Verhovayak Lapja, 1951 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1951 / Verhovay Journal

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Verhovay Journal

October 17, 1951

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

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the backbone of the American Hungarian Federation, subscribing one cent?, per member per month to its maintenance. In addition to that, however, there are thousands and thousands of individual members whose contributions, ranging from $1 up a year, make it possible for the Federation to fender services that no other organization in the country is in position to render to Americans of Hungarian descent. -‘Do you know,” stated the executive secretary, “that there are fifteen thousand widows over the age of 60 who make regular contributions to the cause Of the American Hungarian Federation? Do you know that your secretary prepared with the assistance of seven girls, the immigration papers of 5,600 displaced Hungarians, While successfully representing the interests Of innumerable older Americans of Hungarian descent’”

Pointing out that similar organizations of some other nationalities Operate with budgets of one to two million dollars, he stated that the American Hungarian Federation’s operations are limited to an annual outlay of

5280,000. “And that's why,” the speaker exclaimed, ‘“there still is resistance against Communist terror in the homelands of those nationalities, while We here modestly pray to God to help us stretch our few pennies sufficiently to be able to do our duty. .

“I am proud,” the Rev. Balogh continued, “of such members of the Vérhovay, as Aloysius Falussy, Albert Ibos, Hattayer and others in New York who serve as pickets twice a week before the U.N. Building where it hurts the Russians most. . . Be proud of these of your fellow-members because their acts are worth more than all empty political talk. . .”

“As far as Hungary is concerned,” the speaker stated, “none of us in the Federation have any personal ambitions. Our only aim is to help attain the liberation of the Hungarian people so that, then, they themselves may freely decide how to govern their lives . . ’’

In conclusion he submitted four requests to the assembly. Though the Convention, remembering the Insurance Department’s advice that all exfcertditurés not directly related tfc> the operations of the Association be held on 'the lowest possible levél, did not see its way to fully comply with these requests, it is hoped that the delegates to the National Convention, upon returning to their districts, will impress upon their home-branches and fellowmembers the necessity of participating in the program of the American Hungarian Federation and to further its work by generous contributions.

In addition to the official guests, a number of branch-members and wives of the delegates visited the Convention floor. Proceedings wore interrupted fór introductions from time to time as the Chairman of the- Convention recognized the visitors, among them Mrs. Frank Radvany of Trenton, Mrs. Louis Barna of Chicago, Mrs. Laslo Vassy of Dayton, who were present throughout the entire Convention, also Mrs. Alexander Gondos, Mrs. Alexander Nyirati and many others.

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS ADOPTED

Though there were many who expected heavy opposition to some Of the proposed amendments recommended by the Board of Directors, it was surprising how smoothly they were adopted - after brief and peaceful discussions. First the amendments already adopted by the majority of the blanches were discussed and here, with one exception, the entire series waq adoptál The exception Was the proposed provision that the National President be the Chairman of the Convention and the two vice-presidents the vicechairmen. In view of the fact that this Convention elected by majority vote the National President and there being nothing in the presently effective By-Laws that would prevent future conventions from taking similar action, the delegates rejected the proposed amendments and voted to retain the present provisions of the By-Laws. All of the other proposed amendments were accepted and approved and thus became the law of the Association to become effective January 1, 1952.

One Of the most important changes among those incorporated in the By-Laws pertains to the appointment of the Branch Managers by the Home Office ‘‘subject to approval by the Board of Directors.” While previous t. the Convention this proposal was among those most widely contested bj those who wanted the branch meetings to retain their right to elect the managers each year, there was little opposition on the Convention floor .Several suggestions were made from the floor to weaken ehe orminál recommendation that “the Branch Manager shall be appointed by the Honu Office” by adding such stipulations as “where it appears necessary” o “subject to approval by the branch.” But when it became apparent' iha any such limitation would render the proposed provision utterly ineffective 'the convention finally reconciled itself to the proposed change stipulating only that appointments of branch managers by the Hómé Office be mad. subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-I.AWS

Then followed the proposed amendments adopted by the Board of Directors at its April, 1951, meeting. Since these proposals have not yet been acted upon by the branches—though they have been approved by the majority of the district meetings—they are to be acted upon by the

branch-meetings immediately following the convention. If approved by the majority of the branches, these, too, will become the law of the Association effective January 1st, 1952.

SICK BENEFIT MEMBERSHIP NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR OFFICE

The present provision of the By-Laws limiting eligibility to become

delegate to district meetings and national conventions to (hose who in

addition to life insurance certificates also hold membership in the sick

benefit department has been eliminated by the National Convention.

The only change made in the original recommendation of the Board of Directors was that a member to be eligible to become a delegate to the district meetings and the national convention must hold as life benefit certificate in th^ face amount of at ledst $1,000. (The original recommendation of the Board required ow-nership of a life benefit certificate in the facel amount of at least $500.)

