PRESIDENT'S NEWSLETTER

Back to Administrative Reports

February 28, 2008

Hello, and let me add my welcome to our newly revamped website. It has taken many, many hours of work through bi-lingual efforts, proper set-up and procedure, and facilitating ease of navigation. We all hope that you’ll agree the changes are positive and helpful. It has long been a dream of the staff at the Museum that the PMA have its own website. Thanks to the people involved in this project, especially to Director of Operations Rich Kujawa  and Head Librarian Malgorzata Kot who put on their techno “caps” for this grand revision.

A little about me. I am in my third year as President of The Polish Museum of America, and have been a Museum volunteer and Board member since the late 1970s. My position is a volunteer one, and one in which I take great pride, as I love the Museum and its artifacts and treasures. I attend the Museum staff meetings as a liaison between the Board the staff, and report to both groups about mutual concerns and interests.   Overseeing all affairs of the Museum is the Executive Committee, comprised of the Board Chair Ozog, Co-Chair Sokolowski, President Ciesla, Vice President Anselmo, Vice President Sikora, Secretary Crissey, Treasurer Kopielski, and Director Lorys (who is a non-voting member of the Committee), which meets on a regular basis. The General Board is comprised of 35 members, who represent the Polish-American community- attorneys, CPAs, presidents/representatives of the major Polish fraternals and organizations, and Polonia activists - and act as stewards of the Museum; the Board meets quarterly. One of our “legends” on the Board is Miss Sabina Logisz, who was with the Museum from its opening in 1935. Another responsibility for me is promoting the Museum to the Polish-American community at large, and letting many know that we are here and that we are thriving.

I hope to update this section on a regular basis with experiences and thoughts that will make The Polish Museum of America and its workings alive to our website visitors.

We not only host our treasures and exhibitions, but offer programs and events, as well being a resource for the cultural life in the Chicago area, both Polish and American. Our membership roster keeps growing, and we sincerely hope that you will join the over 1000 members of The Polish Museum of America through your own annual membership.

Please do not hesitate to contact any of us with questions and comments, and please do visit this site on a regular basis, and tell your friends about us.  The Library and Museum have been here for 93 and 71 years respectively, offering resources for scholars, researchers, and those interested in the Polish experience in America. We would be delighted to have you and your family and friends visit the Museum, situated in the area that was once historically the Polish “downtown” of Chicago, now in a rebirth as a sought-after, convenient neighborhood to many young professionals. The Museum is easily accessible from downtown Chicago and all environs, as well as on public transportation.

Come walk the halls and exhibits where Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Holy Father John Paul II when he was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, General Sikorski, Lech Walesa, and thousands of visitors have walked.

With pride,

Maria Ciesla, President

Back to Administrative Reports