Fraternity-Testvériség, 1972 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-10-01 / 10-12. szám
The Convention unanimously accepted these recommendations. 80. Upon question from the floor and after hearing advice from the Legal Counsellor The Convention unanimously voted to insert up page 3 of the By-Laws, paragraph 2, after the words “objects of the Federation.” “No person should be denied membership because of creed, color or national origin.” The Convention unanimously accepted the Report of the Administration and Organization Committee and expressed its appreciation for the Committee’s tireless and excellent work. 81. After the Convention unanimously voted to continue its Session in the evening President Beky recessed the Convention at 6:25 until 8 p.m. 82. President Beky reopened the Plenary Session at 8 p.m. 83. The Report of the Finance and Auditing Committee was presented by Delegate Mrs. Eleanor Kopp, secretary. (Exhibit M) President Dr. Stephen Szabó was chairman of the Committee. The recommendations of the Committee were as follows: 1. The Committee recommended to release Treasurer Paul St. Miklossy and Controller László Eszenyi from their official responsibilities in regard to the past 4 years. The Convention, in separate votes, accepted these recommendations. 2. The Committee recommended to accept the outright ownership of the Bethlen Home. The Convention unanimously accepted this recommendation. 3. The Committee recommended that the Convention authorize the Board of Directors to work out plans to erect a new home for the aged in Ligonier, Pa. without jeopardizing the reserves of the Federation. The Convention unanimously accepted this recommendation. 4. The Committee recommended that the Federation’s billing system and Home Office administration be automated. A lengthy discussion ensued pertaining particularly to the problem of possible elimination of the personal contact of members and field workers. Clarifications were given by President Beky pledging the retention of branch workers who are the “lifelife” of the Federation and by Controller Eszenyi as to the financial aspects of automation and cost of the transition (about $50,000), also as to the advantages of such change. Secret ballot was requested by 13 delegates. In secret ballot, 65 votes cast, the Convention rejected 37 to 28 the Committee’s recommendation. 5. The Committee recommended that the Convention authorize the Board of Directors to pay dividends to the membership each year in which the solvency ratio safely permits such action. The Convention unanimously accepted this recommendation. 6. The Committee recommended the establishment of a Student Loan Fund. Controller Eszenyi presented a plan for such a Fund (Exhibit N). The Convention unanimously accepted this recommendation referring it to the Board of Directors for implementation. 7. The Committee recommended to raise the National Officers’ salary by 10% retroactive from January 1, 1970 and to set their basic salary at $18,000 yearly starting January 1, 1972. It was pointed out that the salaries of Home Office employees and field force was raised 28% during the last 4 year period. The Convention, in separate votes, unanimously accepted these recommendations. Id.. Upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee the Convention unanimously accepted that the Home Office employees receive $10 gift for every completed year of service. 8. The Committee recommended that branch deduction and commission for new insurance written and payable to the Branch Managers be raised to the maximum amount permissible but not less than 1% branch deduction and $1 per $1,000 insurance written. After several clarifications as to the setting the percentage of branch deductions and motions from the floor to make the raise retroactive The Convention unanimously voted to raise the branch deduction 1%, and the commission for $1,000.- written insurance by $2.00 per year. The compensation of the field force be raised by 10%. 9. The Committee recommended to raise the honorarium of the three vice-presidents to $1,200 per annum and the honorarium of the Directors to $1,100 per annum. The Convention unanimously accepted this recommendation. 10. The Committee recommended that a higher compensation of the field force be taken under consideration. The Convention unanimously referred this recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Convention unanimously accepted the Report of the Finance and Auditing Committee as a whole and thanked them for their excellent work. 84. President Beky asked for the drafts of telegrams to President Richard Nixon and Pennsylvania Governor Milton J. Shapp. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi read the drafts as member of the committee appointed for this purpose (Items 7 and 8 of these Minutes; Exhibits O and P). The Convention unanimously approved the drafts without change and ordered them to be sent to the addressees. 85. President Beky asked for the draft of the Message to the Hungarian Reformed people in America, in the old country and in the dispersion (item 34 of these Minutes). Dr. Louis Fury presented the draft in Hungarian (Exhibit R). The Convention unanimously approved the draft with slight changes and ordered its release to the Press. 86. Upon motion by Delegate John Nagy, and duly seconded The Convention unanimously voted to set the flat fee for all accredited members of the Convention at $550 instead of the previously voted $500 (item 17 on these Minutes). 87. The Rev. Desmond Parragh was unanimously elected Temporary Chairman of the Convention charged with the duty to conduct the Convention. 23
