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For the second year in a row, supporters of the Montgomery Cheetahs’ hosted the “Cheetah-Thon” – a fundraising skate-a-thon event to raise money for the Montgomery Cheetah’s special hockey team. …

Looking for a different way to make your holiday season one full of the giving spirit? Why not throw a party?! Everyone loves them, and the holiday season is chock…

Looking for a different way to make your holiday season one full of the giving spirit? Why not throw a party?! Everyone loves them, and the holiday season is chock…

If you attended the 2017 UCT Convention, then you heard from our keynote speaker, Warren Barhorst, and his presentation on Leverage, as well as Julie Vreeland’s presentation on The Right…

Blog #2 – here we go! So, if you attended the 2017 UCT Convention, then you also heard from our Wednesday morning presenter, Julie Vreeland from MAVA (Minnesota Association for…

The 2nd annual UCT Alternative Council Training Session wrapped up this past Saturday afternoon after a three-day event. Nearly 20 new UCT members from across the U.S. traveled to Columbus, Ohio,…

Call me biased, but I think UCT is a great organization! As a non-profit membership society that strives to give back to local communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, we’re…

The 4th Annual UCT Winter Hockey Festival has come to an end – and what a special festival it was! Not only was it the first time UCT brought the…

  UCT’s website recently underwent a facelift and in the process opened up a whole new world for our local councils – they now have individual websites! Besides checking out…

The 5th annual UCT Food Truck Rally will once again kick off the UCT home office’s Operation Feed campaign for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank from 11 am-2 pm on Thursday, June…

Thursday marks Thanksgiving in the U.S., our annual day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year – with a little overeating and football…

UCT celebrated the 125th anniversary of our founding on Jan. 16. To mark the occasion, and UCT’s commitment to doing good for others, employees performed random acts of kindness for…

• Minimum Deposit Casinos 2020 • Paypal • No Deposit only NZ destinations as slots or laptop computer, no transaction what takes the deposit free spins no deposit? Yes, there…

On January 16, UCT will celebrate the 125th anniversary of our founding.  We have been helping our members and their local communities for a long time, and we look forward to continuing those…

UCT is a non-profit financial services membership organization with over 70,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. Our members work to enhance their communities through community service, charitable fundraising and…

On Tuesday, April 21, I was part of a group of fraternal executives that spent the day on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. The American Fraternal Alliance organizes meetings with…

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 in commemoration of the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of…

We love that you enjoy reading the UCT Blog…but have you read these other great blogs? Check out a few of our favorites:   American Cancer Society Together with our…

  The first ever UCT Alternative Council Training Session, held at the home office in October, was a huge success! Over 18 alternative council officers and members from across the U.S….

The American Fraternal Alliance hosts mid-year meetings for a variety of audiences — Fraternal Management, Presidents and CEO’s, Actuaries, and Investment Managers to name a few. UCT tries to have representatives…

As you can see on our website, UCT is a non-profit financial services membership organization.  It is an unusual business model, but one that has been around since the late 1800’s.  The…

We have a guest blogger today!! Jacqueline Kaufman, coach of the Ann Arbor Rockets special hockey team in Michigan, shares with us her experience using the Kaye Trainer with one…

Many of us at UCT’s home office are getting set to leave for Wichita, Kansas, for our annual convention, which kicks off on June 28. UCT members from across North…

We have another guest blogger today!! Dave Chase, coach of the Valencia SNAP Flyers special hockey team in California, and secretary of the UCT Valencia SNAP Flyers Council 2011, shares…

Autism Awareness Month is recognized each April to highlight the growing need for awareness and understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during…

UCT is in its third year as the national sponsor of ASHA to help grow special hockey programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our three-year donations total more…

I read an article recently describing some leading-edge ideas in finance, and it discussed a new type of corporation called a “Benefit Corporation”.  Intrigued, I went to the Benefit Corporation…

Fraternal Benefit Societies have helped families and local communities for over a century. They provide financial security and community service opportunities to their members, and a sense of community driven by…

2020 was an unprecedented year. Across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact, and food insecurity became a major side effect of its decimation. The number of individuals…

