MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ELECTED - Part 07

There was a recommendation from the convention floor that in view of the approval and adoption, it is unnecessary to repeat the reading and examination of the constitution, article after article. Therefore, the delegates, in full agreement, accepted the abduction of the constitution of the London, Ontario, Special Conference with the following minor editions and corrections:

Mr. John Tsarvengos proposed that the word "territorial" in article five between the words national and development be added. It was also proposed that the name of the Executive Board be changed from "Joint Executive Board" to "National Executive Board".

The scrutinizers conducting the election to the National Executive Board were; Vlado Steriovski, Chris Dimoff, Stan Dineff and Spiro Karfell.

Report by the Nominations Committee:

Mr. John Tsarvengos, on behalf of the Nominations Committee, presented a list with fifteen names of delegates recommended to the convention for election to the National Executive Board. An additional 13 names of delegates were nominated from the convention floor, all total, twenty - eight names From this list, the following two delegates stood for election to the Presidency of the National Executive Board of the United Macedonians of North America, they being:

Mr. John Givens - Toronto Mr. Anton Pavlov - Toronto Mr. John Givens received 38 votes Mr. Anton Pavlov received 23 votes.

Therefore Mr. John Givens was elected president for two years, hence.

The following delegates were elected to the National Executive Board by secret ballot.

Three delegates from Toronto, namely:

Mr. Anton Pavlov received 50 votes Mr. Don Pappas received 34 votes Mr. Bill Clatsoff received 28 votes Three delegates from Hamilton, namely:

Alex Yanev received 41 votes Bill Yanev received 36 votes Kosta Romanovski received 31 votes.

Three delegates from Windsor were elected by acclamation, those being:

Mr. John Sukas Mr. Vasil Dinevski Mr. Chris Vassov One delegate from Detroit was elected by acclamation, namely:

Mr.Boshko Rajchovski According to the constitution, the Detroit branch is allowed to appoint two more members in good standing to the National Executive Board.

The election of the Judiciary Committee, the following delegates were elected:

Mr. Spiro Bassil - Toronto Mr. Kosta Traichev - Toronto Mr. Vlado Ristevski - Toronto Mr. Spiro Karfell - Hamilton Mr. Bob Vassov - Windsor.

The election of the Control Committee, the following delegates were elected:

Mr. Sam Gadjovich - Toronto Mr. Chris Dineff - Toronto Mr. Elia Nasev - Hamilton Mr. Chris Yanev - Hamilton Mr. Angelo Shapardanis - Windsor.

It was decided by the convention that a protocol be drawn according to the constitution in which protocol to contain all possessions of the organization, such as:

Books of Account - Minute Book - Files of Correspondence - and all other tangible properties.

The protocol must be signed by the outgoing temporary committee and the in-coming elected committee.

It was further decided, unanimously, that the next convention be held in the city of Windsor, Ontario.

The convention adjourned at 7:30 PM on September 7th, 1970, with the singing of the national anthems of Canada, the United States of America and the People's Republic of Macedonia.

Signed by:

Newly Elected President Recording secretary in English, John Givens - Don Pappas United Macedonians Delegate - Toronto.

Of North America.

My acceptance speech at the United Macedonians of North America Convention Dear Compatriots, Macedonians, Ladies and Gentlemen, Delegates:

I am proud and it is my great honour and pleasure to thank you for the great confidence that you have given me through your free vote, entrusting me with the most responsible position in the organization of the United Macedonians of North America, as your president. I'm fully aware of my responsibilities and my duties and of the difficulties I am about to face, but I believe there will be no difficulties if our will is united in the work ahead of us.

Before you, dear delegates, I promise you that all the organizational tasks will be carried out on time. When it comes to humanitarian work and at the same time serving my people, who for centuries were tormented, your entrusted call, I sincerely accept and at the same time I hope that I will have your assistance, which will enable us in a timely manner to perform all the remaining tasks that stand before our organization and for us to resolve.

I take this opportunity to express my great recognition and appreciation on behalf of our organization, in your name. In my capacity as the newly elected president, I once again extend my warm greetings to our guests who are representing at this convention the Matica na Iselenicite of the People's Republic of Macedonia. They are; Professor Dr.

Haralampie Polenakovic, vice-president of the Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gane Todorovski, president of the Writers' Society of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Hristo Andonovski, chief editor of the illustrated magazine, Macedonia, a magazine for immigrants abroad, Jonce Hristovski, the chief editor of the folklore program for radio and television, Skopje.

From the depths of my heart and yours, I extend my warm greetings and gratitude to the great son of Italy and the Macedonian people, a man who has devoted all his life to discover the historical truth about the Macedonian people through his numerous scientific papers. Macedonia belongs to the Macedonians only and it will be free and equal before the other nations of the world, although today only one part of Macedonia is free, lives and is developing. I am referring to Professor Academic Giorgio Nurigiani. We wish him a long and creative life.

