First Announcement

Sad to announce the passing of Stephen J. Whisdosh, Ed.D.

Stephen J. Whisdosh, Ed.D. 59, of Unity Township, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Born January 20, 1952 in Latrobe, PA he was the son of the late Steve A. and Anne (Gruss) Whisdosh. Dr. Whisdosh was a lifelong member of St. Florian Catholic Church, United, PA where he served as organist and choir director for 47 years. He was a graduate of St. Joseph Hall, Greensburg, PA, Class of 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Duquesne University in 1973 and a Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University in 1975. In 1996, he was awarded a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

He began his career in 1973 as a teacher at St. Vincent Elementary School in Latrobe, PA. In 1975, he was hired by the Mt. Pleasant Area School District where he served as a social studies teacher, guidance counselor and junior high school principal. In 1985, he accepted a position in the Ligonier Valley School District and served as the principal at Laurel Valley Middle/High School in New Florence, PA. In 1992, he was appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Rochester Area School District in Beaver County. In 1996, Dr. Whisdosh was appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Ligonier Valley School District, a position he held until his retirement in 2008. Since his retirement from public education, Dr. Whisdosh served as an adjunct professor in the masters' and doctoral education programs at Gannon University. He also served as a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and mentored beginning principals and superintendents throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dr. Whisdosh previously served as Chairman of the Westmoreland County Chief School Administrators and President of the Beaver County Chief School Administrators. He was also a member of the American Institute of School Administrators, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Ligonier Valley Educational Trust, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Westmoreland County Educational Consultant to the Boy Scouts of America and the St. Vincent Prevention Program Steering Committee.

Dr. Whisdosh was a lifelong member of First Catholic Slovak Union ("Jednota") Branch 181, United, PA. He served as National Secretary of the Supreme Court and Convention Organist for the First Catholic Slovak Union. He also served as an organist at St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish in Donegal, PA and as the Director of Music and Choir Director at First Christian Church in Greensburg, PA.

Dr. Whisdosh is survived by his wife of 35 years Kathryn M. (Hoak) and son Stephen M. (Bridget E.) of Mt. Lebanon, PA; granddaughter, Margaret A.; and sister, Suzanne M. (Patsy A.) Iezzi of Greensburg. Dr. Whisdosh is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Family and Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday in the Jay A. Hoffer Funeral Home, Norvelt, PA. A blessing service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. to be concelebrated in St. Florian Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard P. Karenbauer as leading celebrant. Internment to follow in St. Florian Cemetery, Trauger. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Florian Church, Box 187, United, PA 15689 This document was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties.



Second Announcement

First Catholic Slovak Union Annuity & IRA Interest Rates effective
December 1, 2010

Earn, for the first year, 3.00% (2.956% APR)
on a new "Park Free Plus Annuity" - maximum deposit is $25,000

Earn 3.90% (3.826% APR) on a new
Eight Year Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity or IRA

Earn 3.65% (3.585% APR) on existing
Flexible Premium Deferred Annuities & IRA's

Earn 3.00% (2.956% APR) on a new "Park 2 Annuity"

Earn 3.40% (3.344% APR) on a new Six Year Fixed Rate Annuity & IRA

Earn 3.40% (3.344% APR) on accounts with the "Cash Interest" Option

Earn 3.15% (3.102% APR) for new Settlement Options


Click here for more information on our Annuity Plans

Contact your local branch officer or
the Home Office at 1-800-533-6682

Email us at fcsu@aol.com


Third Announcement HOW SOUND IS THE FCSU

 

 

HOW SOUND IS THE FCSU?

 

From time to time, we receive inquiries as to the strength of our Jednota and how financially sound we are.  This is understandable, especially in view of the recent economic turmoil and financial troubles of some larger corporations.  Following are some facts regarding our organization.

 

1.                  The Society was incorporated in 1890!

·         That means we have been in continuing successful operation for 120 years.

·         How many businesses can make that boast?

 

2.                  Our assets now exceed $234,794,000.

·         In just the last 5 years, assets have increased 20.1%.  In 2005 assets totaled $195,540,901.

