Jest dla mnie wielkim zaszczytem pogratulować nowo wybranym członkom zarządu i rady dyrektorów Amerykańskiego Centrum Kultury Polskiej.
Dzisiejszy dzień to nie tylko początek nowej kadencji, ale także kontynuacja dumnej tradycji promowania polskiego dziedzictwa kulturowego. Przyjmując te funkcje kierownicze, zobowiązaliście się Państwo do pomocy w zachowaniu polskiej kultury i tradycji.
Wasza gotowość do służby świadczy o Waszym ogromnym zaangażowaniu. Niech Wasza kadencja będzie naznaczona współpracą, inspiracją i znaczącym wpływem. Gratuluję i dziękuję za podjęcie się kierowania i służby.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Congratulations on your election or re-election as officers and directors of the American Polish Cultural Society and Center. You are assuming this important leadership position at a moment that is challenging, and yet is full of great potential.
Across the United States, Polish cultural organizations are straining to remain relevant and struggling to attract new members. We can cite some sociological and demographic reasons for this phenomenon, but that’s not important now. What is important, first of all, is to understand and accept the fact that this American Polish Cultural Center must play a critical and leading role among Michigan’s Polonia in promoting Polish culture and heritage.
Secondly, it is important to act boldly on that understanding, because our Center is in a unique position. Only our Center has the meeting and dining facilities to be able to host both large and smaller Polish events and gatherings. Only our Center has the organizational structure to welcome as members not only first generation Polish immigrants, but also second, third, fourth, and even fifth generation Polish Americans – nawet w obu językach – polskim i angielskim. Only our Center has as its exclusive corporate mission to be the Center of Polish heritage.
So, we now need you to expand on the wonderful legacy left by the APCC’s founders and previous members and leaders, especially Mr. Tarnicki, and to take it to the next level.
I urge you to lead with courage; to try new things. But rather than just preaching to the choir, let me propose some concrete ideas for you to consider:
1. Collaborate with other Polish organizations. The monthly calendar of events that George distributes is an excellent initiative. We could expand on that by inviting other Polish groups and organizations to use our facilities as their home base. Not only for their big events or catering services, but we could encourage them to use our space for their meetings, or invite them make the Center their address, even at no extra cost. Let this become the Center for all Polonia groups.
2. Membership. We know that it’s especially difficult to reach and connect with the younger generations, who socialize via their smartphones rather than in person. It’s not enough to passively wait for them to come to us, because that won’t happen. We need to engage with them – through their social media –and entice them to come here, by actively recruiting them and organizing events for them to meet and socialize with each other. Offer student or young adult memberships at discounted rates. Whatever it takes.
3. Publicity and Marketing. In addition to social media, we should let the world know who we are and what we do. Not just the local Polonia, but the public at large, including sending out press releases and inviting not only the local media, but also the Polonia press around the country, the Polish Embassy, and Polish TV and media. In addition, we need to have an article about the Center on Wikipedia.
Finally, I want you to know that, in the next few days, you’ll be hearing about a new group that we are in the process of organizing – for Polish American professionals and business owners. Our intention is to make our home right here, at the Center.
In conclusion, I again want to thank you for your willingness to serve as leaders of the APCC and APCS, especially at such an exciting and challenging time.
Thank you—and may your leadership inspire a new chapter of strength and renewal for all who cherish Polish culture.
In the picture: (l-R) Richard Walawender, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Detroit, and Zdzisław Tarnicki, outgoing President.
