Bethlen Évkönyv, 1993-1996 (Ligonier)

Dózsa György: Az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyesület 100. Évét Ünnepli

of deceased members also came into discussion. The same Convention voted for a $1,000 seed money to start a financial campaign to raise funds for the purchase of an existing building for the home. The seed money grew, but it was still not enough. Therefore, the Convention in 1919 passed a resolution whereby the Federation assessed a five cent-donation from each member for the purchase and operation of a Home for Orphans.

The modern monetary system of the Federation was laid down at the Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1910. The membership dues and fees was were replaced with a premium paying system based on the age of the new members. This Convention established the Sick Benefit section.

The Convention in 1912 passed two major resolutions. It established the Juvenile Department and changed the time period between Conventions from two to three years. During WWI, the Federation purchased more than 100,000 korona worth of war bonds. At the end of the war in 1919, the Federation donated one fifth of its assets to the needy in war-torn Hungary. The Convention in 1919 in Buffalo, NY, dealt with topics like reinsurance and joined the National Fraternal Congress of America. This Convention tried to persuade the two major Hungarian Protestant denominations to join forces in order and establish a joint newspaper. The efforts were unsuccessful.

The 25th Anniversary of the Federation coincided with the dedication of the Orphans’ Home in Ligonier, PA. It took 15 years of hard work to raise the necessary funds to purchase the home for the children. Finally, on July 4, 1921, it was opened under the leadership of Reverend Sándor Kalassay. The Federation demonstrated its dedication to the cause when in 1923 it raised the assessment fee of five cents to ten cents from each member in order to secure the operation of the Orphans’ Home.

Just like many other financial institutions in 1931, the HRFA had to deal with its financial difficulties. During the Depression, the Federation lost some of its assets that were deposited in some defunct banks. The Federation overall lost about 15% of its total assets during this period. Despite all of its losses, the Federation began a vigorous campaign to revitalize itself. It re-established its full-time district manager program in five areas: Chicago, California, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania-17