In the end my wishes, and I believe to be yours as well, are to have eminent personalities amongst us when we get together the next time who will enrich our grateful and patriotic deeds.

We believe, dear guests, that you will not forget us, even though you are returning to our homeland.

To you, dear delegates, once more I thank you for your trust.

John Givens, President of United Macedonians of North America Comm. Prof. Dott. Giorgio Nurigiani Рома, 28 Декември 1970г.

Скапи пријателе Гивенс, Получих милото Ви писмо и много се зарадвах, че не сте ме забравили.Вјарно е, че ми беше много мачно за гдето не можахме да си вземем сбогом при нашето заминаване од Торонто. Исках толкова много да Ви видја и прегарна за да ви искажа всичката си признателност за вашијат радушен прием. Надјавам се , че шче имаме пак возможноста да се видиме и този пат како стари и испитани пријатели.

Вие знаете колко много обичам вашијат народ и вашата Родина. Старајал сум се да и бидам винаги неин покровител и страж пред свички себични попљазновенија на нејните врагове сам се чуствувал шчаслив и горд за гдето не напразно са били изразходени моите усилија за преуспјаването на вашето свјато народно дјало, за което днес всеки македонец се чуствува слободен и независим в својата собствена родна земја.Името на свеки македонец е сврзано днес от всјакога сас својата баднина. Пазете го како зеницата си, застото то сачетава в себе си легендарните борци на вашија самоотвержен и героичен народ за извојуването на собствената си слобода.

На краја позволете ми, скапи пријатељу, да пожељам на Вас и на милото Ви семејство нови творчески успехи вав всјако Ваше начинание!

Поздравете всички пријатели, които си спомњат ошче за мен. Не знаја зашто Спиро Василев не ми се е обадил отдавна. Поздраветего специално.

С наи-хубави чуства Ваш предан Потпис Проф Гиоргио Нуригиани.

Roma, December 28, 1970 Dear friend Givens, I received your kind letter and I was very happy that you have not forgotten me. It is true that I was very disappointed because we could not say good bye on our departure from Toronto. I wanted so much to see you and hug you and express my gratitude for all your warm welcome. I hope that we will have the opportunity once more to see each other and at this time as old and proven friends. You know how much I love your people and your homeland. I have tried to be all ways the protector and guardian from all the selfish aspirations of their enemies and all ways I felt proud and lucky because my affords did not go in vain for the prosperity and the success of your holy work for which every Macedonian fills free and independent in his own homeland. The name of every Macedonian today is tied more than ever with its future. Protect it as your pupil because it contains in its self the legendary struggle of your heroic people to attain its own freedom.

On the end please allow me my dear friend to wish you and your lovely family new creative successes in your undertaking!

Greetings to all friends who still remember me. I don't know why Spiro Vasilev did not respond for a long time. Convey Special greetings to him.

Yours devoted Professor Giorgio Nurigiani.

The illegal meeting of the United Macedonians of North America Toronto Branch March 7, 1971 The main aim of the United Macedonians Organization was to unite the Macedonian people in Canada and the United States of America and resist enemy propaganda, no matter where it originated; be it from the Greeks, Bulgarians, or Serbians.

The organization’s main purpose was to fight for human rights for all Macedonians worldwide, particularly for those in the Greek and Bulgarian occupied part of Macedonia and to promote and expand the rights of the Macedonian people in the Yugoslav Federation, that is, in the People’s Republic of Macedonia.

At that time, before the September 1970 convention, the organization was strong and united but a short time after the convention; it became divided and split into two branches; The United Macedonians of North America and the United Macedonians of Canada, Toronto Branch.

In brief, this is what happened:

As mentioned, the convention was held in September 1970, in Toronto, during which time the United Macedonians of North America's constitution was unanimously adopted and a Joint Executive Board was elected.

The two candidates competing for the position of president of the Joint Executive Board were myself (John Givens) and Anton Pavlov. I (John Givens) won the election by a large majority vote.

Anton Pavlov at the time was secretary of the Toronto Branch of the United Macedonians Organization and his defeat prompted the beginning of a revolt, which eventually ended up splitting the organization in two as mentioned above.

At the time, Teli Morihovitis was president and Anton Pavlov was secretary of the Toronto branch of the organization and those two, deliberately, and with ulterior motives, did not call an executive board meeting to decide on a date and on the details of having an annual election meeting. They called a membership meeting, to be held on March 7th, 1971 instead, and by invitation only in which there was no mention about holding an election.

Upon our arrival at the meeting, to our surprise, meeting chairman Teli Morihovitis announced that an election was to be held that very same day. A large majority of the membership objected to the “surprise” election announcement because, according to the constitution, they should have been properly informed by a registered letter advising them of the election.

