THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE FALL 2003 (Read-Only)

“The structure is already there,
and for it to survive we must ‘clean house’
and work hard to replace the failing
infrastructure.”
ethically bound to help and support each
one equally. József Molnár is a member
of the ‘presbyterium’ of the First
Hungarian Presbyterian Church and the
president of its ‘financial council’ – as
well as the current president of the
Hungarian Cultural Society. The
Society’s website uses 24 words to
describe the other Reformed church (the
Hungarian Reformed Church of
Vancouver); 27 for Our Lady of Hungary
(Catholic) Church; and an astounding
34,254 words are devoted to the church
that Molnár essentially runs. How long
will the four pillars be able to bear the
strain of such outrageous favouritism
either by corruption or by apathy.
The Hungarian Cultural Society not
only belongs to us Hungarians, but to all
Canadians - it is a tile of the national
mosaic as precious and important as the
next. Perhaps the answer is not to turn
away and keep to ourselves. Maybe we
shouldn’t just ignore the situation or live
in denial. The only way we can ensure
that our Vancouver Hungarian culture
lives on is by having a strong community
centre that will support all Hungarian
endeavours
equally.
The structure is
already there, and
...A RENOVATION OF
OBSOLETE PROGRAMS
The resentment runs very strong
among many people in Vancouver who
don’t want to associate themselves with a
small minority who use an official and
registered society to segregate and abuse
an already fragile Hungarian-Canadian
population. My parents and many others
who were very involved with the Cultural
Society in the early years, and later left
with irreparable hurt feelings, hoped it
would be a cultural centre for future
generations to enjoy. I don’t think we
should let such a fine legacy be destroyed
for it to survive
we must ‘clean
house’ and work
hard to replace
the failing infrastructure.
I advocate joining them! If only those
down-hearted old members would return,
and if new and capable people would take
over from the current tired and vacuous
leadership; it could be made exciting and
dynamic once again – it belongs to you!
If it is left to continue as it is, its demise is
a certainty.
...and that Hungarian-Canadians in Vancouver will return to carry on
the legacy of our parents and grand-parents.
“Our culture is not represented by the Cultural Society’s 30 and 40
year old programs. There should be events for the younger people as well.”
“The Cultural Society should promote their work more often, as with the
festivals 10 and 3 years ago.”
-Mária Vajna
“I would like to see more open minds, willingness to try new and better things .”
“An environment where policy rules, not favouritism.”
-Andrea Miklós
Modern organizations require
efficient administration
and creative up-to-date
social programs.
“Run the Cultural Society as a
community centre, open seven days
a week. Offer workshops, courses,
classes & concerts. A membership
would be required for all workshops
and courses, and fees would be
charged for enrolment.”
“All three churches should hold a
position on the board along
with six other members that have
2 year terms. The members
should nominate candidates
for the board.”
“The Director/Administrator
should be a full time paid position
that takes direction from the
Board and is in charge
Of scheduling, event planning,
membership and volunteers.”
“The accountant’s position should
be a part time paid position
reporting to the Director.”
“Food services should be
outsourced as a contract with a set
fee or percentage paid to the
Cultural Society for the lease of
the kitchen.”
“Current sub-groups should be
classified similarly to special
interest courses - additional fees
maybe required for their individual
membership.”
-Lorraine Weideman
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