Fraternal Advantage - May 2008
MEMBER-SOCIETY NEWS
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.
Curtin is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo where he earned his BS in Business Administration degree magna cum laude. In addition, he holds the FLMI, ACS, AIAF, AIRC, and ARA designations from LOMA. Curtin is a resident of Williamsville, NY.
For more information regarding Baptist Life Association, visit www.baptistlife.org.
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.
Prior to WFLA, she worked for The Examiner newspaper in Independence, Mo., where most recently she was marketing editor and account executive. She also worked in two public relations jobs in that market: a medical school as publications and public relations manager, and Unity Church world headquarters as communications specialist. She was a board member for the Association for Women in Communications, the Kansas City Blues Society and the Community Association for the Arts of Eastern Jackson County.
She is glad to be closer to her large family in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Kitty has a strong interest in her Czech heritage and wrote her master’s thesis and several freelance articles on Czech-American communication and culture. She will be managing the fraternal department, which includes publishing the Fraternal Herald magazine. One of her main goals will be to meet with directors, agents and lodge members around the country to strengthen the lodges and to increase membership and youth participation.
For more information, visit www.wflains.org.
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.
Martin’s community activities include: serving on the board of Goodwill of St. Clair County for ten years, as treasurer for three years; chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Michigan Waterways Council of Girl Scouts for eight years; participation in the Lunch Buddy program in the Port Huron Area School District for 10 years; nine years as a coach with Marysville Little League; treasurer of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church for three years; volunteer with the Salvation Army basketball program and president of Woman's Life Club 11.
Martin lives in Marysville, Mich., with his wife, Wendy, and three children: Jessica 12, Jay 10 and Julie 8.
For more information on Woman’s Life Insurance Society, visit www.womanslife.org.
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.
Gomez was born Sept. 19, 1947, in Tyler, Minn., and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in recreational therapy from The University of Colorado.
Gomez is survived by her husband, Dr. Cipriano (Cip) B. Gomez, Immediate Past President of the Ohio Fraternal Congress and pastor of Baptist Church, where Claire taught Sunday school, played piano for worship and taught in the church's private school. Gomez traveled with Cip on numerous mission trips to Haiti, Mexico and the Philippines.
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.
He served on the Agency Management Training Council and was a member of the world-renowned Santa Rosa Palomino Club in Vernon, Texas. Weddle was a Sergeant and Public Relations Officer with the Arizona Rangers, Superstition Company. He was also known for the years he sang and played guitar in his country band, "Bobby Weddle and the Stardust Cowboys."
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.
Two JOIN HANDS DAY projects were reported on: one in the greater Portland area where $200 was spent for materials to repair a fence and porch for a disabled widow and one for Sutherlin where Gilbert and Darlene Daniels worked with a Boy Scout Troop to clean up the grounds of the Sutherlin Senior Center.
Keynote speaker Patty Cassidy spoke about the Portland Memory Garden, which is a completely fenced park where families can bring children and Alzheimer’s patients to enjoy the flowers and gardens in a safe and secure environment.
Steve Wiiest, Woodmen of the World/Omaha Jurisdictional Sales Manager, presented the “Fraternalist of the Year” award to Carol Wilson, Degree of Honor. Her list of volunteer and fraternal activities was extensive. Dolores Yates, Woodmen of the World/Omaha, was selected as the first “runner-up” for Fraternalist of the Year.
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