Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/88465
efficient? Now is a good time for NCSF to take a good long look at our current constitution and make changes. National Director Tom Meyer — The AFA meeting was outstanding. There were excellent speakers, easy to listen to and they spoke about things that are important to fraternal benefit societies. The seminars provided information that was relevant to our business. All in all it was an outstanding meeting. National Director Lorrie Nelson — The first day we spent learning about governance, which is the process of decision making in an organization. It was a refresher course but you always learn new information. One thing that was brought up was if there are dissenting votes they can be listed in the minutes and the names can be listed also. Another session I attended was about dispute resolutions. The session was given by Thrivent (Lutheran), and it was quite interesting. It was amazing how many disputes they have in a year – about 1,000 disputes and how they are handled. It is always nice seeing people you remember from previous meetings from other fraternals and talking to fraternals with the problems they have. After leaving our hotel, which was old, on the top of the building was engraved KRESS 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 25 cents. I looked twice but it did say it. The inside of the hotel had been remodeled, but most of the buildings are all very old. National Director Linda Ortiz — Attending the AFA Board Institute should be a must for new NCSF board members. This day long seminar reveals and explains many of the fiduciary duties for which board members are responsible. It is a really great opportunity to hear from the "experts", and have time to ask questions. It was an eye opening educational experience to have attended the board institute. Many of the challenges facing all fraternals were identified and addressed. The "break out sessions" were also informative, and gave attendees the opportunity to hear presentations in their areas of interest, or weakness. I encourage future board members to be involved in AFA opportunities. National Director Rosalie Pyle — The AFA Conference this year was very informative and educational as well as affording an opportunity to interact with other fraternal board members and executives. The pre- conference board member workshop was well done and helpful. It should be required for all board members and executive officers of every fraternal. Perhaps the strongest message that came across is the need for creating an awareness in its members of how changing times dictate changes within the organization. Our mission has not changed, but the manner in which we go about achieving the goals of our mission need to be updated if we are to remain viable and competitive. National Director Jane Uselman — As a new member to the Board I have quickly become aware that the fraternal insurance business is complex, challenging, and high risk. We not only compete with large insurance corporations but also other fraternal organizations. Many, like the NCSF are more than a century old and struggle to remain viable within the industry. Sessions at the conference were valuable in that they helped us become more familiar with the process by which we bring our Society into the 21st Century. Networking and the sharing of ideas was beneficial, especially when many of the companies have already completed the process of updating their constitutions and bylaws. The sessions were energizing and confirmed that the job ahead of us is not only necessary but also achievable. Fall 2012 — www.ncsf.com 29