From the Desk of the Fraternal and Youth Director

FCSLA ended the year of 2010 on a very positive note. I had the opportunity with the approval and encouragement of management to start three new branches within three weeks. This year—with the cooperation of Sales Agents, Ed Bach, Donald Bill, James & Maggie Bair, Tom Keogh, Michael Moravec and Darin Sterup—FCSLA has five new senior branches and one new junior branch. Three of the branches were in the central, southern and eastern part of Indiana, two branches were in new cities in Nebraska and one is our first branch in Massachusetts.

There are many areas in the United States where FCSLA does not have a branch at the present time. We are now licensed in 47 states and DC. Many of our agents are working toward the required number of new members for a new branch. When an agent sells the required number of new members, 10 for a senior branch and 15 for a junior branch, a letter is sent to our National President to approve establishing the new branch. Our National President responds to the letter immediately. Upon approval, authorization is then given to start the new branch. I then make plans with the agent and new members to schedule an initial meeting to go over the Branch Management Officer's Guide and elect the new officers.

Four of our new branches have already planned and executed successful Matching Funds Projects in 2010. The funds raised were matched for $500.00 each for four charitable or benevolent causes.

What a thrilling time for you as an FCSLA Member, to watch the FCSLA grow. Our National Sales Manager, Patrick Braun has also given his full cooperation to this endeavor and when his schedule allows he joins me to celebrate with the new branch at the initial meeting. I look forward to continue working in establishing many more new branches in 2011. The cooperation of the Home Office gives Patrick and me the opportunity to work with our contracted agents for the growth and future of our FCSLA organization.

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