GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC COMMISSIONERS INTERESTED IN HOLDING HEARINGS

1. Know Your Witnesses
The first step is to know your witnesses. As you are aware, many witnesses are reluctant to talk about the famine under any circumstances. For this reason, the greatest difficulty will be in getting people to talk about their experiences. However, before proceeding any farther, you should have firm commitments from at least three eyewitnesses. For those who are not comfortable in English, an interpreter can be ar¬ranged.
Dr. Robert Conquest will be promoting his forthcoming book on the Ukrainian Famine in September, and he might be available in the fall as a scholarly expert.

2. Schedule a Date.
Try to find a time when a Commissioner or Executive Branch member can attend and when there is no conflict with local Ukrainian-American events. In general, one should schedule the meeting at least thirty days in advance. A federal courtroom can usually be reserved without charge.

3. Involve the Local Ukrainian Community Early on. This Means ALL Religious, Social and Political Groups.

4. Get Written Statements from Witnesses.
Witnesses may write their statements in English, Ukrainian, or Russian. Those should be obtained two weeks before the hearing so that they can be translated if necessary. It is preferable to obtain them as soon as possible. This is not always easy, but it is necessary. Make sure the staff office has names and phone numbers of wit¬nesses.

5. Remind the Staff Office to Draft a Hearing Notice as Soon as You Have a Firm Date.

6. Work on a Press Release with the Staff Office to be Issued at Least Seven Days before the Hearings. Follow up with Telephone Calls to Press Contacts Two Days before the Hearing.

7. Arrange a Reception for the Local Ukrainian Community, the Commissioners Present, the Witnesses, and the Press. Charging the Local Ukrainian-Americans Can Help Defray Expenses.

8. Hire a Court Reporter to Be Paid at Commission Expense.