Fraternity-Testvériség, 2010 (88. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

2010-04-01 / 2. szám

Fraternity i Testvériség

The Teleki Family: Ava, Naoma and Tibor are policy holders.

In an interview with Max Teleki, it becomes obvious that he is committed and enthusiastic about both the Coalition and HRFA:

Max, of your many accomplishments, of what are you most proud?

First of all, thank you very much for this unique opportunity to address fellow HRFA members and our broad Hungarian American Community. Regarding pride in our accomplishments, I realize that I am the President of the Coalition and often the most visible face of the organization. However, leading the Coalition—especially when it comes to advocacy—is a “team sport.” I am proud to work with incredible people who lead our member organizations and who advise me personally on various aspects of both day-to-day operational issues and detailed policy efforts. Forgive my digression, but I wanted the Fraternity’s readers to understand that I didn’t create this organization, and I’m fortunate that as President, I have an incredible number of people dedicated to the work and building of the Coalition. It took shape in 1990 at the time of the disintegration of the Communist regime in Hungary. The intellectual foundation of the organization was laid by personalities such as the late Rev. Imre Bertalan (HRFA and HAC Chairman), the late Sándor Taraszovics, Mrs. Edith Lauer, Mr. Julius Varallyay, Mr. László Hamos, President of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation, as well as Zsolt and Szabolcs Szekeres, two gentlemen without whose administrative expertise and financial support, this Coalition simply would not exist. The membership of the Coalition is made up of non-governmental organizations operating throughout the United States, and part of their mission is not only to be effective community-based organizations, but also capable of projecting a measure of influence on the fate of the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. Even today, these minority Hungarian communities are often subject to serious human rights violations. As a result of our collective advocacy, if applied diplomatically and professionally, we can constitute a powerful force.

Max, what motivated you to purchase HRFA policies for your three children at this point in your career, and what do you consider the value of these insurance policies to you and your family?

To be perfectly honest, I have other policies with both private and fraternal companies. In the case of HRFA, I simply have a great deal of respect for the historic contributions of the organization and the help it has provided to so many Hungarian immigrant families over the years.

With your own personal lineage, how did the fact that HRFA’s over 100-year history and President Theodore Roosevelt’s signing of its charter impact your decision to join?

Of course I knew of HRFA’s rich history, and I have benefited over the years from the Kossuth House’s location and its facilities, and of course, my motivation wasn’t solely financial. I felt that I had a responsibility to invest in both my family’s security and HRFA’s future. HRFA has invested and supported our communities when they needed it, and I chose to support this ongoing process.

Other than owning HRFA membership certificates, what benefits do you and your family derive from HRFA membership?

I think the Kossuth House has played an enormously important role in the fabric of Washington, DC’s community. I have been in Washington on and off for twenty plus years, and the Kossuth House has always made me feel more included and connected to my heritage. I also honestly feel at home in many ways. I see pictures or portraits of my family on the walls of the Kossuth House, and it makes me proud but also reminds me of my own responsibilities.

What advice would you give to others who may be considering purchasing HRFA life insurance, and why do you recommend HRFA to others?

I would say that HRFA isn’t just about insurance. Yes, it is a fraternal life insurance organization, and it has some practical benefits. However, so many in our community benefit from HRFA and its Kossuth House. How many benefit and how many support this vital institution that is one of the pillars of our community? So, I would say to those of you who aren’t members of our fraternal organizations and in this case HRFA specifically, please pay your dues and invest in your community —the dividends are worth it.

What is the impact of purchasing from a faith-based (religious) organization as opposed to a commercial company?