IN THIS ISSUE

News from the NFCA Board of Directors

NFCA Legislative Update

Updated State Statistical Brochures Now Available

Fraternalists Bridge Heritage with Innovation at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting

"Thank You" to our NFCA Annual Meeting Sponsors

NFCA Annual Meeting Photos Available Online

Purchase CDs/DVDs of the presentations made at this year's NFCA Annual Meeting

Katharine E. Rounthwaite Installed as Chair of the NFCA Board of Directors

Barbara Cheaney Elected Vice Chair of the NFCA Board

Janice U. Whipple Advances to Immediate Past Chair of the NFCA Board

NFCA Board Welcomes Three New and Two Returning Directors

SPJST’s Robert Hagen Named NFCA Fraternalist of the Year

Catholic Order of Foresters’ Edward Bosch Named Fraternal FIC of the Year

Dean Stiller Honored with Prestigious Actuaries’ Award

Sharon Warga Honored with Fraternal Communications Award

State Fraternal Congresses Recognized in NFCA’s Annual “Go for the Gold” Awards

NFCA Honors JOIN HANDS DAY Excellence Award Winners

NFCA Honors “Shining Stars” for JOIN HANDS DAY Support

Member-Society News

Question of the Month

Calendar of Upcoming Events

NFCA Member-Society Question of the Month
This month's question:

How many NFCA Annual Meetings have you attended?

To answer, click here or visit the NFCA Web site at http://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.

Calendar of Upcoming Events
(Dates subject to change.)

October
11-12	South Dakota Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Brookings, SD)
11-12	New Jersey Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Atlantic City, NJ)
12	Michigan Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
12-13	West Virginia Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Parkersburg, WV)
19-20	California Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Milpitas, CA)
19-20	Missouri Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Jefferson City, MO)
19-20	Virginia Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Lynchburg, VA)
26	Arizona Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Tempe, AZ)
28-29	Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Farmington, PA)

November
1	Law Committee Meeting (via conference call)
2	Nebraska Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Ashland, NE)
2	South Carolina Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Myrtle Beach, SC)
3	New England Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting (Lexington, MA)
6	NFCA Board of Directors Meeting – NFCA HQ (Oak Brook, IL)
22	Thanksgiving Day – NFCA HQ Closed
23	NFCA HQ Closed

December
1-4	NAIC Winter Meeting (Houston, TX)
3	Local Lodge/Chapter Report Forms Sent to Member-Societies*
25	Christmas – NFCA HQ Closed

*Denotes Deadline Date

"Thank You" to our NFCA Annual Meeting Sponsors

On behalf of our member-societies and state fraternal congresses, the NFCA would like to thank our sponsors for their support and contributions to the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting. Their generosity enhances the experience of all fraternalists who attend the Annual Meeting. Contributing to the NFCA is a direct contribution to the future of fraternalism and to excellence within the fraternal benefit system. The NFCA is proud to acknowledge the following sponsors:

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.

Western Fraternal Life Association Holds Its 26th 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.

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 manage-
ment 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.

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.

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.

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.

The information in Member-Society News does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) and is submitted by the authors or originators who are responsible for its content.

News from the NFCA Board of Directors

Meeting - August 21, 2007

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) Board of Directors, led by Chair of the Board Janice U. Whipple, held its quarterly meeting, August 21st at the NFCA headquarters office.

The Board adopted the following motions or approved the following actions:

Consent Agenda which included: the June 5, 2007 minutes; Secretary-Treasurer’s Report; Interim President and CEO’s Report; Join Hands Corporation’s Report; Executive and Governance Committee’s Reports; and the Law Committee Reports that had been distributed to the Board prior to the meeting.
Met in Executive Session on employment issues.

The Board received updates on or discussed the following issues:

The Membership Committee is working to include appropriate educational programming that complements each individual standard, and identified various resources ranging from entities such as Board Source, LIMRA and IMSA to the 2002 NFCA Vision Subcommittee Report.
The Chair of the Board’s Report to the Board.
The Law Committee’s Report to the Board.
Engaged in a strategic planning session to review the NFCA’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Statement of Values and Charter for Change.
Time and location of upcoming State Fraternal Congress meetings.