But, despite all objections, President Teli Morihovitis and Secretary Anton Pavlov insisted on going ahead and holding an election.

At this point, a large number of the membership walked out of the meeting in protest.

Also, a large majority of the Toronto Branch Executive Board, which objected to this illegal maneuver to hold an election on this date (March 7th, 1971), decided to call a proper election meeting by registered mail, with 21 days notice, as required by the constitution. The new election date was set for June 6th, 1971 and all members of the organization, including those who held the illegal elections on March 7th, 1971, were invited. But even though the “splinter group” attended the meeting in force, it refused to take part in the election. Many of its members were unruly and disturbed the proceedings, forcing the chairman to call the police and to close down the meeting, consequently, without holding the elections.

The problem was brought before the Joint Executive Board on June 12, 1971 in Hamilton, where both sides were equally represented and were heard by members of the Joint Executive Board. At the end of the meeting the Joint Executive Board concluded that the elections held on March 7th, 1971 were unconstitutional and declared null and void. This, naturally, was communicated to both Teli Morihovitis and Anton Pavlov and their followers by letter but they chose to completely disregard it. Since then the split widened and remained as such to this day.

The properly constituted Toronto Branch, as recognized by the Joint Executive Board, had no alternative but to expel all members who refused to abide by the Joint Executive Board’s decision. They were informed that they were no longer members of the organization.

Shortly after the notification, the splinter group, through their so-called “branch committee”, inserted mimeographed and slanderous letters, dated July 7th and July 15th, in their newspaper and sent them to four thousand families in Toronto, Hamilton and Windsor.

Following are some actual details of what took place at the Convention.

A convention report was prepared by a committee and delivered by Pete Kondoff, temporary president of the United Macedonians of North America. (Main organizational report - First National Convention of the United Macedonians of North America.)

The Convention minutes The following delegates were elected to the nomination committee; two delegates from Windsor, two delegates from Detroit, two from Hamilton and four from Toronto.

These were the members who supervised the elections. In the election committee, known supporters of the “actor” Anton Pavlov were; Alex Yanev, Vlado Steriovski and Teli Morihovitis. My (John Givens) supporters were; John Sukas, Bill Dundas and John Tsarvengos. As for the other people on the committee, I was unaware of who they supported.

The nomination committee recommended 15 members as candidates and eight members were nominated from the floor for president of the organization. Two candidates stood for election, John Givens and Anton Pavlov. After the voting, the election committee announced the results;

John Givens received 38 votes and Anton Pavlov received 23 votes.

The election committee declared that John Givens was the elected president of the Joint Executive Board of the United Macedonians of North America.

After the elections for president were announced, the floor was open for nominations for Secretary of the organization. Anton Pavlov was nominated for the position of Secretary by Spiro Bassil. Anton Pavlov was elected secretary with a rather high number of delegates voting for him, including myself.

This proves that, until the convention, there had been no division among the delegates because my supporters also voted for Anton Pavlov for the position of Secretary.

Regardless of his election as secretary, his pride was hurt so much so that soon afterwards he resigned his position as Secretary.

In the next chapters we will be talking quite a lot about Anton Pavlov, not because he meant anything to the Macedonian community in Toronto, but because of what he said to Dr. Tanas Vrazhinovski, author of the book “United Macedonians Organization”, published in 1998 in the Macedonian language.

I received a copy of Dr. Vrazhinovski’s book in 2013 and found many inconsistencies in it. Dr. Vrazhinovski relied a lot on the information given to him by Anton Pavlov in his analysis of the United Macedonians Organization. And I find his information not only biased but confusing and full of inaccuracies and lies.

Therefore, Dr. Vrazhinovski’s book does not tell the true story of what actually took place with regards to the United Macedonians of North America and the Macedonian communities in North America in general.

When Anton Pavlov handed me his resignation as secretary he told me that he would make it his mission to work against me.

The following is Anton Pavlov’s letter of resignation Anton Pavlov

99 Wyndcliff Cres., Toronto 375. Ont.

Mr. President.

In this way, I would like to inform you as President of our organization United Macedonians, that I am withdrawing from the responsibility of Secretary of the United Macedonians of North America. At the same time I would like to tell you that my withdrawal from the responsibility of Secretary of the organization is guided by my wish only, that the organization have greater success.

Toronto, March 25/1971 signed: Anton Pavlov.

The formation of the splinter group United Macedonians of Canada Toronto Branch and the expulsion from the United Macedonians of North America Anton Pavlov - Opasini had his friends, Teli Morihovitis and Vlado Steriovski, to name a few. Steriovski was always ready to jump into any situation if asked, so he joined Pavlov and Morihovitis when they decided to abandon the United Macedonians of North America and, as mentioned earlier, form their own “splinter” organization. Again, as mentioned earlier, contrary to the United Macedonians of North America by-laws, Pavlov and Morihovitis held their own elections on March 7, 1971 and formed the organization “United Macedonians of Canada, Toronto Branch”.

