William Penn Life, 1986 (21. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-11-01 / 6. szám
Szabó Appointed William Penn Life, November-December 1986, Page 3 New Fraternal Director ELIZABETH SZABÓ FRATERNAL DIRECTOR PITTSBURGH, PA - The William Penn Association Board of Directors has ratified the appointment of Elizabeth A. Szabó as Fraternal Director for the society. The Board took its action at its November meeting at the Home Office. Mrs. Szabó brings with her an extensive educational and professional background, as well as a love for preserving and promoting ethnic heritage. She said she plans to use her experience to build a strong link between the Association’s branches and to establish and promote a number of branch and national fraternal programs. Mrs. Szabó began her educational career studying at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Philadelphia Musical Academy in 1950 and 1951 respectively. In 1955 she earned a B.A. in English/Music from Wittenberg University. Her love for music and her heritage helped her earn an M.A. in Immigration History-Ethnomusicology from Kent State University in 1978. She earned scholarships from the American Hungarian Studies Foundation and the Liszt Academy in Budapest. While studying at Kent, she became executive director at the International Institute Foundation of Youngstown, Ohio. During her six years as executive director, Mrs. Szabó wrote 15 grants for both state and federal programs studying ethnic heritage and contributions to American society. She has also supervised and coordinated various fundraising activities, including an annual folk festival and special ethnic travel tours. Her management skills are rivaled by her skills as a writer and an educator. She has published more than 30 articles in various national magazines and books for special projects. Her writing experience includes scripts for documentaries and slideshows, radio and TV news, brochures and consumer relations pamphlets. As as educator she has worked for the Youngstown Board of Education and the CETA program, teaching and developing programs in music, ethnic studies and creative writing. Mrs. Szabó continues to be active in the promotion of ethnic music and heritage. She is a trustee of the International Institute and a member of the Ohio Arts Council, Traditional and Ethnic Arts Panel. Her long list of accomplishments also includes past service as a member of the Ohio State Task Force on Refugees and the American Council Nationalities Services Advisory Council. The Association is happy and proud to welcome Mrs. Szabó to its fraternal family, and all William Penn members wish her much success in her endeavors for our society. Reagan Addresses NFCA Convention Home Office News WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Reagan is delighted with a plaque engraved with a message pledging the support of the National Fraternal Congress of America in the fight against drug abuse. Applauding him is William B. Foster, former president of the NFCA and president of Modern Woodmen of America. Foster made the presentation to the President during the NFCA Centennial Meeting here Sept. 25. WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Ronald Reagan praised the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) and its 100 member organizations for 100 years of volunteerism and fraternal projects. The President made his remarks during an address to the NFCA’s 100th annual meeting held Sept. 25-27 in Washington. Among the 804 registrants attending the meeting were the Association’s Chairman of the Board Stephen G. Danko, National President Gay B. Banes, Executive Vice President John F. Kenawell and National Secretary E.E. Vargo. In all, 87 fraternal societies and 28 state fraternal congresses sent representatives to the centennial meeting. The President appeared before more than 650 attendees who crowded into the grand ballroom of the J.W. Marriott Hotel. A satellite room was provided for those who were not able to get into the grand ballroom. “It is with humility and respect that I speak to you — all the more so when I consider all that this (National Fraternal) Congress and its member organizations have accomplished during these past 10 decades,” the President said. "Ladies and gentlemen of the National Fraternal Congress, no one has done more than you to keep alive this distinctly American tradition, this habit of voluntarism that says so much about the essential goodness of our country,” President Reagan said. “On behalf of a grateful nation, I commend you.” The bulk of the President’s speech dealt with the Administration’s anti-drug campaign. “I know that the organizations represented here are already actively involved in the war against drugs and have been, in many instances, for a goo^J 10 years. “As I thank you for all that you’ve done already ... I ask you to take up a new challenge ... by joining the crusade against drug abuse,” he said. Calling drug abuse “offensive to our fundamental values and national values and national sense of purpose,” President Reagan asked the NFCA members to continue helping all Americans say “no” to drugs and making communities and homes drug-free. The President was one of a number of government dignitaries who addressed the annual meeting. Others who spoke were Sen. Frank Guarini, D-N.J.; Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn.; Sen. John Chaffee, R-R.l.; Sen. Spark Matsanaga, D-Hawaii; and Sen. Robert Dole, R-Kan. On Sept. 25, following the President's address, the NFCA Centennial Banquet was opened with a parade of flags and roll call of member societies. The evening meal was topped off with the humor and piano talents of Victor Borge. The annual meeting also featured the election of NFCA officers for 1986-1987. Louis B. Engelke (Order of the Sons of Hermann in Texas) was elected President and William R. Heerman (Aid Association for Lutherans) was elected Vice President. Elected as directors for the coming year were W. Patrick Donlin (Knights of Columbus), Bernard M. Luketich (Croatian Fraternal Union) and Jacqueline J. Sobania (Loyal Christian Benefit Association). Another of the many highlights of the meeting was the introduction of the NFCA brochure “Joining Hands to Touch Lives.” Former NFCA President William Foster said the theme encompasses the fundamental concept of caring upon which all fraternal benefit societies are based. Foster said that last year alone the 100 member societies disbursed more than $332 million on fraternal programs and activities. Member volunteers worked more than 36 million hours in theircommunities providing support for all types of not-for-profit institutions. At the closing session held Sept. 28, the 1986 NFCA Fraternalist of the Year Award was presented to Kathy Henry (Modern Woodmen of America) of Sacramento, Calif. In addition to volunteerism, fraternal societies maintain some of the world’s largest private systems of scholarships and other educational support, providing more than $11 million last year for students and the institutions they attended. In total, the fraternal benefit societies which comprise the NFCA spent more than $242 million last year on noninsurance fraternal benefits. Charles Named Office Manager George S. "Pete” Charles Jr. was recently named the new Office Manager at the Home Office in Pittsburgh. His appointment is part of the ongoing reorganization of the Home Office. Pete joined the Home Office staff in June 1974. He was named Agency Administrator Feb. 1, 1982. Among his duties as office manager will be directing personnel, organizing special project task groups and corresponding with membership. Staff Welcomes New Employees Four employees have been added to the Home Office staff during the past few months. Robert Kapinus joined the staff in the Treasury Department Nov. 24. That same day, Patricia Bürgin assumed her duties as a secretary in the Sales Department. The William Penn Life also extends a belated welcome to Joseph Flowers, who joined the Treasury Department Aug. 8, and to Nancy Lancz, who joined Premium Accounting June 30. Rapagna Retires After 15 Years The Home Office staff recently bid a fond farewell to fellow employee Rose Ann Rapagna. Rose Ann, a clerk in Premium Accounting, retired Nov. 18 after serving 15 years with the Association.
