Plast 3575880 224625853 2008-07-09T18:37:39Z Jergen 181716 /* External links and references */ rm non-aligend category: WOSM membership through national federation {{otheruses}} [[Image:Ukrainian Plast membership badge.png|thumb|The membership badge of Plast Ukrainian Scouting incorporates elements of the [[coat of arms of Ukraine]].]] [[Image:Plast - Guide with Peace light from Bethlehem.png|200px|thumb|right|Ukrainian guide (''plastunka'') from Plast with the [[Peace Light of Bethlehem]], a program inaugurated in [[1989]], on the Ukrainian-Polish border. Started in 1986 in [[Austria]] as part of a charitable relief mission for handicapped children and people in need, it has gone to more than 20 countries in Europe, as well as North America.[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/011-3610-346-12-50-902-20051213STO03609-2005-12-12-2005/default_en.htm] ]] [[Image:The Monument of the SS-Galicia in Lviv Ukraine.jpg|thumb|200px|The "Monument of the [[14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Galicia (1st Ukrainian)|SS-Galicia]] and [[Ukrainian National Army|UNA]]" in [[Lviv]] (Ukraine), commemorating famous Ukrainians soldiers. Members of the [[Plast]] at a reunion ([[Lychakivskiy Cemetery]]), April [[2008]].]] The '''Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine''' ({{lang-uk|Пласт Національна Скаутська Організація України}}, ''Plast Natsionalna Skautska Orhanizatsiia Ukrayiny'') commonly called '''Ukrainian Plast''' or simply '''Plast''' is the largest [[Scouting]] organization in [[Ukraine]]. ==History== ===First Phase: 1911-1920=== Plast was founded in Ukraine in [[1911]] as the Ukrainian Scout Organization. Ukrainian Scouting has been known since its inception as "Plast". In Ukrainian a ''[[plastun]]'' is an historical name for a [[Cossack]] [[reconnaissance|scout]] and [[sentry]] serviceman. The founder of Ukrainian Scouting, Dr. [[Oleksander Tysovsky]] (alternately Oleksandr Tysowskyj), affectionately known as "Drot," adapted the universal Scout principles to the needs and interests of Ukrainian youth. Born during great social and political upheavals in Europe, Ukrainian Plast came into being to fulfill specific national aims, unlike other Scout organizations. The first Scout troops were formed in [[L'viv]] in [[1911]], then a part of the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] by [[Petro Franko]] and [[Ivan Chmola]]. The official date of the founding of Plast is generally deemed to be [[12 April]] [[1912]], at the L'viv Academic Gymnasium by Dr. Oleksander Tysovsky. Scouting spread rapidly to the other cities and towns, and by [[1913]] the first Supreme Scout Council had been formed and the first handbook published. The same year, the Orhanizatsiyniy Plast Komitet was formed in Lviv by Plast groups from different regions, and the first hiking camp was organized. By [[1916]] its membership exceeded 10,000, and it was a fully developed and functioning organization, consisting of separate branches of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Ukrainian Plast held regular camps for Cubs, Scouts and Rovers, training courses for leaders, and produced a variety of Scout publications, including a Ukrainian translation of '[[Scouting for Boys]]'. Shortly after its founding, [[World War I]] brought about the collapse of the two powers occupying ethnic Ukrainian territory, Austria-Hungary and [[tsarist Russia]], and the formation of the [[Ukrainian National Republic]] in [[1918]]. The subsequent years witnessed a great upswing in Scouting, as it spread into the towns and communities where it had been previously unknown, mainly in the newly freed central provinces of Ukraine. Hundreds, if not thousands, of boys, inspired by the ideals of service to God and Country which Scouting engenders, volunteered to join the armed forces, fighting on several fronts, and many gave their lives. ===Second Phase: 1920-1930=== The occupation of central Ukraine by the [[Red Army]] in [[1922]] led to an immediate abolition of all Scout activities in this region. In the Romanian area of [[Bukovina]], the development of Plast was likewise