IN THIS ISSUE

New NFCA President's Blog

NFCA Letter to President-Elect Obama

NFCA Legislative Update

NFCA Supports Optional Federal Charter Concept

NFCA Signs Letter on Pension Funding Transition Relief

New Features Added to the NFCA Web site

Eight Organizations Approved for Associate Membership

Mark Your Calendar for this Free JOIN HANDS DAY Webinar

NFCA Partners with Marsh for New Benefits Program

NFCA Announces Change of Endorsed Broker

Two New Members Appointed to the NFCA Board of Directors

James Stoker Appointed as NFCA Secretary-Treasurer

Save the Dates for the 2009 NFCA Sections Mid-Year Meetings

NFCA Loses Beloved Staff Member

Member-Society News

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Question of the Month

NFCA Member-Society Question of the Month

This month's question:

Has your society built relationships with your public policymakers? If so, please share your relationship-building success story with us.

To answer, click here.You also can send your answer to the NFCA Headquarters at nfca@nfcanet.org.

December 2008

Update on Pension Plan Funding Relief

In conjunction with the return of Congress this week, Independent Sector, a national trade group representing a broad spectrum of non-profit organizations, sent updated versions of the nonprofit community pension relief letters to House and Senate leadership. Independent Sector sent a similar letter to Chairman Rangel (D-NY) and ranking member McCrery (R-LA) of the House Ways and Means Committee. NFCA, a member of Independent Sector, signed the letter along with 77 other nonprofit organizations. See the news release and links below for more information on the issue.

Action Requested

Independent Sector is seeking our help in strengthening the case for relief. House and Senate staff are asking for stories of how serious the pension problem will be for individual nonprofits. Specifically, they would like examples of declines in organizations’ funding status percentage and investment portfolio since the market collapse. They are not asking for the names of individual organizations, just the facts.

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Making the Right Connections

How often have you heard someone say, “We’re in the relationship business."? When it comes to fraternal benefit societies, it’s really true. Our entire business model is based on relationships – with the members of your society, with lodge leaders, with agents and brokers, with other community service organizations, and with state and federal public policymakers, to name just a few.

Today I’d like to focus on relationships between fraternals and public policymakers – state regulators and local, state, and federal elected officials. Making connections – meaningful connections – with these individuals is critical to the future of your society and the fraternal system.

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Welcome to my new blog!

Welcome to the “next generation” NFCA Web site. We’ve created an entirely new site based on the feedback, suggestions, and demands of members like you. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore the site, see what it has to offer, and take advantage of its many new features.

No doubt the first thing you’ll notice is the “look” of the site. Since the Web is by far the most popular way our key audiences – member societies, public policymakers, opinion leaders in the news media, and current and prospective fraternalists – access information about NFCA, we thought the Web site needed to do a more effective job of letting folks know who we are and what we do. We’ve tried to accomplish that with the rotating series of key words and photos that not only catch your eye but tell our story.

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Best regards,

Joseph J. Annotti
President and CEO
National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA)

NFCA Letter to President-Elect Obama

NFCA Legislative Update

Congressional Update/Tax Bill Update
Evan Migdail, DLA Piper

The failed vote last night in the Senate on an automobile rescue plan (the 53 votes in favor fell short of the 60 vote supermajority required to move legislation) appears to be the last vote that will be taken in the 110th Congress. Except for two pro forma sessions scheduled for December to prevent the President from making recess appointments on his way our of office, Congress effectively has adjourned for the year.

The 111th Congress convenes on January 6, 2009, and in contrast to prior Congresses which tend not to consider legislation until the new president is sworn into office on January 20, the 111th will be extremely busy in early January. President-Elect Obama and Congressional Democratic Leaders have decided to try and complete action between the 6th and the 20th on a massive economic rescue package and the remaining appropriations for fiscal year 2009 (appropriations have only been approved through March 6, but the fiscal year ends on September 30). President Obama would like to sign this legislation shortly after taking the oath of office on January 20. Hearings on the Obama cabinet appointments will also take place in early January with the expectation that most of the appointees will be voted on in the Senate on January 20, as well.

