Fall 2015 - Woodmen.org

Transcription

Photo by Marie Constantin
FA L L 2 0 1 5
The Right Fit
for
Any Family
XXXXXXXXX
Special Jurisdictional Convention Issue
learn more at: woodmen.org
President’s Message
Milestone Year Marks
Continued Strength
As we continue
to celebrate
our new brand
identity and
our 125th
anniversary
this year, I’m
reminded of
Larry R. King
the many ways
WoodmenLife
is different from so many other
insurance companies, and the role all of
you play in our success.
Through your participation in activities
that make a difference in your local
communities, including taking the
time to help govern our organization by
attending Jurisdictional Conventions
(see page 19), you have a voice in what
we do.
Being a longtime member of
WoodmenLife myself, I have never
doubted the commitment of our
members and the power of our
chapters across America. I’m always
impressed by stories of members
rolling up their sleeves to help those in
need, or coming together to promote
patriotism through Flags Across
America events and flag presentations
(see Fraternal Spirit on page 11).
This involvement has a positive
impact on our organization, and your
fraternal works continue to make
WoodmenLife and our communities
stronger, better places for everyone.
As we travel through life, I believe it’s
important for all of us to continue to
grow and explore new opportunities.
It’s also important for WoodmenLife
to continue to grow and make sure
the products and services we offer will
always be relevant to American families.
Thank you for continuing to embrace
WoodmenLife, our values and our
mission. I’m excited for the future of
our company, and happy to have all
of you as part of it. It’s your support
and involvement that will keep us
Standing Strong For Generations.sm
Our Mission: WoodmenLife
exists to benefit our members
through every stage of life.
WoodmenLife, founded in 1890, is a not-for-profit insurance
company that also offers customer benefits.
Our more than 700,000 members, who hold nearly one million
insurance and annuity certificates, belong to nearly 1,000
chapters throughout the United States. Local chapters sponsor
family activities and conduct community projects. These
projects include: presenting U.S. flags to civic and community
organizations; donating equipment to police, fire and rescue
units; providing assistance to senior citizens, the physically
impaired and orphans; and providing monetary assistance.
Securities are offered through Woodmen Financial Services,
Inc., 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, 877-664-3332,
Sincerely,
member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodmen
of the World Life Insurance Society (collectively ”WoodmenLife“).
Securities other than the WoodmenLife Variable Annuity are
issued by companies that are not affiliated with Woodmen of the
Larry R. King
President & CEO
World Life Insurance Society.
Products that are not issued by WoodmenLife or offered and
processed through Woodmen Financial Services, Inc., may be
offered through Woodmen Insurance Agency, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance
Society (”WoodmenLife“). These products are issued by carriers
that are not affiliated with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance
Society.
Not all products are available in all states. Not all Representatives
are licensed to sell all products.
2 WoodmenLife Magazine
in this issue
Fall 2015
Sections
4From the Editor
5Community
Connection
6Standing Strong
For Generationssm
8Member Spotlight
10 Newsworthy
10 Puzzle Answer Key
11 Fraternal Spirit
14 NCF: Fighting
Hunger
15Member News
19 Jurisdictional
Convention Reports
32Chapter News
Representative Carol Reed presented an American History Award to Brewton
High School student Markail Mitchel, on behalf of Chapter 30 in Brewton, AL.
36Fun Zone
38In Memoriam
Feature Stories
8 Fraternalist of the Year
18 Authoring a New Future
Sherry Lee Waldrop of Sylvester, GA, has
dedicated her life to helping children. After
retiring from a nearly three-decade teaching
career, she continues to make a huge difference
in her community.
After raising and homeschooling seven children,
Tennessee member Camille Kendall pens a
second career for herself as a published author.
16 Young Member Excels
at West Point
34 Baking Up a Storm
North Carolina member Zach Thompson
carries on generations of both WoodmenLife
and military tradition. The recent West Point
graduate shares thoughts on representing his
country and his chapter.
WoodmenLife announces the winners of the
125th Anniversary Cake Contest. Through the
efforts of three chapters, non-profit organizations
in those three communities received a total of
$6,000 to fight hunger locally.
On the Cover
Member Kacie Smith of
Krotz Springs, LA, relied
on WoodmenLife and
her family for support
while pursuing her dream
of becoming a nurse and
raising her young son as a
single mother.
WoodmenLife Magazine 3
Search: WoodmenLife to ‘like’ our page.
Follow us on Twitter at: WoodmenLife
from the Editor
It is bittersweet to report the
passing of Louise Mounce, the
matriarch whom we featured on
the cover of our Summer 2015 issue.
The death of any fellow member is
always sad, but Louise lived such a
full, long and beautiful life. Even at
101 years old, she was extremely active
in Chapter 423 in Ecru, MS, and she
inspired generations of her family to
become not only members, but active
members. Our deepest sympathies
to her close-knit family, and to all who
knew her.
– Angie Hempel
Editor
Want to see your
chapter pictured?
Email photos of your chapter
members and events to
[email protected].
National Board of Directors
Larry R. King,
Chairman, President & CEO, Omaha, NE
Patrick L. Dees,
Executive Vice President, Fraternal,
Omaha, NE
Denise M. McCauley,
Executive Vice President, Operations & Secretary,
Omaha, NE
Robert T. Maher,
Executive Vice President, Finance & Treasurer,
Omaha, NE
Daniel W. Rice III, Kinston, NC
Dr. James W. Bosler III, Louisville, KY
Dr. James W. Shaver, Landis, NC
Michael C. Shealy, Lexington, SC
Wesley A. Dodd, Cornelia, GA
Daryl J. Doise, Sunset, LA
Danny E. Cummins, Troup, TX
Patricia L. Metheny, Durant, OK
Ronald H. Aldridge, Jackson, MS
Mark L. Schreier, Omaha, NE
Magazine Staff
Managing Editor: Angie Hempel
Content Editor: Andy Oerman
Design Editor: Joe Bavaresco
Writers: Carmen Steele, Liz Perry
Designer: Janelle Arthur
Contributors: Jerry Underwood, Carli Cominoli,
Sarah Kilian
If you have questions, comments or
suggestions for articles, please direct
them to [email protected].
visit us at: woodmen.org
email us at: [email protected]
WoodmenLife Magazine (ISSN 1069-1790) is
published quarterly for $2.00 per year by Woodmen
of the World Life Insurance Society, 1700 Farnam St.,
Omaha, NE 68102.
Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, NE, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send
address changes to WoodmenLife Magazine, 1700
Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68102-2025.
Equal Access Policy
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society
(“WoodmenLife”) is an Equal Access fraternal benefit
society. It is the policy of WoodmenLife to seek
qualified members on a nondiscriminatory basis
and to provide all members with equal access to and
allow their participation in WoodmenLife’s chapter
system, chapter events, fraternal benefits, and all
other fraternal activities on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Community Connection
South Carolina Couple Inspires Youth
W
hen fourth-generation WoodmenLife member,
Shane Watson, became a Representative in 2011, he
decided it was time to bring his chapter back to life.
After trying many options, Shane and his wife, Tammie,
found a solution – the WoodmenLife Queens program.
Service in the Spotlight
This pageant scholarship program, which the Watsons
launched two years ago, has resulted in more than 100 new
members for Chapter 379 in Easley, SC, dozens of community
service projects, engagement of youth, and a highly increased
awareness of WoodmenLife in the community.
“I share the WoodmenLife story with them, and the girls
have to be able to tell others about our organization and
what we do,” Shane said. “A lot of people who didn’t know
WoodmenLife still existed here now know that we do.”
Shane Watson (left) credits his wife, Tammie (right), for the
Tammie competed in pageants as a teen, and has been
helping organize competitions since the early ’80s. Shane
got involved when they were dating two decades ago by
helping out as a judge.
participate in group projects and personal platform
projects. The girls’ individual platforms have ranged from
cancer awareness to bullying prevention.
“We really wanted to bring some youth into our chapter
and get them involved,” Tammie said. “It’s been awesome
for our chapter. We’ve all become a family.” The Watsons
are also grateful for Chapter 379’s unwavering support.
success of the WoodmenLife Queens program. ”I couldn't do
this without her,” he said.
“They each have a personal reason for serving the way they
do,” Tammie said. “Their causes are very dear to them.”
The program offers activities not available to many of
today’s youth, Shane said.
The $500 scholarship winner for each category is judged on
points she receives for her account of community service
activities, a business attire modeling portion and a business
interview. The program’s focus is on natural beauty, not
glitz, Shane explained.
“Today, kids are not invited to help their communities or
each other,” he said. “We found that when you get the kids
involved, you also get the parents involved.”
