IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the President and CEO

NFCA Legislative Update

News from the NFCA Board of Directors

Featured Speakers Announced for 2008 Annual Meeting

Report on the Communications, Fraternal and State Fraternal Congresses Sections Mid-Year Meeting

Royal Neighbors Receives Check from Paul Newman as National Make A Difference Day Award

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

2008 National Flag Day Promotional Kit Now Available

GOP Convention Marks 100-Days Out with Call for YouTube Entries

Fraternal 100 Section Updates

Reminder - Call for 2008 NFCA Award Nominations

Sub-Prime Woes Impact D&O Marketplace

2008 JOIN HANDS DAY Brings Together Thousands of Fraternalists for Neighborhood Volunteering

NFCA Joins Fraternalists on JOIN HANDS DAY

Member-Society News

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Question of the Month

NFCA Member-Society Question of the Month

This month's question:

What new technology has been the most helpful to your society in communicating with your lodges?

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.

May 2008

Message from the President and CEO

The Evolution of the “Fraternalists-in-Action” Program

Since May 2005, the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) has recognized nearly 400 “Fraternal MVPs” – members of NFCA societies that personify the values of the fraternal system through their dedication to improving life in their communities. These individuals have been acknowledged on the NFCA Web site and the association has helped societies promote recognition of their good works to the media in their communities.

The association has sent over 75 MVPs to Washington, D.C., to meet with their Representatives and Senators in an effort to put a face on fraternalism and increase the awareness of societies’ commitment to community service to federal public policymakers.

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NFCA Legislative Update

Taxes – The 2009 Blueprint for Change

Following difficult negotiations between the Democratic Congressional Leadership and the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog coalition in the House of Representatives, Congress is closer to adopting the budget resolution, the federal budget for fiscal year 2009. Once adopted, Congress will work on this year's major tax initiatives.

After the budget resolution is adopted, the tax committees will consider the AMT and extender bills and the debate will focus almost exclusively on the offsets. Passage of an offset package will be easier in the House where a simple majority of Democrats should be easy to put together. Opposition to tax increases by Senate Republicans will likely make the Senate a more difficult place for a major tax bill with offset to be considered.

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News from the NFCA Board of Directors

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) Board of Directors, led by Chair of the Board Katharine E. Rounthwaite, held a meeting, Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at the NFCA Headquarters office in Oak Brook, Illinois.

The Board reviewed and adopted new NFCA Mission and Vision Statements.

The Board also reviewed a draft of the NFCA’s “Balanced Scorecard” – the NFCA’s strategic “roadmap” for both the next 90 days and laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive long-term plan.

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Featured Speakers Announced for 2008 Annual Meeting

122nd NFCA Annual Meeting
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.
September 4-6, 2008

SAVE THE DATES!
Make plans now to attend the 122nd NFCA Annual Meeting, September 4-6, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

ATTENDEE INFORMATION:
Schedule of Events
Hotel Information/Reservations
Travel Information
Discover Washington, D.C.
Attendee Registration
      Registration Guidelines
      Full Program Registration Form
      Daily Registration Form
      Online Registration - Coming Soon!


For EXHIBITOR AND SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION,
please click here.

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Report on the Communications, Fraternal and State Fraternal Congresses Sections Mid-Year Meeting

The Communications, Fraternal and State Fraternal Congresses sections “Networked in Nashville" when they met at the Hotel Preston, April 17-19, 2008. More than 50 members representing 30 organizations heard from communication innovators and learned from each other about new ways to reach out to their membership, as well as potential members. Among the sessions that got the attendees focused on networking were:

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Royal Neighbors Receives Check from Paul Newman as National Make A Difference Day Award

Royal Neighbors of America was chosen to receive one of ten national awards as part of the 2008 National Make A Difference Day Awards. With the prestigious award came a check for $10,000 from Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation, Inc.

Royal Neighbors also was recognized in the Sunday, April 27 issue of USA WEEKEND magazine, along with the nine other winners.

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

Actuaries

AmeriSuites Schaumburg
Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago-area)
June 5-6, 2008

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Fraternal 100

Oak Brook, Illinois (Chicago-area)
June 19-20, 2008

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2008 National Flag Day Promotional Kit Now Available

A great civic opportunity for member-societies and state fraternal congresses is just around the corner. On Saturday, June 14, the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) will join with citizens around the country in celebrating National Flag Day. This event offers the fraternal benefit system a tremendous platform from which we can encourage patriotism in our local communities and share our fraternal story.

To download materials to assist with your societies' or state fraternal congress' promotional efforts, please see the following items:

	Flag Day Kit
	Tri-Fold Brochure
	For other U.S. Flag-related sites click here.

How Are You Serving a Cause Greater Than Your Own Self-Interest?
GOP Convention Marks 100-Days Out with Call for YouTube Entries
Winning video to be played, winners to attend Republican National Convention.

With Saturday marking 100 days to the start of the 2008 Republican National Convention, and taking to heart the call of Sen. John McCain to serve a cause greater than one's own self-interest, convention President and CEO Maria Cino today announced a national YouTube video contest with the winners attending the convention held at the Xcel Energy Center, Sept. 1-4.

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Fraternal 100 Section Updates
 
May 20 Webinar Replay Available
Membership Development: Four Stories from Four Growing Societies
If you missed this well-received webinar on the successes of several societies, you can replay it by obtaining the link to the webinar with the audio recording synched.  Please e-mail Allison Koppel, Director of Membership and Fraternal Services, for details at akoppel@nfcanet.org.
 
