First session of the 20th Supreme Assembly was held Saturday, May 13, 1931.

(1) The Supreme President of the society, Vladimir Sabinsky, opened the meeting of the Supreme Assembly of RIMAS with a brief address at 5:30 P. M., and moved that two sentries be elected to keep order in the hall. Nicholas Kulishenko and Stefan Antonchik accepted the responsibility to keep order in the hall.

Roll Call of Delegates

From Branch 1, the Brotherhood of St. George the Victorious, in Chicago, the following delegates were present: Stefan Antonchik, Ivan Vdovich, Dmitry Vorobey, Paul Vorobey, Kiril Volnisty, Andrew Haponowich, Michail Horozanko, Daniel Grib, Alexander rigorchuk, Nestor Gumeniuk, Alexander 2Dedoshko, Jacob Dziako, Vladimir Dedovich, Vasily Zamkovetz, Paul Kozak, Vasily Konoshevsky, Gregory Kichkailo, Nicholas Kulishenko, Alexander Kirisiuk, Kuzma Lis, Vikenty Luksha, James Mikhalchik, Ivan Maximuk, Ilya Omelianuk, Semen Onishchuk, Vladimir Olesiuk, Anton Palaichuk, Luka Rotzyk, Kiril Rabchuk, Foma Syman, Moisei Syman, Joseph Sleznik, Zakhary Stolarana, Paul Chopko, Gregory Chepelevich, Dr. Peter Chadovich, Nikifor Shliapo, Vladimir Yakubovich, Semen Yakimovich, and Alexander Metelski. Absentee, John Dzidz.

From Branch 2, the Brotherhood of St. Vladimir the Great: Ivan Chanas, Ivan Olesiuk, Ivan Stanko, Ivan Stanko Jr., Sebastian Kondrasiuk, Sergei Novik, and Semen Zavada.

From Branch 3, Sisterhood of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin: Vera Sergenya, Marie Kiersch, Katherine Goncharevich, Julia Yakimovich, Pelageia Vorobey, Paraskevya Truban, Alexandra Kedrik, Maria Alexeuk, Anna Polischuk, Sofia Frakevich, Feklo Gulko, Fedora Syman, Elena Gavrinenko, Magdalena Tripoza. Absentees: Kaehtrine Lopatko, Alexandra Sushkova.

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From Branch 4, Brotherhood of St. John the Baptist: Elarion Horoschenia, and Semen Fedorovsky.

From Branch 5, Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, in ago, Ill.: Nicholas Krupko, Zakhary Dreichan and Avksenty Kozel. Absentees: Lazar Kuyava, Jacob Savulchik.

From Branch 6, Society Znanie, in Chicago: Ilya Karpin.

From Branch 7, Society of L. N. Tolstoi, in East Chicago, Ind.: John Bartholomev, John Skoliuk; absentees: Alexander Petruchik, John Oleinik and Isidor Shkroba.

Branch 8, Sisterhood of the Assumption of the Noly Virgin, in Argo, Ill.: Vera Demtzo, Eugenie Lischuk; absentees: Fedosia Demchuk.

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From Branch 12, Brotherhood of St. Peter and Paul, in Benton Harbor, Mich.: Paul Ostapenia, Filemon Kiena.

From Branch 14, Society of F. Dostoievsky, in Detroit, Mich.: Dmitry Shabluk.

From Branch 15, Society of A. S. Pushkin, in Kensington, Ill.: John Baturevich, Peter Vasilkov.

There were also present delegates of St. Nicholas Brotherhood in Kenosha, Wis., namely, Nicholas Dovgal, Martin Karavaev, Vasily Shvaika. Eugene Tkachuk, Myron Kuyava and Adam Dragun.

From the Old Believers (Starovertzy) Society in Chicago, delegate Peter Vasilkov was present.

(2) Nomination and Election of Ballot Tellers.

After the roll call of delegates, Supreme President of the society, V. 5Sabinsky moved that ballot tellers be nominated and elected.

The following were elected: Zakhary Stolarana, K. Lis, K. Rabchuk, V. Yakubovich, and J. Baturevich.

Nomination and Election of the Committee on Credentials.

Dr. P. Chadovich, J. Mikhalchik, A. Grigorchuk, J. Olesiuk, and I. Skoliuk were elected to the committee on credentials.

Upon examining the credentials, Dr. P. Chadovich reported that all the credentials presented are in order; also there were present representatives of the 35th branch of RNOV of the Pittsburg Society, one representative of branch 18 of ROOVA, and one each from St. George parish, I. A. Kryloff School.

President V. Sabinsky raised the question: Can representatives of other 6organizations, not invited to the assembly, be present at the assembly?

