Fraternity-Testvériség, 1963 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1963-11-01 / 11. szám
FRATERNITY 5 Louis G. Novak: Fraternal Insurance is Good Enough for Me It was my privilege recently to attend the Florida State Fraternal Congress held in Orlando, the Florida city beautiful. This Congress meets annually and represents a group of 98 different fraternal insurance orders here in Florida. To me it was most interesting to meet delegates representing the Polish, Czech, Slovenian, Croatian and other nationality lodges throughout the state. Our Hungarian Reformed Federation has two branches: one in Miami and one in Lakeland. The Congress had not only a nationality flavor but also a religious characteristic. Such groups as the Aid Association for Lutherans are definitely church-related. The Lutheran brethren have a strong organization limiting membership to members of their faith. These people are expected to join their church-related fraternal insurance lodges and it is almost a second religion for them to support their own insurance society. Naturally, when they take out insurance in their association, they are helping themselves and many of their church projects. As you know, our Hungarian Reformed Federation with all similar insurance groups is fraternal, because it is also doing benevolent and welfare work. To talk with some of the Lutheran delegates was to feel how committed they are — how loyal and conscious of the fact that in buying fraternal insurance you are helping yourself and at the same time helping others. This is benevolence in practice. The president of the Congress was Mr. Thomas E. Whalen, who represents the Aid Association for Lutherans. This man, because of his strong convictions in fraternal insurance, has with the aid of the churches succeeded in selling well over one million dollars’ worth of insurance in 1962. In talking with him I was assured that he believes in his product and feels that he is not merely selling insurance, but helping a fellow-member to greater security and brotherhood. Mr Whalen was a delegate to the National Congress meeting this year and in his report he stressed the importance of fraternal insurance groups carrying on lodge activities and promoting the benevolent work that gives fraternals their life blood. Our Hungarian Reformed Federation, among many others, has as its big charitable project the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Penna., for children and elderly citizens. The new building is a beautifully located modern structure where our parents, our elderly Hungarians and others can find comfort and joy in their remaining years. This matter of fraternal insurance being motivated by a sense of brotherhood and Christian welfare came home to me recently upon the death of my father who had membership in both a fraternal and a so-called “big line” company. In that experience of death it was most gratifying and comforting to have the home office of a fraternal share with us a personal concern in our grief and to receive the condolences of all fellow-members in the big fraternal family. On the other hand, in the “big’ ’insurance company this occasion of death was just another cold business transaction devoid of all personal interest. YES, FRATERNAL INSURANCE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!