In other words, the Joint Executive Board decision, mentioned earlier, meant nothing to Anton Pavlov and his supporters. After that we ended up with two groups in the Toronto branch, one being the existing branch, i.e. the United Macedonians of North America Toronto branch, led by President Petre Vasilevski and the other, the splinter group led by Pavlov and Morihovitis.

Because of their refusal to abide by the decisions of the Joint Executive Board and by the United Macedonians of North America Constitution, the Executive Board of the United Macedonians, Toronto branch expelled Anton Pavlov’s entire group from the United Macedonians of North America Toronto branch. Each splinter member was informed by letter which outlined the Executive Board’s decision to terminate their membership.

Since I am not in possession of the original letter, I am not going to give the names of the people whose membership was terminated. Here is what the letter said:

Sir, With deep regret your membership in the United Macedonians of North America (Toronto) has been terminated for the following reasons;

a) Refusal to accept or abide by the laws, rules and regulations of this organization.

b) Refusal to accept or abide by the decisions and the authority of the legally elected board of directors of the Toronto branch.

c) Opposition, individually and in concert with others, to the decisions of the Joint Executive Board.

d) Repeated opposition and refusal to accept and abide by the constitution and the principals and purposes set therein for membership in the United Macedonians of North America. You all are also directed to refrain from using the name “United Macedonians” or “United Macedonians of North America”, in any manner whatsoever.

Yours truly, United Macedonians of North America - Toronto branch, board of directors.

The letter was signed by: Angelo Argiro, Paul Bassil, Spiro Bassil, Bill Clatsoff, Vasil Dundas, John Givens, Pete Kondoff, George Loukras, Don Pappas and John Tsarvengos.

Unfortunately the above letter was also misused. It was doctored in some ways and mailed out to all members of the United Macedonians and the Macedonian public in general, implying that the legitimate United Macedonians were the bad guys.

The doctored letter also appeared on the Saint Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church bulletin board and was plastered with all sorts of unwarranted accusations against us.

One comment accused us of “being Bulgarians”.

Another comment accused us of “sabotaging the construction of the Saint Clement Church.” Another accused us of “having defrauded money from the sale of the Ontario Street community hall.” Others accused us of “spreading propaganda for the separation of St. Clement from the Macedonian Synod of Skopje, of bringing a Russian bishop, of distributing free membership cards before the election”… and so on.

We were also accused of not giving accounts of money raised. “Last year they raised around $12,000 from the Ilinden picnic and from the convention and another $5,000 from the car lottery for which they did not give account…” We were accused of being “Vrhovists” (Supremacists working for the Bulgarian cause) “who would step on the blood of the Ilinden fighters, who gave their lives for the freedom of the Macedonian people and for a United Macedonia… and who would organize another ‘God forbid’ Ilinden picnic on the 25th of this month…” In the letter, dated July 15, 1971, the accusers charged the following people of wrongdoing: Bill Clatsoff, Paul Bassil, Spiro Bassil, Pete Kondoff, Nick George and John Givens. They and their wives were then expelled from the United Macedonians, Toronto Branch.

Now let us analyze some of the comments made above and figure out who was deceitful to whom.

With regards to the signatories of the letter mentioned above, i.e. Angelo Argiro, Paul Bassil, Spiro Bassil, Bill Clatsoff, Vasil Dundas, John Givens, Pete Kondoff, George Loukras, Don Pappas and John Tsarvengos, with the exception of myself, all these people were “founding fathers” of the United Macedonians Organization. Why would they do anything to harm the very same organization that they helped create? Who was lying to whom here?

If I may add, these people were also “founding members” of the St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation in Toronto. Proof of this can be found in the St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church Charter. There you will find Paul Bassil’s signature, as he was one of the five signatories of this document. Why would Paul Bassil sign a document supporting a Macedonian Church if he was pro-Bulgarian and worked for Bulgarian interests? Who was lying to whom here?

Don Pappas was First Secretary of the St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church Congregation. Did anyone ever hear Don Pappas say that the people on the list “were Bulgarians”? Of course not! Everyone on the list was a true Macedonian patriot and worked for Macedonian interests, including leading the fight against Bulgarian propaganda everywhere. These accusations, besides being damaging to the Macedonian cause, were hurtful and unfair to the very people who put themselves on the line purely for Macedonian interests. Worse than that, these accusations had no basis on fact and were pure and maliciously concocted lies.

