Orlando, Fla. – Modern Woodmen of America President W. Kenny Massey, LeClaire, Iowa; National Secretary Gerald P. Odean, Davenport, Iowa; and all members of the board of directors were unanimously elected on June 19 by the fraternal financial services organization’s 40th National Convention.
Massey has been president since 2005; Odean has been national secretary since 2003.
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 were: Jerry Harbaugh, Flat Rock, N.C.; Albert Hurst Jr., Little Rock, Ark.; Judge Robert C. Pollex, Perrysburg, Ohio; Nick Coin, Rock Island, Ill.; and Darcy Callas, Moline, Ill.
Also elected were: Barbara A. Dwyer, national adviser, Lyndonville, Vt.; Eugene A. Ortis, national escort, Alexandria, La.; Donald D. Wixom, national watchman, Nampa, Idaho; and Anthony W. High, national sentry, Tompkinsville, Ky.
Founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen of America offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.
Phenomenal growth
More than 2,700 Modern Woodmen members and guests from throughout the United States gathered at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla., to attend Modern Woodmen’s 2006 National Convention, National Sales Conference, Merit Club Leadership Conference and Fraternal Youth Conference.
President Massey said that Modern Woodmen has experienced phenomenal growth over the last four years due to the people who make it possible.
“The work we are doing today will make a tremendous impact on the future viability of Modern Woodmen,” he explained. “It is so important to understand that these figures represent countless hours of work and sacrifice … Modern Woodmen’s future depends on everyone’s help and involvement.”
Massey shared Modern Woodmen’s progress during the four-year period from Jan. 1, 2002, to Dec. 31, 2005, and reported substantial gains in all phases of operation.
- Assets increased 46 percent to $7.5 billion.
- Life insurance in force increased 13 percent to $31.3 billion.
- Total income increased 72 percent to $2.8 billion.
- Total benefits to members increased 15 percent to $1.7 billion.
- Fraternal expenditures increased 26 percent to $84.2 million.
Modern Woodmen has more life insurance in force than 90 percent of all life insurance companies in America. The third largest fraternal organization in the U.S., in terms of assets, Modern Woodmen’s A.M. Best Rating remains A+ (Superior).
Changing with the times
With members’ changing needs in mind, Massey announced three major initiatives that led to Modern Woodmen’s growth during the four-year term:
- The opening of MWA Financial Services, a broker/dealer and a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen.
- The opening of MWABank, an FDIC-insured federal savings bank, wholly owned by Modern Woodmen. MWABank is primarily a direct bank, one of only approximately 30 direct banks in the United States. This means it principally conducts business via the Internet, mail, telephone and other electronic means. It has one traditional banking location in Rock Island, Ill.
- The use of new technology in Modern Woodmen’s home office, including digital imaging and automated workflow.
These undertakings position Modern Woodmen to stay efficient and competitive as a financial services organization, while remaining dedicated to the personal distribution of its products.
“We believe our commitment to the agency system will continue to serve the society well,” Massey said. “Our field force is comprised of loyal and caring people, who provide one-on-one professional service and understand the value of building personal trust through relationships.”
He thanked convention attendees – home office staff, field representatives and member volunteers – for their dedication and commitment to Modern Woodmen and its bright future.
“Because of you, Modern Woodmen is a respected leader in the insurance industry, loved by communities across America, held in high esteem, and is financially strong and well-positioned to grow for generations to come,” Massey said.
Faces of fraternalism
The convention session included reports on the organization’s adult and youth fraternal programs by Fraternal Director Byron L. Carlson, Orion, Ill.
“Modern Woodmen members are uniquely gifted when it comes to giving their time and talent,” Carlson said. “Fraternalism isn’t a common word, but Modern Woodmen members are common people doing uncommonly good things for others and their community. They’re the faces of fraternalism in their communities.”
Fraternal benefits help members, their families and their communities in good times and 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 $4.7 million in benefits to members.
Modern Woodmen put $35.3 million into camp (local chapter) activities. Through camp activities, members and their families participate in social and volunteer activities. In addition, members raise funds to benefit their local community or to help those in need in the community.
Through more than 700 youth service clubs, Modern Woodmen uncovers and fulfills needs that are often not met by other community or charitable groups. Modern Woodmen children from tots to teens discover the benefit of helping others. Youth service club volunteers have given 1.2 million hours of volunteer service, which is equivalent to $21.6 million, according to the Independent Sector’s current value of volunteering.
Modern Woodmen expended $3 million to provide free youth educational programs and learning materials to schools, churches and other youth service groups, serving nearly 4.2 million children in the last four years.
Attendees at the convention demonstrated fraternal spirit at Tuesday's session by donating to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors' Good Grief Camp. Convention attendees raised $13,467 for the camp, including a match by Modern Woodmen's Board of Directors.
Lt. Col. Judith Mathewson of the U.S. Air Force received the donation for the camp, an annual event held each Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C., for kids who’ve lost a parent or sibling in military service.
“The Good Grief Camp is a cause Modern Woodmen of America’s members are proud to support,” Carlson said. “We pride ourselves on patriotism, and as a fraternal benefit society that offers life insurance, providing assistance to those who’ve lost loved ones is a key part of what we do.”
Modern Woodmen recognized Fraternalist of the Year Linda M. Branam, Newport, Tenn., 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 or his local chapter.
Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award winner Jacob Rezac, Emmett, Kan., was also recognized by the convention as Modern Woodmen’s outstanding youth service club member for his community contributions in 2005. Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award winners are chosen based on leadership, citizenship, attendance and service to others. Rezac is the son of Francis and Teresa Rezac.
School Speech Contest participant Sasha Camenker, a 7th grader at Apopka Middle School, Apopka, Fla., represented 421,640 students nationwide who took part in Modern Woodmen’s annual School Speech Contest between 2002 and 2005. Camenker presented her regionally award-winning speech based on the theme “My State” to the convention. She is the daughter of Jordan Camenker and Ellen Collins.