Section Meeting Update
Complimentary Networking Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, Oak Brook Center
Sponsored by DRIASI and Marsh
Thursday, June 19, starting at 6:00 pm

Join us for dinner at the excellent Mon Ami Gabi - a casual bistro serving French classics including steak frites, raw oysters, mussels in white wine, trout grenoblois. Charming touches include bakery bag-sleeved baguettes and a wine trolley delivering by-the-glass pours.   The NFCA Fraternal 100 Section will enjoy its own private dining room to get acquainted, network and swap stories.  Click here to visit the Mon Ami Gabi Web site for more information about this bistro and its cuisine.

Click here to register for the Fraternal 100 Section Mid-Year Meeting, June 19-20, in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Reminder - Call for 2008 NFCA Award Nominations

Don't forget to submit your entries for the following NFCA Awards!

Deadlines for these NFCA awards programs are fast approaching! Remember, information on all current award programs can always be found on the NFCA Web site at “Awards” under the “Programs” tab.

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Sub-Prime Woes Impact D&O Marketplace

While D&O premium decreased for many in 2007 , the complexity of the product actually increased in many respects due to the greater array of available alternatives and contract enhancements. Individual experience in the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance marketplace will vary significantly depending upon ownership, size and individual risk profile. A company’s risk profile can include financial performance, quality of management, culture, reputation for controls, etc. Tying these factors together, the current marketplace is showing an increase in varying distribution across different industries and sectors.

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JOIN HANDS DAY Brings Together Thousands of Fraternalists for Neighborhood Volunteering

Projects in 47 states and three Canadian provinces for the ninth national day of intergenerational partnership-building on May 3, 2008.

This year’s JOIN HANDS DAY, May 3, 2008, was a great success thanks to the efforts of the fraternal benefit system. Created in 2000, JOIN HANDS DAY is a national day of service where youths and adults work as equal partners to plan and carry out local volunteer projects to benefit their communities.

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NFCA Joins Fraternalists on JOIN HANDS DAY

The staff of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) and fraternalists from Catholic Order of Foresters, CSA Fraternal Life and Knights of Columbus joined together on JOIN HANDS DAY to work at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), in Aurora, Ill. FMSC is a Christian nonprofit that packages and sends meal packets to starving children all over the world.

Volunteers scooped rice, high protein soy nuggets, vegetables, and vitamins and flavoring into plastic packets that were sealed and packaged for shipping. Their goal was to beat the previous shift’s total of 92 cartons. The 40 fraternalists, working with 50 other volunteers, packaged 116 cartons that will create more than 27,000 meals. Feed My Starving Children hopes to produce 100 million meals per year by 2010.

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Baptist Life Association Names John Q. Curtin, Jr., as Senior Vice President

The Board of Directors of Baptist Life Association has elected John Q. Curtin as Senior Vice President.

Curtin began his career with Baptist Life Association in 1986 as Assistant Treasurer. He was named Secretary-Treasurer in 1994, and Vice President of Finance in 1996. Curtin has been granted the designation of Certified Management Accountant (CMA) by the Institute of Management Accountants, and has previously served on the Financial Statements Committee of the National Fraternal Congress of America.

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WFLA Announces New Fraternal Manager

Kathryn (Kitty) Chadima, a Cedar Rapids native of Czech-American heritage, is the new fraternal manager for Western Fraternal Life Association (WFLA). She has just returned to Iowa from the Kansas City area where she lived for 18 years after receiving her M.A. in Journalism from the University of Iowa. She received her B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, Ia.

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New National Secretary/Treasurer Appointed To Woman's Life

The National Board of Trustees of Woman's Life Insurance Society, Port Huron, Mich., has appointed Christopher J. Martin to the position of National Secretary/Treasurer.

Martin, a graduate of Ferris State University with a BS in Accounting, joined the staff of Woman's Life in 1997. Martin served as Controller and Director of Customer Service at Woman’s Life before being appointed to Secretary/Treasurer. Prior to working with Woman's Life, Martin worked with the Michigan Insurance Bureau, advancing to Examiner-in-Charge.

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Ohio Fraternal Congress Secretary Dies

Claire Gomez, who had served as secretary of the Ohio Fraternal Congress since 2003, passed away Wednesday April 23, 2008, after a sudden illness. She was a member of the National Slovak Society of the USA. She also was vice president of the Fraternal Insurance Counselors of Ohio.

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Arizona Fraternal Congress Incoming President Passes Away

Robert Weddle, president-elect of the Arizona Fraternal Congress, passed away unexpectedly March 15, 2008. Weddle served as regional director for Modern Woodmen of America in Mesa, Arizona, and was serving as vice president of the Arizona/New Mexico Fraternal Insurance Counselors.

Weddle was born on October 4, 1953, in Alice, Texas. Weddle was a graduate of Purdue University Professional Management Institute and also attended Vernon Regional College in Vernon, Texas.

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Oregon Fraternal Congress Holds Convention

The 75th Annual Convention of the Oregon State Fraternal Congress was held during the afternoon and evening of May 10, 2008, at the IOOF Hall in Milwaukie.

The meeting was called to order by OSFC President Mona Nash, Woodmen of the World/Omaha and the Fraternal Welcome was extended by First Vice President Dorothy Leonard, Degree of Honor. Washington State Fraternal Congress President John Anderson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, brought greetings.

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