NFCA Legislative Update

Hearing on Charitable Organizations
Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight

Amidst rumors that the Democratic Congressional Leadership is planning to shift its agenda from the war in Iraq to domestic issues, including taxes, the Subcommittee on Oversight of the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on the issue of “whether charitable organizations serve the needs of diverse communities.” This was the second hearing on exempt organization issues before the Subcommittee this year.

Updated State Statistical Brochures Now Available

The NFCA recently published the 2006 Statistics of Fraternal Benefit Societies, 112th Edition, and updated state statistical brochures are now available. Each brochure features statistics for all fraternal benefit societies active in your state as well as helpful information about volunteer hours, charitable contributions and fraternal expenditures.

This publication is useful as an introduction to fraternal benefit societies and appropriate for distribution during society, lodge or state fraternal congress events.

To request your state brochure,
please contact Elizabeth Snyder at esnyder@nfcanet.org or (630) 522-6322, ext. 115.

Fraternalists Bridge Heritage with Innovation at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting

More than 400 fraternalists from around the country gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the 121st Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), held September 6-8, 2007. Themed “Bridging Heritage with Innovation,” the meeting addressed important questions, such as how to use our heritage as a foundation for innovation.

“We addressed a number of challenging issues, including how to approach mergers and strategic alliances,” said NFCA Immediate Past Chair Janice U. Whipple, who presided over this year’s meeting. “In addition, fraternalists were able to attend quality programs and explore many other topics that will help their societies operate more efficiently.”

NFCA Annual Meeting Photos Available Online

Click here to view and/or purchase photographs taken during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting.

Whether you attended the meeting—or simply wish that you had—you'll enjoy seeing your fraternal friends and colleagues who gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Purchase CDs/DVDs of the presentations made at this year's NFCA Annual Meeting

The NFCA is pleased to offer for sale compact disks of the audio portion of presentations made at its Annual Meeting—for meeting attendees only. Some are offered in DVD video format. The NFCA will process orders received no later than Friday, November 16, 2007. Click here for Order Form.

Katharine E. Rounthwaite Installed as Chair of the NFCA Board of Directors

Vice President, General Counsel & Executive Secretary of Foresters elected chair of the board.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Katharine E. Rounthwaite, Vice President, General Counsel and Executive Secretary of The Independent Order of Foresters (Foresters), was elected chair of the NFCA Board of Directors. Rounthwaite’s installation capped the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Barbara Cheaney Elected Vice Chair of the NFCA Board

Vice President of Marketing-Communications of Catholic Life Insurance to serve as Vice Chair of the Board.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Barbara A. Cheaney, FIC, CSA, Vice President of Marketing-Communications of Catholic Life Insurance, was elected Vice Chair of the NFCA Board of Directors. Cheaney was installed in the NFCA office at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Janice U. Whipple Advances to Immediate Past Chair of the NFCA Board

Woman’s Life Insurance Society National President advances to Past Chair of the Board.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Janice U. Whipple, National President, Woman’s Life Insurance Society, Port Huron, Michigan, has advanced to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the NFCA Board of Directors. Whipple was installed in the NFCA post at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

NFCA Board Welcomes Three New and Two Returning Directors

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) welcomed five fraternalists to the NFCA Board of Directors at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including three new directors. Elected to a three-year term each were Joseph E. Gadbois, ACS, Vice President - Corporate Marketing and Fraternal Services, Catholic Family Life Insurance; Jeffrey D. Pirmann, FLMI, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Royal Neighbors of America; and Mary Rausch, National President, National Catholic Society of Foresters. Pirmann also was elected Secretary-Treasurer at the NFCA Board of Directors meeting on September 9, 2007.