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NFCA Supports Optional Federal Charter Concept
NFCA issues its position statement on the OFC

The National Fraternal Congress of America’s (NFCA) Board of Directors has adopted a policy position that “supports the concept of an Optional Federal Charter (OFC), provided it recognizes the unique characteristics of fraternal benefit societies, and accommodates such characteristics in legislation that is put forward in Congress.”

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NFCA Signs Letter on Pension Funding Transition Relief
NFCA added as signatory to letter from Independent Sector to House Ways and Means Committee.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) has added its signature to a letter from Independent Sector to the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, addressing the Pension Protection Act and requesting transition relief for nonprofit organizations to meet those pension-funding targets.

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New Features Added to the NFCA Web site

The NFCA Web site has been redesigned with brand new features for our members. Be sure to check out the new site - read our President's blog, download the NFCA News widget, and join the NFCA Social Network.

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Eight Organizations Approved for Associate Membership
Three Additional Organizations Pending Approval

Congratulations to the following organizations that have been approved by the NFCA Board of Directors as Associate Members:

Allen Bailey & Associates

Ed Carroll and Associates

Heidorn Consulting, Inc.

Miller & Newberg, Inc.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren

Strohm Ballweg, LLP

Teachers Life Insurance Society

Wexford Partners, Inc.

The following three organizations have applied for Associate Membership and are awating NFCA Board approval:

Marsh Affinity Group Services

Leonard, Street and Deinard, P. A.

Life Line Screening

For more information on NFCA membership, please contact Allison Koppel, Director of Membership & Fraternal Services at akoppel@nfcanet.org or (630) 522-6322, ext. 121.

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NFCA Webinar
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS UPCOMING WEBINAR ...

JOIN HANDS DAY: Plan a Meaningful Event in Your Community Ten Vital Steps

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
10:00-11:00 a.m. CST

NFCA Member Price: FREE - sponsored by ReadyTalk

The goal of this complimentary webinar is to help participants identify worthwhile fraternal events, the steps needed to ensure a coordinated effort, and strategies for promoting your JOIN HANDS DAY event to lodge leaders, local media and your community.

Registration Details Coming Soon!

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NFCA Partners with Marsh for New Benefits Program

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) has formed a new partnership with Marsh U.S. Consumer, a service of Seabury & Smith, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Marsh Inc., the world’s leading insurance broker and strategic risk advisor. Our partnership involves offering several insurance products to meet the needs of their fraternal benefit societies and the needs of their members.

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NFCA Announces Change of Endorsed Broker

The National Fraternal Congress of America is pleased to announce a change in its endorsed insurance broker for the member-society insurance programs. Effective October 31, 2008, both the Executive Risk and Agents’ E&O programs will be brokered and administered by CalSurance Associates* (a division of Brown & Brown of California, Inc.). The objective in changing brokers is to increase the product and service offerings available to member societies. No action is required on the part of current program participants. The coverage and premium of the insurance programs are not affected by the change in endorsed broker.

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Two New Members Appointed to the NFCA Board of Directors

The National Fraternal Congress of America's (NFCA) Board of Directors welcomes two new members: Emilio B. Moure, Knights of Columbus, and Melvin L. Rambo, Equitable Reserve Association.

Emilio B. Moure, Executive Vice President, was appointed as the Knights of Columbus representative to the NFCA Board of Directors. Moure replaces Robert J. Lane, Supreme Director Emeritus for the Knights, on the NFCA Board.

Moure was elected to the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus during the 104th Supreme Convention in August 2006. In April 2007, he joined the headquarters office as the Executive Vice President of Business Process.

Melvin L. Rambo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Equitable Reserve Association, was appointed to complete the term of a former board member.

Melvin L. Rambo, FSA, MAAA, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Equitable Reserve Association. He joined Equitable Reserve Association in May 2005 as Vice President– Administration, and was elected to his current position in June 2006, upon the retirement of Robert E. Miller.

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James Stoker Appointed as NFCA Secretary-Treasurer

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that James R. Stoker, National Secretary-Treasurer and CEO, Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh, was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the NFCA Board of Directors. Stoker was appointed to the NFCA office at the NFCA Board of Directors meeting on November 18.

Stoker has been the National Secretary/Treasurer, CEO, for Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh (GBU) since 1993. From 1972 to 1980, he was employed as an Audit Manager for a National Certified Public Accounting Firm. From 1980 to 1992, he was the principal/owner of a local accounting firm Reddinger, Stoker & Company, Inc., and also during the same period he was an elected auditor for the borough of Whitehall, a local municipality in the Pittsburgh area.

