Association Unites 9 Million Community Volunteers

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's premier association of fraternal benefit societies has adopted a new identity to better reflect its purpose, membership and value to communities throughout the nation: American Fraternal Alliance.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110105/DC24605LOGO)

The organization, which will be known informally as "the Fraternals" or "Fraternal Alliance," unveiled a new logo and tagline as part of its new identity. The association, formed in 1886, previously was called the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA).

The American Fraternal Alliance is a non-profit trade association with 70 members, each of which is a fraternal benefit society. These societies operate in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. They represent nearly 9 million individuals who participate in 31,500 local chapters—among America's largest member-volunteer networks. In the last year alone, members invested more than 91 million hours in community works and contributed $400 million to charitable programs supporting community service projects.

"The fraternal system today is making a substantive positive impact on the quality of life, the social fabric and economic health of the U.S. and Canada," stated Joseph J. Annotti, president and CEO of the American Fraternal Alliance. "Revamping our brand as 'the Fraternals' clarifies and amplifies our strengths for fraternalists, member societies, legislators, regulators and many people touched by the positive aspects of fraternalism."

The Fraternals' new tagline—United in service and financial security—speaks to the unique duality of the organization's not-for-profit members: Revenues from the sale of life insurance and benefits fund such volunteer efforts as food banks, disaster relief, military veteran assistance and educational scholarships.

"Fraternal benefit societies have a proud history, a more-relevant role today than ever, and a bright future in helping families and individuals," noted Mark Theisen, chair of the Fraternals' board of directors and executive vice president of finance and treasurer of the Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society.

Fraternal benefit societies are not-for-profit, mutual aid organizations, organized under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)8. Operating under the lodge system, societies provide insurance protection for members against financial risks of death, disease and disability. Societies offer fraternal benefits, such as scholarships, education, vocational opportunities and travel programs.

Members of fraternal benefit societies have a common bond, such as religious beliefs, gender, occupation, ethnicity, physical condition or value system.

About the American Fraternal Alliance

The American Fraternal Alliance, formed in 1886, unites 70 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents nearly 9 million individuals in 31,500 local chapters, making it one of America's largest member-volunteer networks.

www.FraternalAlliance.org

The Fraternals logo is available at http://www.fraternalalliance.org/member-center/logos.

CONTACT: Rose Riccetti-Andrikos, +1-630-522-6322 x114; randrikos@FraternalAlliance.org

SOURCE American Fraternal Alliance

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