I have brought up this point many times in my book and feel like I am repeating myself, but at the same time I need to say something here about “my involvement” in what my accusers call “sabotaging the construction of the Saint Clement Church.” During St. Clement’s construction, which lasted from 1962 to 1965, I (John Givens)

was a member of the Church Board and Director of the St. Clement of Ohrid Church Corporation. I voluntarily contributed my time and effort in many activities, including overseeing the church’s construction and conducting many fundraising events, about which I have written in other parts of this book.

The question here is, where were my accusers during this time?

Let us look at Anton Pavlov. Anton and his brother at that time were hired by the Board of Directors to do the plumbing and heating in the church building for which they were paid, including their labour.

I ask you, Mr. Pavlov, what exactly have you done towards building the church?

According to the records, in terms of donations, you have contributed nothing; you did, however, benefit from the church’s construction. Please do tell me “how was I involved in sabotaging the church’s construction?” How were others in my position, who greatly contributed their time and large sums of money, involved in “sabotaging” the construction of the church?

Many of those people, including myself, besides being part of the St. Clement board of directors, were also members and closely tied with the Macedonian Mother Church and the American Canadian and Australian Diocese. Is this what was bothering you Mr.

Pavlov; that we were closely associated with the Macedonian Church? Is that what made us “saboteurs” of our own church, for which we paid, with our own money?

Regarding the statement of “having defrauded money from the sale of the Ontario Street community hall” made against me and against the people in my position, I would like to ask:

How did you come to this conclusion? I had never been or knew where “Ontario Street” was and, as far as I know, when I arrived in Canada in September of 1955, the Ontario Street Club did not exist. How did I “defraud money” from its sale and where is your proof of it? Accusations without proof are simply lies!

The only time I received any funds from the sale of the Ontario Street Club was in 2008, 40 years after these accusations were made. I received a grant of $2,000 that went towards funding the translation from English to Macedonian and publication and distribution of Chris Stefou’s book, History of the Macedonian People from Ancient Times to the Present. Again, who was lying to whom here?

The accusations made against me and the others, regarding the “spreading of propaganda for the separation of St. Clement from the Macedonian Synod of Skopje, the bringing of a Russian bishop, the distributing of free membership cards before the election… and so on”, are not only lies but ludicrous lies… In fact, the opposite is true.

The truth is we were the ones leading the people in a fight against our accusers who were opposed to the Macedonian Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Skopje.

This is the truth and no one can deny it.

Our accusers knew very well why the Holy Synod delegation forced Kosta Andrews, then president of St. Clement, to sign the by-laws drafted by the Synod after St. Clement was consecrated. Our accusers knew very well who ordained Father Tsvetko. Why then accuse us of acts we did not commit?

Your aim was to discredit us! Your aim was never to “tell the truth”! But why? Were we not patriotic enough or was it something else? You bet your life it was something else!

Let us now have a look at the next accusation. We were accused of not giving accounts of money raised. The accusers said: “Last year they raised around $12,000 from the Ilinden picnic and from the convention, and another $5,000 from the car lottery for which they did not give account…” Since our letter was dated July 7, 1971, the reference “last year” above must be referring to the 1969-1970 financial year. So, the question is “who were the people responsible in the organization for the 1969-1970 financial year?

It is a fact that Teli Morihovitis was President of the United Macedonians, Toronto Branch during the September 1970 Convention. Also, based on a United Macedonians document called “From Our History”, the United Macedonians Executive Board for 1969 and 1970 consisted of Teli Morihovitis - President, Anton Pavlov - Executive Secretary and John Givens - Treasurer.

The question that comes to mind is: “Who was responsible for giving an account, if not the President, the Executive Secretary and the Treasurer?” Our accusers, I am sure, were well aware that this accusation was a blatant lie “made up” for the sole purpose of slandering and discrediting us! The lie became even stronger when they mentioned the $5,000 from the car lottery.

Here is an explanation by Pete Kondoff of what took place after the election at the Convention, followed by a statement of income and expenses:

After all the officers were elected at the convention, a list of all expenses, accumulated to date, was provided for the new Executive consisting of President John Givens and Secretary Anton Pavlov. All books, records, receipts and cheques were also turned over to the new executive.

All financial records were also turned in to former acting President Pete Kondoff late in October, three months after the Convention adjourned, in accordance with protocol.

I would like to mention at this point that even though, as President, I was directly responsible for all events, I was not directly involved in the finances. The people directly responsible for all financial transactions were Secretary Treasurer Mile Nikolovski and Lottery Chairman Anton Pavlov.

