Dear Members and Friends of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America,
Welcome to my annual State of the Union message.How is the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America doing in these still challenging times? Let me begin by reviewing the events of 2014 and proceed into what we are planning for 2015.
First of all, as you know, the PRCUA held its 61st Quadrennial Convention in August, at the Grand Plaza Hotelon the banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The host committee, chaired by District #5 Director Joan Sylak, did an exceptional job in preparing for all of the activities of the week. From the opening welcoming party on Saturday held at the PRCUA Misiuda Hall to the closing ceremony on Wednesday morning, the committee performed admirably.
Thank you Joanie and the entire Pre-Convention Committee for a job well done.
Previous issues of the Narod Polski reported extensively about Convention activities. The budget was passed,amendments to the Constitution were made, and a new Board of Directors and National Officers were elected. Those newly elected have been charged with the responsibility of leading our organization for the next four years. I am humbled to say that I will again serve as your president. Thank you.
Our platform for the PRCUA remains the same as it was when I first was elected almost 5 years ago:
- Financial strength, stability and integrity
- Sales of our financial products
- Fraternalism
Let me first address our financial position:
We are very fortunate that actions, taken early in my first term, continue to contribute greatly to improving our financial strength.Selling excess real estate in Cleveland and Wisconsin in 2011 and in Philadelphia in 2014, achieved significant savings. In addition to this, savings were incurred through reductions in staff by retirements, job eliminations and consolidations, pension and general operating expenses.
Our annuity program continues to be profitable while still providing our members with very competitive interest rates when compared with those offered by bank certificates of deposit or money market funds. Interest rates paid on varying annuity maturities range from 2.5% to 2.75%.
Due to the attention placed on our investment income and a watchful eye kept on our expenses, I am pleased to report that 2014 recorded a net profit of $1,126,861 and an increase in our surplus to $7.1 million, a $500,000 improvement.This represents the fourth consecutive profitable year and the third year of reporting a profit of a million dollars or more. Furthermore, since the end of 2010 when our surplus account was $3.6 million, in four years we have almost doubled that amount and greatly strengthened our organization’s financial position.
Our assets now total $205,000,000. Our dividends have grown every year since 2010 and we have increased this distribution to our members from a low $61,000 in 2010 to $163,000 for 2014. We are pleased to be able to return more to you our members, while also improving the financial status of our organization. We have been able to accomplish this while operating with the uncertainty that still influences our national economy and international affairs. These external influences are quite challenging in eliciting worldwide confidence and positive economic growth. The full financial report for 2014 can be found in detail on page 4 of the March issue of the Narod Polski.
Let’s talk about sales:
Our annuity sales in 2014 were only slightly higher than the previous year. We know that our annuity rates are very competitive, but to offer higher rates on our annuities without a corresponding increase in interest income to the PRCUA would weaken our improving financial position. Be assured that we watch rate movement daily and will adjust our annuity rate at a feasible time.
In 2014, our life insurance sales were flat. Does this reflect the uncertainty we all feel about the direction of our national economy and worldwide issues? How can we improve the sale of our life insurance products? We are constantly reviewing our life insurance programs and making adjustments where needed. Our Final Expense Plan will add a whole life payment option that stretches out the premium payment to allow this plan to become more affordable to individuals. We are offering a MEGA Plan that will combine separate premiums, commingling them into one when an applicant applies for a Term and Whole Life Plan. And we are testing a Graded Benefit Plan that will not require any medical questions.
These are in addition to our existing plans for Whole Life and Term including the Family Benefit Plan that offers a discount when two or more family members apply.
Our Sales and Marketing Directors, as well as our field sales representatives, can help you update your family protection needs to give you peace of mind under any contingent emergencies.
Please give the PRCUA the opportunity to service your life insurance and retirement needs. You will be pleasantly surprised by our competitive rates, as well as the wide variety of plans and options that are available at the PRCUA. You can always call our Home Office at 773-782-2600 or toll free 1-800-772-8632 for more details on any of our life insurance and annuity plans.
Now let’s address Fraternalism:
As you know, the year 2014 started with Anna Sokolowski as our Resident Vice President. Because of term limits in our Constitution, Mrs. Sokolowski stepped down in September at the completion of her third term of office. During her 12 years of service, Anna represented the PRCUA and fostered growth throughout all of our dance and language schools, as well as our athletic activities. As head of the Fraternal Department, she also assisted with many administration and management duties. Mrs. Sokolowski was Mrs. PRCUA to everyone! We are grateful for her dedication. Anna was always accompanied by her amiable husband, Mark, who graciously stood by her side, silently supporting her. Thank you Anna and Mark.
Our new Vice President, Mrs. Micheline (Misia) Jaminski, has slipped into the position very nicely. With her business background and vast Polish folk dance and cultural experience, she has adapted very well to her duties as head of the PRCUA’s Fraternal Department.
