IN THIS ISSUE

NFCA Announces New President and CEO

NFCA Legislative Update

Make Plans to Attend these 2008 NFCA Sections Mid-Year Meetings

Become a Member of the Fraternal Consultant Response Team

Call for 2008 NFCA Award Nominations

Fraternal 100 Section Interim Officers Announced

Pre-Register Your 2008 JOIN HANDS DAY Project

Member-Society News

Question of the Month

Calendar of Upcoming Events

NFCA Member-Society Question of the Month

This month's question:

What changes, if any, should the NFCA consider to improve JOIN HANDS DAY?

To answer, click here or visit the NFCA Web site at www.nfcanet.org and click on the link for the "Question of the Month." You also can send your answer to the NFCA Headquarters at nfca@nfcanet.org.

March 2008

NFCA Announces New President and CEO

Association Executive Joseph Annotti Accepts Position as Permanent President and CEO.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph J. Annotti as its new President and CEO, effective March 31, 2008.

“The NFCA and its Board of Directors are delighted to welcome Mr. Annotti as the new President and CEO,” said Katharine E. Rounthwaite, NFCA Chair of the Board. “We are confident that Mr. Annotti’s experience and expertise will help drive the association’s strategic planning and lead the evolution of the fraternal benefit system.”

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NFCA Legislative Update

Baucus Tax Agenda

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Montana) stated last week that his primary focus this year will be to lay the foundation for fundamental tax and health care reform to be enacted in 2009, through a series of hearings and internal meetings. Baucus does not expect major tax legislation to be enacted this year, although he is hopeful that President Bush's influence over the process will wane as the general election campaigns get underway. He thinks Republicans may become more flexible with respect to some of the smaller tax initiatives that are on the 2008 agenda and that have been difficult to negotiate with the Administration.

In that regard, Baucus is not optimistic about the pending farm bill because of the general lack of progress that has been made in discussions between Congressional negotiators on the scope and size of the bill and offset to the tax title. In the event that a deal is not reached on the farm bill, Congress would likely pass a long-term continuation of farm programs that would otherwise expire on March 15 and drop the tax title altogether. Baucus also is uncertain about the chances for enactment of comprehensive tax-related energy legislation this year, because Senate Republicans are unlikely to accept provisions in the House passed legislation that would increase taxes on major oil companies.

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Make Plans to Attend these 2008 NFCA Sections Mid-Year Meetings

Fraternal Communications & State Fraternal Congress Sections

Hotel Preston
Nashville, Tennessee
April 17-19, 2008

MEETING INFORMATION
Invitation from Section Presidents
General Meeting and Hotel Information
Meeting Agenda
Registration Form
Hotel Fact Sheet

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Investment

Ambassador East Hotel
Chicago, IL
May 7-9, 2008

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Become a Member of the Fraternal Consultant Response Team
Show your fraternal spirit and volunteer your expertise.

The NFCA created the Fraternal Consultant Response Team (FCRT) program to help members address issues involving an aging population, governance, attracting youth, product development and asset management - among many others.

The FCRT program offers struggling member-societies the dedicated service of seasoned fraternal executives who visit the home office for an intensive one- or two-day visit. These visits are usually held in conjunction with a board meeting or other leadership meeting. In advance of the visit, the FCRT is provided the annual statement, the society’s annual Tillinghast analysis and society responses to a brief questionnaire. The Team holds a conference call with the society contact, prior to the visit, to prioritize the challenges to be tackled.

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Call for 2008 NFCA Award Nominations

Do you know an exceptional fraternalist? Has your State Fraternal Congress been active in many fraternal activities this year? Get the recognition you and your members deserve. Submit your entries for the following NFCA Awards!

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Fraternal 100 Section Interim Officers Announced

Special thanks to the following individuals, who have volunteered to serve in a leadership position of the Fraternal 100 Section.

Tim Kuzma, Polish Falcons of America - Interim Chair
(elected at the 2007 NFCA Annual Meeting)

Dan Wenzler, CSA Fraternal Life - Interim Officer

Jerry Boswell, Woodmen of the World/Assured Life Association - Interim Officer

These three individuals will be considered "Interim Officers" until formal elections occur at the Fraternal 100 Section Meeting held during the 122nd NFCA Annual Meeting, September 4-6, in Washington, D.C.

These Interim Officers will assist the NFCA in evaluating the content of future Fraternal 100 webinars and any potential Section meetings.

Please contact Allison Koppel, Director of Membership & Fraternal Services, with any questions or comments.

