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Polonia Technica, Inc.

Also known as Association of Polish American Engineers, is a non-profit organization, established in 1941 in New York City, by a group of Polish engineers, who, after the outbreak of World War II, found themselves in the United States of America. The organization serves as a professional and social link for Polish engineers and technicians living in the U.S.A.

Internet address: www.polonia-technica.org

Association of Polish Engineers and Technicians in the USA "Polonia Technica, Inc."


Address:
Polonia Technica, Inc.
208 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (718) 599-9036 - Fax: (718) 599-9036
Email: [email protected]
www.polonia-technica.org

The "Polonia Technica" was registered on May 16, 1941 in New York City as a nonprofit organization. The idea of forming an organization of Polish engineers in the USA was first considered in the 30s of the 20th century. At that time, the number of Polish engineers was not large enough to sustain such an organization. However, the consequences of Second World War sped up the process of bringing such a project to fruition. One of the main goals of the organization in this first stage of its existence was to help Polish engineers and technicians to emigrate to the United States from ravaged Europe by the war. Especially, it was concerned with several hundred engineers stranded in occupied France who quite possibly would have been forced to work for the enemy forces. The next goal was to help those who were free to move to the United States, After demobilization of the Polish Army in England in the 50s, a large group of Polish engineers and technicians emigrated to the USA, which revived the organization. Its main focus became helping these newcomers to assimilate into the American society, to find employment, housing, exchange of professional experiences, and further education. The organization also funded several scholarships. Every year, grants were awarded to Poles majoring in engineering, especially in Western Europe and South America. A large number of grants were awarded to Argentina, where after Second World War a Polish population was established. The Society also sent a significant number of technical books, journals, reports to Poland politically isolated from West, behind the "Iron Curtain."

The "Polonia Technica" was originally intended as a society to exist during the Second World War time. However, because of the world's political division after Second World War, the majority of Polish engineers decided to stay in the USA and continue their professional carriers there. These were the beginnings and the mission continues to this day. The goals placed upon the Polonia Technica" establish its status. The main goal is bringing together people who work in technical fields in order to develop their professional position and social relationship. The organization is dedicated to enhancing its members' education and propagating Polish technical ideas and accomplishments in the USA.

The Society works on developing professional cooperation, education, exchange of information about new technologies, perspectives for the future, and professional integration of Polish-American community in the USA, on cooperation with professional organizations and
educational institutions in Poland, cooperation with professional organizations abroad and on the support for the Polish-American community providing information on education in the US schools, colleges and universities.

Currently the "Polonia Technica" has over 200 members. The Society database holds over 750 names of people who are associated with the organization, who desire to receive updated information, and are considered as the active supporters.

The computer revolution which began in the 80s of 20th century gave the organization several impulses for new undertakings. Since then, computer courses were offered, which was an important factor introducing new computer integrated technologies to all members. In the last two decades, the "Polonia Technica" organized hundreds of lectures, training sessions and seminars in many disciplines. For example, in New York, in 1994, the "Polonia Technica" organized a technical event called ComPract. It was an exhibition of computer applications in engineering. Those were the meetings that brought the newest integrated computer technology on a large scale. In a few hours, over 1000 people had a chance to get a computer idea and familiarize themselves with the scale of practical applications of computer technology in engineering. In its undertakings, the organization strives to adopt a program which brings updated technology and engineerIng needs of the Society members. Ten years ago, the Internet became the most popular way of communication and information exchange. The "Polonia Technica" was among the first organizations to educate the Polish-American engineers about this new computer communication technology in the form of lectures and presentations. For many years, the "Polonia Technica" sponsored the Investors Club, inviting many Wall Street specialists to introduce the investing rules to the Polish professional community. A large turnout confirmed the need for meetings on the investing topic. Since 1996, the organization has carried out the mission of informing Poles who reside temporarily in the US about educatiorial possibilities, anywhere from the grade school to postdoctoral studies. In this aspect, the "Polonia Technica" cooperates with the Polish Student Organization in New York City, which takes on a large part of the organizational duties. The meetings are called "Studia 4U", and their motto is "The future of the Polonia Technica lies in the education of its youth". With time, this annual meeting has become a permanent item on the list of the most important events in the Polish- American metropolitan community. Every year about 300 young people attend this meeting. The "Polonia Technica", understanding the difficult situation of Poles residing in the former USSR, has decided to extend a helping hand to them. Through the Internet, the society has established contacts with the Polonia in Turkmenistan. "Polonia Technica" members collected funds and financially supported a camp organized for Turkmen youth, where they learned the Polish language and history of Poland. In 2000 the Society provided a notebook computer to the Turkmen community, together with additional hardware and software worth of a thousand dollars. This small token of recognition was sent as an important solidarity message. During the last meeting in 2004, in New York City, the Turkmen Polonia representatives expressed their deep appreciation for the help and support showed by the "Polonia Technica".