After some debating, the assembly voted by a majority to permit all representatives of other organizations to remain, if they do not disturb the order in the assembly.

(3) Nomination and Election of the Presidium:

Nomination and Election of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly. The president of the society, V. Sabinsky, moved that a chairman to conduct the assembly be elected. The following were nominated: Vasily Konashevsky, and Luka Rotzyk. In a closed ballot Vasily Konashevsky received 52 votes, Luka Rotzyk 21 votes; and therefore, V. Konashevsky, having received the absolute majority of votes, was elected chairman of the Supreme Assembly.

Nomination and Election of the Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Assembly. Paul Chopko, Luka Rotzyk and James Mikhalchik. In closed ballot, Paul Chopko received 14 votes, L. Rotzyk 31, and James Mikhalchik 30. Since the 7by-laws of the society require an absolute majority of votes for the election, the two nominees receiving the largest number of votes must be voted for again. In a second ballot, Luka Rotzyk received 31 votes and James Mikhalchik 42. Therefore, James Mikhalchik was elected vice-chairman of the assembly.

Nomination and Election of Senior Clerk of the Supreme Assembly. Only Jacob Dziako accepted the nomination for senior clerk. He was unanimously elected senior clerk.

Nomination and Election of the Junior Clerk of the Supreme Assembly. Paul Chopko was unanimously elected as junior clerk of the Supreme Assembly.

After the election, the presidium thanked the delegates for the confidence placed in them, and took over their duties.

(4) Chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, addressed the delegates and requested them to conduct themselves peacefully and be attentive to 8the discussions of the problems concerning the 20th Supreme Assembly.

Senior Clerk Dziako read the congratulatory messages sent to the assembly.

1st. The message from the newspaper Rassviet; 2nd, from the president of Branch 14 of RIMAS, in Detroit, Mich.; 3rd, from Anton Tikhanovich, from New York; 4th, from the West Side Bank; 5th, Journal Moskva; 6th, from the Russian-American Club. Delegates to the assembly cordially applauded and recommended that replies to the messages be published in the press.

(5) Order of the Business of the Session of the Supreme Assembly.

Chairman of the Supreme Assembly, V. Konashevsky, read the order of the business of the assembly and requested that delegates make any additions, if there are any. The following business was proposed by the delegates of Branch 6:

1. Purchase of a social farm.

2. Social insurance for workers in America.

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3. Establishment of central sick benefit headquarters.

Delegates from Branch 2 proposed:

1. Not to permit into the executive committee of the society persons who hold important offices in other organizations.

2. Not to grant membership in the society to persons of the church calling.

Delegate of Branch 1, Z. Stolarana, proposed to raise the question of shares held by the newspaper Rassviet. He stated that the Supreme President of the society, V. S binsky, had said that during the past year very little was done because the administration of the society had spent much time in preparing the new by-laws.

In the future the society will allow more attention to attract youth into its fold and teach them the Russian language.

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Vladimir Olesiuk gave a report of the organization committee, stating that the committee could not do more, but it did annex to the society the former 50th branch of ROOVA, Society Znanie.

Jacob Dziako added that although no negotiations were conducted with the Pittsburg society, it is hoped that in the future the Pittsburg society as well as the New York society will be consolidated with RIMAS into one family of workers on the basis of mutual aid.

V. Konashevsky on behalf of the constitutional committee reported that the new by-laws of the society are completed and approved by the Insurance Department, and he proposed to the delegates of the assembly that the new constitution be read, and if such is accepted by the assembly, the present assembly will regulate itself in accordance with these new by-laws. The proposal made by V. Konashevsky was unanimously accepted by the assembly. The senior clerk of the assembly began the reading of the by-laws, which were unanimously accepted by the assembly and approved.

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V. Olesiuk moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was duly seconded and approved. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P. M. The second meeting was announced for 10:00 A. M., Sunday, May 17, 1931.

(7) The second session of the Supreme Assembly was opened at 11:00 A. M., Sunday, May 17, 1931.

Roll Call of Delegates:

All delegates present at the first session were present. Chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, notified the delegates that there was yet much business to attend to in the order of the business of the meeting, and since the new by-laws have been adopted, the presidium of the Supreme Assembly will regulate itself accordingly. He also requested that more attention be given to the decisions of the matters up for discussion of the assembly.

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(8) In the order of the business of the Supreme Assembly was the report of the School Committee.

A. Haponovich, member of this committee, reported that the best school is the Kryloff School, because the school is active, and he also recommended that the society not discontinue the work of opening new schools which will bring great benefits to the growing generation as well as to the society.