At this point I would also like to mention that when the accounts were turned in, Nikolovski and Pavlov abrogated their responsibility and did not provide us with the necessary final accounting statements. It therefore became my obligation to do the best I could under the circumstances to provide financial statements to our membership. Also please note that no returned cheques were given to me, so it became necessary for me to get copies of all statements directly from the bank in order to complete the following financial statements:

First Convention, United Macedonians of North America, Toronto, Canada - Statement of Income and Expenditures, September 1970

(This Financial Statement was published in our invitation (Newspaper) of the United Macedonians of North America Ilinden Picnic on July 30/ 1972)

Income:

1. Film Night - Friday September 4, 1970 Chairman, Sam Gadjovich c/o Tickets, Assisted by Helen Gadjovich Tickets sold by the roll at $2 each = $478 Add: Tickets Sold By the Roll = $ 16.50 Less Disbursements $4.20 Total income – from Film Night = $490.30

2. Dance Night - Saturday September 5, 1970 Chairman, Chris Dimoff c/o Tickets Total Tickets Printed – 1200 x 3 each $ 3600 Add: Extra Roll - Tickets Sold 42 x 3 each 126 Add: Extra Roll Tickets Sold 15 x 1.50 each 22.50 Add: Extra Roll Tickets Sold 1x1 each 1 Total $3749.50 Less: Unsold Tickets - Returned 480 x 3 each 1440

$2309.50 Less: Unaccounted Tickets - (short)

85 x 3 each 255

$2054.50 Add: American Currency Exchanged $ 0.95 Total Income – from Dance Night = $2055.45 Note: 85 Dance Tickets Short, Chairmen Chris Dimoff responsible – 85 x 3 each = $255

3. Car Lucky Draw - September 5, 1970 Chairman, Anton Pavlov c/o tickets Total tickets printed 5,000 x 2 each $10,000 Less: unsold Tickets 2018 x 2 each $4036 Total cash turned over = $5964 NOTE: 2018 car lucky draw tickets unaccounted by Anton Pavlov-

2018 x 2 = $4036 00

4. Convention Banquet - Sunday September 6, 1970 Chairman, Louis Opasini c/o Tickets Total Tickets Printed – 800 x 5 each $4000 Less: Unsold Tickets – Returned 246 x 5 each 1230

$2770 Less: Unaccounted Tickets (Short) 107 x 5 each 535

$ 2235 Less: Cash Withheld 31 Total Cash Returned $2204 NOTE: 107 Convention Banquet Tickets Short, Chairman, Louis Opasini Responsible -Add: $31 (Cash-short) 31

$566

5. Bar Sales – September 5 & 6, 1970 a) Saturday Drink sales 657 b) Saturday Soft Drink sales 200.45 c) Sunday Soft- Drinks sales 260.75 Total Sales $1118.20

6. Miscellaneous Income a) Donations, May 13, 1970 = $130 b) Branch contributions, May 19, 1970 = $ 150 c) Brewer Returns $ 296.08

576 Total Income $12,408.03

7. Loan by Toronto Branch $ 1500 Total Cash Received $ 13,908.03 Expenses:

Scheduled #1 Chris Vassos - re: letter to Bulgaria $ 46.97 Treasurer, bought all of East York - license and permits $ 70.00 Peter Kondoff - petty cash for bulletin $ 53.49 Mr. T. Moriovche - Re: convention at Quests Accommodation $ 22.25 P &T printing - printing and stationary $ 21.16 Ontario Science Centre and - rent - film night $150.00 Rapido Print - printing and stationary $190.50 The Wilson Munro co. Ltd printing and stationary $ 44.46 The Enterprise Printing and publishing co.

