Fraternity-Testvériség, 1998 (76. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998-07-01 / 3. szám
11 1 FRATERNITY Page 3 PRESIDENT’S CORNER THE HRFA HAS EMBARKED ON A NEW PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN ITS FRATERNAL BENEFIT SYSTEM At its 1998 Fall Meeting in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, the Board of Directors took the bold step of passing a resolution that authorized the Executive Committee to enter into negotiations with the Catholic Knights of America in order to establish a marketing partnership with them. Preservation of the fraternal benefit system as we know it today will necessitate new business strategies that promote efficiency and growth of fratemals as insurance institutions while maintaining the traditions of fratemals. We, the HRFA, who view ourselves primarily as a religious-affiliated organization with a strong ethnic background, must find ways to bring sound business practices to our insurance operation. Through the years, our umbrella organization, the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), has been reminding its members societies, including ours, that: “As we approach the end of the 20th Century, there are signs that the fraternal benefit society paradigm is waning. Mergers and consolidations have steadily reduced the total number of fraternal benefit societies in existence over the last several decades. Similarly, overall membership in fratemals has declined along with the percentage of life insurance written by fratemals in the United States. Taken together, these developments raise questions about the viability of the fraternal benefit society as a 21st Century institution.” The new business strategies that were advanced by the NFCA, such as joint marketing alliance, co-insurance, administrative service agreements, just to mention a few, are becoming increasingly standardized in the fraternal life insurance industry. These new options will help small- and medium-sized fraternal societies (like ours) to pool available resources and to focus how we can best bring down our costs and stop the erosion of our health surplus. To maintain viability in this dynamic environment, we must keep striving for greater efficiency while sharing new products and services that will promote membership growth. The fraternal benefit system is not guaranteed survival in the financial service marketplace of the 21st Century unless we take new steps in our business approach such as the marketing alliance with the CKA. However, strategies to implement these joint programs must recognize the importance of preserving both the membership and the insurance elements of the fraternal benefit society structure to fulfill the mandate of our charter. George Dózsa, President THE CITIZENS FLAG ALLIANCE ESSAY CONTEST The CFA essay contest has ended. David Almeling, a senior at Washburn Rural High School, emerged atop the list of 51 finalists. That feat earns Almeling $15,000 in college scholarship funds. The theme of the essay contest was: “The American Flag Protection Amendment: A Right of the People...the Right Thing to Do.” In his winning essay, Almeling grabbed readers’ attention by writing: “Ever since the American Revolution saved us from the dangerous hands of oppression and tyranny, we have been struggling for democracy. As we search for safety and stability, the flag rises like a phoenix out of the ashes of uncertainty to become our beacon of hope. Unfortunately, when individuals willfully desecrate this symbol of our nation, and when the government ignores the overwhelming voice of the people, our flag returns to ash. As we enter into the new millenium, it is time to listen to America, save our heritage for the next generation, and pass an amendment to protect American values.” Nine other essay writers were selected for scholarship awards ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. Among these winners was M. Jon Ludy from Ohio, whose essay was selected by V.P. John K. Morey’s committee for the CFA selection committee. The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was one of the societies that joined the Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc. to help implement the CFA essay contest enabling 51 students share $108,000 to further their dream of attending college. I wish to thank our Board Members who served as state coordinators, namely Mrs. Clara V. Csikesz, Pennsylvania; Mr. László Hamos, New York; Mr. László Lipoczky and Mr. A1 St. Miklosy, New Jersey; Mr. John K. Morey, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret H. Saltzer, California, whose efforts helped make this contest successful. George Dózsa, President “As we enter into the new millenium, it is time to listen to America, save our heritage for the next generation, and pass an amendment to protect American values.” T
