Fraternity-Testvériség, 1972 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1972-04-01 / 4-6. szám

necessarily would produce another “indispensable expert” in the Home Office and a second bottleneck in the operation.

6. Administering dividend payments (dues refund ) in the present system is inconceivable.

7. The field-force could readily receive valuable information about the standing of any of the members: a service which we cannot render in the manual system.

8. Year-end accounting could be taken care of by the computers thereby avoiding the usual rush and setback during the first few months of every year.

The COMPUTER is one of the most ingenious inventions of man. Without them the United States could never surpass the Soviets in the space race. But the computer might become the stupidest genious and a cause of disarray instead of efficiency if it is untimely employed and fed by incompetent personnel.

Rocco J. Antonelly, one of the foremost experts on automation warns in his article: “Timely systematic and well designed plans for conversion to automated system will produce exceUent results. A hurried entrance into computerized or other automated systems generates confusion, loss of control of pre-automated systems and costly headaches.”

Since the last Convention the members of our Board of Directors heard the presentation of our Actuary about the method and cost of conversion and studied the alternative patterns of how to use Electronic Data Processing in the operation and administration of the Federation. Hardly anyone can accuse our leadership with “hurriedly entering into computerization.” The delegates of the Convention will have to decide if the time is ripe for the automation and if so, which of the possible methods of operation should be adopted by the Federation.

If the Convention approves the recommendation of the Board to enter into the automated processing, we will have to observe the following principles during the period of conversion:

1. Start with a pilot program which affects only a few representative branches;

2. Let us keep the existing experienced personnel and equipment in operation throughout the transition;

3. Keep open the possibility to return to the manual operation.

The writer of this article does not wish to express bis personal preference in order to avoid any eventual accusation of influencing the delegates in this very important decision.

PAUL ST. MIKLOSSY, Treasurer:

As Treasurer of the Hungarian Reformed Federation, I would like to extend hearty greetings to the delegates attending this convention.

I know many of the delegates personally from the years I worked for our beloved Federation as a member of the Field Force.

Many years have passed since that time and our Federation has undergone many changes. The miracle of our growth is unparalleled.

In my report, I will try to demonstrate how we have expanded financially in the past four years. I trust the numbers will sliow a sound economic growth: growth in wealth and growth in income from our investments.

My deep gratitude goes to the Field Force. Without their help and hard work, we could not have made the advances we have.

In closing, I want to remind you to act, in all of your discussions, in the best interests of the Federation now and in the future.

GREETING FROM THE NATIONAL FRATERNAL CONGRESS OF AMERICA

To the Officers, Directors and Members

of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America

in Convention Assembled:

On behalf of the ninety-seven fraternal benefit societies which make up the National Fraternal Congress of America, it is a distinct pleasure for me to extend greetings and best wishes to your 1972 Quadrennial Meeting. We wish you well in your deliberations and hope you will return to your homes with a renewed spirit of fraternity.

The Fraternal Benefit System is a corner stone of America. It is composed of all that is the best of America's structure, and transmits its own strength throughout our nation's culture. The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America has been a major contributor to the building of fraternalism and you can be extremely proud of the role your society has played in modern America.

Your society has held membership in the National Fraternal Congress of America for many years. Your officers and directors, and your departmen heads have contributed much to this association.

Cordially and fraternally,

RAYMOND A. KLEE,

Secretary-Treasurer