 

3.                  Our financial position as of December 31, 2009 is as follows:

·         Bonds constitute 83.0% of the Society’s assets, and have an average maturity of 13 years.  The Society enjoys excellent bond quality, with 89.7% of the bonds in the two highest NAIC rating classes.  Preferred Stock now makes up 2.9% of invested assets and Common Stock 1.4% in an effort to diversify the portfolio and increase investment return.  Other assets consist of cash (1.9%); mortgages (0.9%); real estate (1.1%); and all others (8.8%).  The Society’s net investment rate of return was 7.13%, which mirrors the five-year average of 6.47%.

 

4.                  Surplus funds and other non-liability reserves total over $17,082,472, an increase of 36% over 2008.   

·         These funds are available in case of market downturn, or an unforeseen emergency.

 

5.                  The Society is regulated by the insurance department of the state of Ohio, as well, as the insurance departments in each state it is licensed.

·         The Insurance departments conduct regular examinations on a periodic basis and a regular examination was completed during 2005.  No major problems were noted.

 

6.                  The Society is a member of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA).  The NFCA was founded in 1886 and is the recognized leader of the Fraternal Benefit System.  Its member organizations work together to meet the challenges of a changing world.  Member organizations must meet the NFCA’s established Membership Standard and agree to follow the business principles and ethics as prescribed by the Congress.

 

7.                  The Organization files financial statements on a quarterly and annual basis using the prescribed industry forms and format.

·         The financial statements are filed and reviewed by each state in which the Society is licensed.

·         The Society has regular audits by its internal auditors.

·         The Society’s external auditors annually audit the financial operations of the Society and submit the required certified report to the State insurance department.

 

We point with pride to our long, sound service to our members and the public sector.


Click here to view the Financial Statements for 2006, 2007, and 2008  

    



Fourth Announcement

May 2007

TO:
      Branch Officers and Recommenders of the First Catholic Slovak Union

FROM:
      Kenneth A. Arendt, Executive Secretary

The actuaries at our annual Board of Directors Meeting recommended we raise the minimum insurance for our society. Effective June 1, 2007 the minimum amount of new insurance sold will be as follows:

  $  5,000.00 Whole Life
  $25,000.00 Term Insurance
  $  1,000.00 Educational Plan
  $10,000.00 JEP Plan

If you have any questions, please contact the home office.

KAA/kd


Fifth Announcement

Attention Agents!

View our agent ad and sell insurance for
The First Catholic Slovak Union!

Please contact us at fcsu@aol.com for more information.




Sixth Announcement

Here is the schedule of publication dates for the
             Jednota Newspaper for 2011

   Issue Date   Deadline for news material
   March 16, 2011   March 7, 2011
   March 30, 2011   March 21, 2011
   April 27, 2011   April 18, 2011
   May 11, 2011   May 2, 2011
   May 25, 2011   May 16, 2011
   June 8, 2011   May 30, 2011
   July 6, 2011   June 27, 2011
   August 3, 2011   July 25, 2011
   August 31, 2011   August 22, 2011
   September 14, 2011   September 2, 2011
   September 28, 2011   September 19, 2011
   October 12, 2011   October 3, 2011
   October 26, 2011   October 17, 2011
   November 9, 2011   October 31, 2011
   November 23, 2011   November 14, 2011
   December 7, 2011   November 28, 2011



Seventh Announcement

WANTED

The First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States & Canada

is seeking  agents or licensed Recommenders who are fluent in

the Slovak language to represent the Society and market our

Life Insurance and Annuity products, especially in the New York

and New Jersey area.

 

Please call or e-mail:

President Andrew M. Rajec – 1-800 JEDNOTA (533-6682) or

Vice-President Andrew R. Harcar, Sr. – 1-800-JEDNOTA (533-6682)

E-mail: president@fcsu.com  

 

 

 

HĽADĀME

 

Prvá  Katolícka Slovenská Jednota Spojených Štátov a Kanady hľadá

Slovensky plynule hovoriacich agentov alebo licencovaných doporučiteľov,

ktorý by reprezentovali našu spoločnosť a ponúkali naše životné poistky

a životné sporenie, najmä v oblasti štátov New York a New Jersey. 

 

O bližšie  informácie zavolajte alebo pošlite e-mailovú správu:

 

Prezident Andrew M. Rajec – 1-800 JEDNOTA (533-6682) alebo

Zástupca Prezidenta Andrew R. Harcar, Sr. – 1-800-JEDNOTA (533-6682)

E-mail: president@fcsu.com  

 

 

 



Eighth Announcement

Click here to see the Slovak Catholic Federation Annual Appeal Report