“It’s not your ordinary pageant,“ he said. “We teach them
about life. The girls learn etiquette, as well as how to address
large crowds in an educated way. “
WoodmenLife Queens Rule with Heart
The Queens program awards $500 scholarships to girls
in three age categories spanning 12-22; the funds are
donated personally by the South Carolina Jurisdictional
President. The program’s approximately 40 participants
from multiple counties and WoodmenLife chapters
The Watsons are excited for the program’s future and
encourage any chapters around the country to contact
them with questions via the WoodmenLife Queens
Facebook page. “This is a great program for any area,”
Tammie said. “We’d love to help them get started.” ::
Standing Strong For Generations
Kacie Smith's son, Kain, is the driving force behind her
desire to provide her family with financial security.
The Right Fit
As a single mother living in Krotz Springs, LA, Kacie Smith
relied on her close-knit family for support and assistance as
she pursued her dream of becoming a registered nurse.
“Nursing has been a calling for me ever since I was a young
child. I watched several family members battle different
illnesses, and every caregiver exhibited such compassion
during the roughest of times,” she said. “I knew that one day
I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life just like they
did in mine, and thankfully, I was able to pursue my passion.”
After graduating with her master’s degree in nursing,
Smith, a member of Chapter 452 in Breaux Bridge, works as
CI0028 7/2015
Family Term Works
for Louisiana Mom
a R.N. in the ambulatory surgery department of Opelousas
General Hospital.
“Juggling school, a career and a child was a difficult task,”
she said. “I have no clue where I would be now if I didn’t
have the amazing help and support of the people in my life.”
That support also helped Smith when she started searching
for the best life insurance product for her family.
“Kacie’s parents have been clients of mine for 15 years. I
watched her grow up,” said WoodmenLife Representative
Janie Neely. “So when her mother told me she was looking
Photo by Marie Constantin
sm
All-in-One Family Coverage
at some other companies for life insurance, I wanted to
present her with some options from WoodmenLife.”
The option that worked for Smith was Family Term
Life Insurance. “I had looked for about two years, and
WoodmenLife provided the absolute best choice for me,”
Smith said. “It’s affordable and can help me protect my
family from debt should something happen to me. It gives
me peace of mind to know that I’m able to have enough
coverage to do that.”
As the WoodmenLife Representative who sold the
most Family Term certificates in 2014, Neely believes in
the product and knew it would be a good fit for Smith.
“There are many single parents raising children with just
one income. There is a great need out there, and I never
want cost to keep a family from having some kind of life
insurance coverage,” she said. “With Family Term, families
are able to insure their family for a reasonable cost, and have
additional options down the road.”
These options include being able to convert the certificate into
a more permanent insurance product down the road, and if
the family chooses to have more children, they are covered.1
“Being able to convert a 10-year Family Term certificate into
a permanent option without a medical examination works for
many families,” Neely said. “And now with the increased face
amounts for the product [see sidebar], families will be able to
help cover the incomes of two people and their mortgage. I’m
very excited about these changes.”
In Smith’s case, once she started having more income
available, Neely was able to help her convert her existing
Family Term certificate into permanent coverage for Smith.
“We increased the amount of Kacie’s coverage and also
converted her son into a more permanent option,” Neely
said. “However, I’ve always believed the best coverage to
have is the one that’s paid for when you need it. And the
most important thing is a family’s need and what they can
afford to take care of their future.” ::
Families go through changes, and whether you’re a single-parent or
two-parent family, WoodmenLife’s Family Term Life Insurance is an
affordable way to cover your entire family – up to two adults and
all eligible children2 – with one life insurance certificate. Plus, as
your financial situation changes or as your children become adults,
all insured family members may be eligible to convert the term
insurance into permanent life insurance that can last a lifetime.
Here’s how WoodmenLife’s Family Term Life Insurance works:
•Offers 10-year level Term Life Insurance to a single-parent or
two-parent family, ages 18-50. This means the amount you
pay is guaranteed not to change for the first 10 years.
•After 10 years, the adult coverage is renewable annually until
age 95.
•Amounts available for adults are $50,000; $100,000;
$250,000; or $500,000.3, 6
•Coverage is available to eligible children,1 ages 15 days
through 17 years.
•As additional children are born or adopted, they are covered
by the insurance for no additional cost.2
•Provides $10,000 of Term Life Insurance for each eligible child
until age 25.
•Upon the death of the Primary Insured adult or Other Insured,4
all coverage continues on the remaining insured adult and on
any eligible children, with no additional payments required.
•You can convert either adult’s coverage to the same amount
of permanent insurance or less at any time through age 72,
without a medical examination.5
•You can convert each child’s coverage to the same amount of
permanent insurance or less at any time before the child’s 25th
birthday, without a medical examination.
•60 days before each child’s coverage ends, you can convert the
child’s coverage for up to twice as much ($20,000) without a
medical examination.
For more information on WoodmenLife’s Family Term Life
Insurance, contact your local Representative today.
Certificate Forms ICC09-8063 10-08, 8063 10-08 (XX) & O-8063 10-08 (XX)
1. Certain eligibility requirements and age restrictions apply.
2. Children born to or adopted by the Primary Insured or Other Insured, or for which the
Primary Insured or Other Insured has been appointed permanent legal guardian. The child
must be less than 18 years of age on the date of application.
3. The face amount of the Other Insured can never be more than the Primary Insured.
4. Except by suicide within two years from the effective date of the certificate. In Missouri
and North Dakota, except by suicide within one year from the effective date of the certificate.
5. Upon conversion of the Primary Insured, the base certificate, including any attached riders
or endorsements, will terminate.
6. Higher face amounts not available in all states.
Member Spotlight
Waldrop Believes
in Getting Involved
Georgia Member Named 2015 Fraternalist of the Year
D
uring her 28½ -year career as a math teacher, Sherry
Lee Waldrop’s favorite thing about teaching were the
students. “I loved working with children and helping
them to understand,” she said.
But teaching children wasn’t the only thing that kept
Waldrop busy. She was also known for her many efforts
to help those children and others in her community. And
thankfully, after her retirement in November 2012, her
efforts continued, and even increased, thanks to the support
of WoodmenLife Chapter 172 in Sylvester, GA.
“I grew up in a small town where people
were willing to help others. It’s nice to feel
like I’ve been able to give some of that back
through many of the things I’ve done.”
According to her fellow chapter members, Waldrop has
helped to put new life back into their chapter by sharing
many new projects and ideas that they are happy to support.
In addition, they said Waldrop always invites people to the
chapter meetings to introduce them to WoodmenLife and
what we do.
A member for 38 years, Waldrop was “honored in capital
letters” when she learned she’d been named WoodmenLife’s
2015 Fraternalist of the Year. “I don’t think what I do is any
Sylvester, GA
more than what others do,” she said. “Knowing how many
wonderful active people there are out there, it’s a humbling
experience. But the credit should go to the chapter, not just me.”
A sampling of the worthwhile projects
Waldrop has brought to Chapter 172
includes:
2015 Fraternalists of the Year
Jerry W. Benford
Alabama North
Deontrenise Macklin
Alabama South
Charles Austin
Arizona
Tommy D. Arnold
Arkansas
Martha E. Johnson
Florida
Beatrice York
Georgia North
Charlotte A. Wilson
Georgia Central
• Purchasing food and helping stuff
bags for the Back Pack Blessings
program, which provides food for
children on the weekends;
Sherry Lee Waldrop
Georgia South
Henry Fox
Iowa
Rachel Brown
Kentucky West
Kara Barone
Kentucky East
• Working with the local FFA chapter
to deliver poinsettias to the local
nursing home for the holidays –
each with a WoodmenLife
card attached;
Elizabeth Jordan
Louisiana
Carolyn Mounce
Mississippi North
Sandra F. Harrigill
Mississippi South
Mary Benton
Missouri
Barbara Loos
Nebraska
Esther A. Wolski
New Mexico
Judith Hawthorne
New York/New England
Karen Carter
North Carolina West
Joyce Wrenn
North Carolina East
Kathy Jones
Ohio
• Providing books for the local Head
Start Program’s three-year-old
classroom and each individual
student – complete with a label
stating they were donated by
Chapter 172;
• Partnering with the local ROTC
to place flags on the graves of all
veterans in the county; and
• Working with a local abuse shelter
and CASA to provide a special
Christmas for some local children.
Jeff Thrasher
Oklahoma
“I started a lot of these things while I
was teaching, so it’s great to continue
them now in a different way,” Waldrop
said. “I have the best chapter in the
world! They stepped right in with
these things that are dear to my heart.
