Volume 95 Number 37
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
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H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
September 19, 2007
ISSN —07458800
Fraternalists Bridge Heritage with Innovation at 121st NFCA Annual Meeting
SPJST Member Robert Hagen Named National Fraternalist of the Year More than 400 fraternal-
ists from around the country gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the 121st Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), held September 6 to 8, 2007. Themed “Bridging Heritage with Innovation,” the meeting addressed important questions, such as how to use our heritage as a foundation for innovation. SPJST representatives included Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek, Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride, Vestnik Editor/Director of Communication Melanie Zavodny, District One Director Donnie Victorick, and District Five Director Larry W. Pflughaupt. “We addressed a number of challenging issues, including how to approach mergers and strategic alliances,” said NFCA Immediate Past Chair Janice U. Whipple, who presided over this year’s meeting. “In addition, fraternalists were able to attend quality programs and explore many other topics that will help their societies operate more efficiently.” Several speakers enlightened and entertained the attendees, including the opening keynote presenter Todd Buchholz—former director of economic policy at the White House, a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, and an award-winning economics teacher at Harvard. In his opening
Robert J. “Bob” Hagen, second from left, of SPJST Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point receives the National Fraternal Congress of America Fraternalist of the Year from NFCA Chair of the Board Janice Whipple, left. Also pictured are Robert’s wife, Terri Hagen, and SPJST Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek. Robert is the first NFCA Fraternalist of the Year to represent SPJST.
keynote presentation, Lessons from the Past for Our Present and Future, Buchholz explained that in order to maintain their fraternal difference, it is imperative for fraternals to find the relevance that made their society grow, and make sure their relevance is not only current, but is continuing to adapt to the everchanging future. He will make clear that in order to grow, societies must lead with their fraternal advantage and focus on their fraternal communities, creating opportunities for their members to come together for greater outreach, growth and success. Other main platform speakers included Jim
Carroll, a leading international futurist, and trends and innovation expert, who
explained in his presentation, Why Educate Yourself When You Know It All, how rapid times require bold change and new levels of creativity and innovation within every fraternal benefit society. Ira Blumenthal—the president of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., a consulting company that has counseled world-class clients such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, McDonald’s, American Airlines, Disney, Wal-Mart and others in branding, strategic alliances, marketing, change management, reinvention and success—gave the closing main platform presentation. In his keynote, Strategic Alliances and Business Partnerships – Creating Synergistic Relationships for Success, Blumenthal educated and motivated fraternal benefit societies of all sizes on the importance, power and viability of alliances. One of the hot topics cov-
ered at the NFCA Annual Meeting was the NFCA’s new Accreditation Program. On September 7, NFCA Membership Committee Chair Michael J. Wade discussed the new program – Your Key to Fraternal Success. Wade explained that the program is comprised of meeting seven Key Standards - each designed to help societies reach an optimum level within the major disciplines of operating a relevant, sound fraternal benefit society. See NFCA on page 18.
~ Inside ~ Lodge 29 presents donations Page 9 Lodge 183 appreciation dinner Page 11 Scenes from Westfest
100 and Still Mowing
Congratulations to Lodge 25, Ennis member Rudy Ozymy, Sr. who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 27, 2007. He is pictured mowing a section of pasture on his farm. More pictures on pages 6 and 7.
Pages 5, 15, 19
Scenes from End-ofSummer Getaway Pages 16-17
Family Fun Dates ...............3 Interest Rates .....................3 Sales Seminar Schedule ...3 SL Meeting Minutes ...........4 District News ......................4 Lodge Section ....................7 Reunions...........................14 Youth .................................20 In Memoriam.....................24 Czech Culture...................27 Activities Calendar...........30