Fraternity-Testvériség, 1983 (61. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1983-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT This issue is dedicated to our Field Force and Branch Managers who represent the life-line of our Federation. On the front page is a picture of those who attended the Field Force Seminar on September 2 and 3 at our Ligonier Conference Center. The picture reflects optimism and hope for the future. The very fact that half of those present are new faces is a promising sign. It is also important to know that all are recruited from our fraternal family. We are happy to be reassured that we are able to rejuvenate ourself from our ranks. The picture also indicates that our Federation is fully aware of the need for continuous education for our representatives. It was two days of learning and exchanging of ideas and experience. There was no guest speaker: old and faithful workers of the Federation shared their knowledge and wisdom with the newer ones. Everyone was reassured that the F1RFA is financially sound. Our solvency ratio is 130 which means that for every $1.00 insurance sold there is $1.30 to cover it. Our investments are sound and prudent. Our Field I'orce determined that the portfolio is basically sound and does serve the insurance needs of old and new members. The nature of such meetings will undergo an evaluation and possible change. At this time the line was drawn so that only those were invited who are working with an “agent” contract. However, as the production reports indicate, there are branch managers whose production has increased considerably. Thus, it is felt that meetings should be held in regional areas, extending invitation to whoever devotes him or herself to work for the FIRFA. Following the meetings in Ligonier, I was hospitalized for routine surgery. Due to complications which developed, my one week stay was extended to three weeks. Thank you for your many get well wishes and prayers for my recovery. We are indeed a family that cares for each other, despite distances! In fact, being members of the same society makes for instantaneous friendship. Director George Dózsa told me that while sightseeing in Madrid a couple of weeks ago, thev heard someone speaking in Hungarian. Matilda Dózsa immediately spoke to them and within a few minutes they realized that they too are members of the HRFA! An incidental meeting became a friendly encounter just because there was a common bond, the HRFA. The members of the Field Force left the seminar with a feeling of confidence which can be summed up in this way: We have faith in our Federation for what it has been for over 82 years. We have been and still are a fraternal benefit society in the true sense of the word. As a fraternal society, we are unique in the business world. We, unlike the commercial companies, have the potential for uniting the concept of brotherhood and the concept of caring, with the benefit of financial security. With us, not only financial security is important, but also the religious, cultural, social and educational aspect. Furthermore, we have faith in our product. Professionalism and knowledge which assists in recommending the best type of policy in given circumstances, is what counts. We have policies that can cover every situation. Two elements should dominate our future: recognition of the needs of our prospects and to have the products to satisfy these needs. BUT, we need sales force people, agents, branch managers, representatives, many of these in every single community. Persons who are trusted people in the churches, community and societies, who have the inside track with prospective members. We need the grass roots approach — member to member, prospect to prospect. The key to the future is new members. 518 policies were sold in 1982 — can we double that in 1983? We are far from this goal. Do you know of someone who needs good sound coverage with lower than average premium? Contact vour branch manager! Finally we believe in the future of the FIRFA because we are the fraternal society that identifies itself by name and service with the great family of the Hungarian American community which is still our primary, although not exclusively, market and target of fraternal service. It is our starting point — and we count on our members to help us reach out to their friends of varied nationalities. What we need is a lot more new members buying our policies. What we need is a revitalized, better educated field force which is undergirded by a new fraternal awareness. What we need is renewed activities in all our branches, so that new members are attracted because they see fellowship, concern and benefits to members. Are you ready, can you help us with the renewal of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America?
