The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of December 10, 2007
The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of December 10, 2007. Fraternal MVPs are “Fraternalists-in-Action” who volunteer their time, energy and compassion to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.
Joyce L. Netolicky
CSA Fraternal Life
Prokop Velky #137
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Joyce Netolicky, a 46-year member of CSA Fraternal Life, joined at the time she married her husband, Arlo. She is an active member of Lodge #137 and as a delegate, was involved in scheduling the 2007 CSA Get-Together in Cedar Rapids. She served as the meeting’s secretary, and was involved in the accommodations, menu, activities, registration and hospitality-room planning.
Joyce is an active member of her church, working in the church nursery, the senior luncheons, coffee hours and funeral luncheons.
Her other community activities are centered on her Czech background. She is a member of the Czech Heritage Foundation of Cedar Rapids, volunteering as its secretary, the scholarship committee, the Prince and Princess Contest, the newsletter creation and distribution, the St. Joseph’s Day Dance and parade participation. She was involved in the Miss Czech and Miss Slovak Iowa pageant, working with the parade, photo session, gift bags for participants and other duties. She works on the Homestay program, which raises funds to send student ambassadors to the Czech Republic. She also is a member of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and volunteers many hours for the museum store, information kiosk, exhibit guide services and cooking demonstrations.
This year, Joyce was quite involved in organizing the Czech booth at the Ethnic Festival in Green Square Park, coordinating the participation of several Czech congregations in the displays and sales booth.
Her fellow lodge members say that Joyce is a friendly, hard worker, who goes out of her way to make sure things are done and to also make it fun for everyone. She does not think of herself but is always thinking of others.
Susan Lundberg
Woman's Life Insurance Society
Club #742
Bismarck, North Dakota
Susan Lundberg knows and works well with people of all ages. Her work in the community to further arts and music has been recognized in the 2007 publication of “The World of Women in Classical Music.”
Susan is key to the success of several community organizations focused on arts and music. She is the Executive Director of Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre and has overseen the growth of its programming to include an expanded season. Her role includes coordinating volunteers and events along with fundraising and marketing., Susan served as the Executive Director of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony for 14 years until 2006, during which she organized concerts, operas and special events, while marketing and raising necessary funds for support. She acted as chair of the Small Budget Orchestras (about 400 orchestras) with the American Symphony Orchestra League. She was recently honored by the symphony and the community for her many contributions to the symphony and the arts.
Susan also is State President of the National League of American Pen Women, a professional artists association headquartered in Washington, D.C. She is a member and soloist with the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus, as well as being an active member of Thursday Music Club, and holds the office of North Dakota Chair of National Music Week. She chaired the campaign to save the Belle Mehus City Auditorium in 1996, which resulted in a $2.5 million renovation, and she is chair of the Friends of the Belle, organizing annual events including a Christmas at the Belle celebration that is free and open to the public and includes performances by area youth choirs and musicians.
Susan has been involved with Woman’s Life Club #742 since it was established in the 1980s and currently serves as President. As an active member of Club #742, she has worked to support individuals and organizations including the Salvation Army, Neighbors Network, Abused Women’s Closet, Crescent Manor, the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony, Sleep Holly Summer Theatre, Bismarck Art and Galleries Association and Gallery #522.
As a practicing visual artist, she has been an active member of Gallery #522, a nonprofit visual art gallery and school. She also is an active member of Bismarck Art and Galleries Association. She and her mother, sister and daughter are painting in anticipation of a major art exhibit of 50 pieces in March 2008.
Susan volunteers annually to decorate her church for all holidays, delivers poinsettias to shut-ins on Christmas Day and Easter lilies on Easter Sunday, something she has done for the past 15 years.
Steven Mariano
Knights of Columbus
Council #3547
Johnston, Rhode Island
Steven has been the Knights of Columbus’ “state personal chef” in Rhode Island for the past two years. As his state deputy says, “Every time we ask him to put on a dinner he just asks for how many and he will get the hall to have it at. Last year, Steven cooked Rhode Island’s kick-off and wrap-up dinners of the Drive for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He also has held our wrap-up dinner for the annual state convention.”
Steven has gone through all the offices/positions of Council #3547 (1st - 3rd Degrees). He also is a charter member of Assembly #2808 (4th Degree) and has likewise gone through all the offices/positions. He has been a district deputy for three years now. For the past two years, he has been state degree and ceremonial chairman. He was Rhode Island’s 2007 State Charity Ball chairman; this event netted more than $8,500 for the Order and its charitable programs. This year, he is chairing Rhode Island’s 2008 Knights of Columbus Founder’s Day Ball.
Steven is a Boy Scout leader and very actively involved at his church. He also is active in his community. Steven and his wife, Susan, have two adopted children, James and Isabella, from South America.
Unfortunately, Steven currently is dealing with multiple medical problems. But he accepts this cross and continues to volunteer cheerfully as a knight. For all these reasons, he is a model Knight of Columbus.
Theresa Gable
Catholic Ladies of Columbia
Council #7, St. Ann's
Ottawa, Ohio
Theresa has been an active member of her lode for over 40 years, serving in every local office, most recently as president. This past year, she helped organize and carry out activities for JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day. She is a past board member and president of Catholic Ladies of Columbia for six years.
At her home parish, St. John the Baptist in Glandorf, Theresa has served on the parish council, as a lector for mass, and as a representative to the Diocese of Toledo. She also has been on the Putnam County United Way Board of Directors, the Putnam County Home Health Advisory Board and the Ottawa-Glandorf DECA School Advisory Board.
She has worked on the Putnam County American Red Cross Board, served as its Executive Director and taught first-aid courses. With her garden club, she helps beautify and maintain the grounds of the Glandorf Park.
The NFCA salutes these outstanding Fraternalists-in-Action for their dedication, kindness and generosity. They embody the heart of fraternalism through their volunteer efforts and commitment to their communities.
To view previous week's MVPs, click here.
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