hampered. Ukrainian Scouting was among the first to suffer what later became the fate of many Scout Associations throughout the world. In areas later to become western Ukraine, which included parts of [[Czechoslovakia]] and [[Poland]], the Scout movement emerged from the ruins of war with renewed vitality. During this period, Ukrainian Scouting first requested international recognition, but was denied on political grounds. In spite of numerous obstacles, Plast developed rapidly in the Polish areas, with high levels of membership among students, farmers and workers. A key sponsor was Metropolitan [[Andriy Sheptytsky]], the Archbishop of the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] (1901-1944), who donated a campsite called "Sokil" in the [[Carpathian Mountains]]. A number of publications are introduced, including the official organ ''Molode Zhyttia'' and Dr. Oleksander Tysovsky's seminal handbook, ''Zhyttia v Plasti''. In the late [[1920s]], external pressure on the part of the Polish authorities seriously impaired further growth of Plast on its territory, and eventually led to an outright abolition of Ukrainian Scouting in [[1928]] in the [[Volyn]] region, and in [[Halychyna]] in [[1930]]. However, Plast continued to flourish in [[Carpathian Ruthenia]], the ethnic Ukrainian area within Czechoslovakia, and maintained a close liaison with the underground Scout units in parts of central Ukraine under the Soviet Union until [[World War II]]. Ukrainian Scouts took part in the World Jamboree at Arrowe Park in [[1929]], and as part of the Czechoslovak contingent in the fourth World Jamboree at [[Gödöllő]] in 1933, attempting to make the World Scouting aware of the suppression of free Scout activities in Ukraine. ===Third Phase: 1930-1944=== In Western Ukraine, Plast, though banned, continues to operate illegally and conspirationally under the auspices of the Plast Center. Plast activities continue to be undertaken, but via the Commission of Educational Campsites, the "Ridna Shkola" and published in the journal ''Vohni''. The Polish leadership pursues this activity and punishes such activities with arrests and internment in concentration camps. By [[1939]], [[World War II]] breaks out and membership in Plast sees a resurgence in western Ukraine, although the occupying German forces again ban Plast, yet activity continues. As in the previous war, many ''plastuny'' take up arms in various armies that traverse western and eastern Ukraine during the war. During the years under Communism and the Soviet Union, Scouting was banned in Ukraine, but the Plast organization continued to exist [[Scouts-in-Exile|in exile]] around the world. ===Fourth Phase: 1945-1950=== Ukrainian Scouting was hampered by [[World War II]], but Plast managed to survive the war and began to flourish again in the [[displaced persons camp]]s under the occupation of the Western Powers. The successful commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of the Movement in [[1947]] was the highlight of Plast activities at that time. Multiple groups of ''plastuny'' met at the ''Holovna Plastova Rada'' in [[Munich]]. Ukrainian Scouting became a member of the Displaced Persons Division of the Boy Scouts International Bureau. A delegation of over 40 Scouts and Scouters participated in the sixth [[World Scout Jamboree]] at [[Moisson]] in [[1947]] and a smaller group in the seventh World Jamboree at [[Bad Ischl]] in 1951. After the mass resettlement of Ukrainians between [[1948]] and [[1950]], Plast was reorganized and branches permanently established in a number of western countries with large Ukrainian communities, such as the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[France]], [[Austria]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Germany]] and [[Argentina]], where it continues to flourish and expand. ===Fifth Phase: 1950-1989=== Ukrainian Scouting was represented at the ninth [[World Scout Jamboree]] at [[Sutton Coldfield]] in [[1957]], at the second and third [[World Scout Indaba]]s and at the tenth World Scout Jamboree at [[Makiling Park]] in [[1959]]. Ukrainian Scouters delegated by the Executive