We’re few in number, but we get
things done.”
Joe Rosado
Pacific Region
Beth A. Collar
Pennsylvania
Dovie S. Sligh
South Carolina
Frieda S. Moore
Tennessee West
William Thomas ”Tommy” Brown
Tennessee East
Paul O’Rear
Texas Northeast
Eddie Hernandez
Texas Southeast
When asked why she’s so active with
her chapter and in her community,
Waldrop replied, “I grew up in a small
town where people were willing to help
others. It’s nice to feel like I’ve been
able to give some of that back through
many of the things I’ve done.” ::
Ramiro Utley
Texas Southwest
Phyllis Lynn Elms
Texas Northwest
Frances Lam Shenk
Virginia
Brice “V” VanAusdal
Virginia East
Sandra Salyers
West Virginia
Terri Ammann
Wisconsin
Newsworthy
Get Your
Cookbook Before
They’re Gone!
W
oodmenLife’s 125th Anniversary
Cookbook has been flying off the
shelves! So if you haven’t already
ordered your copy, don’t delay! There were
only so many copies of this limited edition
cookbook printed, and once they’re gone …
they’re gone.
Each copy features more than 600 recipes
submitted by WoodmenLife members from
across the country, and costs only $10 plus
shipping!
Free Online
FUNDRAISING
Red Basket.org is a free crowdfunding website where
individuals share their stories, recruit volunteers and
raise money for personal hardships and community
improvement projects.
Need to raise funds? Or know someone who needs
help? Get started now by visiting redbasket.org,
contacting Red Basket at 1-877-969-7378 or emailing
[email protected].
Plus, 50 percent of the proceeds benefit
Feeding America – the nation’s largest hungerrelief network.
Order your copy today through the Company
Store link at woodmen.org. ::
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Member Spotlight
fraternal spirit
S UBMIT PHOTOS TO:
[email protected]
Chapter 3668 Orange Grove, TX
Member Rosalinda G. Hinojosa (left) presented an American flag and four American Patriot’s Handbooks to Cub Scouts from
Pack 396 in Alice, TX.
Chapter 444 Church Point, LA
Members Melony Hedrick (left) and Connie Figuron (right)
presented a donation to Our Mother of Peace Elementary
School Principal Debbie Fontenot, as part of the chapter’s
Adopt-a-School program.
Chapter 217 Princeton, WV
Members presented snack bags to all the volunteers at
Princeton Community Hospital during Volunteer Week.
Fraternal Spirit
Chapter 404 Cedar Bluff, VA
Representative Karen Patton (left) presented the
Community Leadership Award to Ginger Branton.
Chapter 6 Cumberland, MD
Members presented a Maryland state flag to the South
Cumberland Library.
Chapter 1498 Ozark, AL
Member Lucia Amber helps assemble gift baskets for the
Ozark Health Rehabilitation Center.
Chapter 1031 Marion, NC
Members donated a wheelchair to Lisa and Kierstan
Barrier. Kierstan is nine years old and has CMT disease, a
neurological disorder.
Chapter 49 Lexington, TN
Representatives Thomas Powers (left) and Jay Rosson
(center) presented an auditorium flag to American Legion
Post 286 Commander Rex McBee.
Chapter 1025 Elbridge, NY
Chapter 635 Fairfield, IL
President Ryan Carr (second from right) presented American
flags and American Patriot’s Handbooks to the Cayuga
County Legislatures. Accepting were Chairman Michael
H. Chapman (left), Administrator Suzanne Sinclair (second
from left) and Purchasing Administrator Kim Taggerty.
Secretary Connie Smith presented four American flags to
Jeff Hall from the Fairfield Park District.
Chapter 1228 Allen, OK
Chapter 152 Darlington, SC
Recruiting Sales Manager Stephen Priest (left), along
with members Sam Brown (middle) and Wade Brown,
participated in the Ride for Ataxia, to help raise money for
Friederich’s Ataxia, which Sam is afflicted with.
Representative Cam Watson presented an American
History Award to Trinity Burnes Collegiate School student
Harrison Corns.
Chapter 254 Charleston, WV
Members participated in Red Nose Day, a campaign to raise money for children living in poverty.
Movement to Fight Hunger
Building Momentum
W
oodmenLife’s National Community Focus of fighting hunger is steadily growing
– more and more chapters are finding ways to meet this need in their individual
communities. You can find out how much food and money we’ve collected on our
website – just look for the National Community Focus button on the right side of woodmen.org.
Chapter 1961 Semmes, AL
Secretary Patsy Little (right) presented a donation to a
representative from the Bay Area Food Bank.
Chapter 561 Effingham, IL
Members presented a donation of baby formula to the
Family Life Center, an infant support organization.
Chapter 143 Clarkesville, GA
Members presented canned goods to Sharing and Caring
Place.
Chapter 38 Bowling Green, KY
Members Ed Gann (left), Linda Finch (center) and Emily
Cunningham volunteered at the chapter’s backpack program
packing event.
member news
Love and
Fraternalism
Summer Campers Discover Romance, Call to Serve
I
t started with a dance under the
stars at the WoodmenLife North
Carolina West RC Cliff Payne
Youth Camp in Randleman. Kevin
Jarrell asked fellow camp counselor
Natalie Mosley for that dance in
2008. A week later they began
dating, and they will marry this fall.
separate colleges. They saw each other
just once a month, and they continued
to serve as counselors together each
summer. "Every summer until Kevin
When Mosley graduated college in
2012, she took some time off to pass
her boards and officially become
a nurse. She didn't stay away long,
though, as she returned as the camp’s
nurse and a counselor last year. Today,
she has a successful career in a Cardiac
Intensive Care Unit, while Jarrell is a
City of High Point police officer.
Both Mosley and Jarrell were
introduced to WoodmenLife through
family members, and have been active
in their chapters. They have participated
in homemade ice cream dinners,
delivering flags to surrounding schools,
visiting area nursing homes at
Christmas, and spending Valentine's
Day playing bingo at a workspace for
people with special needs.
Photo by Melissa Boyack
Mosley and Jarrell both attended
the camp from age 8 on. “We went
every year possible and loved it,”
Mosley said.
The couple credits WoodmenLife
for bringing them together, and
sees the organization as a part of
their future for decades to come.
“One day my children will have
They both enjoyed the experience
life insurance with WoodmenLife,
so much that they later decided to
Engaged members Kevin Jarrell and Natalie Mosley and hopefully attend the same
become counselors. “After attending
camp where Kevin and I met,”
of North Carolina found love as WoodmenLife
summer camp for nearly seven years,
Mosley said. “WoodmenLife
camp counselors.
it became a summer ritual. Living
offers a wide variety of member
close by, what better way to spend the
graduated college in 2010, we worked
benefits including camp, volunteer
summer than working at summer camp,
side by side at WoodmenLife camp,”
opportunities, community
and continuing to enjoy the summers
Mosley said. “There were some years
connections, and an overall sense of
with kids doing what I did as a kid?”
that I was his boss, and then others
belonging. I became who I am today
Jarrell said.
where he was my boss. We never let that because WoodmenLife has been in my
Following their dance beneath the
come between us. We shared a dance
life since I was 8 years old.” ::
moonlight, the couple sustained a long- every Friday night at camp to our song
distance relationship while attending
‘Lost in This Moment with You.’”
Member News
Dreams Lead to West Point
Member Takes the Military Path to Adventure
A
s a child, Zach Thompson knew he wanted an adventure when he grew up.
“Both of my Grandpas served in the military, and I always remember my mother’s father
telling me cool stories,” he said. “That made me want to travel, to do things, see things … I
wanted stories, too.”
That desire for adventure continued into high school where things finally “clicked” for Thompson.
“When I started Junior ROTC, that’s when I bought into the idea of a future in the military hook, line
and sinker,” he said. “Then when I saw a documentary on West Point, I knew that was the way to do it.”
Pictured above: Zach
Thompson receiving his
Second Lieutenant pins
from his parents, Jeff and
Charleen Thompson, at his
commissioning ceremony
in front of the American
flag he received from
his chapter.
But the United States Military
Academy at West Point isn’t like
other universities. To gain admission,
individuals have to receive a
nomination from a member of
Congress or the Executive Branch.
Thompson embraced the
opportunities the Academy had to
offer. “I was a history major with a
passion for the French language, and
my favorite thing was the travel I got
to do,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to apply for and
receive the nomination from North
Carolina Congresswoman Sue
Myrick,” Thompson said. “I remember
the day I got my nomination. I called
my Mom and she had to pull over
because she was so excited. Then
when I told my Grandpa, he cried
That travel would take him to France
twice (for three weeks in Normandy
studying D-Day and three weeks
at a language school), Canada and
many places across America. “I was
a member of the Pipes and Drums
Club, so I got to travel to competitions
in many locations,” he said.
