The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of September 11, 2006. 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.

Billie Barnes
Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society
WOW Lodge #14
Ocala, Florida
Billie has built a legacy of generosity through his many charitable and fraternal activities. About 17 years ago, Billie and his wife, Willie, moved to Florida after Billie retired from the New York City public school system. They soon decided to become foster parents and eventually adopted three of the five children they took in. Not long after becoming parents again the family was introduced to Woodmen of the World. Billie and his family became members and immediately took advantage of the youth program, Woodmen Rangers. They volunteer each year for JOIN HANDS DAY, and Billie is a volunteer counselor at Woodmen summer youth camp.

Not only is Billie active in the youth lodge, but he is an active member of the adult Lodge #14 in Ocala, Florida, too. He helps conduct flag presentations and he participates in flag-raising ceremonies on Flag Day. Billie often recommends a Woodmen membership to others that he meets in the community.

Billie demonstrates his leadership and compassion throughout his community. He regularly volunteers for seniors in his community and gives them rides to the doctor or the hospital. He helped organize a crime watch called MOVE (Marion Oaks Volunteer Eyes) in his neighborhood and was recognized by his local sheriff for his contributions. Billie serves as the Chair of the Usher Board at his church and is the vice president of his local political party. He also volunteers for the Junior ROTC-Air Force.

James (Jim) Olson
Sons of Norway
Oslo 1-002
Minneapolis, Minnesota
For more than 50 years, Jim Olson has been a dedicated member of Sons of Norway. His membership to Oslo 1-002 Minneapolis, MN, was supplemented with a stint as lodge President. He eventually moved his way up to District 1 President and recently completed his second term as Sons of Norway International President. During his time as a Sons of Norway member, he has spearheaded initiatives to revitalize membership and increase volunteerism and fraternal fellowship, while acting as a role model for younger members. Throughout all this, Jim still took time to assist with lodge fundraisers and special events.

Jim has gone out of his way to visit many of Sons of Norway’s 400 lodges. Connecting with the members in person and listening to their thoughts and ideas is of great value to him and embodies the fraternal spirit. In his presidency, his work focused on creating a solid foundation for the organization to build on in the coming years. This included a vision not just for Sons of Norway internally, but for their outreach and community support efforts. With his guidance, the Adopt-A-School program grew in leaps and bounds. This meant lodges are not only more active in their communities, but are investing in future minds and future members.

Jim believes fraternalism, volunteerism and philanthropy are all keys to a good, happy life. In addition to his work with Sons of Norway, Jim is a member of the Shrine Organization. Retired from Honeywell, where he spent 41 years, Jim served as Vice President of Engineering for the last ten years of his career. Jim and his wife, Phyllis, have two daughters.

Carol LaMere
Equitable Reserve Association
Green Bay Assembly #1
Green Bay, Wisconsin
For the past 20 years, Carol has served as Secretary/Treasurer of her Assembly and helped plan monthly activities, fundraisers and holiday parties for the children’s Junior Assembly. She says it’s been gratifying for her to see the children come back year after year, from infancy to teenage years and beyond.

For 24 years, Carol has volunteered at St. Vincent Hospital in many departments and on a number of hospital fundraising activities. Currently, she works at the information desk and delivers mail to patients. She also delivers “Meals on Wheels” through the hospital’s outreach program. Carol volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Store, sorting and selling merchandise. At her parish (Resurrection Catholic Church), she is a communion distributor, works on several committees, bakes for parish fundraisers, and belongs to a group that meets monthly to knit and crochet prayer shawls for those in need of comfort and solace. Throughout the 16 years while her children were growing up, she volunteered at school as room mother, as school lunch supervisor, as pianist for children’s choir groups, and supported them in their numerous activities.

Chuck Potenga
American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ)
Christ the King #226
North Royalton, Ohio
During the past year, Chuck has demonstrated his involvement in the American Slovenian Catholic Union, KSKJ, in many ways nationally and on the local level. He serves Christ the King Lodge #226 in Cleveland, Ohio, as auditor and also serves as vice president for the Christ the King Athletic Club. He attends Ohio Federation meetings and attends many of their events.

Chuck has participated in KSKJ national basketball and bowling tournaments and has helped organize the national events in his local area. He has served as a delegate at the last three national conventions and is attending the national convention this year in Washington, D.C. Chuck organized a four-lodge softball tournament, casino bus trips, fishing trips and a bowling night for adults and kids. He also planned and organized a double regional skating party, including all area lodges. Chuck also serves on the Athletic Clubs reverse raffle fundraiser committee.

This past year, Chuck’s work is extended to the Cleveland community. He has been, for many years, including this past year, involved in the Laurentian Athletic Club, an organization that has been part of the community for 60 years. He has held several leadership roles with this organization in the past.

Connie da Costa
Supreme Council of SES
Council #76
Elk Grove, California
Connie da Costa joined S.E.S. Council #76 of Elk Grove in 2002. In 2002, she was invited to be Convention Princess. At that Convention, she was elected director of the S.E.S. Junior Movement Team, and quickly moved up the line to become Supreme Junior President for the 2005-2006 administration. As Supreme Junior President, she chose as her charity the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of her oldest brother, who was diagnosed with the disease three years earlier, and passed away on May 1, 2005. She also will be participating in a walk-a-thon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Connie travels throughout the state representing the Junior Movement Team and accompanying the Supreme President to her many visits of the subordinate councils. At every visit, she has a change jar to raise money for her charity. On September 23, 2006, she and the Junior Movement Team will be hosting a dinner/dance to raise money. As Chairperson of the Junior Movement Team, she is responsible for organizing different events throughout the year. One of those events is Family Day held annually for all the members of the Society. At the age of 20, Connie already has had many accomplishments.