Sunday, May 10, 2020, is Mother’s Day in the United States and Canada, which means that moms everywhere will be remembered with cards, flowers, chocolates and a whole lot of…

Volunteering is an amazing thing…not only does it benefit the cause you are supporting, but volunteering effects the volunteer. A recent study by the Corporation for National and Community Service,…

An important part of our organizational culture is built around how we share the UCT message and welcome new members. UCT’s Membership Development Awards Program is the way we award…

Do you have a child or grandchild headed off to college soon? My son graduated from The Ohio State University in December. If it weren’t for all the scholarships he…

Tonight UCT’s Columbus councils will be coming together for a happy hour meet and greet to connect and share. This will be a first-ever event of this kind for Columbus’…

Remember the game “telephone” where the message at the end of the game turned out to be totally different from the message at the beginning of the game? For those…

What can we say… we like to give money away! Especially when the money is supporting a special education program like the one at Truman Elementary in Springfield, Missouri –…

Tomorrow will officially be December – and today is Giving Tuesday – which for many people means the start of the holiday season, traditionally the season of giving. And while…

For the past couple of years we have been adding more presentations and educational sessions for our members at the annual UCT Convention – and this year will be no…

Hey special hockey teams – this is your last chance to enter to win some serious cash! The deadline for submitting a video to the UCT Gives Back AGAIN to…

Community. It’s what UCT members and local councils are all about. Whether it’s volunteering or supporting community causes and charities through other projects, our members throughout the U.S. and Canada…

It’s been a tough year, and at times it has felt like the world is unraveling. Whether it’s been dealing with sickness, separation from family and other loved ones, social…

October was designated as Celebration Month in response to several special hockey teams that received their Kaye Trainer device during the month. The first team that celebrated was the Bowling Green…

UCT’s U.S. members and their families are entitled to discounts on full-service moving and storage services thanks to our partnership with Wheaton World Wide Moving | Bekins Van Lines. April…

Hey everyone!  Jen here – Community Outreach Manager for UCT… Do you already belong to a UCT Traditional or Alternative Council? Are you looking to form a new one? If…

On Thursday morning, April 3, 2014, UCT’s CEO Joe Hoffman and I entered the gymnasium at Eldon High School in Eldon, Missouri with a check for $10,000 and were greeted…

UCT has added 11 new councils in the past year and the volunteer hours keep flowing…so much that we had to add new ways of communicating just how many great…

I just spent 4 days in the lovely town of Minneapolis at the Non-Profit Technology Conference (NTC) and experienced a life changing moment during the opening session led by Beth…

Fall is officially here, and along with the change of seasons come new volunteer opportunities to make a difference in your community. Homeless shelters are preparing for upcoming cold weather….

Now that fall is here, it’s time to start thinking about the new community service opportunities that come with the change of seasons. Homeless shelters are preparing for upcoming cold…

I wanted to share the recent success of one of our new Alternative Council’s last charity event.  On September 14th 2013, Families for a Cure Council #2007 hosted the first…

With Valentine’s Day just days away, it seems like a good time to talk about our hearts – literally. Through the American Heart Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation…

The 5th annual UCT Winter Hockey Festival returns to its roots this weekend as we return to Northwest Ohio. The first two festivals were held at the outdoor rink in…

I have some news that may come as a surprise to many of you. I was recently approached by a local firm to join them as a Managing Partner. It…

UCT, like all Fraternals, provides financial services products to our members.  As you can see on our website, we are an international member-benefit organization. Our members work to improve their local…

We are less than one month out from the official Join Hands Day – a day dedicated to bridging the gap between older and younger generations through community service. UCT…

Given that last month was Hunger Awareness Week in Canada and that it’s Hunger Awareness Month in the U.S. this month, it seems like a good time to talk about…

Social media have had a significant impact on how we interact with each other.  People routinely learn about major events online.  There is real time information that keeps people informed,…

UCT doesn’t just talk about helping communities and giving back – we put our money where our mouths are…by supporting the Mid-Ohio Foodbank Operation Feed campaign. OPERATION FEED is a community-wide…

A UCT contingent attended the American Fraternal Alliance’s annual meeting in Austin, Texas, Sept. 4-6. UCT Vice President Tom Hoffman, Community Outreach Manager Jen Szymczak, Compliance Support Analyst Spencer Germann, and I…

