Modern Woodmen of America President Clyde C. Schoeck, Moline, Ill., National Secretary James V. Standaert, Rock Island, Ill., and all members of the board of directors were unanimously elected by the fraternal life insurance organization’s 39th National Convention, held June 17-19 in Orlando, Fla. Schoeck has been president since 1997; Standaert has been national secretary since 1979.
An organization with a democratic form of government, Modern Woodmen represents its members’ ideas and concerns through elected delegates who participate in a National Convention once every four years.
Other members elected to the board of directors are: Gary E. Stoefen, Davenport, Iowa; C. Ernest Beane, Rock Island, Ill.; Vernon L. Smith, Brandon, S.D.; Jerry Harbaugh, Flat Rock, N.C.; and W. Kenny Massey, LeClaire, Iowa.
Also elected were: Barbara A. Dwyer, National Adviser, Lyndonville, Vt.; Judge Robert C. Pollex, National Escort, Perrysburg, Ohio; Michael J. Snyders, National Watchman, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Patrick K. Short, National Sentry, Rockwall, Texas.
Based in Rock Island, Ill., Modern Woodmen serves more than 750,000 members nationwide, offering life insurance, annuity and investment* products, along with fraternal member benefits for families and their communities.
A family gathering According to President Schoeck, the National Convention is a “gathering” of the Modern Woodmen family. “It continues our fraternal philosophy of family values and service to members, community and country – values that our generations of members have cared about for almost 120 years,” he said.
More than 2,700 Modern Woodmen members and guests – including 190 delegates – from throughout the United States gathered at the Marriott World Center Hotel in Orlando, Fla., to attend Modern Woodmen’s 2002 National Convention, National Agency Sales Conference, Merit Club Leadership Conference and the first Fraternal Youth TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Conference.
Schoeck thanked all members of Modern Woodmen – from the board of directors to the society’s 763,000 members – for contributing to Modern Woodmen’s success during the last four years.
Financial highlights Schoeck discussed Modern Woodmen’s progress and growth during the four-year period from Jan. 1, 1998 to Dec. 31, 2001, and reported substantial gains in all phases of operation.
- Assets increased 31 percent to $5.1 billion.
- Life insurance in force increased 17 percent to $27.6 billion.
- Total income increased 13 percent to $1.6 billion.
- Total benefits to members increased 44 percent to $1.5 billion.
- Fraternal expenditures increased 16 percent to $67 million.
In terms of assets, Modern Woodmen ranks in the top 100 of the life and health insurance companies in the United States. It also ranks fourth in assets and insurance in force among fraternal life insurance organizations.
Modern Woodmen of America has been assigned an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best Company, Inc., an independent insurance industry rating agency, and an AA (Very Strong) rating from Fitch Ratings, an international rating agency for the life insurance industry.
Changing with the times With members’ changing needs in mind, Schoeck announced two major initiatives undertaken by the organization during the four-year term:
- MWA Financial Services, Modern Woodmen’s full service broker-dealer.
- MWA Bank, a federal savings bank that will open for business later this year.
“We want our members to think of Modern Woodmen anytime they have a financial need,” he said. “We also want our members to think of Modern Woodmen’s fraternalism, service to members and the personal touch of our agent-focused distribution of products and fraternal programs.
The president predicted a strong future for Modern Woodmen. “My vision for Modern Woodmen of the future is that we will be an advocate for our members. We will be the resource to help members provide quality of life for their families,” Schoeck said. “That’s where we have always been.”
Fraternal programs highlighted The convention session also included reports on the organization’s adult and youth fraternal programs by Fraternal Director Byron L. Carlson, Orion, Ill.
- Fraternal benefits help in times of need. From disaster relief aid to scholarships to providing for orphans, members have a safety net of benefits. In the last four years, Modern Woodmen gave $40 million in benefits to members.
- Modern Woodmen put $29 million into camp (local chapter) activities. These activities provide opportunities for adults and children to spend time with family, belong to a social group and make an impact in their community.
- Youth service club programs help children enjoy a place to belong, a way to learn voluntarism and a time to have fun. Modern Woodmen spent $4 million on these programs.
- Modern Woodmen expended $2.4 million to provide free youth educational programs and learning materials to schools, home school association and other youth service groups, serving nearly 1 million children a year.
“Our fraternal programs and benefits are a positive force in the lives of our members and their communities,” Schoeck said. “Our youth program is one of the strongest in the fraternal system. Through fraternal activities, Modern Woodmen is a part of communities all across the country.
Modern Woodmen also recognized Fraternalist of the Year Lorna J. Rost, Chamois, Mo., at the session. The award is given annually to the member who, throughout the past year, exhibited extraordinary acts of fraternalism, provided outstanding volunteer service in the community and uncommon leadership in her local chapter.
National Beacon Award winner Heather Ledford, Cosby, Tenn., was honored by the convention as Modern Woodmen’s outstanding youth service club member for her community contributions in 2001. Beacon Award winners are chosen based on leadership, citizenship, attendance and service to others. Heather is the daughter of Darrell and Christine Ledford.
Civic Oration Contest participant Jennifer Blocker, Orlando, Fla., represented more than 99,000 students nationwide who took part in the annual Modern Woodmen Civic Oration Contest. Jennifer presented her regionally award-winning speech based on the theme “What Makes the U.S.A. Great” to the convention. Jennifer is the daughter of Ronald and Gloria Blocker.