William Penn Life, 1983 (18. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1983-01-01 / 1. szám
Epitaph For A Consolidation . . . The dream of a large, Hungarian fraternal benefit society becoming a reality, after many decades of hoping, came to become a shattered dream in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Saturday, November 27, 1982. For almost sixty-five years, various efforts were made to unite all Hungarian fraternal benefit societies in the U.S.A. into one tremendously large and potent force in the main stream of American life. In the latter part of the XIXth Century and early XXth Century, there were more than 400 Hungarian fraternal societies in existence and slowly they began to disintegrate, some into oblivion, others, by merger grew and prospered. By the end of WW II, there were only a half dozen Hungarian national fraternals still in existence, namely, Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, Rákóczi Aid Association, Reformed Federation of America, American Life Insurance Association (Bridgeport Szövetség), Workingmen's Sick Benefit Federation and the American-Hungarian Catholic Society. In the late 40’s and early 50's, several significant mergers were accomplished. The Workingmen's, became part of Verhovay. Cleveland Youth Society and the Bethlehem Society became part of Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. In 1951, the American Life and Rákóczi attempted merger failed. Immediately after that, negotiations began between Verhovay and Rákóczi. After 2 years of sincere effort, the merger of the two largest Hungarian fraternals succeeded and thus was born the William Penn Fraternal Association. After many years of negotiation and litigation, the American Life merged into the now William Penn Association. The hope for a unified Hungarian Society was becoming brighter. In 1980, serious discussions between the WPA and HRFA commenced. In the past, there had been half-hearted attempts to bring these two societies together, but serious discussions never materialized. At each other's conventions, we espoused the thought of merger, but serious negotiations were never held. This time, however, the idea was for a consolidation rather than a merger, with a new name, reflecting our Hungarian heritage, new charter and new by-laws, new aims and goals for bolstering our Hungarian culture through our churches of all faiths and denominations and among those of Magyar descent, residing in the U.S.A. Early discussions among the Officers indicated there was sufficient interest and desire to bring about a Consolidation. The Board of Directors, from each society appointed Consolidation Committees for the purpose of determining whether or not a successful Consolidation could be brought about. These Committees, consisting of the National Officers and Representative Board Members, met numerous times. When negotiations progressed satisfactorily, joint meetings of the two societies' Boards met, until finally in December 1981, at a joint meeting, both Boards unanimously approved the Consolidation Agreement which had been successfully negotiated. Enthusiasm ran high and visions of future beneficial acts in the charitable, religious, fraternal and civic worlds became clearer and more pronounced. The next task facing the Consolidation Committees was to prepare a set of by-laws, using the best of each society's present by-laws and creating new portions to serve the Consolidated Society. The William Penn Board in March 1 982, unanimously approved the proposed By-Laws, subject to change after the April 1982 Hungarian Reformed Federation Board discussed them. The bombshell burst, when after the HRFA Board of Directors meeting in April 1 982, a terse letter was received by National President Charles stating: April 26, 1982 Mr. Elmer Charles, President William Penn Association 429 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Dear Elmer: Pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America on December 16, 1981, the said Board did, on April 19, 20 and 21, 1982, review, discuss and consider the proposed By-Laws of a proposed consolidated society composed of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and the William Penn Association and did, by legal vote, reject a motion to approve said By-Laws and to call a special convention. This vote terminates all discussions and negotiations regarding consolidation of our two societies at this time. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the fine brotherly spirit exhibited by you and each member of your Board. I hope and pray that the same spirit shall continue to guide and inspire us as we render our fraternal activities in service of the American Hungarian Community of America. Sincerely yours, ISI Reverend Imre Bertalan President The William Penn Association Committee could not reconcile this shutting off of further Consolidation negotiations, particularly since no effort was made to communicate with us as to which portions of the proposed by-laws were unacceptable to them. At the June William Penn Board Meeting, the notification was regretfully acknowledged and our feelings were expressed in a letter, on behalf of the Board of Directors by Mr. Charles to Rev. Imre Bertalan. June 17, 1982 Rev. Imre Bertalan, President Hungarian Reformed Federation of America P.O. Box 34917 Washington, D.C. 20034 Dear Imre: Your letter of April 26th, informing me of the decision of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America to terminate all discussions and negotiations regarding consolidation of our two societies at this time, is hereby acknowledged by the Board of Directors of the William Penn Association with much sadness and regret. Since much time and effort was expended on this noble attempt, we pray and hope that your Board will soon reconsider the Consolidation Agreement, without "by-law" ramifications. With best personal regards. Sincerely and fraternally, ISI Elmer Charles National President After so many years of honest, sincere endeavor and agreement, it just did not seem right that this matter be dropped. Too much time, (Continued on Page 6) 5
