Having arrived in the windy city with great expectation for a superbly planned gathering of Polish Eagles from the United States Canada and Poland, I was handed a nicely printed program THE POLISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY, Challenges and Opportunities.
Dr. Zdzislaw P. Wesolowski
Upon a detailed analysis I found the proposed agenda rich in content on some very important topics and subjects facing the Polish American Community now and the future.
Being a recently elected PAC officer I needed to absorb as much information as I could in order to become more effective in my duties upon my return to my state. I needed to carry back with me ideas and PAC agenda for the future of our organization.
Since I am very committed to the ideals of PAC and have supported its work for many decades, I want PAC to become the number one Polonia organization representing all Polish Americans.
To do justice to the agenda as presented would require four days of discussions and deliberations on the directions for the future of PAC. Because of the current economic crisis and high cost of travel and related expenses, I was very pleased to find so many persons in attendance. There was a surprising good representation of young adults and senior members of the community. It was so nice to see young PAC members on the podium presenting their opinions and suggestions. Most of all, their enthusiasm and participation which I greatly value so we can perpetuate our Polish heritage in the United States. We need to do this again every two years.
Notes on planned state activities
Based upon the presentations I made myself some notes which I would like to share with you what activity I should undertake upon my return home and the restructuring of our division and find new leaders to work with me.
1. Selection and qualifications of new officers. New state PAC officers must have a professional background in any field in which they have attained some degree of success and a high degree of ethical and moral standards. Knowledge of Polonia, the English and Polish language as well as computer literacy is high desirable.
2. Determination of State Goals and Objectives. Each state has its own unique characteristics which must be recognized and respected in order to blend PAC as a viable organization. PAC state officers need to become familiar with local political personalities and be able to assist them on matters pertaining to Polonia in their state as well as issues regarding Poland.
3. Recruit New Members. New members are the life blood of our organization. We should welcome all those who are of Polish ethnic heritage, but also persons of good will who have a deep respect and commitment to the Polish cause and be of good character. . No person should become a member who has been convicted of a crime in the US or abroad. Since we can not check each candidate’s background here or abroad, proposed candidates for membership should be carefully screened as much as possible by those who recommend the candidate for membership. We should send out a signal to all that PAC is a patriotic organization and will NOT be used for personal gain or agenda. We need to encourage our children and grandchildren to become active in PAC as well as the younger generation.
4. Fund raising. Another important activity which needs our immediate attention. Our dues today are $30 a year per person of which $25 is sent to PAC headquarters. As a small PAC Division, it is impossible to function with such a budget. This requires that PAC State Division presidents to finance all or part of the division’s financial activity out of their own funds. For many, this is almost impossible. I command those PAC leaders who not only dedicate their time but also their personal funds for the benefit of PAC and Polonia. Therefore, we must embark on a state wide fund raising activity for donations from corporations and persons who can assist each division to conduct our activities. We also need to undertake social and educational events which would generate income for each division. Establishing a web site for each division is highly recommended. Ours will be ready God willing by 11 November. We also need to contact local, state and federal organizations to determine if there are any funds available for PAC.
5. Public Relations. There are about 15 million Polish Americans in the United States, 1st 2nd and 3rd generation. It is estimated that around the world there must be another 25 million outside of Poland. The problem is that no one knows anything about us. The first barrier is the Polish language; therefore all official communication outside of Polonia must be in the English language. We need to communicate outside our community to make sure that the world knows about our history, culture, literature and military accomplishments during the, last 1,000 years. The 2nd barrier is that we do NOT use modern advertising techniques and we advertise ONLY in the Polish American press. We are talking to each other and no one outside our community does not know what we are talking about. I have decided as Professor Bajdek suggested, start working from the bottom up. We will contact every mayor, every state and federal legislator about PAC, about Polonia and about us. We want equal representation and equal time from our representatives.
6. Television ad Radio. We need to have a local Polish TV and Radio Program. I will try to have one of our local TV station sponsor 15-30 minute Polish Program and try to have as many local newspapers carry Polish news and articles. Television is the most important media which we must utilized to communicate the message about PAC. Every professor of business will tell you that marketing is one of the most important functions of management. You may have a great product or service but if no one knows anything about it, it will remain on the shelf. PAC is a superb product, idea, cause and purpose but no one knows anything about it except for a few enlightened souls. We must sell PAC to the general public, we must also inspire. PAC is the way to go to attain status in American and attain equality and recognition so we need the media to attain this goal. PAC must be the organization that represents a united Polonia.
7. Scholarships. We need to establish a state PAC scholarships program for our young Polish American students. Thousands of persons leave estates and funds for questionable causes. We have a cause that needs immediate attention. Our younger generation is in need of financial assistance. I want to talk to any corporate executive or a well to do person who does not know how to spend his money. I have some ideas that may benefit society and leave a living memorial in his/her name.
8. My last comment and observation is very simple. Please folks do NOT use PAC to settle old political and personal problems or engaged in unlawful activities. PAC is a patriotic organization which now has selected a new course for itself and that course is US and our status and future in the United States as a unified community of 15 million persons of a proud heritage. We do NOT need to waste our time, effort and money on things beyond our control. We need to leave no stone unturned to insure that PAC will continue for the next 50 years. It is very easy to criticize but more difficult to do some hard work. What is at stake is OUR future and status in the United States. I welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact me at any time. Remember, SAMI SOBIE, if we don’t do it, nobody is going to do it for us.
Prof. Z. Wesolowski with General of the Illinois National Guard William Enyart,who has military programs with Poland and hosted Polish military personnel.
President Frank Spula, Dr. Susanne Lotarski and Prof.Anthony Bajdek whose presentation was very inspirational and many others are to be congratulated for their work on behalf of Polonia. Volunteering their time and effort for the Polish cause is an honorable calling.
Prof. Z. Wesolowski presents his book, Polish Order of the Virtuti Militari and its Cavaliers 1792-1992 to Maciej Plazynski and Frank Spula.
Because it’s the month of October, in which we honor our Polish heritage and those who contributed to preserving it, I was motivated to present a copy of my book on the POLISH ORDER OF THE VIRTUTI MILITARI AND ITS CAVALEIRS, 1792-1992 to President Frank Spula and Wspólnota Polska, Maciej Plazynski so we don’t forget those who fought and died from 1792-1945 for YOUR FREEDOM AND OURS.
SZCZĘŚĆ BOŻE KU CHWALE OJCZYZNY
Prof. Dr. Zdzislaw P. Wesolowski, President, PAC Florida
[email protected]
www.pacflorida.org