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- About the USCC Website
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About the USCC Website
This website has been developed and is maintained exclusively by members of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), sometimes known as the “Orthodox” or “Community” Doukhobors. Since its formation in 1938, the USCC has been the largest Doukhobor organization in the world. Based in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, the USCC carries on a broad program of cultural and spiritual activities, and provides a wide variety of services and facilities, all of which is intended to further the Doukhobor life-concepts and facilitate their manifestation in the day-to-day lives of the Doukhobor people.
The original prototype for the USCC Website was conceived in 1995 by the well-known Castlegar USCC artist and graphic designer, John J. Kalmakov. He continued to develop its design and content over the years until 2005, at which time he donated the results of his work to the USCC and the site went on-line on a trial basis. With the added involvement and support of others, the website went through further refinement and development and it was adopted as the official USCC Website at the 2008 USCC Annual Convention. A Protocol for its ongoing development and maintenance was later adopted by the USCC Executive Committee on June 1, 2008, at which time John J. Kalmakov was officially designated as the USCC Webmaster.
The Protocol also designated D.E. (Jim) Popoff as Assistant to the Webmaster. An active, Grand Forks USCC member, former Editor of ISKRA, and well-known Doukhobor historical authority, he had already contributed materials to the Website, and was henceforth entrusted with assisting in the areas of content development, news coverage, communications and special features for the Website.
John J. Verigin, as USCC Executive Director, under whose oversight the USCC Website was developed and adopted, continues in an Administrative Liaison role for USCC Website development and maintenance. In addition, designated members of the USCC Executive Committee assist with this liaison and oversight. An informal group of photographers, journalistic stringers, and technical assistants also contribute as deemed appropriate.
This small USCC Web Group continues to update the website and add new content, primarily on a volunteer basis, with additional contribution of material by various other interested groups and individuals. Website funding is supported by group and individual donations.
The primary focus of the USCC Website is the coverage of all aspects of the USCC – its Doukhobor cultural heritage and fundamental beliefs and principles, its membership, its activities, services and facilities. The USCC Website also strives to provide a broad and authentic picture of Doukhobor activities and ideas in general, as well as the ongoing Doukhobor relationship with like-minded groups and the surrounding population. Ongoing development of this website will add much new information and interactive features.
Since the official launch of the website, USCC interest in the use of the Internet as a medium has continued to grow. Future web development is now expressed more broadly as a comprehensive web initiative, potentially involving other satellite websites and the presentation of online archives and materials with Doukhobor content of interest to both USCC members and non-members alike. The USCC web cluster currently includes this website at www.usccdoukhobors.org, the ISKRA website at www.iskra.ca and the USCC Ladies Cultural Interpretive Society (CIS) website at www.doukhoborcis.org. Development also continues on the Doukhobor Song Library at www.doukhoborsonglibrary.com.
The USCC Web Group appreciates the support of our viewers and contributors. We are concerned about the quality, clarity and accuracy of our content and welcome any and all comments regarding content or functional errors. We would likewise appreciate being made aware of any concerns regarding omitted credits or inadvertent misrepresentation of authorship or infringement of copyright.
We are proud of our collective effort in this web project and hope you will continue visiting our website as it continues to grow.