Click here to read Stoker's full biography.

Save the Dates for the 2009 NFCA Sections Mid-Year Meetings

Secretaries and Human Resources Sections
The Mirage
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 2-4, 2009

Presidents Section
The Mirage
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 5-7, 2009

Fraternal and Communications Sections
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
Bloomington, Minnesota
April 16-18, 2009

Investment Section
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
April 29 - May 1, 2009

Actuaries Section
(Tentative dates and location)
Oak Brook, Illinois
June 4-5, 2009

Fraternal 100 Section
(Tentative dates and location)
Oak Brook, Illinois
June 4-5, 2009

Please check back later for further updates.

NFCA Loses Beloved Staff Member

Marilyn K. (Burmeister) Armour, National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) Administrative Services Coordinator, passed away on October 22, 2008, after a courageous seven-year battle with cancer.

Marilyn is survived by her son Kevin M. (fiancée Nicole Marcus) Armour, of Naperville, Ill., and daughter Lauren M. (fiancé Philip Ake), Armour. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken. She is also survived by her parents, W. Harry and Donna Burmeister, her brothers Doug (Gloria) Burmeister and Mark (Pam) Burmeister, and sisters Janice (Gregg) Burks, Debbie (Phil) Batchelder, and Chris (Ilsa) Burmeister.

