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Modern Woodmen Member Jess Taylor named Fraternal MVP

NFCA Honors “Fraternalist-in-Action” for Volunteerism
Jess W. Taylor, a member of Modern Woodmen of America, Camp 536, Topeka, Kan., was recognized as a Fraternal MVP (Most Valuable Participant) for the week of Nov. 26, 2007, by the National Fraternal Congress of America. Fraternal MVPs are “Fraternalists-in-Action” who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

“The NFCA wishes to salute those individuals as true fraternalists,” said NFCA Chair of the Board Katharine E. Rounthwaite. “As a Fraternal MVP, Jess Taylor embodies the heart of fraternalism through his hard work, dedication and generosity.”

Taylor is a 57-year member, a retired Modern Woodmen district representative and former agency manager. The 77-year-old native Kansan still actively serves his members, his community and his country in a variety of ways.

A former Modern Woodmen Youth Service Club leader himself, Taylor helped start a dozen clubs and still sponsors two. Taylor has been very active in Camp 536 as well. His volunteer activities span from cleaning up parks to recycling projects.

Due to his extensive community volunteering, Taylor was named a Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero last year. Taylor is a commercial artist who loves to draw caricatures, and he raises money for schools, churches and non-profits by drawing and selling them at events. He’s also an art gallery docent and a volunteer at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. A former Kansas National Guardsman and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Taylor illustrates the award-winning Military Officers Association of America newsletter.

The 121-year-old NFCA unites 75 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents 10 million fraternalists in 37,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks.

Founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen of America celebrates its 125th year of serving members and their communities. The organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.