NSS Life Leadership

From the Desk of the President

The month of March will be extremely busy as we continue preparations for the 39th Quadrennial Convention in Huron, Ohio. Assembly and Region Delegate Election Forms are due back to Secretary-Treasurer/CFO John Payerchin in the Home Office by March 16th. In addition, preparations are being finalized for the National Bowling Tournament, which will be held at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows on May 15 – 16th, and the NSS National Golf Tournament, which will be held at Kensington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio, the weekend of July 17-19, 2026. Please make plans to participate in the tournaments and become an active NSS member.

During the month of March, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 a.m. Please remember to set your clocks ahead one hour, or you will be late for church that morning! We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, and Palm Sunday is on March 29th.

Pre-Convention Region Visits

The NSS Executive Officers and the Member and Community Engagement Director will attend the Region #5 Meeting on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Home Office, 1400 Ashwood Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, to deliver a preconvention presentation. Elected delegates from all assemblies in Region #5 are requested to attend the meeting. Important information regarding the 39th Quadrennial Convention and the Society will be presented. A luncheon will be served, and a raffle with an LED TV and other prizes will be held. The visit to Region #8 in Cleveland will occur on April 15, 2026. Please check for the time and location of the meeting in this issue of the National News.

Agent Advisory Council Meeting

The first Agent Advisory Council of 2026 was held on January 13th. Our Consulting Actuary, Trevor Huseman, provided a presentation on the role of the actuary, the various types of annuities, risks associated with different annuity types, and the effect of offshore reinvestment on annuity companies. His presentation was well received by the agents in attendance, and there was great discussion afterward. The next meeting will be held in May

Fraternalist of the Year/Youth Achievement Awards

The Fraternalist of the Year and Youth Achievement Award nominations are due on April 1st. Each assembly is encouraged to nominate a deserving member from your assembly for consideration for each of the awards. Members who devote hours of their time volunteering to make their communities better places to live should be recognized for their efforts to carry out the NSS Mission. Assembly leaders, please take the time to complete a nomination form for those who have gone the “extra mile” to help others!

News of Narodniars

The NSS was saddened to learn of the passing of NSS Honorary Director Edward Koches in January. Ed was first elected to the National Assembly in 1986 at the 29th Quadrennial Convention and was reelected in 1990 and 1994. This writer had the opportunity to serve as a fellow member of the National Assembly with Ed from 1994–1998. At the 32nd Quadrennial Convention, the delegates bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Director.

Ed was a dedicated member of the National Slovak Society National Assembly, always working to improve the Society for the future. He was also actively involved in his Assembly and in Region #8 of Cleveland, and he participated in the NSS National Bowling and Golf Tournaments.

Ed will be missed by all who knew him. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Executive Officers, and Home Office Staff, we extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to Ed’s wife, Carole, and his family during this most difficult time.