Printing and stationary $ 32.93 News wed LTD - painting and stationary $193.40 C. N and C.P. Telecommunications $ 5.60 Cash (Petty) - Peter Kondoff $ 65.98 M. Nikolovski - RE- Convention Quests Accommodation $ 14.55 Mr. Spiro Bassil - Re -rent the deposit to Science Centre $ 50.00 Petty cash - Peter Kondoff $ 28.08 The Guild Inn - Re -Convention Guests Accommodation $260.98 Canada Packers - food purchases for convention banquet $385.22 D &D Metro wholesale - painting at all banquet hall and telephone $786.81 M. Cutrara & Sons Ltd food purchases for banquet $136.65 G. Petrucelli & Sons Ltd. Food purchases for banquet $144.00 King Edward Sheraton Hotel convention guests Accommodation $228.05 Thomas Adams Distillers - Purchases for the bar $186.00 Trade Winds Travel Ltd - Air Transportation for Quests $701.00 Jordan Wines Ltd Purchases for the bar $186.00 The Enterprise printing &stationery - $ 88.20 Commercial Pictures Pictures - Photography at Convention Floor $362.53 Bazaar and Novelty - Decorations $ 18.48 Maple Leaf Linen Supply - Laundry $ 53.86 Makedonski Glass – Advertising $160.00 Elinka Petroff - Advertising $ 25.00 Spring Flower Shop - Flowers $ 12.60 John Nikolovski - Food Purchases $ 51.57 John Christou - banquet Hall Cleaning $ 75.00 Spiro Bassil - Re Convention guests Accommodation $400.27 The Basilian Press - Printing and stationery $ 81.14 King Edward Hotel --Re - Convention Guests Accommodation $ 94.55 Ontario Science Centre - Film Projection $ 48.00 Spring Flower Shop -Flowers for Guests and Banquet Head Table $ 43.05 Canadian National Telecommunications $ 6.76 United Macedonians of Toronto - Loan Payment on Account $500.00 Mr. Robert Spiro Karfel - Legal $277.70 King Edward Sheraton Hotel -Re- Convention Guests Accommodation $ 81.59 Mrs. Cena Givens Re- Postage $ 22.00 Check issued - Debited in Bank Statement $ 50.00 P&T Printing Company - Printing and Stationery $105.80 Mrs. Mira Mitrovich - re -Car Lucky draw ticket Winner $3000.00 St. Naum of Ohrid - Donation To Maced. Orthodox Church in Hamilton $2000.00 Mr. B. Trenton - Purchases For the Bar $500.00 Spiro Bassil - Unsold Car Lucky Draw Tickets, Returned $ 20.00 Bank Charges $ 23.20 Peter Kondoff - Miscellaneous Expenses $ 9.40 John Givens - Re: Louis Martin Orchestra $210.00 " " " " RE: Deposit to Commercial Pictures $100.00 " " " " Re: Postage & Registration of Letters $251.75 " " " " Re: Convention Guests Accommodation $ 20.00 " " " " Re: Nane Nikolovski. Accordionist $ 40.00 " " " " Re: Purchase two Umbrellas $ 12.58 " " " " Re: Long Distance Telephone Calls $ 12.71 " " " " Re: Miscellaneous Expense $ 3.06 Total General Expenses $13, 246.33 Net Income (Cash On Hand) - $ 661.70 The above statement, along with supporting documents, was sent to a Chartered Accountant for verification. Here is what the Chartered Accountant had to say:

Edward Bennett, C. A.

3335 Yonge, street Suit 408 Toronto,12, Ontario.

May 17, 1972 To: The president and members, United Macedonians of North America, Toronto, Canada.

Gentlemen, I have verified the attached statements and to the best of my knowledge and the information given to me, the financial statements present fairly the financial position of the United Macedonians of North America as of February 26th, 1971.

Respectfully, Signed:

Edward Bennett, C.A., NOTE: Special Bank Account # 1387-11 Chairman and treasurer Mr. Anton Pavlov.

Signing officers: Mr. Pete Kondoff, and Mr. M. Nikolovski (secretary).

Financial statement signed by acting president Mr. Pete Kondoff.

I would like to ask the reader to carefully examine item number three of the statement of income, especially the NOTE. (NOTE: 2018 car lucky draw tickets unaccounted by Anton Pavlov- 2018 x 2 = $4036 00)

*** United Macedonians - Toronto Branch, statement of income & expenditures for the period from October 10th, 1969 to February 28th, 1971 Ilinden Picnic 1970 Income:

Door $ 3116.45 Buses $ 1116.00 Ribbons $ 16.43 Total $4248.88 Expenses:

Fantasyland Park $ 800.00 Invitation Newspaper) $ 561.00 Envelopes $ 54.37 Postage $ 252.70 East York Trophies $ 31.75 Commercial Photo prints $ 25.22 Consolidated theater services $ 21.00 P.A. System $ 47.25 Buses $1016.50 Orchestra $ 125.00 Miss Macedonia crown $ 27.30 Miss - Sam Gadjovich $ 13.79 Colour paper Re- parachutist $ 3.65 Total $2979.53 Net income $1269.35 Statement signed by Treasurer John Givens.

United Macedonians Toronto Branch Statement of Income and Expenditures for the Period from October 10th, 1969 to February 28th, 1971 Income:

Dance - October 11, 1969 $ 585.00 Dance November 29, 1969 $ 500.15 Membership dues 1969 $ 70.00 Dance March 28 1970 $1717.51 Misc. income a) program sales (Sveta Sofija) $ 58.00 b) U S exchange $ 4.63 Ilinden picnic $4248.88 Subscriptions to Ilinden magazine $1235.00 Member dues at 1970 /1971 $ 30.00 Dance January 23, 1971 $1398.41 Total income for the period $9847.58 Expenses:

Dance October 11, 1969 $ 177. 34 Dance November 29, 1969 $ 324.00 Dance March 28, 1970 $ 696.24 Ilinden picnic 1970 $2979.53 Dance January 23, 1971 $ 909.26 Misc. Expenses 1969 - 1971 $3514.79 Total expenses for the period $8601.16 Net income for the period $1246.42 Balance sheet:

Bank opening balance $ 613.95 Net revenue for the period $1246.42 Total $1860.37 Less loan to United Macedonians of North America 1000.00 T o t a l $ 8 6 0 . 3 7 Bank balance as of March 28, 1971 $ 882.03 Less outstanding cheque and (S. Bassil) $ 9.21 Net income $ 872.82 Statement signed by Treasurer John Givens.