(9) Next in the order of the business was the reports from the branches. It was disclosed from the speeches that due to unemployment, many members are unable to pay their membership dues on time which must be covered by funds of the branches. Cultural-educational work is lagging. Delegate of Branch 12, of Benton Harbor, Mich., insisted that the society give especial attention to cultural-educational work. He also requested that the society send lecturers more often for the purpose of better informing the colony of the purposes of mutual aid. Delegate of Branch 14, of Detroit, Mich., D. Shabliu, informed the assembly that despite unemployment, it is 13progressing in cultural-educational work and pointed out that although the Branch 14 is very young, is has a children's school, a dramatic club, and that the members of Branch 14 are conducting strenuous educational campaigns. He also recommended that all the branches try to establish children's schools, so that the children will be able to replace us after we leave this world for eternity.

(10) Next a representative of St. Nicholas' Brotherhood of Kenosha, Wis., spoke, stating that he is attending the assembly to become better acquainted with the purposes and work of the society. They also pointed out that they have been convinced that the Independent Society is truly a fraternal workers' organization which conducts activities with its workers' powers and declared that upon returning to Kenosha will report to their members. They also expressed their hope that in the very near future they will merge into one fraternal working family with the Independent Society.

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On behalf of the I. A. Kryloff School, representative N. Truban congratulated the assembly. He reported that the school was opened with funds of the Independent Society, and stands on a firm foundation and he extended his thanks to the society for the assistance on behalf of the school members.

(11) The next matter in the order of the business of the assembly was that of a permanent office of the society. From reports of the administration it was evident that headquarters for the society are a necessity. According to the chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, headquarters will help the expansion as well as economy and cultural-educational growth of the society. He also stated that our society is economically strong, but cultural-educationally weak. We have no permanent quarters, where meetings could be held and problems solved; no books, no newspapers, journals; no such spiritual food which the modern man needs. There is great need of an office and a library. (That) the question of headquarters should be left as before was the motion made by W. Olesiuk and seconded by V. Dedovich. Karpin moved that the matter of office be referred to the administration of the society. The motion was seconded by A. Metelsky and approved by a majority of votes of the delegates to the assembly. Therefore, the 15question of an office was referred to the Board of Directors of the assembly.

(12) Next in the order of the business of the assembly was:

Nomination and Election of the Board of Directors of the Society; Nomination and election of the Supreme President of the Society.

Chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, moved that the delegates nominate candidates for the supreme presidency of the society. The first nominee, V. Sabinsky, Supreme President of the society, declined the candidacy because of over-fatigue. Only two delegates accepted the candidacy on new terms: E. Horoschenia, asking $80 salary a year; and V. Dedovich, asking $150 a year. In a closed ballot, E. Horoschenia received 66 votes, V. Dedovich 8. Therefore, E. Horoschenia was elected Supreme President of the Society at a salary of $80 per year and under bond of $500 in cash, or $1,000 in real estate.

Nomination and Election of the Vice-President of the Society. For the 16vice-president, nominations were accepted by V. Konashevsky and Foma Syman. In a closed ballot, Konashevsky received 31 votes. F. Syman 44. Therefore, F. Syman was elected vice-president of the society without a salary and under a bond of $500 in cash, or 1,000 in real estate.

Nomination and Election of Supreme Secretary of the Society. N. Kozak acepted the nomination of Supreme Secretary of the society on the new terms at a salary of $250 a year, and V. Konashevsky also accepted, asking $500 a year salary. In a closed ballot, N. Kozak received 67 votes, and V. Konashevsky, 9. N. Kozak, therefore, remained under a bond of $2,000 in cash, or $4,000 in real estate. Dr. P. Chadovich was reelected as assistant secretary of the society without a salary and under a bond of $500 in cash or $1,000 in real estate.

Nomination and Election of the Supreme Treasurer of the Society. The following accepted nominations for the supreme treasurer of the society: Alexander Pasiuk, asking $80 salary a year; Gumeniuk, $70 and Joseph Sleznik, $80.

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In a closed ballot, A. Pasiuk received 30 votes, Gumeniuk 14, and J. Sleznik 33. In accordance with the requirement of an absolute majority of votes, ballots were cast again for a Pasiuk and J. Sleznik, resulting with A. Pasiuk receiving 29 votes, and J. Sleznik 44. Therefore, J. Sleznik was re-elected Supreme Treasurer of the society at a salary of $80 per year and under a bond of $2,000 in cash or $4,000 in real estate.

Nomination and Election of the Supreme Recording Secretary of the Society.