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Western Fraternal Life Association Demonstrates How to Work with Local Legislators     For more information about Western Fraternal Life, visit www.wflains.org.   Royal Neighbors Celebrates Make A Difference Day by Helping Local Military Families   Royal Neighbors of America members participated in Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 25, by helping two deployed military families with much-needed home repairs. Projects included installing siding, ceiling fans, fencing, gutters, and soffitts; winterizing windows; making a bathroom handicapped accessible; and completing a flooring project. More...     Brian Haynes, Financial Services Veteran, Joins Royal Neighbors Staff as CFO   Brian Haynes was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Royal Neighbors of America, effective November 3, 2008.   A 24-year veteran of the insurance and financial services industries, he has experience in accounting, treasury, auditing, risk management, and investment interaction from such prestigious firms as GE, Genworth Financial, and Weyerhaeuser.   More...   Royal Neighbors of America to Present Cash Gifts to Local Individuals during Nation of NeighborsSM Reception   On December 5, 2008, Royal Neighbors of America hosted a reception for 40 local recipients of cash gifts totaling $64,500 from its Nation of Neighbors Program. Children from the Rock Island YWCA also entertained guests during the event. More...     Royal Neighbors of America Employees Neighbor-It-ForwardSM at Local Hospital’s Children’s Unit   Employees of the Customer Service Department of Royal Neighbors of America participated in the Neighbor-It-Forward at the Children’s Unit at Trinity’s 17th Street Campus on November 29.   Employees painted the playroom and hallways of the children’s unit. In addition to fresh paint, the children’s unit received a supply of fresh, new toys, compliments of the Royal Neighbors Customer Service Department. A Grand Opening is set for a later date. More...     Royal Neighbors of America Finalist in Four Categories of Stevie® Awards   Royal Neighbors of America was named a finalist in four categories of the 5th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business – Best Overall Company of the Year, Best Turnaround of the Year, Best Executive, and Best Community Involvement Program.   For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, visit www.royalneighbors.org. More...     The Independent Order of Foresters Honors U.S. War Heroes in Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery       Helping Out with Habitat for Humanity in Toronto     For more information about the Independent Order of Foresters, visit www.foresters.com. Thrivent Financial Names New Chief Operating Officer   Thrivent Financial Board of Directors appoints Brad Hewitt to newly created position. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced on November 20, 2008, that Brad Hewitt has been promoted to senior executive vice president and chief operating officer. Hewitt most recently served as senior vice president of Fraternal Operations for Thrivent Financial. More...   Thrivent Financial Receives Financial Literacy Award   Thrivent Financial for Lutherans received the 2008 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award from the Institute for Financial Literacy. The organization was one of just seven individuals/institutions to be honored with the award.   Thrivent Financial was honored for “More Than Money Matters” in the “institutional book of the year in the money management adult category.” This interactive, values-based workshop assists those who want to learn to manage their money in a way that is consistent with their values. The workshop helps participants embrace stewardship as part of the responsible management of their financial resources.   For more information about Thrivent Financial, visit www.thrivent.com.   More... California Fraternalists "Helping Hands to Heroes"       United Commercial Travelers’ Home Office Has Moved   The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT) has moved its Home Office to a new location in Columbus, Ohio. While most phone extensions and email addresses remain the same, please note the new address and phone and fax numbers:   The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America 1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 100 P.O. Box 159019 Columbus, OH 43215-8619 Toll-free number for members (800) 848-0123 Toll-free number for agents (800) 848-1124 Main local number (614) 487-9680 Main fax number (614) 487-9675 More...   For more information about UCT, visit www.uct.org. Former Deputy Supreme Knight and NFCABoardMemberPasses Away   Jean Migneault, former Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus in the history of Canada, passed away September 4 in Montreal. He was 67 years old.   Migneault served as Deputy Supreme Knight from 2000 until his retirement in 2006. Previous to that he was Supreme Treasurer and Assistant Supreme Treasurer, and served on the Board of Directors from 1984 to 2006. He served on the NFCA Board of Directors from 2002 to 2003.   For more information about the Knights of Columbus, visit www.kofc.org. More...     LCBA Makes History with New President/CEO   The Loyal Christian Benefit Association (LCBA) Board of Directors has appointed Douglas Tuttle as the Association’s first male President and CEO in its history. Begun as a women’s association, LCBA opened its doors to men and youth in the 1960’s, but its leadership has remained female until now. Tuttle was officially appointed on October 4, 2008, at the organization’s Fall (quarterly) board meeting.   Tuttle was hired following the retirement of long-time LCBA President/CEO, Jacqueline Sobania Robison, after 29 years of service. Unanimously selected by the LCBA Board of Directors, Tuttle was in competition with a number of strong candidates from both the fraternal and commercial insurance systems across the United States.   For more information about LCBA, visit www.lcbalife.org. More...     PNA Assists Needy Children at Christmas   A large carton decorated as an extra large Christmas package stood in the lobby of the Polish National Alliance (PNA) during November for a charity drive to collect toys and clothing for the Dom Dziecka W Stalowej Woli Orphanage in Poland. For the past few years, the PNA has held toy and clothing drives and donated to different charities in the Chicago area. This was the first year the PNA donated items to a charity outside the Chicago area. The PNA Bank locations (Niles and South Side of Chicago) also had donation boxes besides the PNA Home Office.   For more information, visit www.pna-znp.org. More...     Catholic Order of Foresters Announces Appointment of Mark A. Walsworth as Marketing Vice President   Catholic Order of Foresters (COF) announced that Mark A. Walsworth has joined the company as Vice President of Marketing/Communications.   Walsworth joins COF from ScriptSave® where he served ten years as senior vice president of sales. At ScriptSave he was responsible for major account sales and management across a variety of market segments. While there, Walsworth built a broad account base for ScriptSave’s nationally recognized discount prescription drug card program, penetrating and developing untapped market segments and generating relationships with more than 25 fraternal associations.   For more information about COF, visit www.catholicforester.com. More...     Local Family Thanks Equitable Reserve for Fundraiser Equitable Reserve’s Oakfield Assembly #108 held a fundraiser to help little 1½-year-old Lieym Bovee in his fight against neuroblastoma cancer. Almost 500 people attended the breakfast at Oakfield High School on October 12, 2008. In addition to the breakfast, a bake sale was held (co-sponsored by Catholic Knights, St. Killians Branch #113), plus a craft sale, and theme baskets. All the funds raised will go to help care for Lieym during his cancer treatment.   For more information about Equitable Reserve Association, visit www.equitablereserve.com. More...     MMA Names Four New Executives Organization’s new vision drives new corporate structure.   MMA President and CEO Larry D. Miller recently announced four new senior vice presidents: Jim Alvarez, senior vice president of corporate services; Mel Claassen, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Rod Diller, senior vice president of sales and distribution; and David Gautsche, senior vice president of products and services.  All these appointments will support implementation of MMA’s new vision that was created last year. From that vision, a number of changes are underway at MMA, including the creation of this new corporate structure.   For more information, visit MMA online at www.mma-online.org. More...