Seminary Board of Trustees Hold Board Development Retreat
Seminary Board of Trustees Hold Board Development Retreat
SOUTH CANAAN, PA – Members of the St. Tikhon's Seminary Board of Trustees completed a two-day seminar featuring nationally-known consultant Mary H. DeKuyper, who is a facilitator and trainer for non-profit agencies and who specializes in fundraising, board development, and general governance.

In her presentation, Ms. DeKuyper focused on the Board's responsibilities, how it performs its duties, and its role in fundraising. 

Also attending the seminar on June 25-26 were His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH, President of the Seminary; His Eminence, Archbishop TIKHON, Rector of the school; and His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL, former Seminary Dean and currently a Board member.

The program also included the Very Rev. Dennis Swencki, the Seminary's development officer and chief financial officer, who recently completed a 13-week fundraising course at Villanova University.  He shared his educational experience with Board members. The Very Rev. Yaroslav Sudick, renowned educator and trustee emeritus of the Seminary, conducted a session concerning the legal responsibilities of Board members. 

The seminar was held at the Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel in Maryland, a central location for most of the Board members.  Board members paid their own expenses to attend and participate in the seminar.

Additionally, two Board members who have held successful fundraisers for the Seminary offered suggestions on how to create a fundraising event at one's home or at a church hall.

Matushka Mary Wusylko, from St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Pittsburgh, explained how she and her husband, Protodeacon Dr. Michael Wusylko, have held annual fundraisers for the Seminary at their home for many years.  Matushka Mary gave Board members some inspiring tips on how they might try the same thing.

Ron Royhab, a Board member who attends Holy Assumption Church in Marblehead, Ohio, explained how his small home-town parish, SS. Peter and Paul Church, in Lorain, Ohio, recently put on its first Russian-themed fundraising dinner, complete with entertainment from the Russian Male Chorus from Cleveland.

Both of these fundraisers included home-cooked meals, musical entertainment, and ample opportunities for fellowship. 

The two-day seminar concluded with a round-table exchange of ideas among Board members.

Leda Dzwonczyk, Secretary of the Board, was in charge of making all the arrangements, including hotel accommodations, setting up the meeting room, meals, and many other details.   

Michael Herzak, Chairman of the St. Tikhon's Seminary Board of Trustees, said he wants to have seminars on a regular basis so that Board members can share the best ideas and learn new ones. 

This sentiment was clearly shared among the participants of this most recent retreat, as Board members were grateful to learn strategies that will help them grow as faithful stewards of our beloved Seminary. 
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178 St. Tikhon's Road
Waymart, PA 18472

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South Canaan, PA 18459

Phone: 570-561-1818

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