On Saturday I will be heading to Washington DC to attend the American Fraternal Alliance mid year Presidents’ meeting. UCT’s Marketing Manager, Heather Darling will also be there as a…

Today we are excited to share our blog space with Ethan White, UCT’s Social Media Intern and soon to be graduate of The Ohio State University. Without further ado…Ethan White’s…

In a heated race to the finish, Galax Elementary pulled ahead in the final hours of UCT Gives Back – thanks to a little help from the local TV station…

UCT members are special volunteers and the cornerstone of our organization. Every day, across North America they’re making a difference in their communities and having a positive impact on those…

Election Day might have come and gone, but our appeals for your votes are just beginning! That’s right! UCT is awarding a $10,000 first place and $5,000 second place prize…

UCT Gives Back is awarding $10,000 to one deserving school…and YOU decide which one! That’s right – 9 very deserving finalists have been selected from schools that submitted videos showing how…

UCT Gives Back AGAIN video contest is awarding $15,000 to two deserving schools…and YOU decide which ones! That’s right – schools that submit videos showing how the prize money would…

Congratulations to Families for a Cure Council 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, for winning the October-December 2014 quarter of the UCT Photo Contest! The photo of UCT members and other volunteers “jumping…

Congratulations to Families for a Cure Council 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, for winning the October-December 2014 quarter of the UCT Photo Contest! The photo of UCT members and other volunteers “jumping…

UCT members are some of the most generous, community-conscious people there are. In addition to all the good works you do in your local communities year-round, each year in July…

As we get close to Thanksgiving, many people take time to think about the good things in their lives; what they have to be thankful for. At UCT we have selected…

More and more companies and organizations are finding that a simple way to have a huge impact on the environment is through reducing paper consumption by turning paper documents into…

Tomorrow those of us in the U.S. will celebrate the 237th birthday of our country, a commemoration that means different things to different people. For me, as an employee and…

“May you live in interesting times.” How often have we heard this adage at different periods in our lives? I don’t know about you, but this past year certainly qualifies…

At our annual convention a few weeks ago, Mary Applegate, a member of UCT’s Fort Myers, Florida Council 900, was awarded our top volunteer award for 2013. Mary has been…

Let’s face it, 2020 has been plenty scary, and as we round the corner on arguably the scariest and, for some of us, absolute best holiday of the year, many…

For over 25 years, UCT’s Columbus Council #1 has been a sponsor of the Columbus Sports Classic, a Special Olympics event held every May at Whetstone High School in Columbus,…

What is it about those years when you have those “significant number” birthdays that makes one spend time reflecting on the past? This is one of those years for me….

Most of you have probably seen the efforts to help with Breast Cancer Awareness Month by NFL and MLS teams.  Pink is evident in every stadium.   A cure for cancer…

At last year’s UCT convention in New Orleans, members contributed over $6,000 to One Heart NOLA to help kids navigating the foster system. For our 2020 convention in Lexington we’re…

Last week, my wife and I spent 5 days cycling the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It is a 200 mile trip around the island of Cape Breton….

Wondering what it takes to make a winning video for the UCT Gives Back AGAIN to Special Hockey Video Contest? Here are some tips that will help you to increase…

Each year, UCT sponsors a safety poster contest for students in public, private and parochial schools and for students with intellectual disabilities. Schools across North America are eligible to participate,…

COVID-19, along with the cancellation of the 2020 UCT convention, is forcing us all to make adjustments to the ways we conduct our UCT business. It’s a new normal that,…

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and…

Saturday, September 11 is 9/11 Day, Patriot Day in the U.S., a National Day of Service & Remembrance. Especially on this 20th anniversary, it’s a great opportunity to help others…

UCT gives back…AGAIN by sponsoring a video contest to award $15,000! Helping people with intellectual disabilities has been UCT’s number one community service project for over 50 years. Following up…

UCT gives back to people with intellectual disabilities by sponsoring a video contest for $10,000! UCT is excited to announce our upcoming video contest, “UCT Gives Back” which will award…

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Nebraska-Kansas Regional Convention this year. It was held at the beautiful Mahoney State Park in Ashland, NE. I was pleasantly surprised when…