Council participated as observers in the sixteenth and seventeenth International Conferences in [[1957]] and [[1959]], respectively. In the summer of [[1962]], Ukrainian Scouting celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a National Jamboree on its own permanent campsite ("Vovcha Tropa") at East [[Chatham, New York]], in which over 2,000 members, as well as Scouts of other national associations participated. Subsequent anniversaries were celebrated in [[1972]] (again in East Chatham, New York), [[1978]] (Alberta, Canada) and every five years thereafter. The location of Plast's global headquarters would vary based on the leadership elected at each ''Holovna Plastova Rada,'' although the centers of administration tended to be [[New York City]] and [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Plast was quite active in publishing, with the key publications: * ''Hotuis'' (for ''novaky'' or New Scouts) * ''Yunak'' (for ''yunaky'' or Scouts) * ''Plastoviy Shliakj'' (for ''starshi plastuny'' and ''seniory'', that is Older Scouts and Senior Scouts). * ''Vohon' Orlynoyi Rady'' (for leaders and counselors to ''novaky'') * ''V dorohu z Yunatstvom'' (for leaders and counselors to ''yunaky'') * ''Av-u'' and ''Tam-Tam'' (for members of the ''Siromantsi'' fraternity) * ''OX Kvartal'nyk'' (for members of the [[Orden Khrestonostsiv]] fraternity) And numerous local, regional and fraternal bulletins, publications, journals and handbooks, many of which were published by Plast Publishing. In addition to creating over a dozen campsites, Plast members built or acquired over 30 facilities or ''domivky'' where they could hold activities, generally on a weekly basis. Several stores, including ''Molode Zhyttia'' in [[New York City]], provided uniforms, emblems, publications and other goods. Several foundations and organizations provided and continue to provide support. ===Sixth Phase: 1990 to present=== When the [[Soviet Union]] began to crumble, Scouting appeared clandestinely. The first Plast camp was organized in the summer of [[1989]] and was raided by the Soviet secret police ([[KGB]]); several Scouts were beaten and arrested. Nevertheless, Scouting and Plast persisted. Since the end of Soviet [[communism]] and the birth of an independent [[Ukraine]] in [[1991]], Ukrainian Plast Scouting has been growing rapidly in every corner of the country. This included units in [[Kyiv|Kiev]], [[Lutsk]] and [[Donetsk]]. The most active region, however, was in [[Lviv]], where on [[22 February]] [[1990]], the town council enacted the ''Statut Plastovoho Tovarystva''. At the beginning of [[1995]], there were 85 local groups and councils, with over 3,500 Scouts. In August [[1997]], Plast Ukrainian Scouting celebrated the 85th anniversary since the first Scouting units appeared in Ukraine in [[1911]], with a Plast Jamboree at the renamed Sokil Plast Museum-Camp, attended by 700 Scouts from 34 units throughout Ukraine. Highlights of this Jamboree included the inauguration the third ''Nachalniy Plastun'' (Chief Scout) in Plast's history, and the first ever inaugurated in Ukraine, Dr. [[Lubomyr Romankiw]] on August 10, [[1997]]; the opening of the Museum at this historic campsite, donated by Metropolitan [[Andrey Sheptytsky]], which had been used by Plast from [[1924]]-[[1944]]; and the attendance of several scouts from the First Phase of Ukrainian Scouting, including the 93-year-old composer [[Mykola Kolessa]]. In addition, [[Scouting in Ukraine|other Scouting groups]] have been spontaneously appearing, mostly in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. Most of them participated, together with Plast, in the Ukrainian delegation to the 18th [[World Scout Jamboree]] in the [[Netherlands]] in [[1995]], as well as the First All-Ukrainian Scout Jamboree in Nevytske, and the Second Slavic Jamboree in [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]]. Plast Publishing largely moved back to Ukraine, with financial and editorial support from international units, and publishes a magazine for both younger Scouts, ''Hotuys'' (Be Prepared), and for older Scouts ''Yunak'' ... as with all Plast