Please Attend the General Membership Meeting – September 26, 2015

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Saturday, September 26, 2015
10:00 a.m.
(Executive Meeting at 9:00 a.m.)

Polish Center of Wisconsin
6941 S. 68^th Street
Franklin, WI 53132

This is an important meeting as we will be focusing on Membership Recruitment!

September 11, 2015

Dear Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division Member,

I look forward to seeing all of our members at our next General Membership Meeting to be held on Saturday, September 26^th.  We have much to discuss

Besides a lively discussion, delicious coffee & goodies, and great fellowship, we’ll have some door prizes.  Let’s have a fantastic meeting working and sharing our Polish heritage together!  Please plan to attend. 

PAC-WI is focusing on several important initiatives.  These will be discussed on Saturday, September 26^th.

• Kathy Wieczorek, PAC-WI Division Vice President for Public Relations, and Steve Pienkos, Vice President for Membership, have requested that we initiate a drive to increase our membership.  They need our help.  Please invite a friend, neighbor, or relative who might be a prospective member to the September 26^th meeting.  ANYONE WHO BRINGS A POTENTIAL MEMBER TO OUR SEPTEMBER 26^th MEETING WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL ITEM IN APPRECIATION FOR HIS/HER EFFORT.  

• Membership is a key to any successful organization.  I will present a 10-15 minute presentation about the importance and history of the Polish American Congress.  I will also explain the efforts of our organization over the past few years, including our extraordinary efforts to promote the Jan Karski Exhibit, as well as highlight the many special anniversaries we celebrated in 2014 related to Poland.

• Kathy and Judith Free, our PAC-WI Division Treasurer, are planning some delicious foods to enjoy during our meeting.  Their hospitality is greatly appreciated!

Other items to be discussed include:

1. Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day luncheon scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.  Invitations will be mailed to you, as well as several other guests.  Your attendance at this annual PAC-WI event is crucial.  Please RSVP early to insure your reservation.
2. The following outstanding individuals will be honored with the Congressman Clement Zablocki “Civic Achievement Award” in November: Mrs. Teresa Jankowski, Mr. Jose Perez, Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Gloria Shire, Dr. Waclaw Szybalski, and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Libraries.
3. I will report on the recent Polish American Congress meeting held in Washington, D.C.
4. General Secretary, Ann Pienkos, will report on our booth at Polish Fest.  Many thanks to all who volunteered to help, as well as attend Polish Fest.
5. Officer Reports.
6. Organization Reports.

I also want to thank Anne Wal for volunteering once again in leading the silent auction effort at our November event.  Anne has done a remarkable job in gathering items for the silent auction.  But, she also needs your help.  Please bring any items you would like to donate for the silent auction to our September 26^th meeting.  If you know someone who would like to donate a restaurant gift card, please ask that individual to do so for a very worthy cause.

Our organization is vibrant!  We have much to celebrate.  Your involvement is crucial to our organization’s success.  Please ask yourself:  “Where would PAC-WI be without my involvement?”  That’s why your attendance at the upcoming Saturday, September 26^th General Membership Meeting is so important.  When we are together, we are strong.  We have much to celebrate: our Polish heritage, our traditions, and our friendships!

Once again, please place Sunday, November 8, 2015 on your calendar – the date for our annual “Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day” luncheon.  Let’s make this another big success!

As always, I am proud to serve you!  Bardzo Dziekuje!

Mark Pienkos, President
Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division
markpienkos2012@gmail.com   or   262-325-8039

 

 

Activity Report – August 2015

Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division

Activity Report

The Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division supports and helps promote the activities and mission of the Polish Heritage Alliance of Wisconsin.  The PAC-WI Division continues to support organizations and their activities throughout Milwaukee, as well as the state of Wisconsin.  Also, besides attending the Pulaski Council of Milwaukee’s annual luncheon and the Milwaukee Society’s annual dinner, our organization has been active in the following:

Jan Karski Exhibit – PAC-WI Division continued its assistance of the Polish Consulate in Chicago by planning showings.  Sites were: Wisconsin State Capitol Rotunda, U.W. – Milwaukee Library, U.W.-Marinette Library, U.W.-Parkside Library, Racine Public Library, Lake Geneva Public Library, and the Polish Center of Wisconsin.

Canonization of Pope John Paul II – The PAC-WI Division partnered with several area churches to provide hospitality at St. Mary’s Church in Burlington, WI on Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27^th the day Pope John Paul II was canonized.

70^th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino – PAC-WI Division arranged a special Polish Mass on May 17^th at St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church in Milwaukee remembering this special battle of World War II.

Polish Fest – PAC-WI Division actively participates in this important festival with an informational table.  In 2014, our booth featured photographs of Polish cities.

Commemorated the Many Anniversaries in 2014 – PAC-WI Division planned with several Polish organizations throughout Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, a fantastic event commemorating the many anniversaries Poland celebrated in 2015.  On July 13^th, Professor Neal Pease gave a very informative presentation and pianist Igor Lipinski performed Chopin.  92 people were in attendance.

Polish American Heritage Baseball Game – On August 22^nd, PAC-WI Division spearheaded this event at Miller Park.  The Brewers hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Paul Schramka, from the Milwaukee area and who played professional baseball (including a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs) was the featured Polish American.

Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day – Over 175 people attended our annual November event held at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.  In 2014, the following individuals and organizations were recognized with the Congressman Clement Zablocki “Civic Achievement Award”:  Judith Free, Alicja Newell, Paul Schramka, Bernadette Swider, and POLANKI – Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Milwaukee.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Mark Pienkos, President
markpienkos2012@gmail.com or 262-325-8039

2015 Elected Officers and Directors

Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division

Elected Officers and Directors

(Elected at the Annual Meeting in April)

 

2015 Officers:

Dr. Mark Pienkos – President

Kathy Wieczorek – Vice President for Public Relations

Stephen Pienkos – Vice President for Membership

Janice Klosowski – Recording Secretary

Ann Pienkos – General Secretary

Judith Free – Treasurer

Dan Klosowski – Sgt. At Arms

 

2015 Directors:

Stan Graiewski

Sharon Haberski

Jeanette Holmquist

Teresa Jankowski

Rob Kaminski

Luanne Landgraf

Ernest Litynski

Nina Nowakowski

Neal Pease

Hedy Rabiega

David Rydzewski

Anne Wal

Ron Witkowiak

Krystyna Zuzanski

 

National Director(s) – two year position (elected April, 2015)

President Mark Pienkos is the primary National Director

2015 EAlternate National Directors:  Professor Donald Pienkos and John Pienkos

2014 Congressman Clement Zablocki Civic Achievement Award Recipients

2014

Congressman Clement Zablocki

Civic Achievement Award Recipients

Judith Free of Milwaukee:  Long-time activist in the Milwaukee area Polish community and Vice President of the Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division; chairs our annual participation at Polish Fest.

Alicja Newell of Milwaukee:  Long-time member of the Syrena Polish Ensemble; co-founder and instructor of the “syrenka: children’s folk dance group in southeast Wisconsin.

Paul Schramka of Germantown:  President of the Riverwest Community Association of Milwaukee’s lower east side’ past president of the Wisconsin Old Timer Baseball Association and respected figure in his profession: mortuary science.

Bernadette Swider of Milwaukee:  Long-time member of the Syrena Polish Ensemble; co-founder and instructor of the “syrenka: children’s folk dance group in southeast Wisconsin.

POLANKI – Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Milwaukee:  POLANKI was recognized for over 60 years of service to the Milwaukee area community.  POLANKI has been a leader in advancing our proud Polish heritage including Poland’s rich history, culture, and heritage.