President's Page
January 2021
Joseph Stefka, Jr., FIC, President, CEO
jstefka@nsslife.org
Greetings from the Home Office for a healthy and prosperous 2021. Happy New Year from the Officers, Board of Directors, and Home Office Staff! The beginning of the New Year is tradition- ally a time to make New Year Resolutions to help improve your personal life, your health, or your financial status. New Year Resolutions are goals individuals set to change the way they have done things in the past, to correct bad habits, or to achieve something person- ally in the coming months. Most often these resolutions include losing weight, exercising more often, eating more healthy meals, quitting smoking, reach- ing out to help others, and improving financial status by budgeting and saving more money. Most often, individuals stick to their resolutions for the first few months of the year but then either forget about them totally or lessen their enthusiasm for completing the resolutions as the year progresses. For all of our members making New Year Resolutions this January, may you continue your resolutions throughout the coming year and reach the goals that you have set to improve some aspect of your lives!
The New Year also gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year. The year started out with great promise as the fraternal department introduced Vision 2020, a series of fraternal events planned for 2020. However, the spread of the coronavirus in March created a pandemic that completely changed the lives of everyone around the World. Masks became the newest clothing item in demand. Restrictions were imposed by state and local governments which included limits on gathering. Businesses and the economy were impacted. Fraternal events and activities were either cancelled or postponed. Most assembly and region meetings were either cancelled or held virtually. The Board of Directors met in person for the Winter Board Meeting in March. However, due to travel restrictions and gathering limits, the Spring, Summer, and Fall Board of Director Meetings were held virtually.
Two vacancies on the Board of Directors occurred in 2020 and were filled by the Board. The two new Directors were administered the Oath of Office by our Legal Advisor virtually! Business was conducted as usual by the Board and the Society moved forward. In spite of the pandemic and the restrictions, our agents have done an exceptional job and continue to write both life and annuity business for the Society. Our Home Office Staff has also been outstanding in their ability to adjust to a changing work environment based on the different restrictions and orders from the State since March.
Once again business has not been impacted in spite of the many changes. With the forecast for the continuation of the pandemic into 2021, the Officers, Board of Directors and Home Office Staff will move forward to meet the new challenges we will face in the coming year. As the National Slovak Society has done for the past 130+ years, we will continue to focus on providing exemplary customer service, treat our members like family, provide products to help our members with their financial security, and reach out to help our communities. Family Matters!
Congratulations to the newest member of the National Slovak Society Board of Directors, Lauren Fox. Lauren has been an officer of Assembly 731 and highly involved in fraternal activities at the assembly, region, and national levels, a delegate at NSS Quadrennial Conventions and a true fraternalist! Lauren was selected by the Board of Directors at the Fall Meeting on November 14th to fill a Director vacancy and Legal Advisor Ron Cooper virtually administered the Oath of Office to Lauren on Sunday, November 15th. Welcome to the Board of Directors Lauren!