Fraternal Advantage - September/October 2007

MEMBER-SOCIETY NEWS

Holy Family Society of the USA and Catholic Fraternal Life Announce Plans to Merge

The Holy Family Society of the USA in Joliet, Ill., has recently announced its plan to merge with Catholic Fraternal Life in Belleville, Ill.  The members of both fraternal benefit organizations have voted unanimously in favor of the merger at special conventions held in August and September.  They now await the approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance since both organizations are domiciled in Illinois.

The Holy Family Society of the USA was founded in 1915 by a small group of ethnic Catholics with an objective to serve the social, financial and religious needs of a growing number of people who were immigrating to the United States from Europe.  Currently operating in 17 states, the Society is composed exclusively of Catholics and their families who freely joined together for their mutual protection and benefit.

Catholic Fraternal Life was founded more than 123 years ago by a group of German Catholics whose sole purpose was to provide a means for financial protection for their families and create a bond of service to their community.  Originally organized as Catholic Knights of Illinois in 1884 in Chicago, the organization, now known as Catholic Fraternal Life, later moved to Belleville.

Both Societies are looking to the future for growth and the opportunity to serve its members in new ways.  Holy Family Society President, James Rial, believes the combination of these two societies “will provide all current and future members with a stronger financial and fraternal organization.”

The planned effective date of the merger will be January 1, 2008.  The combined Societies will be known as Catholic Holy Family Society.  The Society will have about 90 million in assets and an estimated annual revenue of 9 million dollars.  Membership of the Catholic Holy Family Society will be over 30,000.  Headquarters will remain in Joliet, Illinois, at One Fairlane Drive, with the office in Belleville remaining open to continue serving the members in Southern Illinois and Missouri.  The society’s website will be www.chfsociety.org.

Western Fraternal Life Association Holds Its 26^th National Convention and Celebrates 110 Years

Western Fraternal Life Association (WFLA) held its 26th National Convention and celebrated its 110th anniversary in Cedar Rapids, IA, August 8-10, 2007.  It had been 24 years since the convention had been held in the city where the Association home office is located.

Two hundred sixty-five delegates met to review the by laws, elect a new president and elect a board of directors.  Howard J. Wolfe was elected tenth President of Western Fraternal Life Association at the convention.  Wolfe began his career at WFLA in January of 1968 and has held several positions, including Vice President and Secretary.  Wolfe succeeded President Phil Torticill upon his retirement, October 1, 2007.  Newly elected to the Board of Directors were Elaine Benda representing members from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Louisiana and Terry Hynek representing members from Nebraska.  Attorney Todd Martin, NFCA legal consultant, met with the WFLA board over a two-year period to review and help the board update the Association bylaws, which were approved at the Convention by the delegates.

As part of the celebration, delegates and guest from across the country socialized with each other at two picnics at the Home Office in the evenings.  Food and music was provided both nights, as well as tours of the Home Office.  Buses were also provided for those who wanted to tour the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library where an exhibit on the history of WFLA was provided and will run until November 11, 2007.  A banquet and dance completed the convention and celebration on the last night.

For more information, visit WFLA’s Web site at www.wflains.org.

Theresa Bonin is Appointed to Royal Neighbors of America Board

Theresa Bonin, CPCU, has been appointed to the Royal Neighbors of America Board of Directors, effective August, 2007.  She fills the second management position on the Board as provided in the Royal Neighbors bylaws.

Bonin was appointed Operations Executive of Royal Neighbors in May, 2006.  With a degree in business administration from Creighton University, she is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, a quality and process improvement program.  A 25-year veteran of the insurance industry, she has experience in regenerating business units in turnaround situations, with a focus on increasing productivity by leveraging technology and building efficient and effective processes.

Prior to joining Royal Neighbors, she had been with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in Novato, Cal., and had held numerous positions with GE Capital/Coregis Insurance Company.

“We are pleased to welcome Theresa to our Board,” said Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO.  “With her strong insurance and process background, she will be a valuable addition to the board as we continue to revitalize Royal Neighbors.”

Royal Neighbors of America Continues to Make Significant Progress

Royal Neighbors of America reported statutory-basis operating results for the first six months of 2007 as follows:  total admitted assets of $674.1 million and surplus of $228.9 million.  These amounts increased 4.0% and 8.4%, respectively, over the Society’s December 31, 2006, totals.

Indicators of Royal Neighbors’ financial strength are the Society’s solvency and surplus ratios.  As of June 30, these ratios were 1.51 and 34.0%, respectively, and compared well with accepted industry benchmarks of 1.06 and 7.0%.  These results position Royal Neighbors among the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry.

Net income for the six months ending June 30, 2007, was $19.9 million.

Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO, said, “We are encouraged and energized by these financial results and are working hard to make 2007 another successful year for our members.  Our vision to empower women to achieve financial security, health and wellness permeates everything we do.”

For more information, visit the Royal Neighbors of America Web site at www.royalneighbors.org.

Long-time Volunteer Honored

The Chesapeake Fraternal Congress honored long-time volunteer Mary Ellen Wilmoth at its’ 100th Annual Session held September 28 – 29, 2007 at the Grand Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland.  Wilmoth was honored for her tireless dedication to volunteerism and community service and has been an instrumental, vital and integral voice within the Chesapeake Fraternal Congress for over 31 years.  During that time she has served in several capacities including board member and secretary.

Throughout her adult life, Wilmoth, a Charles County, Maryland resident, has been directly involved with numerous civic, charitable and volunteer causes in her community including: Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, senior advocacy, homeless shelters, and the fraternal benefit societies of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Women’s Life Insurance Society.  She is an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MD.  An avid genealogy buff, she is supported in her volunteer work by her devoted husband, Angus R. Wilmoth.

For more information, please contact Chesapeake Fraternal Congress President Maxine Lewis.

Slovak Catholic Sokol’s Supreme Assembly elects new Board of Directors

The members of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, meeting August 5-10, 2007, in Las Vegas elected a governing body to serve a four-year term, beginning January 1, 2008.  Those elected to the Board of Directors were: Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Supreme Chaplain; Larry M. Glugosh, Supreme President; Sue Ann M. Seich, Supreme Vice President; Steven M. Pogorelec, FIC, Supreme Secretary; James G. Jerek, Supreme Treasurer; Dennis J. Zifcak, Chairperson of Supreme Auditors; Susan L. Blosser, Supreme Physical Directress; and Dusan Dorich, Supreme Physical Director.

For more information, visit the Slovak Catholic Sokol Web site at www.slovakcatholicsokol.org.

Polish National Alliance Announces Autumn Festival

The Polish National Alliance is pleased to announce an Autumn Festival on the grounds of the Home Office Building at 6100 N. Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday October 20, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The festival is open to the public at no charge.  It will feature pumpkin carving and painting, prizes for costumes, treat bags for the children, and lots of fun for the entire family.  Food will be available for purchase.  A fencing display also will be featured during the day.

Those interested in joining the fun at the festival should call the Polish National Alliance to make reservations in attending at (773) 286-0500, ext. 312 or 387 before October 10^th.  Additional details could be found on the PNA website: www.pna-znp.org

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