In 2001 the Society of Polish Engineers and Technicians in the United States celebrated its 60th anniversary. On this occasion, a special edition monograph was completed and printed, titled Historical Steps over the Years 1941-2001. The monograph describes 60 years of professional achievements by Polish engineers in the United States. The history of the association reminds that throughout the years, many Polish engineers achieved significant progress and had a great engineering contribution to American science and technology. The enclosed biographical entries introduce talented people like Tadeusz Sendzimir, one of our most honored members, who was famous in metalworking and rolling technology, Jan Grzybowski Helm, who had huge impact on the US electrification system, Boleslaw Przedpelski, chemist, charter member of the society, Waclaw Szukiewicz, inventor of the Polish method of rubber production, Zdzistaw J. Starostecki, designer of the very advanced "Patriot" rocket, Wojciech Rostafinski, researcher, who worked for the NASA space program, Frank Piasecki, one of the pioneers of the helicopter industry in the USA, designer, and great philanthropist, Dr. Alma Szczesniak, food industry scientist, Andrzej Targowski, professor, computer scientist, inventor of the Infostrada database concept, Andrzej Nowak, professor, bridge designer. Following their footsteps is a group of new generation engineers who want to match or exceed the success of their predecessors between them Dr. Janusz Romanski, chief engineer, helicopter system design. The 60th anniversary was an occasion for a technical seminar. During the seminar the following papers were presented:

Role of the SNT-NOT Federation as a Integration Institution for the Polish Professional Organizations in Poland and Abroad by Dr. Wojciech Ratynski, chairman of the FNST NOT, Warsaw;

Development and Perspectives of the Technical Sciences in Poland by prof. Zbigniew Piasek, Cracow University of Technology

The Reasons for Emigration of Polish Engineers and its Explanation by prof. Andrzej Targowski, Western Michigan University, Michigan

Perspectives of the Technical Science Cooperation between the US and Poland by prof. Andrzej S. Nowak, University of Michigan, Michigan

Successes of Polish Engineers in the US Helicopter Industry by Dr. Janusz Romanski, chief engineer, Piasecki Aircraft Corp., Pennsylvania.

As a part of the 60th anniversary activities, the archival documents of the ''Polonia Technica" were transferred to digital media. Most are available via the Internet, by the means of the world's largest archive computer server at Idaho University.

The society Polonia Technica has its counterparts in other countries. In autumn of 2000, we were guests of the STP in Great Britain, celebrating their 60th anniversary. The official delegation included: Janusz Zastocki -- chairman, Dr. Janusz Romanski -- vice-chairman, Dr. Malgorzata Romanski, Ladies' Committee. In June 2001, the 60th anniversary of the Association of Polish Engineers in Canada was celebrated. A large delegation of 8 representatives with Janusz Zastocki as chairman were among official guests. During the ceremony an agreement of cooperation between both professional societies was signed. In 2002 the Polonia Technica delegation of Dr. Janusz Romanski vice-chairman and Dr. Malgorzata Romanski -- Ladies Committee, took part in the ceremony of the 85th anniversary of the Association of Polish Engineers and Technicians in France. This society is the oldest one established abroad. In 2002, as one of two professional organizations outside Poland which are part of the Polish Federation of Engineering Associations NOT, the "Polonia Technica'' was invited to the 23rd Congress of Polish Techniques. After a half-year long congress discussion, spoke a number of engineers, a few of them from the "Polonia Technica". It was an important contribution which was reflected in the final debate, and it recognized the "Polonia Technica's'' professional involvement in the closing document.

On October 10-12, 2003, at St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake, Detroit, took place a meeting of all members of all engineering societies in North America, During that meeting, a board of advisors was formed, along with the Polish American Engineers' Hall of Fame, Also, the possibility was discussed of Polish engineers in the USA and Canada getting involved into the innovative research program directed at small and medium size companies in Poland. The Society publishes the periodical bulletin "Biuletyn Polonia Technica''. It contains information on all recent events and happenings as well as plans for future ones. It publishes articles and photographs from the organized meetings, such as Annual Forum, New Year's Eve parties, picnics, trips to the mountains, The bulletin is a place for the technical review of interesting technical events, new technologies and designs. The Society established a website (www. Polonia-Technica. org) which is used as a source of information on the future activities, members information exchange, and a very efficient way of communication between members. The Society cooperates with other political and social organizations in the New York metropolitan area. For years the organization has been involved in cooperation with the Polish Science Institute in New York, Jozef Pilsudski Institute, Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish Student Organization in New York City, Central European business Association, Polish Business Club, the Polish People's University in Philadelphia, PA, Sailor's Club, Association of Polish Physicians in the USA - Medical Club, the World Research Council on Poles Abroad.

It is worthy noting that the Society has a very good cooperation with the General Consulate of Poland in New York City and the " Polonia Technica" representatives attend official celebrations and cultural and social meetings. Among Polish American professionals communities, the organization "Polonia Technica" enjoys great respect and fondness. This is a direct result of the fact that the Society's work is appreciated. On top of that, this is an open and friendly organization with long interesting history and talented people. This is a reason why the members are deeply involved in the Society's activities and are proud of their Polish heritage.

Edited by Dr. Janusz Romanski

From: "Encyclopedia of World Research and Engineering Heritage of Polish Engineers in the USA, Canada, Europe, Argentina and Singapore" collected and edited by prof. Zbigniew Piasek; published by FOGRA, Krakow, 2006