Verhovayak Lapja, 1955 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1955 / Verhovay Journal
July 20, 1955. Verhovay Journal PAGE 11 MINUTES OF THE DISTRICT SESSIONS DISTRICT 17 The meeting is held on June 19, 1955 at the Ellwood City, Pa. Hungarian Home. • The meeting opens at 10:00 A.M. with president John Bokor presiding. He greets the assemblage and, ur>on asking for a roll call, determines that of the 12 branches comprising District 17 six are represented as follows: Joseph Bara, Branch 66, John Bokor, Branch 141, Gustave Nagy, Branch. 146, Stephen Houser, Branch 364, Leslie Monos, Branch 477, Frank J. Molliar, Sr., Branch 514. Not represented are Branches 106, 142, 180, 338, 438 and 467. District Recorder Molnár reads the minutes of the last meeting. They are approved. District chairman Bokor requests one minute of silence in memory of the late Director Joseph Turner, then instructs the recorder to write a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Turner. Tfle two officers now resign their positions. The motion of Joseph Bara, that the same officers resume the positions of chairman and recorder, is seconded by Gustave Nagy, and by acclamation they are returned to office. Mr. Bara suggests election of a vice chairman. Stephen Houser is nominated by Leslie Monos, and the nomination is seconded. It is unanimous by acclamation. The chairman now urges the members to discuss the proposed amendments to the Bylaws. Mr. Monos recommends that only the important points be discussed. Joseph Bara brings up the amendment which would deal with members, paying their dues quarterly, half-yearly and yearly, and recommends the retention of the present system of paying as the members wish, including monthly. All are opposed to the pension fund. The motion of Mr. Monos is accepted: that members who have been in. the membership for 35 years anfr have reached age 65 receive a paid-up certificate. Sick, accident and maiming benefits should not cease upon a member’s retirement. An explanation of hospitalization insurance is sought from Field Supervisor Gabriel Nameth. The amendment to point 50, dealing with branch funds, is not approved, by this district. The motion of Mr. Bara that the branch managers receive 10% instead of 4% is approved. It is asked that dividends again be payable on old certificates. The merger is approved but the pension plan is not acceptable. District 17 recommends that the National President not be the presiding officer of the Convention nor the Board of Directors meeting. The delegates should have their own presiding officer and the Board of Directors it own chairman from among themselves. The elections are as follows: DELEGATE: John Bokor, Francis J. Molnár, Sr., Stephen Houser, who ■will go to the National Convention. ALTERNATE DELEGATE: Leslie Monos, Gustave Nagy, Joseph Bara. District Recorder Molnár is commended for his fine work for which he is presented $10.00 from the treasury. The meeting expenses total $203.25. Visitors at the session are Field Supervisor Gabr iel Nameth, John Kostyo, of District 17-B, and Branch 141’s oldest member, “László bácsi.” The next district meeting will be held in Ellwood City, Pa. The meeting adjourns at 4:00 P.M. John Bokor Francis J. Molnár, Sr. District Chairman District Recorder District 17-D The meeting is held on June 8, 1955 at 8:00 P.M. in the Alliance Verhovay Home. The purpose of this meeting is to elect one delegate and one alternate delegate to the Verhovay National Convention to be held the week of September 12, 1955. t Forty-eight members are present as president John Barany opens the meeting. Mr. Barany first explains the purposes and then calls for nominations. These are the nominations: Michael Simo, nominated by Mike Buzogány, seconded by Geno Pizzoni; James Sera, nominated by William Raszik, seconded by Frank Rocki; John Dugan, nominated by Andy Szabó, Jr., seconded by Joe Mate. Mr. Simo, receiving 27 votes, and Mr. Sera, with 15 votes, are elected delegate and alternate delegate. Mr. Dugan polls 6 votes. A brief discussion is then held concerning the Alliance Development Company. No decision is reached. This subject will be further discussed at the next branch meeting to which all the members are urged to cqme. —JOHN E. DUGAN District Recorder District 19-B The meeting is held on June 5, 1955 at the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church hall, Cleveland, Ohio. Purpose of the meeting: To elect two delegates for the National Convention and two alternates; to discuss the amendments to the Bylaws. Emery Készéi, district chairman, presides; District Manager Coloman Bertalan, manager of Branch 45, Cleveland, Ohio is district recorder. The chairman warmly greets the attending delegates as he calls the meeting to-order at 3:20 P.M. “Our Association,” he says, “has reached times which determine the future, especially now that the Rákóczi Aid Association begins the merger discussions tomorrow.” He hopes that the Rákóczi will accept the Merger Agreement as have our leaders, because this would lead to better co-operation, Strength and happiness for the Hungarian American elements. Again, in his own words the chairman continues: “For this reason every member should let his conscience guide him in the selection of the delegates to be sent from this district to the National Convention. Today’s election results must promote brotherhood, and we must send such representatives who put aside all thoughts of selfisji gain, who will whole-heartedly and continuously keep in mind the true Verhovay aims.” District chairman Készéi announces that Branch 45 constitutes