Fraternity-Testvériség, 1984 (62. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1984-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 Imre Bertalan — President: GREETINGS TO THE CONVENTION The months of May and June proved to be an exceptionally busy time in the great family of onr Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. At seventy special branch meetings, fifty-seven delegates were elected. They will represent their branches at the highest legislative and executive body of our Federation, the 32nd quadrennial Convention which will be held at Ligonier, PA, beginning Monday, September 17, 1984. In behalf of the National Officers and the members of the Board of Directors, I convey our most sincere and heartfelt greetings to the elected delegates. We believe that our membership has chosen well; the elected delegates will represent the best interest of the members and of our society as a fraternal family. There are many among them who have carried the burden of the work and responsibility for our Federation throughout many years having been delegates to several conventions. They have contributed much to the building of our great fraternal family. Without their love, dedication and commitment our Federation could not have become what it is today — by name, by identity and purpose, the largest Hungarian-American fraternal which gathers its membership of four generations from across the entire United States and Canada. We also extend our greetings to those who have been elected delegates for the first time. There arc 29, including 5 ministers, who are first-timers as delegates. They are not newcomers in our society. They have ahead}' shown their lovaltv and dedication to the Federation. The fact that tlicv have been chosen is the best proof and recognition of their dedication. They come to the convention with new vision and commitment which leads to a new beginning — since each convention means a new beginning. During the time between conventions, the Federation is governed by the Board of Directors. This Convention shall receive a report of the work of the Board covering the last four vear period. Reports of the National Officers and Advisors will form the basis of the deliberations. Delegates will be assigned to the three major committees. Their task will be to go into an indepth study of those reports and examine all action and resolutions that were brought about by the Board in the interim period. The strength of a fraternal society derives from the fact that the convention is indeed the highest legislative and executive bodv of the HRFA. T here arc rights and duties which are not rehquished by the convention to the interim government of the Board of Directors. Foremost among them arc the power to amend the By-laws of the Federation and the determination of the compensation of the officers, employees, field workers, branch managers, members of the Board. Another portion of the meeting will be spent with the consideration of proposed ammendments coming before the convention from the branches and the Board of Directors. A further duty of the Convention is to set the course and direction for the next four vears. In this issue of the Fraternity, we bring the names of all delegates. Anv member has the right and the responsibility’ to contact the delegates to express concerns or plans for the future of our fraternal society. The past four y ears yvcrc probably the most critical years in the history of the HRFA. These years were introduced bv the resolution of the previous Convention to seriously study and consider the feasibility of a consolidation yvith our sister organization, the William Penn Association. The result is known to our delegates and membership. What made this period critical lies in the fact that the major thrust of tyvo years yvere spent on the consolidation and efforts for revitalization took a back seat. Yet, the amazing thing is that yve arc here; we are alive; yy’c arc well; our assets greyv despite the loss of membership; our solvency ratio is the highest m the history of the Federation; ncyy people have been challenged! We have not strayed from the original purpose, set by the founding fathers 88 years ago. We have kept the faith and vision once delivered to them: To serve God and our felloyvman. We have introduced changes and methods as needed by the changing times. Wc arc in the process of taking ncyy steps in that direction. It will be good to share details with you, to have time for yvork and for old-time Hungarian fellowship on the lull at Ligonier. It will be good to plan together and to ask God’s blessing on our yvork carried out in His name. May Almighty God bestoyv His gracious blessings upon this Convention.