Zach Thompson receives the flag that was
flown in his honor over the Matthews, NC,
Town Hall from Matthews Chief of
Police Rob Hunter.
“It’s an honor to have the nation
put this trust in me to lead
its sons and daughters.”
because he always wanted it for me.”
Next came three months of
preparation before reporting to
West Point for six weeks of training,
referred to as “Beast.”
“When you report on Reception Day,
you’re not yet a cadet. You have to earn
that title,” Thompson said. “That was
the most trying time. Everything you
do at West Point has a purpose, and
you’re graded in academic, military and
physical areas. Fortunately, I had the
military experience from JROTC that
helped me.”
After completing his first year,
“Everything about the Academy was
an unforgettable experience.”
Earlier this year, when it came
time for Thompson to graduate
and be commissioned as a Second
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he
needed a flag for the ceremony. That’s
when his WoodmenLife chapter,
379 in Matthews, NC, stepped in.
Just like the military tradition that
runs in Thompson’s family, so do
three generations of WoodmenLife
membership.
“The chapter arranged to have a flag
flown over the town hall in Matthews
on Zach’s birthday, March 17, and
then it was taken down and given
to him in a special presentation,”
said Charleen Thompson, Zach’s
mother. “That flag was then used as the
backdrop for Zach’s commissioning
ceremony, and he plans to carry it with
him wherever the Army sends him.”
Thompson’s first duty station will
be Fort Hood, TX, with the First
Brigade Combat Team, First Cavalry
Division. “When I got to West Point,
I knew I wanted to be a Cavalry
officer. I was sold as soon as I saw the
Stetsons and spurs,” he said. “It’s an
honor to have the nation put this trust
in me to lead its sons and daughters.
Having the flag from my chapter
back home and knowing I have their
support makes me appreciate my
WoodmenLife family
even more.” ::
Member News
Community Involvement
Sparks Second Career
C
amille Kendall has dedicated countless hours to her
family and her community. She never anticipated that it
would all lead to a second career as a published author.
Decades of Dedication
Her journey began with her first career as a mother and
homeschooler. Kendall has homeschooled all seven of her
children from kindergarten through high school; the youngest
is currently a high school junior. “My oldest child was born
while my husband was actively serving in the U.S. Marine
Corps, and our family was introduced to homeschooling
by other military families,”
Kendall said. “Many
military families choose to
homeschool their children
because it allows them to
maintain continuity in their
children’s education despite
frequent relocations to new
duty stations.”
A New Journey
With her love of writing renewed by her years of
homeschooling and a recommendation from a friend, Kendall
began a blog, “The Hurricane Report,” in 2008. As an active
community member, her writings on life and faith quickly
gained a following. Soon a new opportunity presented itself.
“Another writer read my work on my blog, and she challenged
me to take my writing to the next level,” Kendall said. “We
became friends, and she patiently mentored me through the
process of writing and publishing my first fiction book.”
Kendall published her first
Christian fiction book, Slow
Sun Rising, in 2013. “I was
initially intimidated at the
thought of tackling a major
project such as writing an
entire book, and writing
fiction was something
entirely new to me,” she said.
“But the process was so much
fun and the feedback from
readers was so positive that
I couldn’t wait to begin on
book number two!”
Kendall became a
WoodmenLife member
shortly after marrying her
husband, Steve, and her
children grew up attending
chapter meetings with the
She has since published
Hornbeak, TN
family. Throughout the years,
an additional fiction novel,
the children earned Junior
Bethel Road, and a non-fiction
Ranger of the Year awards, and two of them served as officers book, Wish You Were Here: Letters From the Foot of the Cross, a
with the Tennessee Junior Fraternal Alliance. The entire
collection of letters applying the Gospel to everyday life. “Ideas
family is also very involved in church activities. The Kendalls
come from questions or concepts that I am mulling over in
have been active in many community projects through their
my head,” she said. She is currently working on two additional
church and their WoodmenLife chapter, and Camille has
books, continues to blog at “The Hurricane Report” and
served as an officer for Chapter 196 in Hornbeak, TN.
writes a weekly newspaper article for homeschoolers. ::
2015
Jurisdictional
Convention Reports
Every two years, WoodmenLife chapters elect delegates
to jurisdictional conventions across the country.
This year, members gathered in 23 different cities
to celebrate WoodmenLife’s 125th anniversary,
discuss new ideas, elect officers, support the
National Community Focus, and vote on
important fraternal matters.
Seattle, Washington 1951
2015 Jurisdictional Convention Reports
Alabama
54
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Presiding President: Kenneth May
Host Regional Director: Jason Reed
National Directors in attendance: Patrick Dees and Robert Maher
2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Kenneth May
President – Gerald Howell
Vice President – Kimberly Kervin
Secretary – Julie Huff
Treasurer – Patricia Latimer
Trustees – Richard Gordon (chair), Joe Williamson,
Helen Riemann, Marjorie Mills, Donald Doyle
VP, Community Outreach – Karen Parten
VP, Youth Outreach – Erica Lovell
VP, Membership – Jerry Benford
VP, Publicity – Mary Allen
Fraternal Committee members – Greta Greene (chair), Sharon
Anderson, Louverne Blackmon, Ruby Carden,
Johnnie Ennis
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased two stainless steel carts
and four heavy duty hand wrappers for the Montgomery, AL,
Area Food Bank.
★★
★★
★★
★★
Pictured above: Volunteers at the Montgomery Area Food Bank
posed with the items donated by the Jurisdiction.
Arkansas
56
(including Missouri counties of Boone, Cass, Clay, th
Greene, Howell, Jackson, Livingston, & Platte) B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Karen Greenhaw
★★ Host Regional Director: Tom Mathews
★★ National Directors in attendance: Robert Maher and Danny
Cummins
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Karen Greenhaw
President – Laura England
Vice President – Michael Buchanan
Secretary – Nancy Garner
Treasurer – Joyce McCullah
Trustees – Tommy King (chair), Emery Francis, Brenda Moon,
Henry Swift, Harlie Treat
Sergeant at Arms – Rebecca Ross
Musician – Tharon Yandell
Fraternal Committee members – Bettye Berryman (chair),
Pamela McCullah, William Mitchell, Deloise Mowdy,
Karen Greenhaw
Escort – Briget Maner
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 worth of food to the
Ouachita Children's Center in Hot Springs, AR.
Pictured above: Representative Michael West and Executive Vice
President, Finance and Treasurer Robert Maher helped stock the
Ouachita Children’s Center pantry.
California
(including HI, NV, WA, OR, ID, UT, WY, AK & MT) 39
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Presiding President: Kenneth Keim
Host Regional Director: Bill Arden
National Directors in attendance: Patrick Dees and Daniel Rice III
2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Kenneth Keim
President – Michael Duke
Vice President – Carol Anderson
Secretary – Sheila Eakle
Treasurer – Christine Lee
Trustees – Cynthia Stevens (chair), Alexandrea Coutts, Gail
Duke, William Faubel, Joseph Nemeth
Sergeant at Arms – John Dobrinski
Greeter – Stephen Ensey
Musician – Molly Coutts
Fraternal Committee members – Geneva Trisler (chair), Mark
Brunelle, Maria Gomez, Nancy Pasic, Zhalena Slaughter, Richard
Varney
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased and donated a total of
$775 for grocery gift cards for the VA Sierra Nevada Health
Care to present to homeless veterans.
★★
★★
★★
★★
Florida
51
st
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Melissa Vinson
★★ Host Regional Director: Bryan Carroll
★★ National Directors in attendance: Patrick Dees and
Dr. James Bosler III
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Melissa Vinson
President – Onis Holley
Vice President – Justin Wilson
Secretary – Clifford Palmer
Treasurer – Bernadine Stanaland
Trustees – Thomas Moilanen (chair), Lloyd Adams, Jonathon
Bowman, Elizabeth Rafford, Joelle Roberts
Fraternal Committee members – Bryan Alsup (chair),
Christopher Desrochers, Cynthia Goodson, John Henley, James
Simpson
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased furniture for the foyer at
the 5-Star Veterans Center in Jacksonville, FL.
Pictured above: Newly elected Jurisdictional Officers for the
2015-17 term.
Pictured above: Newly elected Jurisdictional Officers for 2015-17
were sworn in at the Convention.
Georgia
★★
★★
★★
★★
58
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Presiding President: Angela Meadows
Host Regional Director: Daryle Hardaway
National Directors in attendance: Larry King and Wesley Dodd Jr.
