William Penn Life, 1997 (32. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1997-10-01 / 10. szám
Page 2, William Penn Life, October 1997 William Penn LIFE Official Publication of the William Penn Association Published Monthly Office of Publication: 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Phone: 412/231-2979 Third Class U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 2724 George S. Charles, Jr. Editor-in-chief Richard W. Toth Diane M. Torma Associate Editors John E. Lovász Managing Editor NATIONAL OFFICERS George S. Charles, Jr. National President Richard W. Toth National V.P.-Secretary Diane M. Torma National V.P.-Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael J. Hrabar Chairman Roger G. Nagy Vice Chairman Elmer A. Furedy Vice Chairman Anthony C. Beke Louis A. Fodor Barbara A. House Michael R. Kara Andrew W. McNelis George F. Mirkovich Michael F. Tomcsak Elmer W. Toth Frank J. Wukovits, Jr. Frank J. Radvany Secretary of the Board AUDITING COMMITTEE Robert A. Ivancso Chairman Margaret H. Boso Secretary Dennis A. Chobody Charles J. Furedy Joseph Hamari Ernest J. Mozer, Sr. CONSULTANTS Bruce & Bruce Company Actuary Horovitz, Rudoy & Roteman C.P.A. Rothman Gordon Foreman & Groudine, P.C. General Counsel Dr. Julius Kesseru Medical Director Unsolicited articles, letters, manuscripts, pictures and other material submitted to the WILLIAM PENN LIFE are forwarded at the owner's risk, and the WILLIAM PENN LIFE expressly denies any responsibility for their safekeeping or return. The WILLIAM PENN LIFE reserves the right to edit, revise or reiect any article submitted for publication. Postmaster: If undelivered, please send form 3579 to: William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Members thank WPA Continued from Page 1 Their sumptuous meals were presented with great efficiency and skill. ‘‘All of the staff, including the kitchen and administrative people, were highly attentive to making our stay at [the] language camp a total and pleasure-filled experience. “[We] appreciate the hard work and thank you allfor your kindness and friendship. " Camp student Elizabeth L. White of Petersburg, Pa., and a member of Branch 34, could not stay the entire week of the camp, but still seemed to gain a lot from the experience. "I want to say thanks to the personnel at the William Penn Association for all their time and efforts required for setting up and running the Hungarian Language Camp again this year. The Hungarian cooks and the food were also great. "I learned more Hungarian Teamwork: ^ The flight to success By Diane M. Torma, National V.P.-Treasurer Anyone who followed the Pittsburgh Pirates this season witnessed true teamwork in action. With no superstar to speak of on the team, the focus was on the group’s performance as a whole. The emphasis of the marketing campaign was a strong work ethic. When one player was injured, another was always there to replace him. When one player got a hit, it seemed to energize the rest of the team to follow suit. Just when you thought they were down and out, these previously unknown players took turns making the big play. The Pirates were a surprise contender in the division race, largely due to their cooperative attitude and ability to work together as a team. So, too, is it with most every aspect in life-from business to politics to family to fraternal organizations. I would imagine that the 13 Hungarian coal miners who founded our Association collaborated on numerous decisions. Today, 111 years later, William Penn Association is comprised of various teams and, as a whole, is a member of a larger scale of teams. As the one-year mark approaches since I was elected National Vice President-Treasurer, I reflect on the many challenges, obstacles, opportunities and learning experiences I encountered along the way—and continue to encounter daily. The past year has been one of learning, teaching, managing and decision-making, to name a few. With the various transitions came many challenges, and I am proud to say that our Home Office administrative staff has risen to the occasion, striving toward the ongoing common goal of servicing our membership. It has been evident that one of the most important factors necessary to ensure successful operations is teamwork. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” is a common statement relative to this. Success is not so much the result of an individual’s actions, but that of the combined forces of a team. I found the following to be an inspirational illustration: When geese fly in formation, they travel about 70 percent faster than when they fly alone. Geese share leadership. When the lead goose tires, he (or she) rotates back into the “V” and another flies forward to become the leader. Geese keep company with the fallen. When a sick or weak goose drops out of the flight formation, at least one other goose joins to help and protect. By being part of a team, we, too, can accomplish much more, much faster. Words of encouragement and support (honking from behind) help inspire and energize those on the front lines, helping them to keep pace in spite of the day-to-day pressures and fatigue, and, finally, showing compassion and active caring for our fellow man, a member of the ultimate team “mankind.” The next time you see a formation of geese, remember that it is a reward, a challenge, and a privilege to be a contributing member of a team. Author Unknown Like the geese, teams share a final destination—a goal, a purpose. Certainly, teamwork is not easy, but if each of us attempts to selflessly place team goals before individual goals, great things can be accomplished, resulting in gratification for all. Let us leam from the past, celebrate the present and welcome the future, progressing with our Association as contributing members of “the team.” again this year at the camp, even though I was only there from Wednesday until Saturday. “I also appreciated receiving the little bag of gifts and the certificate which were presented to us at the end of the classes." Receiving such words of appreciation from those who participate in our activities confirms to us that we are on the right track in terms of serving our members’ needs and interests. But, when we receive a thank you from someone who helped us conduct an activity, then we know we’re on to something special. We received such a thank you from Katy Kapossy-Palasics of Solon, Ohio, whose husband, Dr. John Palasics, was one of the instructors at our language camp. As her letter states, she wanted to share with us more than just happy memories of the camp. "Enclosed please find a video and an audio cassettefrom the 1997 language camp. Thank you and [National Director] Lou Fodor for all your efforts. I'm proud and happy I could be part of it! I devoted my whole hour of my radio show [on] Aug. 24 to William Penn and the language camp. ” We extend our own thanks to the Palasicses for sharing the recordings of the camp with us and for promoting our beloved Association on the airwaves in their hometown. Such reactions to the events and programs we sponsor encourage us to strive even harder to serve our members, our heritage and our community, not for thanks or recognition, but because its the fraternal thing to do. Preparing meals for the language camp students were (l-r) Margarite Beke, Elaine Toth, Ann Hrabar and Ethel Fodor. (Photo by Louis A-£g*>jA, From the office of the National V.P.-Secretary By Richard W. Toth, FLMI, FIC As my one-year anniversary as National Vice President-Secretary draws near, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me with my transition from Chief Underwriter to my current office. As an officer of the William Penn Association, I feel this year has been a memorable and valuable learning experience. As a child, I remember my father arriving home from work and commenting: “Where did the day go?” I would shake my head in disbelief as I thought the days were too long and would never end. Well, Dad, you were right! There are not enough hours in the day. I was installed as National Vice President-Secretary at our Board of Directors meeting on October 5,1996. With many reports, meetings and fraternal functions, the months of October and November passed quickly, and Christmas was approaching. The year-end closing work schedules and deadlines made the months of December through March very busy. Preparations and travel for the WPA 54th Annual Bowling Tournament, the 14th Annual Golf Tournament and the Eighth Annual Hungarian Language Camp rounded out the rest of the year. I was even able to squeeze in a week of vacation with my family as well as manage my oldest son’s baseball team. During this past year, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many WPA members, receiving their advice and suggestions. I’ve also had the opportunity to share the ideas and goals for the WPA’s future. I would like to thank everyone for their fraternal spirit and desire to lead the WPA into the next century. The torch has been passed, and our new leadership will strive to increase our juvenile and adult membership through attractive insurance plans, fraternal activities and the many fraternal benefits available to our membership.
