Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
PAGE 10 _______________________________Verhovay THE CONVENTION STORY (Continued from page 9) Two Annual Audits. The provisions pertaining to the Auditing Committee are discussed by the assembly. Some move that the present provisions be maintained, according to which three audits are held each year by the Auditing Committee. Others recommend semiannual examinations. A few suggest that only one audit be made each year. The majority seems to favor the adoption of a provision that the Auditing Committee conduct semiannual examinations. * Several delegates move that a time limit be set for the completion of these examinations. These recommendations, however, are objected to by the Supreme Officers who maintain that if the Convention deemed the maintaining of the Auditing Committee necessary for the strengthening of the confidence of the membership, then it should not tie the hands of the Committee but make it possible for them to do their job thoroughly. Says Supreme Auditor John Sabo: “If the job is done well, then it will be worth the money invested in the Auditing Committee.’’ This attitude is consistent with the decision previously arrived at by the assembly. Therefore, it is resolved to amend the By-laws to the effect that the Auditing Committee Conduct semi-annual examinations at the Home Office. The vote is 81 to 21. The reading of the By-laws and the discussion of its prolusions continues until adjournment. The Tenth Bay. (We ^jtave hoped that the Convention would end within a week, or ten days, at the most, and that, as a result, we will be able to print the story of the Convention in a single issue. This is September 18th, the Thursday of the second week, and we are still here, at the Convention headquarters in Hotel Fort Pitt. But the end is near. By tomorrow evening the XXI. National Convention will have concluded its business. Reluctant to print this story in. two installments we have made a special arrangement with our printer, extending the deadline by two days, in order that our readers may receive the story in a single issue. Naturally, the proceedings of the last .two days must be reported m a somewhat briefer form, hut we hope that we will be able to include every item of importance.) Roll Call. Minutes. A letter from Paul Marik, Counsel of the Hungarian Legation to the chairman of the Convention is read. There seems to be some misunderstanding concerning the orphans’ funds which had been withheld by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., in accordance with an agreement made with Mme. Tiidy, as reported by director Falussy. A hurried telephone call is made to New York by Mr. Falusey who returns announcing that the monies had been forwarded in his absence, two days ago. The reading of the By-laws continues. Various minor points are discussed. Now paragraph 66, pertaining to the Official Organ, is read.. The recommendation of the Board of Directors, that, hereafter, both the Hungarian and the English Journal be published once a month is presented by the Supreme Secretary. The debate is opened by a scond generation representative who speaks in support of the recommendation. The next speaker, too, ♦» •of - the same opinion. Now the opposition moves in to combat the reduction of the journals. This was expected to become one of the biggest issues of this Convention. Yet, surprisingly, tempers are well controlled and the debate moves on an even level. Speakers for both sides argue with fervor and conviction, but the assembly is calmly attending the deliberations. To secure the funds needed for the publication of the Journal an intensive advertising campaign is recommended. Supreme Secretary Révész, however, explains the inipracticality of the idea. Experience has proven that foreign language newspapers are not favored as advertising media. In this respect, national circulation is a handicap rather than an advantage for it excludes local advertisers. All experiments conducted along such lines in the past have failed. The English Journal, on the other hand, cannot compete with the newspapers and magazines because compared with these its circulation is rather limited, and, at the same time scattered. It is recommended that the Journal be revamped into a monthly magazine. It develops, however, that the publishing of a magazine would be more expensive then the printing of even a weekly paper. Most of the speakers, however, approve of the present form and contents of the Journal. At the same time they seem to agree that articles of political nature should be banned from its columns. Thus the editorial poljcy to be followed during the ^aext quadriennium is developed by the speakers on the floor. Four years ago a roll call vote was needed to settle the issue. No such complications arise at this session. A standing vote is taken. The overwhelming majority, opposed by only 22 votes, Upholds the Journal in its present form. Upon motion by the second generation group of representatives the assembly unanimously resolves to put the name of the Supreme Officer to be elected from among the second generation membership, on the masthead of the English Journal as associate editor. Our “National” Officers. Mr. Revesz recommends that the word “Supreme” be eliminated from the designation of the chief officers of the Association and replaced with the term “National”. The recommendation is unanimously carried. Hereafter the chief officers of the Verhovay F. I. Association will be known as “National President”, “National Secretary”, “National Auditor” and “National Treasurer”. Authority is granted to the Board of Directors to amend such parts of the By-laws which may be in conflict with each other. With this action the amending of the By-laws of the Senior Order is concluded. Little time is taken up by the amending of the By-laws of the Juvenile Order. The only change recommended and unanimously adopted is that the phrase “age next birthday” is replaced with “age”.This is necessary because soon the age of the Juvenile applicants will be determined on the basis of the j “nearest birthday” instead, as here- I tofore of “next” birthday. Recommendations. It is recommended that newjuvenile membership certificates be issued providing for the payment of the full amount of death benefits at the age of 5. District Manager Frank Cher, Mr. Knodel, the actuary, are heard and the recommendation is unanimously carried. The issuing of accidental death benefit certificates to juvenile applicants, recommended by vice-chairman Charles Young, is unanimously adopted upon information by the actuary that such action is not prohibited by the insurance statutes. The raising of childbirth benefits from $15 to $25 is recommended. Mr. Revesz explains the high costs of such action. In 1946 childbirth benefits were paid in 284 instances and in the first 8 months of 1947 in 262 instances. The motion is defeated. Social activities. A lenghty debate develops over the social activities of the branches. Expert leaders volunteer excellent suggestions. The assembly is amazed to hear from Mr. Nyers that Branch 132, South Bend, Ind., contributes $1,000 toward the maintenance of its sports teams. Chairman Kolozsvary extends the thanks of the assembly to Branch 132 for their invaluable contribution toward the sports activities of the younger membership and for their hospitality in so splendidly entertaining the Verhovay National Bowling Tournament in 1947. The readers will find more about this part of the proceedings in “The Ferret Sez” column. The assembly unanimously adopts the Resolution of the Board of Directors designating February 21st as the Day of Verhovay Charity. Donations are to be solicited on that day toward the Verhovay Crippled Children’s Fund created by branches 189 and 369 of Alliance, Ohio. New Business. It is recommended that a waiver of premiums be granted to every member of the Association, who has been a member in good standing for at least 35 years, upon attaining the age of 70. An interminable discussion follows. The Board of Directors’ recommendation is that such waiver be granted to members attaining the age of 85. (The Association, at present, has 39 members between the ages of 81 aiid 85.) After an extremely prolonged debate the Board of Directors is authorized to take such actions as 'may be warranted on the basis of the actuary’s evaluation of the strength of the Verhovay Fund. The salaries of the officers of the National Convention are set as follows: the chairman is to recive $100, the recording secretary $100, the stenographer $150, and the two vicepresidents $25 each. Mr. Young Journal_______________ September 24, 1947 evokes fervent applause with his announcement that he is donating his fee to the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., for the Hungarian Orphans’ Fund. Ernest Palos, recording secretary of the Committee of Appeals, also granted $25, follows the same course. The assembly votes $10,000, in four equal annual installments, toward a Fund, to be administered by the Board of Directors, for assisting needy and deserving charitable and educational institutions in Hungary. Fervent applause follows this truly fraternal action. A resolution thanking Insurance Commissioner James F. Malone for delegating Deputy Insurance Commissioner Oscar Kottled to the National Convention is unanimously adopted. A resolution, presented by delegate Leo Fisher from California. to be sent to the President of the United States, asking him to use his good offices in behalf of Hungary that this country may be admitted as a member of the United Nations, is unanimously adopted by an enthusiastic assembly. Mr. Fisher is thanked for presenting this resolution. The Board of Directors requests the National Convention to authorize the setting up of a Verhovay Retirement fund for those workers of the Association who will spend many years in the service of the Association. It is requested that the amount of $2,500 per annum be set aside toward this fund and that the Association contribute the same amount as will be deducted each and every month from the salaries of the workers of the Verhovay for this purpose. A brief but sharp verbal battle develops. A brief, but unusually eloquent statement by a second generation representative from Youngstown brings the house down and is instrumental in the unanimous adoption of this important recommendation. This concludes the new business of the Convention. Tomorrow the budget is to be determined by the assembly and then ELECTIONS will follow. The last sessions, packed with progressive actions, leave the delegates exhausted, yet in a state of high tension. Thus the meeting adjourns. The Eleventh and Last Day. At eight o’clock sharp the meeting is called to order by chairman Kolozsvary. As the roll call and the minutes are read, scores of visitors arrive. The budget is read by Supreme Auditor John Sabo and, tlien, seriatim presented by Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz. The Boárd of Directors recommended that file salaries of the future members of the Board and the Auditing Committee . * ' (Continued on page 11)