With regards to being accused of being “Vrhovists” (Supremacists working for the Bulgarian cause) “who would step on the blood of the Ilinden fighters, who gave their lives for the freedom of the Macedonian people and for a United Macedonia… and who would organize another ‘God forbid’ Ilinden picnic on the 25th of this month…” I have the following to say:

“It is very difficult for me to find words to express my indignation and disappointment in how low our accusers had stooped in slandering decent people who worked tirelessly all their lives to promote the Macedonian cause. These very same decent people, now being falsely accused of wrongdoing, were the leaders in the Macedonian community who awakened Macedonian pride in our people. What a tragedy it was to have seen them being slandered by the lies and innuendoes.” And what did our accusers achieve by doing what they did? Only God knows!

Unfortunately for us this was the kind of people we had to deal with and the only authority we had was to exercise our rights to demand a retraction of their accusations and an apology, which they simply continued to ignore, that is, until we took them to court. Here they were given a choice; provide proof for what they were alleging or apologize and retract their idiotic accusations. We retained a lawyer to act on our behalf.

Here is the lawyer’s letter sent to Anton Pavlov, dated November 4, 1971:

Mr. Anton Pavlov

99 Wyndcliff Crescent, Toronto16, Ontario Dear Mr. Pavlov, We have been retained by A. Argiro, P. Bassil, S. Bassil, B. Clatsoff, B. Dundas, J.

Givens, P. Kondoff, G. Loukras, and J. Tsrvenkov with respect to material mailed to a large number of persons in the Toronto area and dated July 7 and the 15, 1971.

The July 7 material purports to be from the board of directors of the United Macedonians of North America - Toronto branch and the material dated July 15 from the executive board, United Macedonians, Toronto branch.

This material was mailed together with an invitation for a picnic to be held August 1,

1971.

We have advised our clients that in our opinion the material is clearly defamatory.

They in turn have instructed us to take the appropriate steps.

We are advised that you are one of the authors and publishers of this material and specifically of the numbered paragraphs. The material is clearly libelous, and on behalf of our clients we demand an apology and a retraction to be published as a widely as the origin all material was distributed and in manner satisfactory to our clients.

May we hear from you or from your solicitors in this regard within 10 days from the date hereof.

Yours truly, A. McN. Austin.

We’re presenting our application to the Supreme Court of Ontario.

After our application was submitted to the Supreme Court of Ontario, the defendants were willing to sign an apology and make a retraction of their idiotic accusations. For the purpose of settling the matter out of court, I (John Givens) was authorized on behalf of all the signators to settle the matter. Here is the authorization:

Toronto, April 5, 1974.

We the undersigned plaintiffs in a libel suit, hereby authorize Mr. John Givens, to sign and execute the settlement agreement with the defendants.

The said settlement agreement provides for an apology and other terms and conditions agreeable to both plaintiffs and defendants.

Signed, the plaintiffs:

John Tsarvengos, Paul Bassil, Bill Dundas Spiro Bassil, Bill Clatsoff, Pete Kondoff , Angelo Argiro and John Givens.

Here is the letter of apology we received:

APOLOGY AND RETRACTION Toronto, April 25th, 1974 To: JOHN GIVENS, VASIL DUNDAS, JOHN TSARVENCO, PETER KONDOFF, SPIRO BASSIL (VASILEFF), PAUL BASSIL, ANGELO ARGIRO, BILL CLATSOFF, GEORGE LOUKRAS We, the undersigned, ANTON PAVLOV, VLADE STERIOVSKI, TELLY MORIOVCHE, Members of the Executive Board of the “United Macedonians of Canada, Toronto Branch”, elected March 7th, 1971, sincerely make this Apology and Retraction regarding the untrue and false accusations made by unknown members of our committee or the Organization, in printed letters dated the 7th and 15th days of July, 1971. The said letters were mailed to all the members of the “United Macedonians” and the Macedonian public in general during the month of July of the same year.

On behalf of the above committee we sincerely apologize and retract all the accusations contained in those letters as untrue and completely false. For this reason we now apologize for this unwise action first to all those who are directly accused, for their inconvenience and the embarrassment we have caused to them, their wives and their families. We also wish to apologize to the Macedonian public in general.

We further state that the above persons to whom we make this apology have never been expelled from the “United Macedonians” Organization. We also believe that the above named are sincere and patriotic Macedonians, as well as good Canadians, whose honesty, integrity and interest of the affairs of the Macedonian Community is above doubt and reproach.