In addition, Misia has been asked to take on the duties of administering the Departments of Compliance and the Narod Polski Publication. She has willingly accepted these new responsibilities. Thank you Misia.
Because our Constitution eliminated one of the two Vice Presidential positions, Vice President Robert (Bob) Bielenda, could not seek another term. Bob and his lovely wife Eleanor proficiently represented the PRCUA throughout his 12 years in office. He fulfilled the duties of his office with much dedication and was definitely our goodwill ambassador to all of Polonia. Thank you Bob and Eleanor.
What about our Fraternal Society Activities?
The fraternal activities of our active Societies continue to grow with increasing participation of and by its members. But it is not enough. The Executive Board, in an effort to expand fraternalism to other parts of PRCUALAND, is embarking on a new pilot program.
In January, we engaged a member of the very active St. Stan’s Society #718 in Detroit,
Mi. to accept a new position as Fraternal Field Organizer. Robert (Bob) Hojnacki has willingly agreed to this challenge. He comes with an impressive resume of fraternal accomplishments in St. Stan’s as well as in Sacred Heart Society #162, Wyandotte, MI.
Within Society #718, Bob is the Vice President, Social Director, Tournament Coordinator and organizer of friendly bowling and golf competitions held between #718 and #162. We are pleased that Bob has accepted this assignment. Thank you Bob.
The objective of this position is to target an inactive area of our membership to orchestrate interest in rejuvenating fraternal activities. In many areas Bob will act as a facilitator to help generate enthusiasm and participation in Polish language, Polish dance and our athletic events.
If this experiment proves successful in reactivating dormant areas, we will expand the position to include other parts of our organization. We need more members’ participation in our fraternal activities. We are ready to help. Please let us know how we can assist in your society or district plans.It is through these events that fraternalism, friendships and camaraderie can develop and knowledge of our Polish heritage can grow and flourish.
News from our Headquarters:
Along with my election and that of Mrs. Jaminski, Mr. Jim Robaczewski was reelected as our Secretary-Treasurer. Jim’s responsibilities are substantial as he is our property manager and oversees the secretary and treasury functions, controller and general office administration. He is our trouble shooter and go to guy.
His department initiated an update of the Financial Secretary Manual. He has held and will schedule training classes for all financial secretaries in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as in other regions of our great organization. Thank you Jim.
In 2014, we also saw the retirement of Kathryn Rosypal, who dependently serviced the PRCUA in a professional manner as Executive Editor of Narod Polski and head of the Publications Department for 25 years. Lidia Kowalewicz, PRCUA’s Managing Editor of Narod Polski for 20 years, smoothly stepped into that demanding position. With Lidia’s extensive media experience, we know our publication is in good hands. Thank you Kathryn and Lidia.
Our Building and Properties:
With the historical designation of our Home Office building and its age of more than
100 years, it is our responsibility to maintain, repair and improve its appearance and functionality.With the cooperation and joint effort of the Polish Museum of America, our building has, since January 2014, a formal first floor entrance on Milwaukee and Augusta, to welcome all visitors to the PRCUA and the PMA with a modern, professional look. No longer do we have visitors entering our building from the parking lot side delivery entrance.
Our new entrance has greatly enhanced the image of both institutions, now greeting our guests and visitors with a beautiful lobby and an impressive Museum Gift Shop. In our building, over the last four years we have improved the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring, bringing these issues up to standard. We have also rebuilt and reconditioned the elevator.
We have installed new carpeting throughout our second floor work area and added more efficient work stations for our employees and provided them with improved computer capabilities. We have secured the property inside and outside with security lights and cameras.
We are fully integrated with the Internet and Cloud services. We are ready to embrace new advancements in Information Technologies that will provide the means to better serve you, our members.
We have taken every step possible in securing our member’s confidential information from becoming breached by unauthorized source. This is one of our highest priorities. We have engaged in and successfully passed, an external Cyber Information Security Assessment and Audit. Our confidential files could not be penetrated.
I wish I could say that this is a guarantee that cyber break-ins will never ever happen, but as all of us know, there are no guarantees. Therefore, we will continue to focus on keeping our member’s information secure.
In December of 2014, we had the opportunity to purchase the last piece of property privately owned in the block where the Home Office is located. It is at the corner of Augusta and Noble and includes two separate buildings with residential units. We now control the entire footprint of the area surrounding our national headquarters. We are comfortable in our knowledge that the PRCUA is master of our own regarding our Home Office real estate.
All in all, I am pleased to report that your PRCUA is well positioned to sustain itself into the future and is positioned to take advantage of any opportunities that may present themselves. We are also vigilant to any risks that may threaten the safety and security that we have established.
On behalf of my fellow officers, directors and employees, we thank you for your membership and continued confidence in the PRCUA. We promise to continue to work toward offering the best fraternal benefits and the best possible service to you, the members of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.
In grateful thanks,
Joseph A. Drobot, Jr.
National President, PRCUA
