Fraternity-Testvériség, 1984 (62. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1984-04-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR OF 1983 Distinguished Members of the Board: In the spring of 1983, the outstanding 20th century Hungarian lyricist Gyula Illyés died. His works are well known beyond the frontiers of Hungary. In one of his poems he states that at the present time, God’s important and ongoing work is waiting to be done by small cells — he calls them “villages,” where the true spirit of a nation took refuge. Thinking of the challenges of tomorrow, he addresses himself to them: — “Let us dare the greatest task, let us begin anew.” Merjük a legnagyobbat, újra a kezdetet. Almost one hundred years ago our forefathers, who had left behind the familiar and the known when they left their homeland, exhibited that daring spirit of starting anew. Out of their obedience to the Great Commandment — the love of God and the love of fellowman, a new instrument of God’s work, the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was born in 1896. It is hardly possible to find a more telling motto as we report on the life and work of our Federation in the year of our Lord 1983, than the words of our great poet: “Let us dare the greatest, let us begin anew.” The great old dream of uniting the remaining Hungarian American Fraternal Associations into one family with a dear and unmistakable Hungar- ian-American identity, was shattered after two years of concentrated efforts at the very end of 1982. There was no choice but to set aside the idea of unity and continue on the course of our 87 years old history of unchanged Hungarian American identity. In other words — “to begin anew” walking on a fine line, balanced between being true to our founding principles of fraternalism yet open minded to modern insurance procedure. A NEW COMPENSATION SYSTEM was implemented in April based on annual premium written with compensation to the agent spread over a period of five years. The advantage of the new system is that we pay only 100-70% in the first year instead of the 200-300% commission in the first year as under the previous system. Also, there is built-in protection against lapses on a large scale since the “agent” receives the additional 65% over a period of four years, if the dues are paid. Thus, in order to receive the entire commission, the certificate must remain “on the books.” The Federation cannot be “taken for a ride” by a system which can be abused. Unfortunately, the business written in 1983 falls short of our expectation. Some of the field force agents retired, or stopped producing altogether. On the other hand, as a result of the new system, over forty-seven branch managers have been actively selling. We do not have any full time workers. Our present system is built upon inspired part time or volunteer workers. We can succeed only with better trained and an increased number of workers. In this urgent task we were hindered by the fact that the resolution of the 1980 Convention, that of employing a full-time Sales Director was never implemented. In the first two years the reason for delay was that the consolidation seemed to be at hand. Then, the Special Convention (1982) introduced, in order to help production, the Fraternal Coordinator system. FRATERNAL COORDINATORS With the appointment of Fraternal Coordinators, production, recruiting and instruction of new field force personnel, and the education of branch managers were placed upon the shoulders of the appointed individuals. William Puskas is in charge of promotional and fraternal activities in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Ohio is the responsibility of László Kernes. Until September Joseph Molnár, Jr. was in charge of Western Pennsylvania. Upon his request and the written recommendation of his physician, he was released from his responsibilities and was replaced by Robert Cina. I am sure I speak in behalf of the entire Board when I express to Joseph Molnár, Jr. our gratitude for having served our Federation and the members of Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia with unselfish devotion over a period of more than twenty-five years. Director Charles Modory continued to offer his services in Illinois and Indiana. With the active planning of the Coordinators, a Field Force Seminar was held at Ligonier on September 2nd and 3rd. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Two regular meetings were held. The Spring meeting began April 18th in Washington, D.C. The Fall meeting was held in Ligonier on September 8th and 9 th. The Field Force Committee met twice. Through correspondence the Board was kept
