OPENING PLENARY SCRIPT - American Fraternal Alliance

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In January of 2010, in partnership with Aartrijk branding experts, 60 possible names were developed based on those parameters and the Task Force was narrowed down to two: American Fraternal Alliance and Fraternal America. In January 2010, we presented both of these names to the Board for their consideration – American Fraternal Alliance and Fraternal America. American Fraternal Alliance was our recommendation. That same month an informal poll of Board members was taken to determine their preference; it was decided the issue should be discussed in more detail at their March board meeting. So at the March board meeting, Aartrijk and members of the Branding Task Force presented a report to the NFCA Board. And two things came out of that. #1: The Board agreed that American Fraternal Alliance was the preferred name; but there was also the suggestion made to investigate the American Fraternal Association. The second thing that was decided at that meeting was that straw polls should be taken and conversations should be held with membership at Section meetings to gauge member feedback and preference. The results of those straw polls were overwhelming support for American Fraternal Alliance. On June 1, 2010, a Board Bulletin was distributed to more than 1,300 individuals from all member societies and state fraternal congresses detailing this information: the rationale, the process, the parameters and the recommendations of the Task Force. On June 22, a Board Bulletin detailing the Board’s recommendation and decision to present the name change at this, the 2010 NFCA Annual Meeting was distributed. Now, one key component to process is communication. So here are just some of the highlights of the communication that took place over this past summer. A free Branding Webinar regarding the Branding Initiative and name change in early July. Later that month a Board Bulletin regarding updates to the Branding Initiative to date was distributed. Later in July, a free teleconference, “Branding Fraternals on Capitol Hill,” a concept that I have to tell you came out of the first conversation held earlier that month when someone asked a question, “What are our folks who are consultants that we work with on Capitol Hill—what is their perspective on this?” Excellent suggestion and out of that this free teleconference was scheduled and held. In August, another free branding Webinar on overhauling identity and the importance of a name—how vital that is to establish a brand—was held. On that same day, a letter from the Board of Directors, supporting the recommended name change unanimously, plus a list of Frequently Asked Questions; both of which were included in your packet were distributed. So, our recommendation: based on the feedback that we did receive from the Board of Directors, the Task Force did take a look at this issue of Alliance versus Association. And when you look at the definitions of each of those words, it became pretty clear to, not only the Task Force members, but also to the board that the word Alliance is the appropriate word. It has the proper connotation and strength for what we were looking for: a close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests.” Formed to advance common interests—that’s what our trade association does. So based upon the results of the straw poll and the work completed, the Task Force recommends that the NFCA Board move forward to adopt American Fraternal Alliance as the new name of the association, as alluded to before, the Board accepted and unanimously supported that. So ladies and gentlemen, the rationale for change is solid. It started eight years ago. The parameters established reflect the unique mission of our trade association. The process was thorough, inclusive and transparent. The time has come. If this trade association, your trade association, my trade association, our trade association is to best fulfill its mission, then its name must clearly communicate what it is: an alliance of American 28
fraternals. Thank you for your time, for your patience, for your attention and consideration. If you have any questions, please attend the open meeting of the Constitution Committee, held at 4:45 this afternoon, in the Great America Room, Sixth Floor. Thank you. CHAIR RASMUSSEN: Thank you, Barbara and John. And thanks to the members of the Task Force. I know committing the time that you did to this effort was very much appreciated and the results are outstanding. I now call on Chair JoAnn Abt, Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, for the preliminary report of the Constitution Committee. Preliminary Report of the Constitution Committee MS. JOANN ABT, WOODMEN OF THE WORLD/OMAHA WOODMEN LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY: Madam Chair, officers, members, delegates and guests: I am pleased to present the Preliminary Report of the Constitution Committee. The Constitution Committee met via teleconference on July 27, 2010, to discuss proposed amendments to the NFCA Constitution. A quorum was present at the meeting. After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed that the Constitution Committee recommends constitutional language changes or proposed amendments to the Congress this year. The meeting was subsequently adjourned. The Constitution Committee, therefore, will recommend to the Congress that the following Constitutional language changes and proposed amendments be made. First, under Article IX, entitled Board of Directors, the committees recommends the addition of a new Section 3. All subsequent sections should be renumbered accordingly. We recommend that new Section 3 should read as follows: Section 3. All members of the Board of Directors, including Appointed Directors as described in Section 2 above, shall serve only with the support of the board member's sponsoring Society and shall be a current or retired senior executive officer of the sponsoring Society. In the event that any member of the Board of Directors, whether appointed or elected, loses the support of his/her sponsoring Society during his/her term of office, that Director shall be considered to have resigned from the Board of Directors and a replacement shall be chosen as outlined in Sections 4(b) and 4(c) of this article to serve the remainder of the vacated term. At the end of the term, a new director shall be elected or appointed according to the methods described in this Article IX. In no case may a Director transfer his/her sponsoring membership from one society to another during the term. In addition, the committee recommends the following change to Article I, the committee recommends the replacement of one name for another as follows: This organization shall be known as the American Fraternal Alliance, hereafter referred to as the Alliance. Its headquarters shall be in the state of Illinois. The NFCA Constitution Committee shall meet in open session later today, September 10, 2010, at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon, in the Great America Room on the Sixth Floor. This concludes the Preliminary Report of the Constitution Committee whose members include myself, JoAnn Abt; Paul Johnston, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; and Bruce Peterson, Royal Neighbors of America. 29
Page 1 and 2: 2010 NFCA Annual Meeting September
Page 3 and 4: Fraternal Congress actively sponsor
Page 5 and 6: NFCA Headquarters Office The headqu
Page 7 and 8: TABLE OF CONTENTS Opening Session O
Page 9 and 10: We have a new text messaging servic
Page 11 and 12: As you may recall, in 2009, the NFC
Page 13 and 14: us easy to plug in anywhere you mig
Page 15 and 16: Chicago. When people work together,
Page 17 and 18: GENERAL SESSION 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Page 19 and 20: The Governance Committee submits fo
Page 21 and 22: like to thank each member of the co
Page 23 and 24: The overall costs relating to staff
Page 25 and 26: As you know, delegates to this 124
Page 27: Third, that the geographic scope of
Page 31 and 32: Along with that, we’ve also made
Page 33 and 34: There was a clear-cut winner but th
Page 35 and 36: As a teacher, she contributes selfl
Page 37 and 38: program for our members to attend.
Page 39 and 40: 9/11 MEMORIAL SERVICE Saturday, Sep
Page 41 and 42: to the Coast Guard Station. At the
Page 43 and 44: MR. TIM SCHWAN, THRIVENT FINANCIAL
Page 45 and 46: Montgomery (MS). Mike worked for fo
Page 47 and 48: Hearing no further nominations, is
Page 49 and 50: MS. GOULART: Madam Chair, officers,
Page 51 and 52: “I’m talking about your fratern
Page 53 and 54: either the association staff or me.
Page 55 and 56: members’ solvency. That’s not w
Page 57 and 58: CLOSING DINNER 7 p.m. Saturday, Sep
Page 59 and 60: For terms of three years each, the
Page 61 and 62: T. RASMUSSEN: Thank you so much, Ma
Page 63 and 64: 2009-2010 National Fraternal Congre
Page 65 and 66: Constitution Committee JoAnn Abt, C
Page 67 and 68: CONSTITUTION of The NATIONAL FRATER
Page 69 and 70: Section 2. Upon request of delegate
Page 71 and 72: The officers of the NFCA shall be a
Page 73 and 74: ARTICLE XIV Sections The Board of D
Page 75 and 76: Chicago Illinois Auditorium Hotel A
Page 77 and 78: Toronto Ontario Royal York Hotel Se
Page 79 and 80:
Past Presidents of the National Fra
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1971-1972 Nick T. Newberry 1972-197
Page 83 and 84:
Polish Roman Catholic Union of Amer
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STATE FRATENRAL CONGRESSES Arizona
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