The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1983 (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1983-09-01 / 9. szám
Page 4 THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE September, 1983 Dear Mr. Chomos: After a visit to Ligonier and several informative meetings with you, I have a clearer insight into and a much better appreciation of the problems confronting both The Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation and the Bethlen Pressowned, “The Eighth Hungarian Tribe’" magazine. Because it is obvious that these inter-related problems must be expeditiously resolved to enable the Foundation, as well as this publication, to make a significant contribution towards the preservation and perpetuation of our Hungarian heritage, I feel obliged to venture some suggestions for dealing cost-effectively with their root cause. These suggestions, of course, are based solely upon my personal opinion and should not be interpreted in any other way. It is my considered opinion that the financial bottleneck ■inhibiting the operations of the Foundation and this publication could be uncorked provided there is a willingness on the part of management to effect improvements in the areas of the organizational structure, managerial procedures, operational objectives, and the editorial thrust of what should be the official publication of the Foundation. These constructive changes, I believe, are more urgently needed at the present time than fund-raising efforts resulting in minimal returns. For, if adopted, the Foundation, as well as this allied publication, would become much more supportable by I he Hungarian communities of the United States and Canada. In other words, both must be magnetic to support before support can be anticipated! The Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation While the Foundation does have an acceptable Board of Directors, most of its members live too far from Ligonier to be able (o provide needed managerial, operational, and financial assistance. The immediate solution to this problem, I believe, would be to reshape the makeup of the Board by by reaching out for new members who reside in the vicinity of Ligonier and who are in a position to provide participatory, as well as financial, input. Another improvement, I think, would be to re-target the aims of the Foundation. While its present objectives may be meritable, they are not support-attractive enough to stimulate the nationwide support of the Hungarian press and radio, organizations, Churches of all denominations, and individuals of Hungarian origin. This is understandable in view of the fact that several other organizations with aims similar to those of the Foundation, have already milked off the “cream” from available sources for contributions — which really explains why the Foundation has found it difficult to generate funds for its goals. This harl reality suggests that, in order to become a viable organization, the Fundation must re-orient itself towards the design, preparation, and implementation of special projects which can capture the support-interest of Hungarians throughout the United States and Canada. Activism, in other words, is so much more effective than depending upon unrealistic aims to generate widespread support! One “action” project, which could probably revitalize the now apathetic support-interest of most Americans and Canadian lineage, for example, is the initiation of a campaign to raise funds for the design, preparation, and installation of a Hungarian exhibit (photographic) in the American Museum of Immigration currently housed in the Statue of Liberty, but scheduled to be moved to Ellis Island in the near future. Although the erection of the Statue of Liberty was made possible by a Hungarian —BELIEVE IT OR NOT — we are one of the very few ethnic groups not represented in the American Museum of Immigration, a museum visited by more than 1,500,000 persons a year! That we are not, is incredible! At anyrate, such a project as this would also generate an increase in Foundation membership, donations, and subscriptions to this publication. For it is a project that really merits the immediate attention and support of all Hungarians nationwide. Moreover, by acting as the catalyist of project, the Foundation would harvest great benefits! The Eighth Hungarian Tribe In view of the fact that the American-Hungarian and Canadian-Hungarian communities really need such a publication as this, why it does not have many more subscribers than it has today is probably linked to the lack of interest demonstrated towards the aims of the Foundation and, to some extent, to its editorial thrust. The solution to this problem, I believe, is that, with an improvement in the aims of the Foundation, it should become its property. Then, the publication’s editorial content should be upgraded to attract greater reader-interest especially among the new generation of Hungarians. An exellent example of how to accomplish this improvement, is the very successful Italian publication called “Attenzione”. Published in English, it now has a circulation of about 1,000,000 readers (9% of Italian Americans) and is chock-full of advertising! Paul Pulitzer Union, New Jersey We would welcome comments from the Board members of the HETF and from our readers on Mr. Pulitzer's letter. Dear Mr. Chomos; Enclosed is a cheque for $50.00 as contribution towards the publication of the Eighth Tribe magazine. We were sorry to learn about the difficulties you encountered. Ignoring the details of the contraversy on hand our main concern is the existence of the magazine and the continuation of the service it renders to maintain the national spirit and pride of us, who still remember dearly the country, that formed us into what we are today. Dr. Baráth’s book “The Early Hungarians” ought to be in every Hungarian library, to be read and loaned to friends. Hopefully we shall be able to enlist new subscribers in order to alleviate your problem. Perhaps the future holds some solution if everyone involved gives the highest consideration to the aim, what the publication serves; we have to be a voice for those, who are forced for silence at home. Sincerely, Dr. Stephen A. Hegedűs Spoakane, Washington Gentlemen; Since I have not had the ambition to acquire a working vocabulary in my mother tongue I write to you in “Angol”. I wish to bestow my heartfelt gratitude for the noble work you perform in preparing your montly Publication. It serves as our educational and cultural lifeline to Hungary’s Past and Present. For me it is a Precious
