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.
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