a separate district and is entitled to send two delegates to the Verhovay Convention, which will begin September 12, 1955 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Julius Nadas makes a motion that the president of Branch 45 and chairman of District 19-B, Emery Készéi, be elected by acclamation as the first delegate. He bases his recommendation on that fact that Mr. Készéi, as president of the branch, enjoys the confidence of the members as a faithful fighter for the Verhovay cause — without personal gain. The president can best represent the interests of the group. Also in favor of this motion are Paul Magyary, Louis Marton and George Dali. Stephen Kovács makes the motion that the voting be done in secret. Louis Balogh states that unanimous elections are aimless and not customary in America. He proposes that the two delegates and two alternates be elected on a secret ballot. Joseph Drotos seconds the motions of Louis Balogh and Stephen Kovács, suggesting the nominees’ names be placed on the blackboard ap,d secret ballots be used. Julius Lukacs desires the kind of delegates who think independently and are not just head-nodders. He proposes that the candidates first outline their programs and, when the members themselves decide who would best represent the interests of the branch and district, THEN should the voting begin. Dr. Andrew Kovács proposes that the question of the motion for secret balloting be decided first before other matters are considered. Joseph Terhes seconds the motion made previously by Dr. Nadas. Dr, Nadas again requests that his motion be accepted: that the branch president be elected by acclamation. His motion is again recommended by Paul Magyary and George Dali. Since no other comments are made, district chairman Emery Készéi states that it is embarrassing for him to have to ask whether this motion carries, since it concerns himself. But, being chairman, he has no other choice and puts the question before the meeting: Do you accept the motion of Dr. Nadas, which was seconded by several members, that the election of delegates be divided and the FIRST delegate be the president of Branch 45? Those who accept the motion, stand. (65 stood.) Those opposed, stand. (3 stood.) Amidst vigorous applause and cheering, the meeting shows its approval of the election of district chairman Készéi as FIRST delegate. Louis Balogh moves that the second delegate and alternates be elected by secret ballot. Joseph Arvay seconds the motion. Motion is carried. The chairman states that the rest of the elections will be by secret ballot and asks for nominations. Louis Balogh nominates Joseph Drotos. Joseph Arvay seconds the motion, George Dali nominates Alexis Torok. This is seconded by Louis Marton. Mrs. Ladislaus Csorba nominates Paul Magyary. Alexis Torok seconds the motion. John Eszrenyi nominates Stephen Kovács. No second to nomination, therefore, no nomination. John Marton moves nominations be closed and Dr. Julius Nadas seconds motion. The district chairman closes nominations and directs names of candidates placed on blackboard. There is a five minute recess. The chairman asks each nominee whether he wishes to accept. All nominees accept. The secret balloting takes place. Dr. Nadas collects the ballots. The election committee is comprized of John Ma#ton, George Dali and Louis Balogh. The chairman reports that everyone has voted. The votes are counted by the committee and Dr. Nadas records the totals on the blackboard, which are: Emery Készéi— unanimously elected Joseph Drotos— 35 votes Paul Magyary— 16 votes Alexis Torok— 11 votes 1 vote invalid John Marton makes themotion that the two candidates with fewer votes be alternates. The motion is carried. The delegates and theiralternates are classified in this fashion: First delegate— Emery Készéi Second Delegate— Joseph Drotos First Alternate— Paul Magyary Second Alternate— Alexis Torok Mr. Készéi thanks the meeting for its confidence in him and promises his continued loyal service to the branch, the district and the Association. He recommends that this meeting be used as a model for unity at future sessions. Second delegate Joseph Drotos reveals his program for the Convention. He promises that he will strive at the Convention to restore the paying of dividends on older certificates, that he will recommend the discontinuance of dues after old members who* have reached age 65. The chairman asks whether there are any suggestions for amendments to the Bylaws. Dr. Julius Nadas proposes that the three points objected to at the last meeting be discussed fully now. Stephen Kovács proposes that only American citizens be eligible for national offices. Dr. Andrew Kovács advises that this rule is now in effect. Stephen Kovács proposes that this rule extend to branch offices too. No one seconds his motion. John Eszrenyi advocates that, if the old members who were responsible for the building up of the Association get special privileges and dividends, these rights be extended to their children and grandchildren. John, Marton recommends that, even if the old members do not receive special privileges, at least those should who had their children and grandchildren written up as members, thus showing their loyal attachment to the Association. Dr. Julius Nadas proposes that the delegates insist on the continuance of 400 (not 500) members being the requirement for each delegate. Further, he suggests that the objectionable point 69 be changed. It omits that in event the Association be dissolved the remaining assets be given to Hungarian charities. The omission should be reinstated in the new Bylaws.