2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Angela Meadows
President – Nora Waters
Vice President – Senoria Henderson
Secretary – Rosa Hartley
Treasurer – Charles Frazier
Trustees – Billy Flowers (chair), James Martin, Andrea White
Fraternal Committee members – Angela Meadows (chair),
Wesley Dodd Jr., Phillip Hartley, Audie Hough, Larry Maioriello
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 to the Golden Harvest
Food Bank in Augusta, GA.
Pictured above: Convention attendees stood with food they
collected and purchased for the Golden Harvest Food Bank.
Great Lakes
2
nd
(including IL, IN, MI, & the Missouri counties of Audrain, St. Charles & St. Louis)
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Vicky Weber
★★ Host Regional Director: Greg Robertson
★★ National Directors in attendance: Daryl Doise and
Ronald Aldridge
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Vicky Weber
President – Audrey Fanselow
Vice President – Tonya Young
Secretary – Sharon Goldstein
Treasurer – Christine Noble
Trustees – Brenda Pearson (chair), Bobby Buske, Vernabelle
Hayes, Patricia Johnson, Lillah Williams
VP, Community Outreach – Yolanda Rinconeno
VP, Youth Outreach – Annamaria Farris
VP, Publicity – Marsha Shull
Sergeant at Arms – Travis Coomer
Greeter – Tamara Golubski
Musician – Paul Orich
Fraternal Committee members – Leslie Wells (chair), Donna
Brendel, James Carey, Tina Mahoney, James Popkey
Escort – Charles Mabry
★★ Convention City Project: Presented $1,000 worth of the mostneeded food items to the Midwest Food Bank.
Pictured above: Convention attendees posed with the Midwest Food
Bank truck after they loaded it with 1,471 pounds of donated food,
plus another 550 pounds of food purchased by the Jurisdiction.
Iowa
(including MN & WI)
54
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Denise Yates
★★ Host Regional Director: Jeff Bridges
★★ National Directors in attendance: Ronald Aldridge and
Mark Schreier
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Denise Yates
President – Jerry Wilson
Vice President – Mary Foutch
Secretary – Constance Wilson
Treasurer – Pamela Kenkel
Trustees – Wade Joy (chair), Terri Ammann, Richard Clement,
Jeanyce Hansen, David Pierzina
VP, Community Outreach – Dean Kenkel
VP, Publicity – Joshua Axness
Fraternal Committee members – Heather Gouker (chair),
Adeline Clement, Henry Fox, Barbara Keysor, Sandra Knutson
Escort – Deanna Kuhl
★★ Convention City Project: Assembled 100 birthday party
packages with ingredients for a spaghetti dinner, cake mix,
frosting, balloons, candles, and paper goods and presented
them to the Bethesda Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Ames, IA.
2015-17 term.
Kentucky
(including Missouri county of Dunklin)
54
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Wilma Smith
★★ Host Regional Director: R T Jefferson
★★ National Directors in attendance: Larry King and Dr. James
Bosler III
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Wilma Smith
President – Charles Slaton
Vice President – Gary Riggs
Secretary – Karlie Smith
Treasurer – Patricia Latimer
Trustees – Virgil Dryden (chair), Kara Barone, Steven Darnall,
Julia Davis, Mary McNew
VP, Community Outreach – Patricia Walker
VP, Youth Outreach – Margie Renchen
VP, Membership – Mary Baldwin
VP, Publicity – Cindy Baker
Sergeant at Arms – Leveda Hayes
Greeter – Connie White
Musician – Diana Phillips
Fraternal Committee members – Kevin Logsdon (chair),
Brandon Adams, Michael Faihst, Richard Finch, Connie Lewis
Escort – Richard Newsom
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased and stuffed 1,000
backpacks for Blessings in a Backpack, Inc., in Louisville, KY.
were sworn in during the Convention.
Louisiana
53
rd
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Mid-Atlantic
(including DE, MD & D.C.)
25
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★
★★
★★
★★
Presiding President: Wanda Simon
Host Regional Director: Desi Doise
National Directors in attendance: Patrick Dees and Daryl Doise
2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Wanda Simon
President – Bobby Duhon
Vice President – Rufus Fruge
Secretary – Evelyn Stringer
Treasurer – Judy Gaudet
Trustees – Ralph Bender (chair), Minos Landry,
Janice Meaux
Sergeant at Arms – Lee John
Greeter – Raymond Richard
Fraternal Committee members – Elizabeth Lindsay (chair),
Patsy Babin, Lorraine Landry, James Perkins, Gene Simmons
Escort – Linda Duhon
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 worth of food to St.
Joseph's Diner in Lafayette, LA, which was founded by Catholic
Services of Acadiana in 1973 to feed lunch to the hungry.
★★ Presiding President: Doris Gee
★★ Host Regional Director: Jeremy Carroll
★★ National Directors in attendance: Daniel Rice III and
Patricia Metheny
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Doris Gee
President – Carol Kirchner
Vice President – Kathryn Jenkins
Secretary – Jessica Michaels
Treasurer – Bonnie Lawson
Trustees – George Zimmerman (chair), Janet Freeland,
James Murray
Greeter – Lucy Stein
Fraternal Committee members – Calista Sommerkamp (chair),
Catherine Moore, Deborah Zimmerman
Escort – Kenneth Guyer
★★ Convention City Project: A presentation was made to the
Southern Maryland Food Bank with donations from individual
chapters and the Jurisdiction.
2015-17 term.
Pictured above: Members of Chapter 11, Oakland, MD, attended
the Jurisdictional Convention.
Mississippi
54
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Nebraska
(including ND, SD & CO)
58
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Loyd Young
★★ Host Regional Director: Phillip Pace
★★ National Directors in attendance: Denise McCauley and
Ronald Aldridge
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Loyd Young
President – Charles Calvert
Vice President – Edna Boyte
Secretary – Martha Brown
Treasurer – Jannie Brown
Trustees – James Kirkland (chair), Shirley Howell, Carolyn
Mounce, Larry Strohm, Jarvis Winstead
Sergeant at Arms – Alvia Blakney
Greeter – Joseph Johnson
Musician – Peggy Allen
Fraternal Committee members – Tawanna Thornton (chair),
Bradley Crowder, Jennifer King, Edith White
Escort – Jerry Tapp
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 to The Salvation Army
of Jackson, MS, in support of their food pantry.
★★ Presiding President: Mark Fitzgibbons
★★ Host Regional Director: Jeff Bridges
★★ National Directors in attendance: Mark Schreier and
Dr. James Shaver
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Mark Fitzgibbons
President – Linda Filipowicz
Vice President – Marita Schroeder
Secretary – Randall Rotschafer
Treasurer – Blake Warneke
Trustees – Laura Sparks (chair), Dorothy Margrave,
Charles Richardson
VP, Community Outreach – Shawn Bengtson
VP, Youth Outreach – Michael Bednarz
VP, Membership – Christy Hodges
VP, Publicity – Kristie Johnson
Fraternal Committee members – Mary Craig (chair), Jill
Camargo, Debra Hansen, Judith Moser, Darren Olson
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased food and assembled 320
backpacks for the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha, NE.
Pictured above: National Director Ronald Aldridge (left),
Jurisdictional President Calvin Young (second from right), and
Regional Director Phillip Pace (right), gave WoodmenLife bags to
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Miss Mississippi
Jasmine Murray.
Pictured above: Convention attendees assembled backpacks at the
Food Bank for the Heartland.
New Mexico
(plus Texas counties of El Paso & Hudspeth & AZ)
50
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Sammy Cordova
★★ Host Regional Director: Jim Clough
★★ National Directors in attendance: Robert Maher and
Danny Cummins
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Sammy Cordova
President – Melvin Chavez
Vice President – Clark Peters
Secretary – Mary Chavez
Treasurer – Shirley Lockyer
Trustees – Valerie Cordova (chair), Samantha Cordova, Jose
Sanchez, William Solomon, A. Quintana Thomas
Sergeant at Arms – Jordan Martinez
Greeter – Cheryl Urrutia
Musician – Theresa Martinez
Escort – Dolores Montoya
★★ Convention City Project: Assembled 24 boxes of food to feed
24 families for three days at the La Mesa, NM, Presbyterian
Church.
Pictured above: Jurisdictional Convention attendees gathered for a
group photo.
Northeast
(NY, CT, MA, RI, ME, NH, NJ & VT)
2
nd
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Linda Gonyo-Horne
★★ Host Regional Director: Rodney Barber
Wesley Dodd Jr.
