William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2015-11-01 / 11. szám

Retiring Chair of the Board Barbara A. House (rear, center) presents the newly-sworn in WPA Board of Directors (l-r): David M. Kozak, Chair Andrew W. McNelis, Vice Chair Katherine E. Novak, Richard E. Sarosi, Debra A. Lewis, Michael J. Chobody, Vice Chair Anne Marie Schmidt, Joyce E. Nicholson, James W. Robertson and Albert Frate.

Albert Frate of Branch 14 Cleveland, Ohio; David M. Kozak of Branch 8 Johnstown, Pa.; Debra A. Lewis of Branch 129 Columbus, Ohio; and Joyce E. Nicholson of Branch 349 Weirton, W.Va.

The new Board was sworn into office by the WPA's General Counsel, Ralph F. Manning.

The new Board later met in a special session at which it elected Mr. McNelis as Chair of the Board, and Ms. Novak and Mrs. Schmidt as Vice Chairs. The Board also reelected Mr. Charles as National President, Mr. Hauser as National Vice President-Secretary and Mrs. Torma as National Vice President-Treasurer.

While welcoming its new leaders, the Convention also took time to honor and thank several loyal and dedicated fraternalists who were retiring from the Association's Board. As his first official act as Chair of the Board, Mr. McNelis presented the Distinguished Service Award and special gifts to outgoing National Directors Dennis A. Chobody and Nickolas M. Kotik.

The Convention paid special tribute to National Director Roger G. Nagy, who passed away two weeks before the Convention. Chair McNelis presented Mr. Nagy's Distinguished Service Award to his son, Gregory. Throughout the Convention, delegates wore red, white and green

Special Edition

William Penn Life will be publishing a special “General Convention edition.” This special edition will contain expanded coverage of the Convention, the complete revised By-Laws of the Association and many photographs from the Convention. Watch for this special edition in late December or early January.

Mardi Gras beads in honor of Mr. Nagy, who lived in Louisiana and who had given similar beads to the delegates of previous Conventions.

The final honoree was outgoing Chair Barbara A. House. Chair McNelis presented Mrs. House with her special award. President Charles and the National Officers then presented a portrait of Mrs. House which will hang in the WPA's Home Office. Then, National Director Robertson, along with the rest of the Board, presented a special gift to Mrs. House, honoring her for her outstanding leadership: a special gold "leaf" for the WPA's Tree of Knowledge, made in the shape of a dog, in remembrance of her beloved dog, Gabby.

The delegates then took time to remember the distinguished members and friends of the WPA who had passed away since the last Convention in 2011. The Rev. Joseph D. Bodnar, a delegate from Branch 19 New Brunswick, N.J., led the service, which included the delegates singing the first verse of "Amazing Grace."

The Convention's final business session featured one last show of unity by the delegates, this time in support of the William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation. The delegates pledged and donated thousands of dollars to the fund, which provides grants to young members seeking a higher education.

A portion of the funds generated during the Convention were raised through a special raffle, the prize being an acoustic guitar autographed by country music superstar Kenny Chesney and donated by National Director Nicholson. The winner was National Director Robertson.

Delegates also heard from several speakers who shared important information with the Convention delegates, including:

• Robert E. Bruce, who offered highlights of the WPA's actuarial report and noted the strong financial standing the Association continues to enjoy; and

• WPA General Counsel Ralph F. Manning, who led the delegates in a review of the Association's proposed bylaws, which for the first time had been pre-approved by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. After reviewing the by-laws, the Convention unanimously adopted them.

By Monday afternoon the Convention had adjourned with all eager to resume the work necessary to help WPA not only survive but thrive in the years ahead. □

William Penn Life 0 November 2015 0 13