Pre-Register Your 2008 JOIN HANDS DAY Project

On May 3, 2008, fraternalists and non-fraternalists alike will come together for JOIN HANDS DAY—to make a difference in their communities through helpful projects that connect youths and adults.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) has updated the JOIN HANDS DAY promotional materials for 2008. Click on the links to download copies of the 2008 Action Guide and tri-fold brochure or visit the JOIN HANDS DAY Web site at www.joinhandsday.org.

After planning your May 3rd event, be sure to pre-register your project on the JOIN HANDS DAY Web site.
Click here to pre-register your project now.

Why You Should Register Your JOIN HANDS DAY Project:

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LUSO-American Announces Merger with SPRSI

Luso-American Life Insurance Society (LAL), Dublin, Cal., merged with the Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel (SPRSI), starting in 2008. SPRSI will retain its name and programs as a division of Luso-American Life Insurance Society.

With this alliance, both organizations will realize significant decreases in the cost of operations; combined financial resources for greater leverage in the production of investment income, anticipated new alliances of people and councils, shared fraternal events, and a larger pool of experienced and qualified persons to meet the personnel needs of one organization.

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PNA District 12 Holds Annual Spelling Bee

On Sunday, February 17, 2008, District 12 of the Polish National Alliance held their Spelling Bee at Archer Park in Chicago, Illinois. PNA Commissioners of District 12 Barbara J. Wesolowski and Roman Bucon invited all junior high school students (7th and 8th graders) to compete in the spelling bee. Six contestants participated in this year’s event, which included Courtney Kargol from Lodge 2394 who lives in Montgomery; Alexandra Lyewski from Lodge 2927, who lives in Lemont; Monica Plukarski of Lodge 1824, who lives in Oak Forest; Matthew and Nicholas Domalewski from Lodge 1824, who live in Lockport; Tyler Popp from Lodge 1824, who lives in Hickory Hills. PNA District 12 covers the whole south side of Chicago, as well as the southwestern suburbs.

Commissioner Wesolowski opened the program introducing those attending, who included PNA National Directors Christine Domalewski and Arthur Trybek, Commissioner Roman Bucon, Barbara Sullivan, former St. Damian School Assistant Principal, who was the pronouncer, and judges: Theresa Yoksas, a retired teacher from De LaSalles High School, and Irene Spiewak, Vice President of the District 12 Women’s Division.

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Unity Life Policyholders Approve Demutualization Sponsored by Foresters
98.9% of eligible policyholders voting on proposal say “Yes.”

Unity Life of Canada policyholders voted to approve the company’s proposal to undergo sponsored demutualization at a special meeting of eligible policyholders held today in Mississauga.

The vote follows the announcement of August 9, 2007, that Unity Life and Foresters™ had entered into an agreement under which Foresters will acquire Unity Life and Unity Life will represent Foresters in the Canadian market as a member of the Foresters group of companies. Under the agreement, Foresters is sponsoring the demutualization of Unity Life and will subsequently subscribe to Unity Life for common shares, payable in cash. The proceeds will be used to pay eligible policyholders. Subject to approval by Canadian regulatory authorities, Unity Life will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Foresters. The transaction is expected to be completed in April 2008.

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Giving Money is Still Easier than Giving Time
Thrivent Financial survey finds age, income, education and employment affect attitudes.

For the third consecutive year, Americans say that giving one’s money to a charitable cause is easier than giving one’s time. According to a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ national survey of 1,000 adults, 52 percent of Americans said it is easier to give money, while 30 percent said it is easier to give time. Sixteen percent said both are equally easy to give.

The survey showed that age, income, education and employment status affect attitudes about giving. Fifty-eight percent of seniors (age 65+) and 53 percent of pre-retirees (age 55 to 64) favor giving money over time versus 44 percent for young adults (age 18 to 24).

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Gleaner and Orphan's Benefit Celebrate 40 Years

Gleaner Life Insurance Society has been assisting families through the Orphan’s Benefit for 40 years.

In 1968, the benefit was introduced to Gleaner members and in 2008 Gleaner Board members approved a benefit increase.

The Orphan’s Benefit provides payment to the orphaned child or children’s guardian through 18 years of age, and then provides substantial payments for the child to attend four years of college. Both parents must have been Gleaner members for their dependents to receive this benefit.

In 2008, the orphan’s scholarship has been increased to $2,500 per child, with a maximum of $10,000 for higher education.

For more information, visit www.gleanerlife.org.