Only Andrew Haponovich accepted the nomination for recording secretary of the society, and he was unanimously elected supreme recording secretary of the society at a salary of $35 a year, under a cash bond of $100 or $200 in real estate.

Nomination and Election of the Members of the Board of Directors.

Eighteen delegates accepted nominations for directors of the society, and the Board of Directors, in accordance with the by-laws must be composed 18of 14 members, therefore, those receiving the majority of votes in order were elected.

Ilia Karpin, 49 votes; S. Fedorovsky, 52; M. Horozanko, 53; A. Pasiuk, 61; D. Vorobey, 62; V. Konashevsky, 66; M. Syman, 49; Z. Stolarana, 48; J. Dziako, 69; G. Chepelevich, 55; D. Mikhalchik, 43; W. Sabinsky, 58; S. Kondrasiuk, 53; and Paul Chopko, 50. Those not elected were: V. Zamkovetz, with 41 votes; K. Volnisty, 40; Paul Vorobey, 41; and V. Olesiuk, 23.

(13) Next in the order of the business of the assembly was the question of determining the administrative fund. Supreme President of the society, V. Sabinsky, proposed that for the administrative fund each member be assessed ten cents monthly.

S. Yakimovich moved that the old ruling be enforced, that is, every member pay $1 yearly for the administrative fund.

After some debating, the motion made by Yakimovich was approved, receiving 50 votes, while Sabinsky's motion received only 10 votes. Together with 19this, it was decided that every member of the society pay $1 yearly for the administrative fund through the branches of the society, and the branches must turn over to the society the full sum for its members, from July 1st.

(15) Next, the question of appointing an organization committee in each branch. Chairman of the assembly, Konashevsky, declared that in order that the society be acclaimed throughout the Russian colony, it is necessary for the branches of the society to have their own organization committee, which would apply its efforts locally, gaining new members and together with the central organization committee, cooperate in establishing new branches of the society. The assembly unanimously approved this proposal.

(16) The next question in the order of the business was that of appointing speakers who could prepare to give speeches in the branches and other places. The assembly found it necessary to have their own speakers and it was decided by a majority vote to refer the matter to the administration of the society.

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(17) Publishing a common magazine. The question of publishing a common journal by which the society would inform each month the entire colony of its activities.

After some discussion, the assembly resolved by a majority of votes not to publish a magazine, but select a friendly newspaper and use one page once a month for its activities.

(18) Elarion Horoschenia moved that the next Supreme Assembly be held in another branch and locality.

The Supreme Assembly voted to transfer the question to the Board of Directors, which will select the time and place for the next Supreme Assembly.

(19) The question of a social farm, raised by I. Karpin, delegate of Branch 6, was referred to the Board of Directors by a majority of votes of the delegates of the assembly.

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(21) The question of a central sick benefit office of the society was next in the order of the business of the assembly.

After some discussion, the Supreme Assembly decided by a majority vote that the sick benefit treasury remain in each branch.

(22) In the order of the day, next was the question of persons who hold offices in other organizations should not be elected into the administration of the society.

After some discussion, the motion was passed by a majority of votes that in the future persons who hold offices in other organizations should not be elected to the administration of the society.

(23) In the order of the day next stood the question raised by a delegate of branch 2 that persons of the church calling be denied membership in the society.

The motion was upheld by a majority of votes of the assembly that no 22persons of the church calling be admitted into membership in the society.

(25) The question of the shares held by the newspaper Rassviet. Delegates to the assembly requested the editor of Rassviet, who was present at this session, E. Moravsky, to explain the condition of the shares. Mr. Moravsky informed the delegates of the assembly that the value of the shares has fallen everywhere, but at the same time he suggested that they assist the newspaper as much as possible so that the value of the shares may rise.

(28) Schools.

All the delegates expressed themselves in favor of increasing the number of children's Russian schools, and chiefly in the branches of the society.

The assembly ordered that instruction in these schools should not be given in either religious or political inclinations. The delegates demanded improvement in cultural-educational activity.

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(3) A motion was made that the financial secretary of the society mail to the branches every month a financial report of income and expense.

After some discussion, it was disclosed that it would be impossible to send out a complete monthly financial report, it is required more time to prepare (it) than one secretary has at his disposal.

Delegates of the assembly unanimously voted that a report of the totals of income and expense be sent out every three months.

In conclusion the chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, informed the assembly that all the business in the order of the assembly has been transacted and requested the delegates to voice any matters that they may have to bring before the meeting. There being no other business, the chairman of the assembly, V. Konashevsky, declared the assembly closed at 7:30 P. M. Sunday, May 17, 1931.

V. Konashevsky, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly

Jacob Dziako, Senior Clerk of the Supreme Assembly.