With the COVID-19 virus making its way across the U.S. and Canada, we want our UCT members to stay in and stay safe and healthy. The last thing we want…

We’re pleased to announce that the UCT Board of Governors recently approved the creation of a new UCT scholarship program – the Ann Marshall Scholarship Program. This program will, in…

UCT has been committed to youth, education and leadership development across the U.S. and Canada for over 125 years.  As a non-profit organization that gives back to local communities in…

If you’ve been a part of UCT for any amount of time, you know Ann Marshall. Everyone here at the home office knows that Ann is a lifeline to our…

By now you’ve surely heard the end of the world is near. Tomorrow, actually, if you believe the doomsday preppers and Mayan calendar followers. UCT employees are pretty confident we’ll be around to ring…

The long winter has almost reached an end, and it’s time to “think spring!” For many UCT members this means it’s time to start planning a JOIN HANDS DAY project…

Every UCT local council has at least one amazing member that goes the extra distance to make a positive difference in their council and community. You know the one I’m…

When you stop and think about it, many things have come to women surprisingly recently: The right to vote. The right to own property. And, perhaps less surprisingly, the existence…

Mark your calendars Join Hands Day is fast approaching! Traditionally held the first Saturday in May, Join Hands Day is a product of the American Fraternal Alliance. The day is…

Last call! I know every UCT local council has at least one member who goes the extra mile in their volunteer efforts and deserves to be nominated for their achievements….

Thanksgiving week is officially here! Bring on the turkey, football, family and of course the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade – a must-watch in my house. Over the past couple of…

UCT’s 130th anniversary is coming up on Jan. 8, 2018 – and we intend to celebrate it! As a lead up to our anniversary festivities, UCT’s home office will be…

With only a few days left before the New Year, I’ve been thinking about some of the great things in store in 2014.  We have several new initiatives planned for…

As we near Election Day, those of us who live in swing states are receiving a lot of attention from candidates of both parties and from the media.  The speeches and the advertising…

As our members start gearing up for the annual UCT Convention in Greenville, SC, so do the donations for our annual service project. This year, we will be collecting monetary…

March is a month full of celebration and awareness. We kicked off March with a salute to UCT women in honor of Women’s History month, it is also Colon Cancer…

Congratulations to Past International President Darlene Gillies of Neepawa, Manitoba Council 924, who was named the 2018 Volunteer of the Year! Through her local council Darlene has been involved with…

Plenty of celebrating going on in Coldwater, Michigan lately! Last month we announced that the Waldron Learning Center won second place and $5,000 in the UCT Gives Back AGAIN video…

UCT members have a long history of working to improve their local communities.  Over the past 125 years, our members have volunteered to support a wide variety of charitable causes. …

Give the gift of hearing to yourself and help someone in need at the same time! That’s the idea behind Precise Hearing and Ideal Hearing’s latest campaign for UCT members….

We just launched our new Member Hub portal that brings together in one place all member and SIS (Secretary Inquiry System) information. This combined website replaces the old, individual member…

The UCT Gives Back to Special Hockey video contest off to a great start! The videos of the 10 deserving finalists how the $10,000 and $5,000 prizes would help their…

Les bonus tours gratuits sur le choix de télécharger une site est relativement simple: soyez sûr de télécharger quoique ce qui met la célèbre Autorité régissant les jeux online présent…

I recently had the exciting opportunity to visit with Truman Elementary in Springfield, Missouri to present them with $10,000 for winning 1st place in the 2017 UCT Gives Back AGAIN…

Today is Veterans Day in the U. S. and Remembrance Day in Canada. Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed annually on November 11 to honor military veterans. Remembrance Day…

As each month of the year is used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something, October gives…

In 2009, UCT developed a strategic plan to determine how to move the organization forward for the next 125 years. Part of any strategic plan is developing or reaffirming a…

As we do every year, our employees here at UCT are involved in the Operation Feed campaign here in Columbus. Operation Feed is an effort to help the Mid Ohio…

This year’s UCT Convention service project will benefit Rainbows United, a Wichita organization dedicated to helping children with special needs, birth through age 21, and their families by bringing together…

