUPO.JOPSJUJFTwćFFWFOU visa distribution by the Australian government in response was generously sponsored and organized thanks to Canadian to demands for greater visa allocation to Greece. #e -BXZFST"CSPBE.PSFUIBOHVFTUTBUUFOEFE NPTUPGUIFN Australian government maintained that it would not modify aspiring lawyers in the !eld of human rights law. its distribution pattern, citing the ethical rami!cations of providing deferential treatment to a certain body of people, as well as the inherent divisiveness of the issue.
Over 50 prominent persons from the Australian Government, from all sides of the Australian Parliament, the Macedonian Parliament, the diplomatic corps, universities, the media and the Macedonian community attended the o"cial launch of UIF"VTUSBMJBO3FTFBSDI$PVODJM-JOLBHF1SPKFDUSFQPSUPO ‘Diasporas and Links with the Homeland’ PO "VHVTU 2012 in the Australian Parliament. VIII. MACEDONIAN COMPANIONS PROGRAM
"MMVEJOHUP"MFYBOEFSUIF(SFBUTGBNPVT$PNQBOJPOT UIFNPTUFČFDUJWFDBWBMSZVOJUPGUIFBODJFOUXPSME UIF.BDFEPOJBO Companions Program enables those who with to support UMD to play an active role in securing its prosperous future.
Companions play an integral role in the mission of UMD by preserving the name, identity, and culture of the Macedonian 3FQVCMJD FEVDBUJOHHMPCBMQPMJDZNBLFSTBCPVU.BDFEPOJBOJTTVFT QBSUJDJQBUJOHJODIBSJUBCMFQSPKFDUTGPSPSCZ.BDFEPOJBOT and perpetuating the vitality and legitimacy of our historical and cultural legacies for generations to come.
UMD understands the essential role the Companions play in ful!lling our organizational mission. Companions are welcomed and honored guests at all nationwide and international UMD events and are critical in inspiring and mobilizing support for the UMD at a grass-roots level.
Companions pledge a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 (or more) annually for three years, thus guaranteeing the continued PQFSBUJWFFďDBDZ6.%BOEJUTFČPSUT#ZTVQQPSUJOH6.%ĕOBODJBMMZ $PNQBOJPOTFOHBHFBDUJWFMZJOUIFQSPHSBNTDBNQBJHO to provide a voice for Macedonian people worldwide.
In light of the attacks against the Macedonian identity, it is essential that we present an active and uni!ed front that is !nancially FRVJQQFE UP FČFDUJWFMZ EJTTFNJOBUF JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU BOE PO CFIBMG PG UIF .BDFEPOJBO QFPQMF 6.% JT UIF .BDFEPOJBO QFPQMFTBOTXFSUPBIJTUPSZPGJOUFSOBUJPOBMBNCJWBMFODFBOEOFHMFDUBOEXJMMDPOUJOVFUPDBSSZPVUUIJTWJUBMSPMFUISPVHI empowering contributions and support.
#ere are presently 110 active Macedonian Companions: Olga Aceska Alexander Ballios Cane Carovski
Ambassador Ljubica Z. Acevska Donco Bauloski Snezana Carovska
Aleksandar Andreski Odyssey Belchevsky Srecko Cvetanov
Chris Antoniou Jim Bilkas Dr. George Daico!
Saso Arsovski John L. N. Bitove, C.M. Jim Daikos
George Atanasoski Jordan Bitove Dr. Dragi Denkovski
Stephanie Atse! "omas J. Bitove, O.Ont. Slave Dimitrov Evelyn Dinu Jim Mangos Bosko Rajcovski
Irena Gapkovska Dr. Le#er Mantse Olga Velo! Sandolowich
Boris Giourof George Markou Rob Sandolowich
Katarina Giourof Peter Medichkov Donald Sazdano!
Andy Givelas Jason Miko Vlado Serdenkovski
Dr. Robert Givelas Mark Mitskovski Vlado Smilevski
Mike Grebovski Dr. Anastas Mukoski Chris Stanwyck
Alexander Ilitch Glenn Murray Kosta Stanwyck
Carole Ilitch Lisa Ilitch Murray Tom Stanwyck
Christina Ilitch Toby Murray Dr. Chris Stefanovich
Denise Ilitch, Esq. Troy Murray Chris Sterjovski
Marian Ilitch Toby Murray Eli I. Terpo
Melanie Ilitch Dimitar Nasev Nicholas "aw
Michael Ilitch "omas Nasto! Stan "omas
Michael Ilitch, Jr. Jerry Naumo! Celeste Benjamin Tracy
Michael Ilitch, III Lou Nestorovski Stojan Trajkov & Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova Nick Ilitch Marko Nikolovski Marilyn Trentos Noelle Ilitch Boris Nitcho! Dr. Kiril Trpkov Tony Joseski Constantine Nitcho! Dr. Biljana Trpkova George Klas Chris G. Paliare O.Ont., LSM, LL.B., LL.M. Ivan Trposki Dana Klein Trajko Papuckoski Greg Tsanis Metodija A. Koloski Robert Pasquale Lubi Uzunovski Dame Krcoski Chris Pavlovski George Vassos / Barry John Kuzev George Peters Kuretzky Vlade Lembovski Elena Petroska Lou Vlasho Chris Malinos Gus Philippov Mike Za$rovski Dr. C. Dan Mallin James Phillips Anonymous (3) Bob Mallinos Steve Pliakas UMD Headquarters UMD Canada UMD Australia www.umdiaspora.org )4USFFU /8 4VJUF 3555 St. Clair Avenue East P.O. Box 3122 Washington, D.C. 20005 5PSPOUP 0/ .,- Hawthorn, VIC 3122 www.facebook.com/ 1IPOF 1IPOF6.% 1IPOF UnitedMacedonianDiaspora [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.twitter.com/UMDiaspora