Phil and Annette Kopchinski elected as new club president, VP
SUN CITY – After Polish American Club President Stan Borucki stepped down from his office in November, the club faced an unknown future and the potential of disbanding if a new leader was not found.
Phil Kopczynski, who served as the club’s vice president for two years, did not want that to happen.
“We were getting good attendance; we were getting 50 people or so a month, and I built friendships with a lot of people,” he said.
Borucki had served as president for a total of seven years and, though he enjoyed the role, thought it was time to pass on the torch.
“I felt it was time for someone else to try to influence the club or the direction of the club,” Borucki said.
Kopczynski considered running for the presidency and, after discussing it with his wife Annette, found she was willing to help as well.
In December, Phil and Annette Kopchinski were elected to serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the Polish American Club. Stan Borucki, who served as president for a total of seven years, had stepped down from his position. (Chris La Pelusa I Sun Day Photo)
“I debated it back and forth. I talked it over with my wife, and she said, ‘well, if you take the presidency, I’ll take the vice presidency, and together, we’ll make it happen,’” he said.
The Kopczynskis were elected at the club’s Dec. 11 meeting. The club’s other officers include Treasurer James Sieczkowski and Secretary Vivian Lakowski. Club Historian Jeffrey Roberts passed away last November.
“He would talk three, four times a year on different Polish history, Polish traditions, things about Poland, and things that he grew up with over there, and everybody really enjoyed them,” Borucki said.
Roberts had grown up in Poland and had to go into hiding as the Germans took over his country during World War II.
“He used to talk about different parts of Poland and the spelling of your name – what that means if it ends in an ‘a’ or if it ends in an ‘i,'” Kopczynski said of Roberts.
A change for the club will come in March, as its meetings move to Meadowview Lodge from the club’s previous spot at American Community Bank And Trust.
“This way at Meadowview it’s all set up for us, and it makes it easier for everybody to get to,” Kopczynski said.
Borucki extended thanks to the club members who helped set up and clean the rooms used at the bank before and after each meeting.
Kopczynski said he doesn’t have plans to change the nature of the club but looks forward to hosting his first meetings. The Jan. 27 meeting will feature Father John Bakkelund from St. Mary’s parish, discussing his trip to the Vatican and travels through Europe. In February, Kopczynski is planning to host a bingo game.