publications, these monthly publications are written in Ukrainian. They are also distributed internationally. Plast is working with the various other Ukrainian Scouting organizations to develop a national Scouting federation and to achieve recognition by the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement|WOSM]]. All duties in Ukrainian Scouting, from local to the National Council levels, are performed by a combination volunteer workers and paid professionals. As of [[2006]], Plast has over 10,000 members in Ukraine, and an additional 3,000 members in other countries. The 95th anniversary jubilee occurred in August of 2007, with a ''Zustrich'' at the ''Plastova Sich'' campsite in [[Grafton, Ontario]], [[Canada]]. Over 1200 yunaky attended the camp, from August 4 to 19. ''Tabir Pryhilniky'' {{Fact|date=November 2007}} was at Camp Baturyn, just outside [[Montreal, Quebec]]. Tabir Uchasnyky was held in [[Algonquin Provincial Park]], in central Ontario. Tabir Rosviduvachi was held in [[Samuel de Champlain Park]], also in Ontario. Tabir Skobiv and Virlits was in Killarney Park, on Lake Huron, in western Ontario. ==Plast outside of Ukraine== <!-- Image with questionable fair-use claim SHOULD NOT BE removed: [[Image:--UkraineCanada.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Scout-in-exile postage stamp from Canada]] --> After World War II, a number of independent Plast Ukrainian Scouting organizations were founded in the West by Ukrainians from Western Ukraine (which was under Polish rule until 1939). This phase of Plast began in Germany and Austria in 1945 in various Displaced Persons Camps, and as various members of Plast eventually ended up in Canada, the United States, the UK, Australia and elsewhere, various émigré organizations were founded between 1946 and 1951. Until the fall of the Soviet Union, these represented the totality of Plast organizations, and were aligned to a supranational organization called KUPO (Conference of Ukrainian Plast Organizations), which convened every four years and elected an operational "Holovna Plastova Starshyna" (HPB) and a board called "Holovna Plastova Rada" (HPR), and would also name the head Plastun ("Nachalniy Plastun"), typically a long-term or lifetime, and somewhat ceremonial position. The current, and third, "Nachalniy Plastun" is US-based (originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Dr. [[Lubomyr Romankiw]], his predecessor was US-based Dr. Yuriy Starosols'kiy, who succeeded Severyn Levytsky ("Siriy Lev"), who was inaugurated in post-[[World War II]] Germany. Thus, Plast has existed as an émigré organization in: * [[Canada]], with major contingents or "stanytsi" in [[Toronto]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Edmonton]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Calgary]], [[Montreal]], [[Ottawa]] and elsewhere, and a campsite in [[Grafton, Ontario]], since [[1948]] * the [[United States]]: **"Stanytsi" (active Plast Scouts) in [[New York City]], [[Chicago]], [[Cleveland]], [[Detroit]], [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]],[[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]], [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]], [[Denver, Colorado]], [[Boston]], [[Los Angeles, California]], [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], [[Seattle, Washington]], **Defunct, dormant or inactive "stanytsi" in [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]]; [[Hempstead (village), New York|Hempstead]]; [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]]; [[Utica, New York|Utica]]; [[Albany, New York|Albany]]; [[Los Angeles]]; [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]; [[Lorain, Ohio]]; and [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]] **Plast Museum in [[Parma, Ohio]] **Plast Campsites in [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] ("Noviy Sokil"), [[East Chatham, New York]] ("Vovcha Tropa"), [[Cleveland]] ("Pysanij Kamin"), and [[Connecticut]] ("Bobrivka") **Campsite for camp leaders ("Lisova Shkola") in [[Hunter, New York]] * [[Australia]], with "stanytsi" in [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], [[Canberra]], [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]] * the [[United Kingdom]] ([[London]], [[Manchester]]) * [[Germany]] ([[Munich]]) * [[Brazil]] * [[Argentina]] ([[Buenos Aires]]) To a less-organized extent: * [[France]] * [[Belgium]] ([[Antwerp]]) * [[Poland]] (more recently) * [[Czech Republic]] (more recently) * [[Slovakia]] (more recently) * [[Lithuania]] (more recently) * [[Latvia]] (more recently) * [[Kazakhstan]] (more recently) The mission of Plast in exile was amended somewhat, with objectives to maintain and perpetuate Plast and Ukrainian culture and identity throughout the Ukrainian diaspora. After the fall of the Soviet Union, in addition to Ukraine, Plast units were formed in Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic. In the middle of [[1997]], a two-week Jamboree was held in Winnipeg, Canada that brought Plast contingents from France, Germany, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Ukraine, and other countries. Given that only the organization in Ukraine is a "National" organization, the other Plast units ("krayi") continue to collaborate via KUPO and HPB (now moved to Ukraine), but with Plast in Ukraine having its own status. == Program == [[Image:-Ukrainehighestrank.jpg|right|140px]] ===Program Sections=== * Pre-Scouts - aged 4 to 6 ("ptashata pry plasti") * New Scouts - aged 7 to 11 (UPN: "novaky" and "novachky") ** Further subdivided into male and female units ** Organized into a "riy" (group) typically with 6 to 10 Scouts ** A regional unit ("stanytsia") might have several "royi" organized into a "nest" ("hnizdo") typically with 20 to 50 Scouts. ** Larger "stanytsi" may have more than one "hnizdo" ** Each Scout has a rank, based on having completed a "proba" (none, first, second and third), which is based on achieving a number of objectives including earning merit badges ("vmilosty") * Scouts - aged 12 to 18 (UPU: "yunaky" and "yunachky") ** Further subdivided into male and female units ** Organized into a "hurtok" (group) typically with 6 to 10 Scouts ** Each Scout has a rank, based on having completed a "proba" (none, first, second and third), which is based on achieving a number of objectives including earning merit badges ("vmilosty"). ** Those at the lowest tier are called "Prykhylnyki" those who finished the first "proba" are called "uchasnyky," those with the second "proba" are "rozviduvachi" and those with the third proba are "skoby" (roughly equivalent to an [[Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scout]] in the United States). Female tiers are similar: "prykhynytsi," "uchasnytsi," "rozviduvachky" and "virlytsi." ** In exceptional cases, a "skob" who has performed above and beyond the call of duty and has also amassed a substantial number of "vmilosty" is named by the "nachal'niy plastun" to be a "hetmans'kiy skob" ("skob of the hetmanate") or "hetmans'ka virlytsia." There have been fewer than 50 such individuals in the history of Plast, although the pace of awards has accelerated considerably, with this level almost being viewed as the fourth "proba" ** A "skob" can also achieve an additional distinction of a "skob aviator" or "maritime skob" with additional nautical or aeronautical training. There have only been a handful of such individuals. * Older Scouts - aged 18 to 30 or 35 (USP: "starshi plastuny" and "starshi plastunky") ** While older Scouts often belong to regional units ("stanytsi") and are often the counselors to units of "novaky" or "yunaky," they also organize themselves into international "kureni" (sometimes referred to as "fraternities" or "sororities"). These "kureni" are either single-sex or mixed-sex. Prominent male kureni include the [[Lisovi Chorty]] (Forest Devils), the Burlaky (Old Shoes), the [[Orden Khrestonostsiv]] (Order of the Crusaders), the Chervona Kalyna, the Chornomortsi (Black Sea-ers), Vovkulaky (werewolves), Orlykivtsi (followers of [[Pylyp Orlyk]]), Pobratymy (Circle of Friends), Khmelnitschenky (named after [[Bohdan Khmelnytsky]]), Plemia Mogikany (Tribe of Mohican) and the Siromantsi (coyotes). Prominent female kureni include the Pershi