Fraternity-Testvériség, 1988 (66. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1988-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 4 TESTVÉRISÉG GREETINGS TO THE CONVENTION The time has come for the 33rd Quadrennial Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Delegates will assemble at the historic site of Ligonier — a lovely community set in the hills and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains. One of these hills is the site of the beautiful edifices of the Bethlen Home, owned by the HRFA. For you to come to Ligonier therefore means that you have come home. Generally, the Convention provides a forum for the presentation of the reports of the Officers and Advisors on the progress and achievements of the past 4 years; to initiate policies and procedures for the operation of the organization during the interim years of the Convention, and to conduct any other business pertinent to the purpose of the Federation. On behalf of the National Officers and Board Members I convey our most sincere and heartfelt greetings to the elected delegates. I believe that our branches have chosen well and that the elected delegates will represent the best interest of the members and our fraternal family. It is our privilege to present in this issue your representatives. There are many among them that have carried the burden of the work and responsibility of our Federation throughout many years. They have contributed their help in building up our fraternal family. Without their love and commitment our Federation would not have become what it is today — by name, identity and purpose, a truly Hungarian-American Fraternal Society which gathers its members from four generations across the entire US and Canada. We also extend greetings to those who will attend as delegates for the first time. They are not newcomers in our society. The fact that they have been chosen is the best proof of their dedication. They will bring to the Convention new visions and new enthusiasm. Between Convention years, the Federation is governed by the Board of Directors. The delegates shall receive the reports of the National Officers which will form the basis of the agenda. The respective Committees will make an indepth study of those reports and examine the work and achievements made in the interim period. The Convention is the highest legislative body of the HRFA. There are rights and duties which are not relinquished by the Convention to the interim government of the Board of Directors. Foremost among them are the amendments of the By-Laws to elect National Officers and Board Members. These rights and privileges of the Convention are principles of the founding fathers and have been carefully guarded throughout the history of the Federation. The past four years represent the most decisive years in the recent history of our society. The much needed and overdue revitalization took place. Self-esteem was regained and the trust of the entire Hungarian- American community in the historic mission of the Federation was reestablished. The long-awaited turnaround in the important areas finally occurred in 1987. We are in the positive in all important statistics, except in one area — membership. We feel that we i made progress in arresting the decline — to reverse it will be the all important job of the new administration. It can be done, plans are being made in that direction. It will be good to share the concerns of the Federation with you. It will be good to plan the future together and to ask for God's blessings on our work which we carry out in His name. In closing, may God bestow His gracious blessings upon the 33rd Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Imre Bertalan, President KÖSZÖNTJÜK A KÖZGYŰLÉST Az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyesület Igazgatósága nevében szeretettel köszöntöm a ligonieri Bethlen Otthonban szeptember 19-én megalakuló 33- ik közgyűlést. Bethlen Otthon Amerikai magyar református életünk szíve, legrégibb szeretetintézménye, egységének alkotásokban megörökített szimbólumba. Körülötte 200 holdnyi terület, hegy, völgy, erdő, magyar vagyon. Nemcsak a gondozásra szoruló idős magyarok, de mindnyájunk otthona. Amerikai Magyar Református Egyesület Példátlan, egyedülálló intézmény a Magyarországon vagy az országhatáron kívül élő magyar reformátusok életében. Az alulról való kezdeményezés, külső beavatkozást nem ismerő, önzetlen társadalmi csoportosulás. A testvérsegítő kezdeményezés egyedülálló példája. Alapítása arra az időre nyúlik
