The NFCA Proudly Recognizes "Fraternalists-in-Action"
Fraternal MVPs—Week of March 19, 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 March 19, 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.
Julie M. Brannock
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society
Lodge # 1111
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Julie Brannock may live near the beach, but she’s certainly no “beach bum.” While she’s a busy person who is seemingly in constant demand, she always makes time for others. She leads by example, and what an amazing example she sets for those around her. Julie has been a member of Woodmen of the World for more than 30 years, and everyone in her family also is a member. She is an articulate, experienced, well-respected businesswoman who motivates people into action.
Julie serves as the Treasurer of Lodge #1111, and she also is the Vice President of Woodmen of the World’s South Carolina Jurisdiction. She has been involved with numerous fraternal activities throughout the years. Most recently, she helped organize and direct the efforts of two adult and two youth lodges for a JOIN HANDS DAY project. Youth and adults worked side-by-side as they remodeled and stocked the closets at the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston, South Carolina. The group also weeded, tilled and mulched flower beds at the house to make it more welcoming for the residents.
Julie, with her warm smile, kind heart and contagious enthusiasm, is an excellent example of fraternalism at its best.
Kenneth R. Farley
Catholic Family Life Insurance
Chapter #120
Biddeford, Maine
Ken has been a member of the Catholic Family Life Insurance (CFLI) Chapter #120 in Biddeford, Maine, since 1995. He has served as Director of Family Life and has been very active in promoting wholesome family activities for the chapter members in his southern Maine city. He is a wonderful proponent of volunteerism and the fraternal system.
In addition to CFLI, he is active in many other arenas. In 2003, Ken was elected to represent Ward 6 on the Biddeford City Council, and in 2005 ran for a city-wide at-large seat on the City Council and won. He was later voted Council President by his colleagues and has served in that capacity for over a year.
Ken is a founding member of the Heart of Biddeford, a non-profit corporation established to revitalize downtown Biddeford. He currently serves that group as Treasurer and is a member of the Board of Directors. He also is a member of the Biddeford/Saco Rotary Club.
A year ago, Ken became a Trustee of the Susan L. Curtis Foundation, a summer camp for underprivileged children named in honor of former Governor Kenneth Curtis’ daughter, who passed away due to cystic fibrosis. He also volunteers for the Community Bicycle Center, an organization helping troubled youth find direction through repairing and riding bicycles.
Johanna Oros
First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association
Senior Branch #557 and Junior Branch #485
Cleveland, Ohio
When her family, friends and co-workers think of Johanna, the word “volunteer” comes to mind. She has served more than 20 years as President of the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary (CWVA), and has served on the State of Ohio Board of Officers of the CWVA. For more than 40 years, Johanna has been an officer of her branches. Her service includes the Slovak Dramatic Club and Lucina Slovak Folk Institute. She supports St. Jude Ranch for Children, and has served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Columbkille Church in Parma, Ohio.
Professionally, Johanna has served as Director of the Cleveland Slovak Radio Program for more than 15 years. She received awards and recognition for this effort from the Mayor, Ohio's Governor, and was invited by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to a meeting of Ethnic Radio Announcers in Washington, D.C. Johanna also received the Slovak Cultural and Heritage Community Service Award from the Cleveland-Bratislava Sister Cities Inc. for her long and loyal activism.
Johanna's family is very proud of her, and wonders how she has the time for her various pursuits. They may find her sewing vests for the Lucina Slovak Folk dance ensemble, or in the kitchen preparing food for the Slovak Dramatic Club's annual Slovak Labor Day Festival weekend. She may be at the VA home in Brecksville, Ohio, planning an event for the disabled veterans. Finally, she may be creating and carrying out the hour-long Sunday Slovak radio broadcast that keeps her days filled. She is truly a "first" among Catholic Slovak ladies!
Carole J. Slavik
SPJST
Lodge #180
Burleson, Texas
Carole has been a member of SPJST for 27 years and, during these years, has held a number of offices. Carole assisted in organizing lodges to contribute to the tidal-wave disaster in December 2004. Lodges sent in donations to the home office, and the money received was donated to the American Red Cross. Carole also wanted to contribute to promoting the growth of the lodge and the organization, so she attended a SPJST-sponsored sales class to become an insurance sales person. She keeps informed by attending regularly scheduled continuing education classes provided by the home office, and maintains an open line of communication with the home office and the Lodge #180 members.
In the past two years, Carole has mobilized adult and junior members in a fundraising program for The Burleson Making it Happen for Kids Foundation. Their mission is to raise money to enrich and maximize the quality of education available in the Burleson Independent School district. Because of this charitable act, the lodge has received more visibility in the community. Due to the success in the past, indications point toward this event becoming an annual event for Lodge #180, Burleson.
In addition, Carole has been involved in numerous charitable functions. She has served as a representative from St. Ann Catholic Church on the Board of Directors for the Harvest House, a non-profit organization in Burleson that provides assistance to needy individuals and their families. Carole has served as Harvest House secretary and was instrumental in hosting an open house for the community to visit the Harvest House facilities. She currently is serving as a Eucharistic minister and is a member of the Bereavement Committee, which hosts dinners for families in mourning.
Carole has been involved for many years supporting her husband, William, in his architectural practice. Not only does she work with him as his administrative assistant and office manager, she participates and donates time to the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In January 2005, she was recognized by the Fort Worth American Institute of Architects chapter officers with the President's Award for her many years of donated service and activities to the organization for its awards functions and its charity fundraisers.
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 weeks' MVPs, click here.
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