Fraternity-Testvériség, 1974 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-01-01 / 1-3. szám
LÁSZLÓ L. ESZENYI: Road to Our Renaissance The Federation is the bulivark of the American-Hungarian life. Life insurance in force in the United States is approaching to the 2 trillion dollar mark at a yearly average increase of 100 billion. Out of this hreathtakingly huge amount fraternal societies are holding a mere 3-0-35 billion. If volume alone would determine the usefulness and future of the insurance organizations the above quoted figures may rightly raise the disheartening question: do fraternals have a chance for survival in the struggle with the giants of the industry. Examination of the role and purpose of the fraternal movement gives a reassuring answer to those concerned with our future existence. Insurance organizations offer protection to their policyholders and members against unforseeable losses or providing funds for financial events about which there is uncertainty to its occurence. Old line or commercial companies are engaged in such enterprise for profit. Fraternal societies beside giving the same degree of protection are rendering extra services to their membership and in many instances to the whole community in which they are operating. Fraternal organizations thus have two distinct areas of operation: a. ) Act as an insurance company; b. ) Carry out fraternal activities. If fraternal organizations wish to survive in this highly competitive trade, they must give the same protection to the membership as any commercial company would and offer services and activities attractive enough to convince prospects that joining membership is more desirable than merely holding a policy. In view of recent slowdown and continued losses in membership our Federation made considerable improvements in both area of operation. We introduced several new insurance plans designed to satisfy every possible insurance need of our prospective members. After carefully comparing our rates with the premiums of other insurance organizations we revised our rate structure to make the Federation more competitive. We even tried to keep our rates lower to compensate for dividend momentarily not paid because of administrative technical reasons. By the way, lower rates can be considered as dues refunds paid in advance. Being as good as any other company or fraternal organization will hardly be enough to convince prospects to join our ranks. We must also show something else, something distinctly different from whatever others offer. We must convince every Hungarian living in the United States that while our insurance protection is just as safe and economical as that of our “big brothers”, we fulfill special and vital needs of our people which no other organization would care or able to satisfy. We have to make them understand that our Federation uses all its legally permis- sable assets to their welfare and the promotion of our ethnic standing and image in the New Land. Wherever we talked about our charitable institutions at the national congresses we were met by amazement and sometime even disbelief. No other fraternal association of our size came even close to our achievements. Our Bethlen Home valued far over one million dollars is not included in our admitted assets though all its properties are owned by the Federation. We will add a new wing to the Old People’s Home this year to accommodate a total of one hundred destitute old members and others—if vacancy permits. The Federation transfers $26-27,000 yearly to the Expense Fund of the Home. We recently established a Student Aid and Loan Fund, also separated from our admitted assets. We give over $2,000.- aid annually to the youth camps of the denominations. We are holding annual Scholarship Contests for students preparing for or attending colleges. Rewards to the winners amount to several thousand dollars. Donations granted to different religious, patriotic, charitable and cultural organizations and individual in need exceeded $12,000 last year alone. At that point we dare to ask the question: which insurance company or fraternal society can match th ese contributions to our people? Why do we get then just lukewarm response from the Hungarian community? The writer of this article believes that lack of proper communication with the huge reservoir of our natural prospects — Hungarians in the United States — is the main reason that our services are not fully appreciated and our image and character is often misinterpreted. Through our official publication we can reach perhaps our members — at least those who are reading it at all — but people outside of the 15