As the weather finally begins to get warmer, my wife and I have begun our training.  This past Saturday we did a 30 mile bicycle ride on some country roads…

We welcome back guest blogger, Loretta Hoffman, who along with her husband, UCT’s CEO, Joe Hoffman, rode to raise money for cancer research. Take it away, Loretta!   A couple…

This week we welcome guest blogger Loretta Hoffman (wife of UCT CEO, Joe Hoffman) as she prepares for Pelotonia this weekend… This Saturday, August 10, Joe and I will be…

This is the time of the year that we begin to compile statistics on the community service work of our members. We haven’t finalized the numbers for this year, but…

At this year’s UCT annual convention, we are hosting Phil Gwoke from A-Speakers, International Speakers Bureau as our keynote speaker at Opening Ceremonies on Sunday evening. Phil is a passionate…

As a fraternal, UCT is both a membership organization and a non-profit insurance carrier. Our members volunteer to improve their local communities, and we provide them with financial security through…

As a fraternal, UCT is both a membership organization and a non-profit insurance carrier. Our members volunteer to improve their local communities, and we provide them with financial security through…

As I’ve mentioned in prior blogs, the American Fraternal Alliance initiated an effort a few months ago to gain 100 sponsors for House Resolution 19. I asked members to contact…

Tomorrow is Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, one day set aside each year to show appreciation for our service people and the other to remember…

Volunteering makes us feel good. And getting to meet and learn about other people is a nice perk. But people volunteer for a lot of different reasons that are unique…

Every year in July, UCT members from across North America gather for our annual UCT Convention. The convention is a perfect mix of socializing, networking, taking care of business, and…

March is women’s history month in the U.S., a time to celebrate the accomplishments and diversity women have brought to the world, a time for women everywhere to note how…

Happy New Year! If you’re like me, you’ve probably made a number of resolutions for 2014, and now you’re wondering which ones to get started on first. Here’s an idea:…

My son was recently married, and it was a great weekend.  Everyone enjoyed the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the reception.  It was a lot of fun.   The ceremony…

Everyone knows her as the lady who lived with the chimpanzees and have watched her National Geographic Specials, but what many don’t realize is that Dr. Jane Goodall has established one…

Each year UCT sponsors a safety poster contest for students under age 19 in public, private and parochial schools and for all individuals with intellectual disabilities in special education classes…

It’s that time of year again: regional conventions are underway, delegates are being selected and the UCT fraternal team wants to know who is joining us at convention this July…

Nothing makes us happier than being able to help others, especially children! And through the UCT Gives Back AGAIN video contest, we were able to do just that. Earlier this…

A new friend is making her debut on Sesame Street! Her name is Julia – she is sweet, curious and loves to play. And she has autism. We’re excited to…

The holiday season is undeniably here, and I confess it has me – as it sometimes does – pondering what the spirit of the season really means. Can it be…

It’s been said that fraternal benefit organizations are the “best kept secret” in the insurance industry. And you know we must be EXCELLENT at keeping secrets because the majority of…

Believe it or not the dog days of summer are over, and in a few weeks fall officially begins! And that means that kids across the U.S. and Canada are…

The busy holiday season is fast upon us! For many of us this means time filled with shopping, holiday events and family traditions. But, for others who are less fortunate…

Later this year, the Smithsonian will open an exhibit called Giving in America, which will explore the role of philanthropy in America. It will delve into all types of philanthropic…

I recently attended the annual meeting of the American Fraternal Alliance, and it was a great meeting. One of the speakers was Jim Collins, best selling business author of books…

In recent years interest in social entrepreneurship has been rising. Business schools have been developing programs for social entrepreneurs, and there has been an increasing interest among students for these…

Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada. In the U.S. it’s a day to thank active duty military and returned veterans for the…

During this holiday season I wanted to write about the spirit of giving. The true spirit of giving is doing for others with no expectation of gain. It might be…

The sun’s shining and just about everyone is out and about – summer’s in full swing! It’s the ideal time of year to get active and give back to your…

Over the holidays I had a chance to watch the movie “The Miracle Worker.” I remember watching it many years ago, but this time it took on new meaning for…