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Linda Gonyo-Horne
President – Lucille Stemkowski
Vice President – Wilfred Trombley
Secretary – Elaine Roman
Treasurer – Carol Norton
Trustees – Marie Trombley (chair), Ella Blixt, Jacqueline Fayette,
James Knoeller, Philip Yanulis
Sergeant at Arms – Donna Zabrosky
Greeter – Alexandria Sobrane
Musician – Daniel Urick
Fraternal Committee members – David Blixt (chair), Jeanne
Bushey, John Ellis, Constance Kudlack, William Sullivan
Escort – Margaret Urick
★★ Convention City Project: Donated an Arctic Air commercial
refrigerator to the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga, NY.
were sworn in during the Convention.
North Carolina
51
st
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: David Evans
★★ Host Regional Director: Joe Walters
★★ National Directors in attendance: Larry King, Dr. James Shaver
and Daniel Rice III
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – David Evans
President – Lowell Keel
Vice President – Deborah Johnson
Secretary – Karen Carter
Treasurer – Thomas Hodges
Trustees – Anita Sigmon (chair), Gertrude Bowers, Thomas
Parker, David Warren, Phyllis York
VP, Community Outreach – Timothy Corriher
VP, Youth Outreach – Shirley Peele
VP, Membership – Sue Surratt
VP, Publicity – James Seaman
Sergeant at Arms – Atlanta Hodge
Greeter – Harold Fipps
Musician – Margaret Nelson
Fraternal Committee members – M. Stallard (chair), Teresa
Blake, Woodrow Glaze, Charlotte Kelly, Dearl Ledford
Escort – Wayne Patty
★★ Convention City Project: Donation to InterChurchOutReach,
Inc., and Main Street Mission, along with continuing support of
the NC Children's Home/Nursing Home Program.
Pictured above: Newly elected Jurisdictional Officers for the 2015-17 term.
Ohio
53
rd
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Dwight Jones
★★ Host Regional Director: Kevin Crouse
★★ National Directors in attendance: Patricia Metheny and
Michael Shealy
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Dwight Jones
President – Julie Mullins
Vice President – Brenda Serrano
Secretary – Valerie Adkins
Treasurer – Kathy Jones
Trustees – John Mullins (chair), Dolores Kolb, Carmen Laboy,
Mary Mullins, Cindy Wetzel
Sergeant at Arms – Ramon Torres
Greeter – Luz Torres
Musician – Richard Serrano
Fraternal Committee members – Marjory Joseph (chair),
Benjamin Adkins, Elisabeth Adkins, Beverly Gilbert,
Kelsey Mullins
Escort – Frederick Joseph
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 worth of food to a
local food pantry.
Pictured above: Convention attendees loaded up their donation for
a local food pantry.
Oklahoma-Kansas
53
rd
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Michael McElyea
★★ Host Regional Director: Justin Clough
★★ National Directors in attendance: Patricia Metheny and
Wesley Dodd Jr.
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Michael McElyea
President – Thomas Cline
Vice President – Gary Taylor
Secretary – Kathy Cline
Treasurer – Terry Metheny
Trustees – Derek Davilla (chair), Shirley Allison, Michael Doak,
James Eisenlohr, Diana Kelley
VP, Community Outreach – Molly Nye
VP, Youth Outreach – Kristina Calvert
VP, Membership – Trina Burdge
VP, Publicity – David Morris
Sergeant at Arms – Cynthia Davis
Greeter – Louie Pool
Musician – Phillip Pitt
Fraternal Committee members – John Moy (chair), Lynetta Bell,
Andy Bergeron, Billie Floyd, Charlotte McGowen
Escort – Tammy Spivey
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased food for the Midwest City
Food Bank.
Pictured above: Convention attendees posed with their donation to
the Midwest City Food Bank.
Pennsylvania
57
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Janice Halterman
★★ Host Regional Director: Jeremy Carroll
Daryl Doise
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Janice Halterman
President – Phyllis Mervine
Vice President – Christine Frazier
Secretary – Karen Schreffler
Treasurer – Melodie Paul
Trustees – Mary Beckey (chair), James Ford, Gerald Gelgot,
Karen Harring, Dennis Moyer
Sergeant at Arms – F. Danowsky
Greeter – Cheryl Pohrer
Musician – Elaine Schreffler
Fraternal Committee members – Sara Bender (chair),
Eleanor Clark, James Irwin, Anna Johnson, Jessica Truesdale
Escort – Steven Zellers
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased protein (meat and fish) for
the Valor Veteran's Unstoppable Floating Soup Kitchen.
2015-17 term.
South Carolina
57
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Carroll Eargle
★★ Host Regional Director: Don Molineu
Michael Shealy
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Carroll Eargle
President – Walter Merritt
Vice President – Alisa Sistare
Secretary – Iris Bedenbaugh
Treasurer – Cathy Meetze
Trustees – Adrian Falgione (chair), Johnnie Bolt,
Mary Christmas, David Le Bleu, James West
Sergeant at Arms – Sharri Hammond
Greeter – Horace Delk
Musician – Ronnie Howard
Fraternal Committee members – Carroll Eargle (chair),
Pauline Bryant, Loretta Dickard, Dorothy Richardson, Matthew Senn
Escort – Leila Balliet
★★ Convention City Project: More than $3,600 worth of food was
purchased and placed into 1,500 bags for the local backpack
program. In addition, donations from chapters resulted in a
check for $10,861 being presented to the Help 4 Kids/Backpack
Buddies Program in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Pictured above: Community Outreach Manager Randy Barnett
presented a check to Barbara Mains, Director of Help 4 Kids/
Backpack Buddies.
Tennessee
58
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Willard Finch
Host Regional Director: Roger Anderson
★★ National Directors in attendance: Larry King and
Mark Schreier
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Willard Finch
President – Linda Mullen
Vice President – Bobby Tucker
Secretary – Gary Thompson
Treasurer – Kathy Leonard
Trustees – Kenneth Irwin (chair), Terry Carter, Lowell Gable,
Shirley Orr
VP, Youth Outreach – Tonya England
Sergeant at Arms – Adrian Reynolds
Musician – Kristi Armstrong
Fraternal Committee members – Margaret Love (chair), Elisa
Barr, Marion Emerson, James Taylor
Escort – Janet Cunningham
★★ Convention City Project: Donated 600 lbs. of food and a
monetary donation of $7,000 from the chapters to Second
Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, TN.
Pictured above: WoodmenLife President & CEO Larry King and
other Convention attendees presented a check for $7,000 to Second
Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
Texas
(except for the counties of El Paso & Hudspeth)
57
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
Virginia
56
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Patricia Cleaton
★★ Host Regional Director: Jim Clough
★★ National Directors in attendance: Patrick Dees and
Danny Cummins
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Patricia Cleaton
President – Dierdre Harris
Vice President – Curtis Birchfield
Secretary – Ruby Wood
Treasurer – Patrick Shannon
Trustees – Troy Curl (chair), Kenneth Farr, Craig Logan,
Rondia Manchen, Alvin Seay
Sergeant at Arms – Thomas Plagens
Greeter – David Everett
Fraternal Committee members – Daniel Sibert (chair),
Penny Brim, Linda Collins, Thomas Knapp, John Rolls
Escort – Primitivo Torres
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $1,000 in gift cards ($25
each) to Corpus Christi, TX, Ronald McDonald House guests to
purchase food to eat and to stock their pantry while staying at
the house. Chapters also donated money to assist the Ronald
McDonald House in their daily operations.
★★ Presiding President: Brice Vanausdal
★★ Host Regional Director: Terry Wayne Carroll
★★ National Directors in attendance: Robert Maher and
Dr. James Bosler III
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Brice Vanausdal
President – Sheila Brown
Vice President – Jeanne Shelburne
Secretary – Rebecca Baffuto
Treasurer – Cathryn Mobley
Trustees – Naomi Simpson (chair), Arlene Gunter, David Harmon,
Robert Nichols, Ira Witt
Sergeant at Arms – Stacey Ferrer
Greeter – Ginger Shotwell
Musician – Nicholas Thomas
Fraternal Committee members – Geraldine Wallace (chair),
Thomas Baffuto, Stacie Champion, Nancy Hazzard,
Douglas Wheeling
Escort – Ashley Simpson
★★ Convention City Project: Donated $5,000 worth of canned food
to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank. The cans were also used to
build sculptures in the lobby of the convention hotel.
are sworn in during the Convention.
Pictured above: Recruiting Sales Manager Wayne Anderson, his
wife, Sheri, and Community Outreach Manager Marla Baker posed
in period costumes with Donna Tighe, Food/Fund Drive Manager
with Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.
