Fraternal Advantage - September/October 2008

Attendees “Focus on Fraternalism” at the 122nd NFCA Annual Meeting

More than 350 fraternalists from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 122nd Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), held September 4-6, 2008. Themed “Focus on Fraternalism,” the meeting addressed improving member-societies and how to strengthen and enhance the perception of fraternal benefit societies in the 21st Century.

“We took advantage of the Washington location to emphasize to our member-societies the benefits of developing and maintaining good relations with our elected public officials,” said NFCA Immediate Past Chair Katharine E. Rounthwaite, who presided over this year’s meeting.

In a demonstration of the importance of this goal, on the first afternoon of the meeting, participants visited offices of their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill. On the two days following, fraternalists were able to attend quality programs and explore many other topics that will help their societies grow and operate more efficiently.

Several speakers enlightened the attendees, including the Honorable David M. Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States and an outspoken, non-partisan advocate for fiscal responsibility. Walker is a primary contributor to the movie IOUUSA, currently in release. Also addressing the gathering was political analyst and columnist Charlie Cook who has been featured on the ABC, CBS, and NBC evening news programs, as well as on Good Morning America, the Today show, Nightline, Meet the Press with Tim Russert, and This Week.

In addition to the general sessions, interactive workshops were held for participants covering topics on social media, recruiting and keeping younger members, board governance, quantifying fraternal outcomes, potential affinity programs and bridging the gap in distribution. One highlight of the meeting was the highly successful mock hearing, played out by NFCA staffers and society volunteers.

“I was especially impressed by the forward-thinking workshops,” commented Tim Kuzma, President, Polish Falcons of America, of Pittsburgh, Pa. “Learning about how to appeal to a younger demographic and employ new technologies in our organizations was a great message. It was not lost on me that these workshops were presented by younger experts.”

Meeting delegates also tended to NFCA business during the meeting. Katharine E. Rounthwaite, 2007-2008 NFCA Chair of the Board, delivered her final report to the Congress; new 2008-2009 NFCA Chair of the Board, Barbara A. Cheaney, was installed as Chair and gave her acceptance speech to attendees; and NFCA President & CEO Joseph J. Annotti reviewed the specific accomplishments of the past year and previewed the challenges facing the trade association. Other business included the election and appointment of the NFCA’s new officers and directors, and the adoption of a constitutional change that created additional membership categories for the association.

In addition, attendees had the opportunity to visit with exhibitors and colleagues at the meeting. They also were able to connect with other fraternalists, while investigating the new products and services available to the fraternal benefit system.

The various sections of the NFCA, including Communications, Fraternal, Human Resources, Presidents, Secretaries, Investment and State Fraternal Congresses, also held meetings—many of which had guest speakers. Several meeting-related luncheons occurred during the Annual Meeting:  the Fraternal 100 Section and a Networking Luncheon where participants selected their tables by the topic to be discussed. Several individuals who had contributed to the image of fraternalism by their work in the industry or by their outstanding volunteerism were recognized during the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon. The Annual Meeting concluded with the Saturday Night Dinner, during which new officers and directors of the board were sworn in and NOW THIS!, a D.C.-based improv group, entertained guests by involving audience members in skits.


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