Take 100 plus special hockey players, the Los Angeles Kings NHL team, a whole lot of ice, and even more enthusiasm, and what have you got? The 4th annual UCT…

We just wrapped up our UCT Gives Back AGAIN to Special Hockey video contest on Saturday – and made two American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) special hockey teams very happy…

We have all been to those charity events before. You know the ones that have you checking your watch every few minutes and planning your exit strategy. Let’s face it,…

If you’re a curling fan, you probably know the annual Tim Hortons Brier, Canada’s national men’s curling championship, was held this year in Brandon, Manitoba. And you probably also know…

It’s officially spring! At least that’s what the calendar tells us. While many of us are getting ready for spring break travels, others might be planning to spend the time just kicking back…

Spring is a time of renewal for many, and while some of us might sneeze and wheeze through the season, it’s still wonderful to see blooming flowers and trees. Spring…

Seriously, what are you waiting for? There’s no better time than the present to get involved with the 130 Challenge. It is actually something you can accomplish with a little…

Created to award scholarships to members and the children and grandchildren of members, the Ann Marshall Scholarship Program just granted $700 scholarships each to 26 students from across the U.S….

As George Harrison so famously sang, “…it’s been a long cold lonely winter…” For most of us spring cannot come soon enough. For the homeless, it must have been unbelievably harsh….

As you may know, the US Senate has begun a tax reform effort. In late June, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen….

Despite restrictions due to COVID-19, UCT home office employees and members of Columbus’ M.J. Terapak Council 144 and Buckeye Council 2000 stepped up to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s…

In my home, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to embrace and share heritage established by generations. We always have family around and cook the biggest turkey we can find. This year…

Her name is Christina Beard, and she’s currently a freshman at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Christina is the individual who heard about the Rolling Café at Truman Elementary, filmed…

The UCT staff made it safely to Laurel, Maryland, and are now setting up for the 3rd annual UCT Winter Hockey Festival to benefit special hockey programs within our partnered…

We’re less than one month out from the UCT Convention! Sandy Shafer, Vice President of Fraternal, wanted to share some insight into this year’s event and what you can expect…….

The Ann Marshall Scholarship Program was created in 2020 to fill the void left by the suspension of UCT’s May E. Tisdale Scholarship Fund by awarding scholarships to members and…

We’re getting set to distribute the first scholarships this spring from the newly established Ann Marshall Scholarship Program, and we could use your help. The program, like the May E….

If you landed on our home page (www.uct.org) you were greeted with the question “What is UCT?” I hope you read the answer and watched the video. We have an…

UCT’s local councils have been giving back to their communities by supporting and working with worthy causes and organizations within them for well over 100 years. Through these partnerships, councils…

It’s a bird…it’s a plane…no, it’s the UCT Annual Convention – and it’s ALMOST HERE!   UCT members gather every year to conduct business meetings and vote on amendments and…

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “the dog days of summer” or the “the dog days of August” around this time of year. This generally refers to what is often the…

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal on September 26 entitled “The Middle Class Squeeze” by Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph. He talked about various…

Since the financial crisis hit in 2008, there have been several high profile cases of people in the financial sector behaving badly.  The unethical and criminal behavior that has been…

UCT member, advocate and special hockey enthusiast, Dave Chase took to Constant Contact to help spread the word to his 300 plus network about the UCT Kaye Trainer International Capital…

2020 marks the 60th anniversary of the May E. Tisdale Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships to the children and grandchildren of UCT members. This was established by UCT’s Supreme…

Over the past few days the Olympics have dominated the sports news. The competition is always fun to watch, and there are always surprising results. As they used to put it on…

Schools in your community with programs for people with intellectual disabilities or universities with programs to train special education teachers still have time to enter our “UCT Gives Back” video…

UCT Gives Back closes the door on submissions TOMORROW, November 30th – so get your video entry in before 12:01am on December 1st!  The odds of winning are HIGH so…

UCT Gives Back…AGAIN is accepting video entries through December 31st – don’t delay, use the next 2 weeks to create and submit your video for a chance at $10,000! IT’S…

Today’s guest blogger is Mike Hickey, president of the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA). In case you haven’t heard, ASHA is raffling a 2015 Honda Accord donated to the organization…

