Announcements
Phil Tice
Donna Tice has called and asked us to share this information regarding Grand Worthy President – Elect, Phil Tice.
Brother Phil had surgery for Pancreatic Cancer last Friday. He came through the
surgery well and will remain at University Hospital (Ohio State) until later this
week.
After approximately four weeks he will then begin Chemotherapy treatment for the
cancer.
Please keep Phil, and his entire family in your thoughts and prayers.
Donna has asked that there be no more phone calls for the rest of this week due
to the overwhelming amount of calls they have received.
Cards may be sent to:
Phil Tice
3008 City View Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Eagles To Present First $5 Million Donation to the Diabetes Research Center
One year after making a historic five-year, $25 million pledge to establish The
Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa, the
Eagles have reached the first milestone.
Dennis Gilhousen and Bettie Williams Clark, Co-Chairs of the Diabetes Research Center,
Jim Roberts, Chairman of the Board and Bill Loffer, Membership Director, will present
the first $5 million installment in a pre-game ceremony at the Hawkeyes football
game with Arkansas State University on Saturday, October 3.
“I am so proud of our members for their hard work in reaching this exciting milestone,”
said Lagervall. “However, our work has only just begun. I encourage all Eagles members
to continue their remarkable fundraising efforts.”
University of Iowa (UI) Foundation and UI leaders, including UI President Sally
Mason will accept the gift on the 50-yard line at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
To reach this first goal Eagles members throughout the US and Canada have held various
fundraisers such as poker runs, benefit concerts and tournaments.
The Eagles $25 million commitment will be used to recruit and support the work of
the best diabetes researchers, and to fund research programs that will bring experts
from several fields together to seek a cure for diabetes.
Live Webcast
Visit FOE.com to see the live check presentation
on October 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 AM CDT. The live webcast will require Windows Media
Player. Download it here.
2006 Auxiliary Rules and Regulations Books Out of Stock
We are no longer accepting orders for the rules and regulations at this time. We
are currently out of stock of the 2006 copies and the new book will not be available
until the first quarter of 2010. Since this will be a new item at a different cost
we cannot enter backorders. All secretaries and presidents will receive a free copy
when we receive the new stock. When you receive the complimentary book you will
then be able to order the new rules and regulations. All current backorders are
being deleted so we do not run into a duplication error.
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Ladies Auxiliary Funeral Benefit Fund - IMPORTANT CHANGES
The Grand Auxiliary Officers, based on recommendations from the auditors and the
actuary firm, have closed enrollment into the Funeral Benefit Fund, effective May
31, 2009.
- What effect does this have on the current Auxiliary Members or members initiated
prior to June 1, 2009?
-
- None.
- Any member who is a Funeral Benefit Member on May 31, 2009 will continue to be a
Funeral Benefit Member. NO BENEFITS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.
- Auxiliaries will still continue to pay the $1.00 per year of PCT for the benefit
to the Grand Aerie, which the Auxiliary has collected from the participating members.
- What effect does this have on the Auxiliary Members initiated after May 31, 2009?
-
- Members initiated after May 31, 2009 will not participate in the program. They will
not pay $1.00 per year; they will not be counted in Funeral Benefit per capita tax.
- Why was this decision made?
-
- In 2009, a $200 benefit does not make a dent in the cost of a funeral; therefore,
the Funeral Benefit Fund does not have the desired effect it once had of attracting
or retaining new members. Surveys to members indicated that the Funeral Benefit
Fund has little effect on the decision to become a member.
- For several years, present value reports have indicated that the FB fund may not
be collecting enough money to pay out benefits as our membership grows and ages.
The auditors requested we do an actuarial study to determine if we could actually
pay the benefits years down the road as the population ages.
- As the market started turning downward and investments began declining in value,
we commissioned the study. Declining market value would make the situation worse,
not better, so it was time to address the issue.
- The actuarial firm did the study and confirmed that long-term, the ladies would
need to pay more money into the fund in order to keep the benefit sustainable. The
participants should be paying $6.50 per person to receive the $200. As it is very
difficult to pass an increase in FB PCT, the other alternative was to “freeze” the
current members who are participating and not include anyone else into the program.
Through natural attrition, the participant numbers will decrease over time which
allows the plan to remain solvent for the current members.
- Positive outcomes from the decision (see April Eagle Magazine for more details on
the Diabetes Center donation):
-
- With the closing of enrollment to new or re-enrolled members, some funds would be
freed up to utilize for other projects. The Grand Aerie Board felt it was important
that the Ladies Auxiliary fully make this decision and also be allowed to determine
what to do with any excess funds. The donation to the Diabetes Research Center was
a project the Auxiliary officers felt very strongly about putting their name on
and this opportunity presented the Auxiliary with the funds to participate in a
meaningful way, to literally choose “an investment in life over an investment in
death”.
- Important to note is that even if the Diabetes Research Center project did not exist,
the FB Fund would have still needed to be addressed. The Diabetes project merely
provided the ladies an opportunity to “get on the map” and do a great thing for
the whole Order.
CORRECTION: Constitution and Rules and Regulations Book To Come
Page 14 of the April Eagle Magazine notes The Constitution and Rules and Regulations
are now available in one book – this dual Constitution and Rules and Regulations
book will not be made available until after the International Convention.
2009 Grand Convention Information Posted
Housing, ticket information and entertainment listings have been posted to the Convention page of the Grand
Aerie Website. See you in Reno!