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President Howard J. Wolfe
Annual Letter To The Members
I want to extend a Happy New Year’s greeting to all of you from the Home Office.
Please read on page 8 the announcement of the Lodge Award program for 2013. The Board of Directors has increased the number
of awards by adding a new award called the ‘Outstanding Leadership Award.’ We are placing an emphasis on getting younger
members active in the Association. At the 27 th National Convention, a Bylaw was passed that allows each lodge an additional
delegate, if that delegate is 40 or younger at the time of the election. The new ‘Outstanding Lodge Award,’ with the requirement
of the lodge to have an active YELL! group, will be a major step forward in getting younger members involved in the Association
and an opportunity for your lodge to elect another, younger delegate. I challenge all lodges to try to win this new ‘Outstanding
Lodge Award’ for the year 2013; recruiting youth is crucial to carrying on the good works of the Association.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Louise Weber, the 2012 Fraternalist of the Year. Louise has been the cornerstone
of her lodge for many years. Congratulations to Louise for this most deserving honor.
In this issue of the Fraternal Herald, we are recognizing all those members who will be celebrating their 75 th and 50 th year anniversary
with wfla in 2013. Please take the opportunity to read these names and congratulate those members you know for their
long commitment to the Association.
The September 30, 2012 quarterly statement reflected assets of the Association of $262,160,188. This is an increase of $11,215,402
over the 2011 year-end. The quarterly statement also reflects a gain from operations of $849,502 with an addition to surplus of
$131,585. As you know interest rates continue to be very low and this presents a challenge to the Association. We are very pleased
to show the positive results that we do as of September 30 th , and are thankful for the Association’s continued financial strength.
You will be able to read all the final reports from the Administration, Investment, and Sales and Marketing departments in
future issues of the Fraternal Herald.
As you all know by now, I am retiring on July 1 st of this year. On the 22 nd day of this month, I will have completed 45 years at
wfla. I served five years in the Data Processing Department, six years as Office Manager, 28 years as Secretary, and six years as
President. I was challenged by each and every position that I held, but each position had its own rewards. Any successes that
I’ve had with the Association during my tenure could not have happened without the dedication of the wfla members, Board of
Directors, agents, and Home Office staff. I have seen many changes in our Association throughout the years. We changed our
name in 1971 and had major changes to our governance three times; 1971, 1979, and 2007. I have served under four Presidents.
I could go on, but the one thing that has never changed is the love wfla members have for the Association, one which I share. I
have been blessed to have had the opportunity to meet so many of you and to serve wfla.
As I leave wfla, I know the Association will be in good hands with the present Board of Directors, the Management Team, the
Home Office staff, and all the agents. And through their efforts, I am confident that the Association will continue to grow and
prosper long into the future.
I take this opportunity to thank each one of you for the hospitality and the friendship that you have shown my wife, Judy, and
I in our travels for the Association.
Fraternally yours,
Howard J. Wolfe
January 2013 3