William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2003 / Különszám

The Board

Directing us towards the future

The new William Penn Association Board of Directors

There are many familiar faces on the new WPA Board of Directors elected by the delegates of the 35th General Convention. In fact, all of the faces are familiar--even that of the Board's lone new member. Eleven of the previous Board's 12 members were reelected for another four-year term, and the new member, Ronald S. Balia, has served on the board before.

But, while the faces remain the same, the dynamics of the Board are changing. Within minutes after being sworn in, the new Board met in special session and elected a new chairman, Stephen J. Varga of Branch 48 New York. Mr. Varga, 46, is the youngest member of the Board and has one term as a member of the Board under his belt. Yet, his dedication, enthusiasm and straightforwardness quickly earned him the respect of his fellow national directors, who saw in him the qualities necessary to lead the Board.

Mr. Varga wasted little time in putting his stamp on the office. He became the first chairman of the board to directly address the membership about Board decisions and proceedings when he penned the first installment of "Inside the Board Room" for the October 2003 edition of

the William Penn Life. Proclaiming that "the best member is an informed member," Mr. Varga promised to "speak openly and directly to the membership and to open the doors of the Association's board room."

Members who choose to look inside those doors would see seated around the room 12 people who are dedicated to the ideals, aims and purposes of our Association. All are determined to direct the WPA to a successful future.

Joining Mr. Varga on the new Board are:

Elmer W. Toth, 75, vice chairman of the Board, a national director since 1983, and member of Branch 89 Homestead, Pa.;

E. E. (AI) Vargo, 75, vice chairman of the Board, former national president, former national secretary, a member of the Board since 1999, and member of Branch 8330 Dundalk, Md.;

Ronald S. Balia, 58, the sole new member of the Board, a member of the Board from 1987 to 1991, and member of Branch 296 Springdale, Pa.;

Anthony C. Beke, 63, former chairman of the Board, a national director since 1990, and member of Branch 13

Atty. Ralph Manning (far left), the WPA’s general counsel, swears in the new Board of Directors: (from left Michael F. Tomcsak, Michael R. Kara, Ronald S. Balia, William J. Bern, Barbara A. House, Frank J. Radvany, Anthony C. Beke, Elmer W. Toth (vice chairman), E. E. (AI) Vargo (vice chairman), Charles S. Johns, Andrew W. McNelis and Stephen J. Varga (chairman).

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William Pern Life, Special Convention Edition, November 2003