Provided this provision will be approved by the majority of the branches, any member of the Association who has been a member in good

standing for at least two years, holds a life benefit certificate of at least $1,000, is an American citizen, has attained the age of 21, will be eligible in the future to become a delegate to the district meetings, to the national convention, a member of the Board of Directors, the Auditing Committee or a National Officer. (This provision includes those wrho hold fully paid-up. membership certificates, like a 20-Pay-Life Insurance certificate on which the dues for 20 years have been paid in full.)

12-MEMBER BOARD TO STAY

The recommendation of the Board that the number of members on the Board of Directors be reduced from 12 to 9, was not accepted by the National Convention. The tone of the discussions at this point became a bit, sharp, especially when one of the delegates mentioned dictatorial tendencies being hidden behind the recommendation of the Board, but after several members of the Board most emphatically rejected the absurd accusation, calm was restored and by a vote of 48 against 38 the delegates resolved not to make any changes in this respect.

Another dispute arose when it was proposed from the floor that the provision of the By-Laws according to which directors are to be elected according to geographical divisions, be eliminated. After much pro and con, the Convention finally decided to delete the provision in the By-Laws, incorporated by the 1947 Convention, according tc which the members of the Boarc^are to be elected so as to assure each geographical area of representation on the Board. In the futune, each Convention will be free to use its own discretion in deciding what method to follow in the election of the directors. This Convention, however, decided after further dispute to abide by the presently effective provisions of the By-Laws.

LANGUAGE DIFFERENTIATION ELIMINATED

In their new form, the provisions pertaining to the Board of Directors, eliminate also the distinction between ‘Hungarian speaking’ and ‘English speaking’ branches. If these new- provisions will be approved by the majority of the branches, future Conventions will not he bound to elect a specified number of “English speaking” and “Hungarian speaking” delegates to the Board of Directors and the Auditing Committee.

Some of the English speaking branches opposed this recommendation of the Board of Directors on the ground that a Convention, consisting of mostly Hungarian speaking delegates of the older generation, may be apt to deprive the second and third generation membership of adequate representation. Actually, however, the passage of the entire set of amendments is expected to produce results favoring the younger generation.

Due to the elimination of the sick benefit membership requirement and of the provision restricting the number of “English speaking” delegates eligible to become members of the Board of Directors and the Auditing- Committee, it is felt that future conventions will be dominated by the jounger element which will elect the majority of officers from among its own ranks.

Now that the restrictions that have excluded the greater part of our younger mismbership from participation in the district meetings and the national conventions, have been eliminated, it is expected that the second and third generation members of the Association will take more active part in the affairs of the branches with a view to being elected delegates. Instead of jeopardizing the representation of the younger generation, the Convention has at last opened the door to the young people to strive for positions of leadership. The rest will be up to the younger members. If they make the most of the opportunities offered to them by this Convention, they will be in position to assume leadership even in those branches which today still are dominated by members of the older generation. It will be to the benefit of the Association, therefore, if all branches approve these amendments, thus giving youth its much desired and well earned opportunity.

SUBVERSIVE ELEMENTS EXCLUDED FROM OFFICE

Loyalty to cur country was emphasized by the adoption of the following provision pertainng to the requirements of holding office in the Association: “No member of a part, organization or movement declared subversive by the U. S. Attorney General, the aims of which are opposed to the Constitution and aims of the United States, or who has been a member since said groups were declared subversive by the U. S. Attorney General, is eligible to become a delegate to the National Convention, to hold office or to be employed by the Association.”

This provision was made effective immediately when the newly elected officers of the Association were required to solemnly swear that they are not affiliated with any group declared subversive by the U. S. Attorney General.

BRANCHES URGED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION

The above amendments to the By-Laws already have been submitted to all branches for final action. The members c.f all branches of the Association are urged to attend the October branch-mfeeting and to see to it! that these amendments be Included in the schedule of business. Action is urgent because the printing of the new By-Laws will require considerable time- and in order to have the new By-Laws ready by the time they go into effect, on January 1st, 1952, it is necessary that the branches inform the Home Office without delay of the actions taken by the membership.

AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE DISTRICTS

The Convention then proceeded to weigh the amendments proposed by the district meetings, all of which were published in the previous issues of the official journal. The representatives of each district were given opportunity to present their recommendations most of which, however, were, defeated by overwhelming majority. 1

The Convention adopted a proposal to change the provision of the By-Laws governing the filling of the National President’s position in case of vacancy due to death or any other cause. According to the presents provision, in case of such vacancy, the older Vice-President assumes the position of the National President until the next Convention. According to the new provision, the Board of Directors shall be authorized to elect ii National President whose name, then, shall be submitted by mail to the delegates for approval.

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