President Kenny Massey reports four years of solid growth

Indianapolis, Ind. - Modern Woodmen of America President W. Kenny Massey, LeClaire; National Secretary Denis P. Prior, Davenport; and all members of the board of directors were unanimously elected on June 30 by the fraternal financial services organization's 42nd National Convention. Massey has been president since 2005; Prior has been national secretary since 2009.

An organization with a democratic form of government, Modern Woodmen represents its members' ideas and concerns through elected delegates who participate in a National Convention once every four years.

Local residents Darcy G. Callas, Moline; David B. Emrick, Davenport; Gary L. Medd, Davenport; and Jerald J. Lyphout, East Moline; were elected to Modern Woodmen's Board of Directors. Other members elected to the board of directors were Albert Hurst Jr., Little Rock, Arkansas; Judge Robert C. Pollex, Perrysburg, Ohio; and William D. Keltner, Jackson, Tennessee.

Also elected were: Eugene A. Ortis, national adviser, Alexandria, Louisiana; Anthony W. High, national escort, Tompkinsville, Kentucky; Donald D. Wixom, national watchman, Nampa, Idaho; and Cary L. Mathes, national sentry, Parkville, Missouri.

Solid growth

More than 1,300 Modern Woodmen members and guests, including 190 delegates, from throughout the United States gathered at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend Modern Woodmen's 2014 National Convention.

Massey shared Modern Woodmen's progress during the four-year period from Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2013, and reported gains in all phases of operation.

–  Assets increased 45 percent to a total of $13.4 billion.

–  Life insurance in force increased 8 percent to $36.3 billion.

–  Surplus increased 33 percent to $1.51 billion.

–  Total benefits paid to members increased 18 percent to $2.9 billion.

–  Fraternal expenditures grew to $77 million, a 10 percent increase.

Modern Woodmen has more life insurance in force than 90 percent of all life insurance companies in America.  The third largest fraternal organization in the U.S., in terms of assets, Modern Woodmen's A.M. Best Rating remains A+ (Superior) - the second highest of 15 ratings.

"Ten years ago our assets totaled $6.9 billion and today we stand at $13.4 billion," said Massey. "That's an increase of $6.5 billion, which makes us the fastest going fraternal organization in America during the past decade."

Massey explained that Modern Woodmen continues to exist to:

·         Help members in times of financial crises (especially after the death of a loved one).

·         Accumulate funds for a secure retirement.

·         Engage members and enrich their lives with fraternal benefits and activities.

·         Benefit communities through fraternal benevolence and outreach programs.

"Our mission statement reads 'to improve the quality of life for our members,'" he explained. "We live out our mission every day, it's in our DNA. It drives our decisions and actions as an organization."

Fraternal focus

In the past four years, Modern Woodmen's fraternal programs benefitted members and communities across the country.

• Fraternal benefits help members, their families and their communities in good times and in times of need. From disaster relief aid to scholarships to providing for orphans, members have a safety net of benefits.  In the last four years, Modern Woodmen gave $4 million in benefits to members.
• Modern Woodmen put $34.2 million into matching fund activities in the past four years. Matching fund activities allow members to show their support for a community cause or an individual in need.
• Through more than 99,500 chapter activities across the nation. Members and their families participate in social and volunteer activities.
• Through nearly 48,500 youth service club activities. Modern Woodmen children from tots to teens discover the benefit of helping others. Youth service club volunteers have given nearly 1 million hours of volunteer service in the past four years.

Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization. Since 1883, the organization has brought people together, supported families and strengthened communities nationwide. Modern Woodmen - touching lives, securing futures.

Individuals and families with large estates have enough to worry about - they shouldn't have to wonder whether the advisors they depend upon have their best interests at heart, says financial advisor Matthew T. Shafer.

"Many don't realize that wealthy people are targets for criminals and opportunistic people; that's why an estate should have a good team of professionals who work well with each other," says Shafer, author of "The Future of Your Wealth," (http://mattshafer.us/).

"Wealthy families - and many middle-class families - have multiple advisors who specialize in different disciplines, including attorneys, tax specialists, insurance agents and the like. A family could find the best specialist in each field, but if these experts do not work in harmony, the results can be dreadful."

These key players are like musicians in a band or orchestra. If they are off doing their own thing with no consideration for the overall production, it will sound terrible, says Shafer, who offers tips for overcoming potential problems within a group of advisors.

•  Keep egos in check. The best lawyers, tax advisors and financial advisors - top performers who've spent years honing their skills in highly competitive environments - tend to be strong-minded personalities. When members of the team are required to review the work of another within the team, egos can get in the way, even when all parties can agree that a second pair of eyes can improve work. Advisors should establish a cooperative, collaborative dynamic and avoid pointing fingers of blame; rather, make the priority to do whatever's best for the client.

•  Educate yourself about other disciplines. "Financial advisors can do a better job for their clients if they've taken the time to learn about these other fields so they're comfortable with cross-discipline conversations," Shafer says. Better understanding another team member's profession requires a longsighted view, and there isn't an immediate payoff. But, as with any educational pursuit, the value will be evident down the road. That value includes clients with increased peace of mind in knowing that their team is coordinated.

•  Be tactful in troubleshooting tough situations. If a team member senses something is amiss in the work of another, first approach another advisor within the team and tactfully ask for help connecting the dots. Give the other advisor every opportunity to identify a problem and resolve a possible mistake. The only exception to this is when you think a crime is being committed. In that case, advisors are legally obligated to tell their client. An accusatory approach tends to damage relationships, or even bring them to an end. The goal is to get the best results for the client, not to criticize the other professionals on the team.

About Matthew T. Shafer

Matthew T. Shafer, author of "The Future of Your Wealth," (http://mattshafer.us/), is a graduate of American University, where he obtained Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in economics, with a concentration in International Financial Markets. In 2005, Matthew attended the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkley, where he obtained the title of Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) and joined the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). He has been named one of the top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. by Barron's Magazine (2009) and has received several national recognitions, including "Premier Advisor" by the National Association of Board Certified Advisory Practices (2012).