As part of ongoing efforts to record and archive the history of their club, the Polish American Citizens Club is embarking on a project to compile the dates of service for all those who have served as club president.
“This project came about after we started doing more research in preparation for our 80th anniversary gala in September 2019,” says club secretary Erica Manczuk Stocks. “As we started to delve deeper and deeper into the history of our club, we realized that we didn’t have a very comprehensive list of people who served as president. As an organization, we felt it was important to preserve and honor our history, our leaders, and our place in the Polish-American community of Massachusetts."
Through newspaper articles, obituaries, and conversations with former members, the club was able to put together a preliminary list, but there is still lots of missing information. The club is hoping that members of the Polish diaspora of New England can help fill in the missing pieces.
"The officers and directors have been working very hard to ensure the future of the club so that it can continue to serve the community for decades to come. We acknowledge how important our past is, and want to make sure it is properly reflected moving forward." says Peter Dziedzic, club treasurer.
If you or someone you know has any information about the men listed below or know of any one who served as a president of the Polish Club in Boston, please email polishclubboston@gmail.com.
Roman Kalnicki; J. Zaporwicz; John Antoniewicz; Benedict Kizelewicz; Stanley Zdonek; Stanley Kowalewski; Zygmunt Zaborowicz; Joseph Szyp; Franciszek Daszewski
The Polish American Citizens Club is a civic organization and social club in the heart of Boston’s Polish Triangle. Founded over 90 years ago, the club provides a gathering place for Polish-Americans and their families and strives to foster engagement, community involvement, and philanthropy. All Polish-Americans, particularly 2nd and 3rd generation Polish-Americans, are invited to connect with their roots and become club members.
#polishclubboston #savethepolishclub #polishclubpresidencyproject #dorchester #polonia
In accordance with Governor Baker's orders and per guidance from the Department of Public Health regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, the Polish American Citizens Club will be closed starting on Tuesday, March 17th until at least Sunday, April 5th, or until the State tells us otherwise.
Obviously, this closure is devastating for club like our, that relies so much on bar revenue and hall rentals to keep the doors open and the lights on. In this time of hardship and uncertainty, we sincerely ask for your support.
Here are some ways you can help:
This time has been a trying time for so many of us. The Club Officers and the Board of Directors thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Polish Club Boston just as soon as we can.
Zgodnie z poleceniami gubernatora Bakera i zgodnie z wytycznymi Departamentu Zdrowia Publicznego dotyczącymi wybuchu COVID-19 Klub Obywateli Polonii Amerykańskiej będzie zamknięty od wtorku 17 marca do co najmniej niedzieli 5 kwietnia lub dopóki nie powiedziano nam inaczej przez urzędników państwowych.
Oczywiście to zamknięcie jest druzgocące dla klubu takiego jak nasz, który polega tak bardzo na dochodach z barów i wynajmie naszej hali, aby drzwi były otwarte i światła były włączone. W czasach trudności i niepewności szczerze prosimy o wsparcie.
Oto kilka sposobów na pomoc:
Kup kupon podarunkowy (do wykorzystania, gdy ponownie otworzymy)
Zamów w przedsprzedaży jedną z naszych nowych koszulek Polish Club Boston
Odnów swoje członkostwo
Przekaż darowiznę, która pomoże nam przetrwać ten trudny okres
Ten czas jest trudny dla wielu z nas. Oficerowie i Dyrektorzy dziękują za wsparcie i czekamy na przyjęcie z powrotem do Klubu Polskiego, gdy tylko będziemy mogli.
On Tuesday, November 12, the Polish American Citizens Club elected its officers and Board of Directors for 2020. All officers ran unopposed and were reelected to another term - Mrs. Stasia Kacprzak, of Dorchester, President; Mr. Joseph Nowak, of Dorchester, Vice President, Mr. Peter Dziedzic, of South Boston, Treasurer, and Mrs. Erica Manczuk Stocks, of Dorchester, Recording Secretary.
Mr. Keith Stocks, of Dorchester, was elected to the Board of Directors for his first term and incumbent directors, Ms. Dawn Morris, of Dorchester; Mr. Jay Judas, of South Boston; Mr. Eric Basile, Arlington; and Mr. Hugh Whiting, Jr., of Rockland, all retained their seats on the board. The officers and directors are responsible for the operations and financial management of the club. They also plan events, like Polish Fest Boston, and work with community stakeholders on projects that bring visibility to the club, the Polish Triangle, and Boston’s Polish-American community.
“Despite low voter turnout, I am very appreciative of the members who came out to cast their ballot,” said President Kacprzak. “Our club needs the energy, enthusiasm, and support of civic and community-minded young people in order to be successful and I am delighted to work with the new officers and directors.”
With a changing neighborhood and more of Boston’s Polish-American community moving beyond city limits, club membership and engagement has unfortunately waned in the last ten years. In an effort to increase membership and be more inclusive, in April 2019, the members voted to update the membership criteria to allow those with more distant Polish heritage to become full members.
