Fraternity-Testvériség, 1981 (59. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1981-01-01 / 1. szám
NT. BERTALAN IMRE From the OFFICE of the PRESIDENT The 1980 Convention brought considerable changes as far as the duties of the president are concerned. Beside being the chief executive officer and official representative of the Federation, supervisor of the home office, a completely new task was assigned to him - the nationwide organizational and promotional work! To this end I have, in the last few months, visited field force members and church leaders in Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Pittsburgh and vicinity, Passaic, New Brunswick, New York, Buffalo, Bridgeport, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Everywhere I was assured of renewed interest and a good spirit of cooperation. I feel strongly that only through the combined efforts of churches, pastors and elders, and the Federation workers, can we recapture the original interdependence of church and Federation. In order to show results we need $4,000,000 new business. The present contracts with field force accounts for only half of this amount. In order to achieve our goal there is need for more field people who will assume $51,000 quotas in under-developed areas. We must reach out to people who have heard of the Federation but don’t realize that it is good insurance at very reasonable cost! We must continue to revive the branch life in our communities and request that any and all activity notices be sent to the Home Office also. Perhaps someone would be able to be there. Send us your news and pictures - the happy times as well as the sad occasions. With the death of Rose Nagy, Louis Szuch became a member of the Board of Directors, representing Penna. We welcome Joseph Tegze, a new Board member from New Jersey. Appreciation and sincere thanks for many years of service to Mrs. Andrew Nagy/Michigan and Mrs. Olga Darnay/Penna. New managers of branches are: Zora Ludwig in Chicago area; Tibor Nagy, Branch 182, Michigan; Mrs. Susan Király, Branch 13, Passaic; Mrs. Irene Csordás, Branch 12, New York City; Louis Demes, Branch 202, Penna.; Louis Bartalos, California; Miss Martha K. Kovács, Branches 171 and 245, McKeesport; and Rev. Stephen Szőke, Branch 388, Florida. The 1980 Convention passed the resolution to enter into fact-finding and negotiating with the sister organization, William Penn. The resolution is being carried out at present on the Board of Directors level. If and when negotiation is successfully completed on said level, the result will be shared with the members and will be brought before a special convention. If there is any question about the above matter, feel free to write and let me know. Older generations of our membership are slowly leaving the scene of their life-time activities - they have left us a truly great and noble legacy of dedication and commitment. For younger generations however, this legacy needs to be updated. Can we make the ideals of our forefathers relevant and can we continue the services of our fraternal societies in the 1980’s? Can we update, renovate and infuse with new enthusiasm the entire structure of our branches? Can we expand and add new dimensions to our youth programs? Can we set as our goal the signing of new members? These are not unattainable goals! They can be realized if we rededicate and recommit ourselves to the original lofty ideas of our Federation. It is toward this end that I earnestly appeal to all American Hungarians to join us and help us reach our goals, as we ready and willingly, in God’s name serve our members, our fellowman in the fraternal spirit of our fathers! With the sudden death of Alexander Csik on April 4, 1981, our Federation lost a very loyal and dedicated fraternalist. For many years before opening his own business, Alex was a very active member of our Field Force. He was a person of stature that stood out above the crowd because of his devotion to a cause in which he believed. During these years, insurance was his business and he achieved outstanding results in sales production as well as gains in membership. His career with the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America started as a District Manager in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. However, he had built himself an excellent reputation that took him to New Jersey and ultimately settled in Connecticut. Brother Csik was a member and held many official leadership roles in the Hungarian Reformed Church of South Norwalk, Connecticut. He was the past president of the Hungarian Presbyters Association serving in this office with much pride and dignity. This group represents the elders and layman of our Hungarian Reformed Churchs. Also all community projects were a major concern with him and he served in many capacities to help all, especially those that were less fortunate. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Clara Csik, three nieces, Mrs. Suzanne Virgulák, Mrs. Margaret Betts, Mrs. Linda Van Buskirk and a grand niece and nephew. Services were held on April 8, 1981 at the church with Rev. Zoltán Szabó, Pastor officiating. A eulogy in behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was delivered by Elmer E. Vargo, Vice President-Secretary. 3
