MY THOUGHTS

by SNF President

Dr. Daniel J. Pyevich

December 17, 2003

 

SOBERING FACTS

 

While it is true that the fraternal movement in today’s society faces many difficult challenges, a comparison of SNF enrollment with other fraternal organizations is quite sobering.  Although the SNF has always emphasized the need for membership, we have been too shy about stating just how bad the problem is.  Does it bother anyone out there that there are over 75,000 members in Croatian and 70,000 members in Slovenian fraternals while the Serb National Federation does not have 14,000?  It does me, and with your help, we shall all do something about it.

 

The aforementioned situation bothers me for two reasons.  The first obviously is a matter of pride and trying to face the question, “Is this who we are as a people?”  I don’t believe that I have to go into why I think the Serbs should not take a back seat to any other ethnic group, and I don’t believe that any of you think so either.  Can we at the SNF do our jobs better to serve our community?  Most definitely, but we need a large and vibrant membership to spur us forward. 

 

The second reason is maybe not as obvious, but it concerns me just as much.  Hopefully, because of the  “Let’s Talk” column about insurance that I also have been writing, it has become obvious to many of you as well.  That is the responsibility that the SNF has to our people regarding providing financial security and preservation of assets.  We should not lose sight of the fact that this is a very important issue for all of us and for our children, and it is just as important today as when the SNF was founded over 102 years ago.  The SNF has solid, competitive products to meet our people’s needs, but as shown by the dismal membership numbers, this responsibility is not being addressed.  And this bothers me a lot, AND IT SHOULD BOTHER ALL OF YOU AS WELL.

 

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

 

The time to do something is now, and I believe that we are ready and up to the challenge.  At the SNF Convention last August, the delegates sent a clear and emphatic message “Membership must be the top priority!”  Subsequently, I have tried to steadily plant the seeds that will blossom into a successful campaign. 

 

All delegates and lodge officers were challenged to step up lodge activity and recruitment initiatives.  I have encouraged all of us to think about insurance not in terms of allowing participation in an SNF sponsored event, but in the way that it is intended to be used - as an important tool to provide LIFELONG SECURITY FOR BOTH YOU AND FOR YOUR FAMILY. 

 

Hopefully, you have taken notes on what I have presented, learned your lessons well, and are now ready to put this knowledge into action for the benefit of our families and for our beloved Savez by participating in our “Onward and Upward” Recruitment Campaign.  By the way, it will not hurt that you can make some money for both you and for your lodge in the process.

 

THE PERKS ARE PLENTIFUL

 

In addition to regular commissions, individual recruiters will receive additional compensation according to a point system and also be eligible for a monthly production award.  Our most productive lodges (the contest is divided into two groups based on size) will also benefit if its members produce above a lodge quota or have exceptional monthly production.  The Grand Prize individual winners from each of the two groups will receive an all expense paid trip for two to our Three Pitt Serb Days Celebration set for July 16-18.

 

Just how important is this campaign to the Savez?  The answer is symbolized by the Campaign Grand Prize.  Not only will the winners receive the trip to Pittsburgh for the 3-Day event, but they will both be honored as our SNF Persons of the Year.  It is because they truly will be, for they came forward when our beloved organization most needed them.  The SNF Person of the Year has had a long and illustrious history with many tremendous individuals deservedly honored for his/her devoted service to the SNF.  However, this year’s recipients will be just as deserving for their efforts will help insure that the SNF both survives well into the 21st Century and prospers from the much-needed injection of new blood. 

 

In short, THERE CAN BE NO MORE WAITING.  IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF US TO RISE UP, SHOW WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE, AND ANSWER THE CALL FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH OUR FAMILIES AND OUR BELOVED SAVEZ!