Important Notice
to Member
Website Users
West Virginia
49
th
B
Conievne nial
ntion
★★ Presiding President: Patricia McClellan
★★ Host Regional Director: Kevin Crouse
★★ National Directors in attendance: Dr. James Shaver and
Michael Shealy
★★ 2015-2017 Officers:
Immediate Past President – Patricia McClellan
President – Margaret Conner
Vice President – Ruth Plum
Secretary – Rebecca Lego
Treasurer – Lois Louk
Trustees – Norma Snyder (chair), Jon Mick, Mary Thomas,
Deborah Watkins, Rox Workman
Sergeant at Arms – Anthony Lunsford
Greeter – Bobby Brown
Musician – Donna Mick
Fraternal Committee members – Audrey Cline (chair), Helen
Chaney, Douglas Smith, Anna Spears, William Thomas
Escort – James Workman
★★ Convention City Project: Purchased $1,000 worth of food for
Facing Hunger Food Bank in Huntington, WV.
If you use Internet Explorer
as your browser to access
the member website
to make payments or
access certificate information, you will
need to upgrade your browser to IE11
by December 1, in order to continue to
access the member site. If your current
Internet Explorer browser is out-of-date,
you will begin to see a reminder message
each time you access the site. If you use
another internet browser like Chrome,
FireFox or Safari, you will not need to
make any changes.
You can access the member website
from woodmen.org.
Pictured above: Convention attendees proudly displayed some of
the food they purchased and donated to the Facing Hunger
Food Bank.
chapter news
Fraternally Speaking
Focus Pays Off
Throughout
the course
of this year,
I’ve been
reminded
more than
ever that our
members go
Pat Dees
above and
beyond when
we ask them to step up in support of a
specific effort. In 2015, we challenged
you to celebrate our 125th Anniversary
with a Day of Service, and to commit
to our National Community Focus
of fighting hunger. I’m proud of all the
good you’ve done this year.
In the two-week time period
surrounding our June 6 anniversary,
more than 300 chapters participated
in service events, engaging more
than 2,000 volunteers. Right here
in Omaha, nearly 150 volunteers,
including many Home Office
associates, participated in three
community service events organized
by our local chapters. In addition,
your efforts to support the National
Community Focus have resulted in
more than $45,000 raised, more than
20,000 pounds of food collected and
more than 10,000 volunteer hours
donated across the nation.
Please remember that in the U.S., one
in five children and one in six seniors
are food insecure. This means they
don’t know where their next meal will
come from. Continue to be mindful of
your neighbors and friends who may
need help. To join our cause, please
get involved in your local chapter
system. A calendar of upcoming
events in your area is included on the
back of this magazine.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Chapter
Centennials
Chapter 885
Chapter 695
Dillard, GA
Oct. 11, 1915
Dover, NC
Nov. 18, 1915
Chapter 704
Chapter 40
Aynor, SC
Oct. 11, 1915
Henderson, TN
Nov. 30, 1915
Chapter 340
McClure, IL
Nov. 18, 1915
Dates to Remember
September
Hunger Action Month
Life Insurance Awareness Month
Sept. 11
In Honor and Remembrance
Sept. 30
Pat Dees
Executive Vice President, Fraternal
Submit chapter officer list and
January, February and March 2016
events to receive full Fraternal
Challenge points
Oct. 1
Chapters begin submitting events for
Spring 2016
Oct. 24
Make A Difference Day
Nov. 11
Veterans Day
Community Outreach Profile
Campbell Captured Her Passion
F
or her first full-time professional
gig after college, Meredith
Campbell
landed in the
perfect place:
a Community
Outreach
Manager
(COM) role for
WoodmenLife.
“From the
Meredith Campbell
moment I
stepped into the office on the day of
my interview, I felt comfortable,” she
said. “This position fit my professional
passions. Giving back where help is
needed, making a positive impact and
ultimately leaving a legacy – that’s what
I was looking for in a career.”
Currently the COM for southern
Alabama, Campbell grew up as an
Army brat, traveling throughout the
United States with her parents and two
siblings. “I was raised to live life faithful
to God, country and family, so I believe
in and appreciate the standards of
WoodmenLife,” she said.
These are standards upheld by the
members Campbell works with in
her area. “The first word that comes
to mind when I think of our chapters
is giving,” she said. “These individuals
have some of the most servant-like
hearts, and they will give wherever
there is a need. They are also always
willing and eager to tell people about
the fraternal and business sides of
WoodmenLife.”
Her members’ eagerness and kind
hearts are a big help to Campbell
when it comes to planning events
and creating awareness about
WoodmenLife. “The way to create a
successful outreach event or initiative is
100 percent with the heart, so I always
ask members what organizations or
needs matter most to them,” she said.
From Special Olympics with Chapter
3 in Selma and annual flag retirement
ceremonies with Chapter 1885 in
Chatom, to visiting grave sites with
Clanton Chapter 322 and packing
fruit baskets with Camden Chapter
1916, there are many fraternal activities
Campbell counts as her favorites.
One particular event that has proven
to be successful is a yearly family event
for members and non-members in
Montgomery and Mobile. “This year
is our second annual event where we
provide members with tickets for their
family and friends to attend a minor
league baseball game,” she said. “Kids,
parents, grandparents … everyone
who attends always has a great time!
Plus, the event has proven to be
positive advertising for WoodmenLife
by connecting members and nonmembers with local Representatives.”
Campbell jokes that because she works
with her chapter officers and other
members so often, she has more than
20 grandfathers looking out for her.
“That’s what these people have become
to me,” she said. “My WoodmenLife
family.” ::
Meredith Campbell volunteered with members from Evergreen, AL, Chapter 1896 at the local
Senior Center.
Chapter News
Cakes for a Cause
What is an anniversary
party without a cake?
1st - Illinois Chapter 561
T
he WoodmenLife 125th Anniversary Cake
Contest challenged members to tap into their
creativity to celebrate this momentous occasion
by decorating an epic cake worthy of this anniversary.
In addition to honoring this milestone year,
participants had the opportunity to win funds to help
the hungry in their communities.
8
5
5
r
e
t
p
a
h
C
a
2 - Oklahom
nd
3 rd - Illinois Chap
ter 50
Each chapter that entered
a decorated cake received
$50 to help cover material
expenses. In total, 68 chapters
from 23 states stepped up to
the challenge. (See the full
list at right.) After narrowing
the field down to 10 finalists,
voting on the cakes was open
to the general public via the
WoodmenLife Facebook
page. The winning entry
received nearly 1,000 votes.
Congratulations to the
contest winners
Each chose organizations in
their local communities to
support in conjunction with
WoodmenLife’s National
Community Focus of
fighting hunger:
First Place, $3,000
Chapter 561, Effingham, IL
$2,500 to Golden Circle
Nutrition Program, $500 to
Food Program at Effingham
Senior Center
Second Place, $2,000
Chapter 558, Durant, OK
$1,500 to Hands of Hope,
$500 to Families Feeding
Families
Third Place, $1,000
Chapter 50, Carbondale, IL
$1,000 to Gumdrops, a
non-profit backpack program ::
Cake Contest Entries
City
Brewton
Dothan
Prattville
Hartford
Phenix City
Thomasville
Enterprise
Brantley
Jackson
Monroeville
Evergreen
Notasulga
Phoenix
Sacramento
Palatka
Hawkinsville
Cornelia
Winder
Carbondale
Effingham
South Bend
Des Moines
Hopkinsville
Cadiz
Germantown
Scottsville
Somerset
Rayne
Amite
Oakland
Grantsville
Booneville
Aberdeen
Philadelphia
State Chapter
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AZ
CA
FL
GA
GA
GA
IL
IL
IN
IA
KY
KY
KY
KY
KY
LA
LA
MD
MD
MS
MS
MS
30
131
298
310
338
391
458
930
1024
1057
1896
1901
117
339
7
15
553
1395
50
561
6001
18
5
20
871
924
969
31
44
11
41
60
147
330
City
Union/Newton
Lincoln
Las Vegas
Hempstead
Wadesboro
Cerro Gordo
Matthews
Catawba
Statesville
Asheboro
Denton
Winston-Salem
Durant
Howard
Orangeburg
Sumter
Florence
Marion
Easley
Newberry
Pomaria
Loris
Greeneville
Crossville
Smithville
Sparta
Bluff City
Nacogdoches
Waller
Corpus Christi
Bedford
Harrisonburg
Mechanicsville
Charleston
State Chapter
MS
NE
NM
NY
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
OK
PA
SC
SC
SC
SC
SC
SC
SC
SC
TN
TN
TN
TN
TN
TX
TX
TX
VA
VA
VA
WV
332
264
2
467
4
130
379
606
647
921
976
6025
558
691
17
19
52
122
379
437
1054
1123
111
900
1077
1110
1150
210
2053
2126
175
341
468
254
fun zone
HAVE AAGOOD
HAVE
GOODJOKE?