SPJST’s Robert Hagen Named NFCA Fraternalist of the Year

Temple resident recognized for volunteer efforts with top fraternalist award by the NFCA.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Robert J. Hagen, a member of SPJST, Lodge #246 - Morgan’s Point, from Temple, Texas, is the 2007 Fraternalist of the Year. Hagen was recognized at the “Celebration of Fraternalism” luncheon at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Catholic Order of Foresters’ Edward Bosch Named Fraternal FIC of the Year

Florence resident receives new award for recognizing the fraternal activities of full-time FICs.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) announced that Edward J. Bosch, Sr., FIC, ChFC, CLU, LUTCF, RHU, Catholic Order of Foresters, from Florence, Kentucky, is the first recipient of the Fraternal FIC of the Year Award—a joint award program of the Fraternal Field Managers Association (FFMA), the National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC) and the NFCA. Bosch was recognized at the “Celebration of Fraternalism” luncheon at the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dean Stiller Honored with Prestigious Actuaries’ Award

Sons of Norway Executive Receives 2007 Jacobson-Rugland Award

Dean P. Stiller, MAAA, FSA, Appointed and Illustration Actuary for the Sons of Norway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, received the 2007 Jacobson-Rugland Award from the Actuaries Section of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA). The award was presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Sharon Warga Honored with Fraternal Communications Award

Woodmen of the World/Omaha Executive Receives 2007 Marcia D. Heywood Award

Sharon Warga, Fraternal Communications Specialist and Editor, for Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society in Omaha, Nebraska, received the 2007 Marcia D. Heywood Memorial Fraternal Communications Award from the Communications Section of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA). The award was presented at the Communications Section Breakfast held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

State Fraternal Congresses Recognized in NFCA’s Annual “Go for the Gold” Awards

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized 20 state fraternal congresses in its annual “Go for the Gold” awards program. The awards were presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The NFCA State Fraternal Congress (SFC) “Go for the Gold” Achievement Awards Program annually honors state fraternal congresses for programs and activities that promote fraternalism; educate member representatives on products, leadership and sales ethics; and involve members in volunteerism.

NFCA Honors JOIN HANDS DAY Excellence Award Winners

Eighth annual JOIN HANDS DAY awards announced.

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized 40 member-societies and six state fraternal congresses as “shining stars” that demonstrated strong support for JOIN HANDS DAY. The “2007 NFCA Shining Stars for JOIN HANDS DAY” awards were presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

JOIN HANDS DAY, which promotes fraternalism and fraternal benefit societies, is the only day of service on America’s national calendar that seeks to build youth and adult relationships through planning and participating in a day of volunteering. This signature event provides fraternal benefit societies with an opportunity to connect with other volunteer organizations to make an important impact on their communities.

NFCA Honors “Shining Stars” for JOIN HANDS DAY Support

Fraternal Benefit Societies and State Fraternal Congresses Recognized for JOIN HANDS DAY Participation

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized 40 member-societies and six state fraternal congresses as “shining stars” that demonstrated strong support for JOIN HANDS DAY. The “2007 NFCA Shining Stars for JOIN HANDS DAY” awards were presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

JOIN HANDS DAY, which promotes fraternalism and fraternal benefit societies, is the only day of service on America’s national calendar that seeks to build youth and adult relationships through planning and participating in a day of volunteering. This signature event provides fraternal benefit societies with an opportunity to connect with other volunteer organizations to make an important impact on their communities.

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 10th. Additional details could be found on the PNA website: www.pna-znp.org

Fraternal Advantage is published 12 times a year for member-societies of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA). The NFCA publishes and mails Fraternal Advantage to its member-societies quarterly and sends it electronically the remaining eight months of the year. Fraternal Advantage is unrelated to the Fraternal Monitor, an independent publication not affiliated with or supported by the NFCA in any way.

Please send comments or story ideas to Rose Riccetti, NFCA director, communications and marketing, at
mailto:rriccetti@nfcanet.org

Copyright © 2007 NFCA

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