William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2011-07-01 / 7. szám

Branching Out with Endre Csornán

Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Vencel Házi (at podium) greets more than 1,000 members and guests attending the Centennial Banquet in Pittsburgh, Alay 24, 1986. Seated at the head table are (l-r): Helene Banes, National President Gay B. Banes, National Vice President Albert J. Stelkovics, U.S. State Department Deputy Legal Advisor Mary V. Mochary (the banquet’s main speaker), and Judge Leonard Staisey of Allegheny County (Pa.) Common Please Court. (Photo by Gateway Associated Photographers)

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«58(i * CENTENNIAL * 1986

A brief history of William Penn Association

Part Six: Celebrating a century of service and improved relations with Hungary

by Endre Csornán

Prior to our centennial anniversary, William Penn Association went through some changes by introducing various up-to-date business methods to increase efficiency and to cope with the declining membership.

Under the leadership of National President Elmer Charles, the Association's relationship to Hungary became friendly. The leadership recognized the changes and reforms in Hungary that improved the quality of life of the average Hungarian to a point where they became the most envied members of the Eastern Block. At the 1986 centennial banquet held in Pittsburgh, Pa., Hungary was represented by the Hungarian Ambassador and the First Secretary from the Hungarian World Federation. It should perhaps be mentioned here that not all William Penn leaders or members agreed with the policy that had been pursued by President Charles and later by National President Gay B. Banes; however, today, we all admit that it was the realistic path to follow.

The leadership also began to pay much attention to Hungarian cultural achievements in North America, extending financial help to various Hungarian cultural and social organizations, such as the American Hungarian Foundation. The Association donated a large amount of money toward the completion of the AHF's new headquarters, library and archives in New Brunswick, N.J.

All of these changes and measures produced some positive results; but from the standpoint of membership, it was primarily through mergers small and large that WPA kept its size at an acceptable level. The largest merger took

place in the early 1980's when the Pennsylvania Insurance Department obliged the Catholic Knights of St. George to find a suitable partner for a merger. Through the acquisition of the Catholic Knights of St. George, William Penn Association gained more than 20,000 members.

In 1986, after a century in existence, William Penn Association stood as the largest Hungarian-American fraternal benefit society and the largest Hungarian organization outside of Hungary.

The Association's first celebration of its 100th anniversary was held in Detroit, Mich., hosted by Branch 18, followed by the big event in Pittsburgh, featuring gypsy music by Ferenc Sánta and his orchestra and the world famous vocalists Apollónia Kovács and Sándor Hódos.

Elmer Charles, by then President Emeritus, remarked in his message at the centennial celebration: "Our continued objective is to build fraternal programs at the local, regional and national levels that will attract prospective members to our organization. We must continue to grow to the limit of our capacity. Let's keep our Association simple, easy to understand and a delight to belong to."

The newly-appointed National President Gay B. Banes and his fellow National Officers-National Secretary E.E. (Al) Vargo, Executive Vice President John Kenawell, and National Vice Presidents Albert J. Stelkovics and Stephen M. Lang, Jr. —along with Chairman of the Board Stephen

G. Danko assumed the work in the second century with high hopes.

Next month: Beginning our next 100 years.

4 0 July 2011 0 William Penn Life