October 3, 2005
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Dear Readers,

Autumn is officially here! Everyone loves crisp days and bright fall colors. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, unwind and enjoy the spectacular Autumn leaves in the countryside. Enjoy driving the peaceful rural roads; observe the annual bird migration that fills the sky. Visit apple orchards, farm markets, relax and experience the beauty of this season. Let’s celebrate autumn, Indian summer picnics, cookouts, tailgate gatherings, football games, and cozy nights by the bonfire, apple and pumpkin gatherings, bountiful Thanksgivings and more.

As many of you know from my last articles, I was in Poland during the summer. I am always interested in what is new in Poland, especially when it comes to insurance. For many years, in Poland, life insurance was a taboo. During the communist rule it was not widely available. After the fall of communism, more and more domestic and foreign insurance companies began offering life insurance coverage and more Poles began to think about the future of their loved ones after their death. Still, compared with the Western World, only a very small percentage of Poles had any kind of life insurance.
In the last few years the statistics of Poles purchasing life insurance has rocketed. Today, more and more people are talking about it and taking out life insurance coverage. Poles are discovering the charms of life insurance or, like one of my relatives put it, “how to make your death more comfortable for your relatives.” Those that did not have a life insurance had a range of reasons, from sheer ignorance or apathy to a sense that pension or help from their children will be enough. Also today, surprisingly, many Poles are bit embarrassed to admit that they had taken out a life insurance policy.
Insurance companies in Poland are trying very hard to educate its costumer about the benefits and importance of life insurance. They want to make sure that the loved ones are taken care of when they die. To help the customers understand their insurance, they are communicating with them in everyday language and listening to what they say. The insurance sales people work with the individuals and help them design a complete protection plan that is tailored to their lifestyle, as well as their budget. More and more Polish entrepreneurs, state officials and show-biz celebrities are becoming conscious of their financial value and many of them are used as an advertisement tool in the insurance industry.

Our organization, PRCUA, for over 132 years has been providing service to our members. We also are trying very hard to educate our customers about the importance of life insurance. Our stability, strength, fraternal benefits, expertise and experience is our cornerstone. Our deputies or insurance sales professionals will work with you and advise you about what to look for, so you can get great coverage at the price you can afford. Our organization will maintain a very close relationship with you and will provide prompt and courteous service. PRCUA offers great and affordable insurance products, including Annuities and IRA’s. Please call our Home Office in Chicago, Ohio, Philadelphia or Wisconsin Offices or your local deputy for a quote. Check PRCUA web-site for all the additional information and the latest news at: http://www.prcua.org/. We hope to hear from you soon!

During the month of August and September I attended many functions. I will briefly share with you where I have been:

In August the Annual Polka Music Hall of Fame and Music Award Banquet was held in Oak Brook, Illinois. It was nice to see so many polka lovers, polka bands and vocalists from all over the country. Our congratulations to all the Polka Music Award winners, especially PRCUA members, among them the very young and handsome Ryan Ogrodny. Ryan is also among this year’s recipient of PRCUA scholarship.

Later that month the Annual Orchard Lake Ladies Days was held on the property of Orchard Lake Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Over 400 guests attended that fundraising event and the PRCUA organization was well represented. Special thank you to Rev, Msgr. Stanley Milewski, PRCUA Vice-Chaplain, who invited Mrs. Virginia Sikora, PWA President, Sharon Zago, PWA Vice-President and me for cappuccino. The coffee was delicious and the visit was delightful, especially looking at the large collection of photos of our late Holy Father, John Paul II. Thank you to Mrs. Sikora, who was so gracious to make all travel arrangements.

The 51st National Softball Tournament, hosted by St. Thaddeus Society #1584 was held in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday August 27, 2005. A special thank you goes to Paul Wenzel, Tom Krasniewski the Committee and to Soc. #1584 for organizing this tournament. We are very grateful that we have societies that want to host PRCUA tournaments. It takes lots of work, volunteers and expertise to make those tournaments successful. Thank you again, and the Fraternal Department is looking forward to work with you again in the near future.

Polish Museum of America held its 2nd Annual Cultural Boat Tour and Fund Raiser on August 29, 2005. The highlight of the tour was the performance of PRCUA “Wesoly Lud” dancers under the direction of Misia and Richard Jaminski. The dancers did a wonderful job dancing as the boat sailed through the gentle waves on Lake Michigan. The Polish music, the dances, delicious food and wonderful company made this cruise very memorable. Special thank you to Misia Jaminski, Artistic Director of Wesoly Lud, who made sure that all the guest on the cruise were aware that Mark and I were celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary that night. Thank you all for your wonderful best wishes and for singing STO LAT!

The month of September was also busy with all the school openings and various activities.