Stezhi, Chortopolokhy, the Lisovi Mavky (wood nymphs), Chornomorski Khvyli (Black sea waves), Buryverkhy (mountaintop-destroyers), Knyahyni (Princesses), Ti shcho hrebli rvut'(those who rake leaves), Shostokryli (6-wings), Spartanky, Verkhovynky (mountaintops), and mixed-gender kureni named after Dr. Oleksander Tysovsky (the Baden-Powell of Plast), Voynarovskiy and the "Dubova Kora" (oak bark). Most of these units were founded in Germany in the late 1940s, and many of these now exist in Ukraine as well as throughout the Plast diaspora. A number of new units have been formed in Ukraine in the past 12 years as well. * Senior Scouts - aged 30 or 35 and up (UPS: "seniory") ** Senior Scouts belong to the same "kureni" as the "older Scouts." Many units have a particular focus, with the Chervona Kalyna being involved in sports, the Chornomortsi and sister kurin' Chornomorsky Khvyli in maritime Scouting, the Pobratymy in hiking and mountainclimbing, the Siromantsi in publishing, the [[Orden Khrestonostsiv]] and the [[Lisovi Chorty]] in basic Scouting and individual leadership. ** A Senior Scout who has not previously been a Scout is called a "Plastun Senior Prykhylnyk." Those who have previously been "older Scouts" enter at the second tier called "Plastun Senior Dovirya," and if they are active can achieve the third tier called "Plastun Senior Pratsi" and a select few leaders achieve the level of "Plastun Senior Kerivnytstva." * Plast Affiliates - Not official members but supporters, similar to a Parent-Teacher-Organization ("Plast-Priyat") (age ranges vary depending on the region around the world) The Plast Scout Motto is ''SKOB!'', an acronym for ''Syl'no! Krasno! Oberezhno! Bystro!'' meaning "Strongly! Beautifully! Carefully! Speedily!" in Ukrainian. The Scout Motto for the younger Ukrainian Scouts is ''Hotuis!'' or "Prepare yourself!" "SKOB" also happens to be a direct translation of the eagle species "[[Osprey]]" The Ukrainian noun for a single Scout is ''Plastun''. ===Plast Law=== The word ''plastun'' means "a Plast Scout" (male). A female Plast Scout is a ''plastunka'' ... The Plast Law (''Plastoviy Zakon''), more accurately a Plast Scout's Law, is as follows. # A ''Plastun'' keeps his (her) word. # A ''Plastun'' is thorough. # A ''Plastun'' is punctual. # A ''Plastun'' is thrifty. # A ''Plastun'' is just. # A ''Plastun'' is courteous. # A ''Plastun'' is brotherly and friendly. # A ''Plastun'' is levelheaded. # A ''Plastun'' is useful. # A ''Plastun'' obeys Plast leadership. # A ''Plastun'' is diligent. # A ''Plastun'' cares for his (her) health. # A ''Plastun'' cares for beauty. # A ''Plastun'' is always optimistic. ===Scout Oath=== On my honor I swear that I will do everything in my power to: Be loyal to God and Ukraine, To help others, To obey Plast leadership and To live according to the Plast Law. ==Notable Plast members== *[[Petro Franko]] *Dr. [[Oleksander Tysovsky]] *[[Shukhevych|Roman Shukevych]] *[[Stepan Bandera]] *Dr. [[Bohdan Hawrylyshyn]] *Dr. [[Lubomyr Romankiw]] *[[Viktor Yushchenko]] * Patriarch Cardinal [[Lubomyr Husar]] of the UGCC *[[Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper]], NASA mission specialist ==See also== * [[Scouting in Ukraine]] * [[Scouting in displaced persons camps]] * [[Ukrainian Sich Riflemen]] ==External links and references== {{portal|Scouting|Scout logo2.svg}} *[http://plast-Scouting.org/ Plast homepage, in Ukrainian] *[http://www.plast.org/info/Home%20Page%20of%20Ukrainian%20Scouting-Plast.htm Ukrainian Scouting] *[http://www.plast.org/info/Ukrainian%20Scouting-Plast%20History.htm History of Plast] *[http://plast.org.ua Plast Portal - Plast website in Ukrainian] *partially adapted from "Ukrainian Scouting, the Newsletter of the Plast-Scouting Organization of Ukraine," Volume 1, Number 1, January, 1995; and Plast publications. The Scout Oath, Law and Motto were translated by George Slusarczuk. {{Scouts in Exile}} [[Category:Ukrainian society]] [[Category:Ukrainian Canadian culture]] [[Category:Ukrainian diaspora]] [[Category:Scouting in Ukraine]] [[hu:Plaszt]] [[pl:Płast]] [[ru:Пласт (украинская скаутская организация)]] [[uk:Пласт]]