Regular, voting membership is now open to any person twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who was born in Poland or has a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent born in Poland. Any person who is married to a person or adopted by a person who meet the above criteria can also join as regular members. Regular members have full voting rights and can be elected as officers or directors.
“As a club, we wanted to make sure our membership criteria was in line with other Polish-American clubs around the country,” said Mrs. Stocks. “Many were defining regular or full membership in a much broader way than we had been, so the decision was made to update the membership criteria.” Officers hope that this change will increase membership and encourage 2nd and 3rd generation Polish-Americans and those who have married into a Polish family to become full voting members.
This week has been a busy one at the Polish Club! Here's the update of what's been happening at 82 Boston Street.
- Tree Removal The large tree behind the building has been removed. This will protect our building and neighboring houses from any potential damage this winter. Our sign will also be more visible from the highway.
- New Sprinkler System The club's sprinkler system was upgraded this week, with money secured from the refinancing of our loan. This upgrade was critical to our continued operation and our licenses.
- New Kegerator A new 6-tap kegerator as been installed in our downstairs bar. We can't wait to add some delicious beers to our rotation this winter!
- New Floor and Dishwasher The floor behind the downstairs bar has been repaired and new flooring has been installed. We have also installed a new dishwasher. Special thank you to Peter Wojick and Marek Jeske for their assistance with these projects.
REMINDERClub Elections are Tuesday, November 12 from 6-8pm. Voting is open to all regular members whose dues are paid up to date. Please contact us at polishclubboston@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support of the club.
Best regards and Pozdrowienia,
The Officers and Board of DirectorsStasia, Joe, Peter, Erica, Hugh, Jay, Dawn, Amanda, and Eric
On Saturday, September 21st, the Polish American Citizens Club held its 80th Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser. The event raised over $10,000 and all the proceeds will be going towards much needed building repairs.
“Our home is 80 years old, but like with any old home, it is in need of repairs,” notes Stasia Kacprzak, the Club’s president and the first woman to hold this position. “The money we raised will allow us to start to fix some of the building issues, like the leaking roof and damaged floors.”
Club officers hope that the Gala was just the beginning of a new era for the club. “We were founded as a civic and social organization over 90 years ago and we hope people, particularly 2nd and 3rd generation Polish-Americans will become members,” says Erica Manczuk Stocks, the Club’s Secretary. “Membership starts at $30 annually, so it is a very small sum to pay to support the club, our mission, and to increase our impact on our community.” Non-Polish members can also join as Associate Members.
The event began with cocktails and appetizers, donated by Cafe Polonia. Guests were able to peruse the historical photo displays set up around the room, showcasing important moments in the building’s 80 year history, including a visit from Senator John Kennedy in 1955 and the sailors seeking political asylum from communist Poland in 1989. State Representative David Biele and Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George attended and Biele presented the Club with citations from Governor Baker’s office and the Massachusetts State Legislature.
The following Past-Presidents of the Club were presented with special gifts in recognition of their service:
Christine Oplia and Aneta Pokorski, wives of late Presidents Zbislaw “Tony” Opila and Robert “Staga” Pokorski, were also recognized.
Past President and the Club’s longest-living member, Joseph Nowak, 90, was honored and presented with a special gift, a decanter engraved with the Club’s logo and a birthday cake.
Buffet dinner was donated by Euromart, Cafe Polonia and DJ’s Market and included delicious traditional Polish food. Event sponsors were Phia Group,Law Offices of Russo and Minchoff, Skoah Boston, and the Polish American Heritage and Community Foundation.
On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, the Polish American Citizens Club installed its new officers and board of directors for 2019 at their monthly members meeting.
Mrs. Stasia Kacprzak was sworn in for her second term as the Club’s President and General Manager, and Mrs. Erica Manczuk Stocks was sworn in as the new Recording Secretary. Mr. Joseph Nowak and Mr. Peter Dziedzic were re-elected to their positions and sworn in at Vice President and Treasurer, respectfully.
The Board of Directors includes two returning members, Ms. Dawn Morris and Mr. Jay Judas, and three new members, Ms. Amanda Carey, Mr. Eric Basile, and Mr. Hugh Whiting.
“It is great to see our Polish-American members wanting to becoming involved in this club,” said Mrs. Kacprzak. “Our club needs the energy, enthusiasm, and support of young Polish-Americans in order to for us to be successful and I am delighted to work with the new officers and directors..”
“For people like myself, who grew up in this club, we want to see it grow and thrive,” said Mrs. Stocks. “I am very proud of my Polish-American heritage and I encourage all first, second, and even third generation Polish-Americans to get involved and become members.”
2019 will also marks the 80th anniversary of the Polish American Citizens Club. “So many other ethnic social clubs in Boston and around the country are disappearing,” said Mr. Dziedzic. “And we are still here and we want to be for another 80 years.”
To learn more about the club, its events, and how you can become a member, please go to www.polishclubboston.com. You can also follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/polishclubsb) and twitter and Instagram at @polishclubbos.
Contact Us!contact@polishclubboston.com617-436-2786
Address:82 Boston StreetBoston, MA 02125
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