On the 8-10 of September, 2005, the 119 Annual Meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Fraternalism is Our Difference”. The workshop sessions were designed to help and revitalize our fraternal organization, reinforce our fraternal history, our fraternal identity and purpose. It featured many motivational speakers. I would like to share with you few words of wisdom that I heard at this meeting. First of all, “word of mouth” is the best advertisement and the highest recommendation that you can give to our organization. Nothing brings new members into our organization as much as the recommendation of active members. Secondly, we have to know who we are and if we do not know that, we will get nowhere. You cannot argue or disagree with your client – you will get nowhere. You must be always accurate and always tell the truth about the products that you are presenting to your clients. Know your products and stress the difference from your competitors. Keep your mind open, listen to their needs. Thirdly, strive to make membership in our organization desirable and not just a requirement. It is important that you continue rekindling relationship with your clients. Fourthly, and very important point, is that we are a FRATERNAL organization – stress the difference from the commercial insurance companies and us. Make sure that you involve the new members in your society functions. Remember, fraternalize.

As a fraternal organization, we face many challenges, especially maintaining our visibility and staying in close contact with our Congressional representation, especially with tax-exemption battle. It is extremely important that our members of Congress know who we are and what we do. Invite members of Congress to attend many of your fraternal functions and show them or familiarize them with our activities.

Every September PRCUA District #7 sponsors an Annual Fishing Derby for youngsters. This year was not different, as many youngsters with their parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed fishing at the Busse Lake, near the city of Chicago. The weather was gorgeous, sunny with light wind. The youngsters were awarded prizes for the most fish caught and for the largest fish caught. Later everyone enjoyed delicious hot dogs and soft drinks. It was a fun filled day for all of us.

In September, the Second Annual Benefit Dinner for the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary was held. This year we were celebrating the 6th Anniversary of the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary and honoring Most Rev. Thad Jakubowski, DD with the annual Caritas Christi Award. This award is presented annually to person, parish, group or institution that exemplifies the openness to diversity in ministry, sensitivity to culture, giving of self and service to Polonia and Archdiocese of Chicago that Bishop Abramowicz Seminary inculcates in its students. We Congratulate Bishop Jakubowski upon receiving this prestigious award and continue to offer prayerful wishes to the seminarians from Poland. There are now 10 priests ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago, who are graduates of Bishop Abramowicz Seminary. All of them were born in Poland and have come to United States to complete their seminary studies here and serve as priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating Birthdays in October, especially to PRCUA employees: Mariola Wysocka who works in the Auditing Department, Judy Hoffman, who works in the membership department and Helena Glinczak who does the maintenance work in our offices. Also let’s sing Happy Birthday to Joan C. Sylak PRCUA National Director of District # 5, John Frankowicz, of Maria Konopnicka’s Adult Culture Group; Henryka Jablonska, past principal of Maria Konopnicka Polish Language School; Martha Kwiatt, past National Director of District #8; Ted Klamerus, Michigan’s PRCUA insurance supervisor; Rev, Gerald Grupczynski, pastor of Five Holy Martyrs Church and Chaplain of District # 8; Richard Ciesla, husband of PMA President, Maria Ciesla. Wishing you all the happy things a birthday celebration brings. Sto Lat!

Speaking of Birthdays, I would like to extend my sincere THANK YOU to all the employees, friends and family and to all who remembered me on my birthday. Thank you so much for all your good wishes, exquisite flowers, cards,e-mails, gifts and presenting me with the absolutely delicious cake! Special “Thank you “to PRCUA National Vice –Chaplain – Rev. Anthony Iwuc for beautiful card and Mass offering. I was very touched by all your good wishes and your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated. Thank you.

CONDOLENCES

Heartfelt sympathy is extended to PRCUA Secretary/Treasurer, Josephine Szarowicz upon the death of her beloved Father, John Zurawski. May God comfort you and give you strength in this most difficult time. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in eternal peace.

GET WELL WISHES

We wish speedy recovery to Geraldine Kowalski, President of Illinois/Indiana Women’s Division and Regina Ocwieja, past PRCUA Vice-President. We are thinking of you, praying and hoping you feel better soon!

CONGRATULATIONS

Our sincere Congratulations to Rev. Francis Rog, C.R. on the 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Ministry of Priesthood. Rev. Francis Rog is now an associate pastor of St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago. God Bless you Fr. Frank!

MARRIAGE NEWS! - Our sincere congratulations to the newly married couple – Diana (Kuta) and Steven Rogus who were married on September 3rd, 2005 in St. Charles, Illinois. Best wishes to you both, remember, there are few things in life as important as love, and nothing as important as trust. Make trust the foundation of your marriage, the cornerstones faith, love, humor, and forgiveness, and the life you build will be solid and strong. May your honeymoon never end!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! - Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary to Polish Women’s Alliance General Secretary Grazyna Migala and her husband George. May your special day be filled with happiness and love. May God Bless your lives.

Until next time, take care and keep in touch. Send your comments, ideas, news to asokolowski@prcua.org. or call1-800-772-8632 ext.2643. Hope to hear from you soon!