JOKE?Make
Makeyour
yourfellow
fellowmembers
fraternalists
laugh.
laugh.
Please send contributions to [email protected].
Get On Your Bike and Ride!
Autumn is a great season for bike riding – feel the crisp wind in your face and enjoy the spectacular fall
colors without a window in your way! Find all the words below to get inspired for your next ride.
(Answers can be found on page 10.)
Word Bank
Basket
Bicycle
Brake
Car Rack
Century Ride
Chain
Clips
Cruiser
Cyclist
Derailleur
Gear
Hand Signals
Helmet
Hybrid
Lights
Mountain Bike
Pannier
Pedal
Recumbent
Road Bike
Saddle
Spokes
Tail Wind
Tandem
Tire
Tour de France
Training Wheels
Tube
V
T
H
V
Y G H
E
L
W T
I
R
E
E
K
A
B H G Z
P U H
S
L
Q H
D R H
L
S
A
A
L
I
G H
T
S
B
Y
Y
I
O S
Y
E
I
Q P R
F
H
T
O P
T
K
I
B
J
P H
B
T
J
A O K O F
R C M U
A
P
J
Z
S
K
K
T
D
F
R
B C G Y
B C R D
Y
I
S
Q E
A
E D
J
K
A H G B R
P D W E
K H
X
I
A W E
B C D U M O L
P
L
O
J
N
I
Z
D
X
L
E
K R
E Q S
F
M E
M S
T
D
E U
E
E C R
J
B
I
N
S
A
V
E U
K
I
R
I
T
T
A
I
N
B
I
K
E D
V
A W G K
X
Y
Y
B
B R
X
E
A
P
F
F
E
A
T
R M O U N
H N
I
T
E
T
T
L
A C N
J
D W
I
H
J
D H M F
A U
L
N U
P
J
G H
T
L
A
E R
E O E R
P
I
R
E D M K
E
F
E
Y O F
P
K
L
A
L
Y U
N
E
E R C
A
P
K U
W R R M E D M
I
L
C
A R R
A C
X
S
X
B
A
I
S
I
I
X
E
B
Y
J
Y N W J
Z
S D
K
A
A N N
L
E O U
C N
E
I
E
N D W K
T
H H
A N D
S
I
G N
A
L
S H
D
C
Y C
L
T
C R U
I
S
E R R
E H
F
I
S
Cycling Humor
Q: Why can't a bicycle stand up on its own?
A: Because it's too tired.
Q: Did you hear about the vampire bicycle that
went around biting people's arms off?
A: It was a vicious cycle.
Q: What did the dog owner do when she found
her dog was chasing everyone on a bicycle?
A: Took his bike away.
Q: What's the hardest thing about learning to
ride a bicycle?
A: The road.
Q: Why is the bank manager a good cyclist?
A: She has an excellent balance.
Q: When is a bicycle not a bicycle?
A: When it turns into a driveway.
Q: Why did the silly boy take his bicycle to bed
with him?
A: Because he didn't want to walk in his sleep.
in memoriam
Mitzi C. Cole
Age: 62
Chapter 117 Benton, KY
James D. “J.D.” Mullins
Age: 81
Chapter 254 Charleston, WV
George R. Johnson
Age: 89
Chapter 65 Grand Ridge, FL
Irvin C. Darnall
Age: 86
Chapter 20 Cadiz, KY
Herbert Harold Rogers
Age: 93
Chapter 527 Villa Rica, GA
Karla Ryser
Age: 51
Chapter 11 Honey Grove, TX
Charlie Helwig
Age: 79
Chapter 6013 Little Falls, NJ
Siegfried “Ziggy” Scholl
Age: 72
Chapter 449 Merritt, NC
Peggy Ann Wright
Age: 71
Chapter 514 Athens, AL
Edith Henderson
Age: 92
Ezra Charles “Hezzie” Sharer
Age: 90
Chapter 1 Hagerstown, MD
John Cameron Imler
Age: 74
Chapter 688 Bedford, PA
Donald Hilbrecht
Age: 72
Warner “Red” Shingleton Sr.
Age: 88
Chapter 1 Hagerstown, MD
Louise Mounce
Age: 101
Chapter 423 Ecru, MS
Norene Umphlett Taylor
Age: 96
Chapter 328 Ahoskie, NC
Former Jurisdictional President
In Memoriam Submission Guidelines: The editors of WoodmenLife Magazine
want to give your departed loved ones the most respectful and complete recognition
possible. To aid us in doing this, please include the following minimum information
and send it to [email protected]: your loved one’s full name as you would like
it printed, age, chapter number, and hometown. Also let us know if he or she served
as a Jurisdictional Officer, a National Committee member, a Regional Director, or a
National Representative. In addition, when including photos, please submit photos of
the highest possible quality to assure adequate printing. Thank you.
Feed your family’s unique needs.
While no two families are alike, Family Term life insurance from WoodmenLife helps to satisfy them all –
it’s all-in-one coverage for your one-of-a-kind family.
Call today to learn more about how one Family Term life insurance certificate from WoodmenLife could
protect your whole family for just one low monthly premium.
D0452 6/15
PERIODICALS
Fall 2015
Please note: If members in your household belong to different chapters, the magazine will be sent to the oldest member and
will feature events for his/her chapter of record. You can access other chapters’ events on woodmen.org. Information concerning
events and activities is subject to change. Visit your chapter’s website for the most current information.
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an Equal Access fraternal benefit society. It is the policy of WoodmenLife to seek qualified members
on a nondiscriminatory basis and to provide all members with equal access to and allow their participation in WoodmenLife’s chapter system, chapter events, fraternal
benefits, and all other fraternal activities on a nondiscriminatory basis. If you would like an additional calendar printed, please contact your Community Outreach Manager.
fun zone
HAVE AAGOOD
HAVE
GOODJOKE?
JOKE?Make
Makeyour
yourfellow
fellowmembers
fraternalists
laugh.
laugh.
Please send contributions to [email protected].
Get On Your Bike and Ride!
Autumn is a great season for bike riding – feel the crisp wind in your face and enjoy the spectacular fall
colors without a window in your way! Find all the words below to get inspired for your next ride.
(Answers can be found on page 10.)
Word Bank
Basket
Bicycle
Brake
Car Rack
Century Ride
Chain
Clips
Cruiser
Cyclist
Derailleur
Gear
Hand Signals
Helmet
Hybrid
Lights
Mountain Bike
Pannier
Pedal
Recumbent
Road Bike
Saddle
Spokes
Tail Wind
Tandem
Tire
Tour de France
Training Wheels
Tube
V
T
H
V
Y G H
E
L
T
D
F
R
B C
G
W T
I
R
E
E
K
A
B H
G
Z
P U
H
S
L
Q H
D
R
H
L
S
A
A
L
I
G H
T
S
B
Y
Y
I
O
S
Y
E
I
Q
P R
F
H
T
O
P
T
K
I
B
J
P H
A
B
T
J
A O
K O
F
R
C
M U
B C
R
D
S
E D
A
P
J
Z
F
J
K
A H
Y
I
Q
E
T
D
S
P D W E
K H
X
I
A W E
B C
D
U
M O
L
K
P
M S
E U
E
K
M E
G
B R
Y
E Q
S
L
O
J
N
I
Z
D
X
L
E C
R
J
B
E
K R
I
N
S
A
V
E U
K
I
R
I
T
E
A
T
R
M O U
N
T
A
I
N
B
I
K
E D
V
H
N
I
T
E
Y
A W G
K
X
Y
Y
B
B R
X
E
A
T
T
L
A C
N
J
D W
I
H
J
D
H
M F
P
F
F
A U
L
N
P
J
G H
T
L
A
E R
E O
E R
P
I
R
E D
M K
E
F
E
Y O
F
P
K
L
L
Y U
B
J
N
E
E R
C
Z
A
P
K U
R
M E D
M
I
L
C
A R
R
A C
X
Y N W
J
X
S
X
B
A
I
S
H
A N
D
S
I
G N
A
L
S
T
C
R
I
W R
E
U
I
I
N
D W K
T
H
D
E H
C
Y C
F
I
U
S D
A
A
A N
N
L
C
N
E O U
E
I
L
S H
E
S
E R
R
K

Fall 2015 - Woodmen.org

Transcription

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