Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the October 2006 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

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Evanoff reflects on achievements, progress, future of MPO continued from Page 1...
Outgoing MPO President Chris Evanoff spoke to the MPO leadership at the delegates meeting.

If you understand domestic Macedonian politics and the country’s historic political aversion to the MPO, the publication of the TRIBUNE in Skopie is an achievement of historic dimensions -- and yes, that, too, is progress. We have sponsored two trips to Macedonia, and more are planned. This is a role of an ethnic organization -- to showcase our homeland, to convey to our children and grandchildren and non-Macedonians our homeland’s beauty, charm, unique history, food and culture. This type of activity for the MPO was also virtually unthinkable 15 or 20 years ago. Progress? -- Indeed it is!

We have many heroes today in our organization who have emulated the care, charity, concern and commitment of our Macedonian heroes past. Vlad and Stephanie Atseff, whose efforts to provide educational and other humanitarian assistance to Macedonian school children cannot be understated. All of you from our California chapter, (especially you Jordan Azeff) who endeavored to support orphaned children in Macedonia are heroes to us all. Dr. Leon Speroff, my nephew George Rochette and others working through the Gotse Delcheff Foundation to deliver vitally needed medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in Macedonia are everyday heroes, especially to those in Macedonia whose ailments and sufferings have been relieved. All of these charitable efforts are a sign of the progress of our organization.

Roughly two years ago, our MPO chapter in Fort Wayne opened the first and only Macedonian museum in the US that now houses artifacts, historic documents, cultural icons and other items that will preserve our history and identity for our children and grandchildren. The MPO members in Fort Wayne, led by the Baloski family, had a dream, united around their cause, and through their efforts, hard work and spirit of volunteerism, made the dream come true. That is true progress!

This year in July, the MPO formally established professional presence on the World Wide Web. Tom Lebamoff and Michael Sarafin led this effort with the help of several other members. The Internet will and build on for future growth. This was a must for our organization, which will foster progress for the future.

While certainly there is more to be done, we must acknowledge our achievements and successes. In the last 10 years, while not attaining perfection, we have accomplished much. We as Macedonians and as an organization should not hesitate to stand tall and take pride in the good we have accomplished and the progress we have realized!

Indeed, we have a considerable number of challenges in our future.

First and foremost, we have to ensure that a firm and sustainable financial foundation is established. To sustain the MPO year-to-year on the basis of donations that are not predicable is not a sound financial strategy. More creativity is required, whether it is the use of the Internet for merchandising opportunities, insurance beneficiary programs, increasing convention income margins, seeking foundation support. All of these and more must be further explored.

Our facilities in Fort Wayne must be objectively assessed to fully determine their potential financial risk, compared with other more cost effective options.   We must continue to evaluate our organization and its appeal to succeeding generations of Macedonians. Whether it is convention venue cities, social activities, communication strategies and other marketing vehicles, all must be fully assessed in the context of how they will be appealing and effective in sustaining the future of the MPO and its members.

Everyone desires to be part of something that is successful and promising. If you look at the progress we have made over the past 10 years, the commonality between them all is that we acted as a united and purposeful organization. Each success captured our optimism, creativity and energy to achieve an important objective.

Let us ensure that our legacy to future generations of MPO members is a message of unity of purpose, commitment, optimism and sacrifice; that the future of the MPO, although faced with challenges and potential obstacles, is bright and promising. As we look around this table and seeing second and third generation Macedonians actively participating with the organization, it is certainly a sign that our future is bright and long lasting.

In closing, my dream for this organization, that many of you share, is for the MPO to live and celebrate a Centennial Convention, for our people in the Balkan’s to be united in harmony regardless of geographic borders, and for all Macedonians in US and Canada to join in purpose and vision.   That, too, would be progress of the highest proportion!

I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to those MPO members who have supported me over the years. Without your help, counsel and support, we could not have achieved this progress.   Also, I would like to acknowledge my family, especially my brother-in-law Kosta and sister Draga for all their wisdom and my daughter Sophie for her passion in our Macedonian heritage.  My life is certainly fuller and more complete with the rich friendships that I have acquired over the years. These will be life lasting.

May God bless all of you and may God bless this great organization.