Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/121911
Benefit Society ???? NCSF Hearts and Hands program puts our motto of Love, Benevolence, and Charity into action. Courts do approved projects for the community or individuals in need and NCSF matches funds raised up to $1,000. Examples of some Hearts and Hands projects include rummage sales, turkey bingo, spaghetti dinners, bake sales, silent auctions and pancake breakfasts. Because fraternals are 'owned' by members who share a common bond, these charitable activities benefit organizations that mirror the values of the fraternal. The fraternal must operate in a responsible manner to both protect its members' financial security and to fulfill its social mission. Because members are organized into local courts, fraternals are uniquely positioned to deliver meaningful community services in their own 'back yard'. An example of this is when NCSF members participate in Join Hands Day which is held each year in May. Fraternals provide significant volunteer support to nationally recognized programs, which for NCSF is the Alzheimer's Association. NCSF most important contributions are made to local groups that couldn't survive without additional support. These include food banks, battered women's shelters, homeless shelters, pregnancy centers and parishes to name a few. All fraternal benefit societies must comply with state and federal regulations, with regard to their financial services, and must be licensed by the insurance department of the state or states in which they operate. Fraternal benefit societies are recognized as 501(c)(8), not-for-profit fraternal organizations, by the Internal Revenue Service. Sources: American Fraternal Alliance; National Catholic Society of Foresters website, ncsf.com; and the NCSF Constitution and Laws. How are some Fraternal Benefit Societies changing? the Fraternal Vision from President and CEO Joseph J. Annotti, American Fraternal Alliance Fraternals "Joining Forces" Excerpt printed with the permission of AFA ... want to read more? Visit Annotti's blog archives, posted February 5, 2013: http://fraternalsblog.org Recommendation – It is essential that fraternal benefit societies find ways to join their resources, through the NFCA (now the Alliance) or otherwise, to address common problems and threats to their common future. No single society has the human or financial capability to respond on its own to the external challenges it faces as a unique organization form seeking viability in the 21st Century. My take on all this… The cooperative ventures and strategic consolidations are rays of hope. But, I'm concerned they won't be enough to ensure the sustainability of some societies. And financial weakness in one link of the fraternal chain – one or more assessments, a society placed in receivership with the costs of that process borne by members – undermines the sustainability of the business model. ... there are untapped opportunities for real cooperative efforts out there that can make the fraternal model sustainable for generations to come: • A common IT platform to manage the business of multiple societies; • A shared set of member benefits that can enhance the value of membership in many different societies; • A shared sales and service center; • The consolidation of multiple societies assets to create a single insurer that can offer a common suite of products to the members and prospects of every participating society (the "20 front doors and one back room concept"); Some of you may think that these are pipedreams. But to me, these ideas – and courageous CEOs willing to make them a reality – are the difference between a "fatal" fraternal vision or one of sustainability and prosperity. 5