We are approaching a very important milestone for our organization. On January 8, 2018 – we will officially celebrate 130 years of fraternalism, community service, dedicated members and a commitment…

Our Vice President of Sales, John Marshall, likes to talk about “the UCT Advantage” when he meets with our agents.  Our members are eligible to buy a variety of insurance…

The purpose behind the UCT Gives Back video contest for special hockey teams is not only to award two deserving teams with much needed financial support, but also to help…

UCT has been helping students with college expenses for well over 60 years. It’s something we’re dedicated to. Last year, we awarded more than $61,000 in scholarships to students across…

For more than 50 years UCT has made helping people with intellectual disabilities our top service project. In 1997 our UCT Charities fund was established as a way to support…

UCT has been awarding scholarships through the UCT Scholarship Program to students and teachers seeking degrees or certification in special education since 1960. Now funded by UCT Charities, this program…

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States, and for many of us that means hanging out with family and friends, eating too much turkey and pumpkin pie, watching too much…

As Veterans Day approaches this weekend, there will be a well-deserved outpouring of support for all those who have served the United States in uniform. After almost two decades of…

In case you didn’t hear – UCT Gives Back…Again is UCT’s second video contest for schools with programs for people with intellectual disabilities or universities with programs to train special…

Welcome to the UCT blog! Instead of going on and on about our organization, trying to sell you something, or being irrelevant, the UCT blog will use its powers for…

OK – so everyone and their brother posts a “Top 10 list of places to see” or “Top 10 vacation destinations” at this time of year, but we wanted to…

UCT was founded over 125 years ago with the goal to give back to those who are in need. Today, that goal still holds true and with some recent changes…

UCT was founded over 125 years ago with the goal to give back to those who are in need. Today, that goal still holds true and with some recent changes…

UCT councils throughout North America are constantly working at making a difference in their local communities by volunteering and supporting causes and charities that help others. Countless individuals with intellectual…

Last week, UCT held its 127th annual convention in Columbus, Ohio. UCT has been headquartered in Columbus since its founding in 1888, and while the location of the annual convention moves…

September is National Preparedness Month in the U.S., something I’ve never been aware of before, but here in Ohio our state emergency management agency and our governor are promoting it…

One of the ways that UCT invests in the future of our communities is by investing in students. We do this primarily by sponsoring three scholarship programs to help students…

UCT is excited to welcome another new alternative council – Families for a Cure Council #2007! This is our eighth alternative council formed since November with more potential councils on…

When it comes to UCT, “Where Community and Compassion Unite” isn’t just a tagline, it’s a way of life. For more than 125 years UCT members have been volunteering to…

If you’ve been reading our blog and Facebook posts for the past few weeks, you know that our UCT Gives Back to Special Hockey video contest to award a total…

This week we have a guest post from UCT Community Outreach Manager Jen Szymczak, who’s going to chat about the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) and our partnership with this…

Are you planning on attending the 2015 UCT Convention in Wichita, Kansas at the end of June? Then you definitely don’t want to miss the presentation by UCT Community Outreach…

UCT will hold its 125th annual meeting at the end of this month in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  The organization held its first annual meeting in 1888 and since that first…

In case you haven’t heard, today is International Women’s Day, a global holiday commemorating women’s many accomplishments. March is also Women’s History Month in the U.S., 31 days dedicated to…

UCT has supported programs for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities for over 60 years. It’s one of our top projects. Across North America our local councils support organizations like…

It was a UCT convention unlike any other. More than 125 UCT members enjoyed the safety and comfort of their homes while taking part in the 2020 convention conference call…

The UCT home office staff rallied once again to show our support for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and the people who depend on it. UCT’s Special Projects coordinator Jessica Myers along…

It was a night to remember! More than a dozen UCT employees, members and loved ones put on their walking shoes to show support for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society….

UCT employees are pretty special people. I’ve said this many times over the years, and I’ll keep saying it. There are only around 50 of us who work at the…

Walking down the hall of the UCT home office I see a wizard. There in the lunch room is Wednesday Addams and her headless doll. At the receptionist’s desk did…

In the late 1970’s UCT’s home office started a contest that some 40 years later has become a favorite tradition. On one day in late October we come to the…

The back-to-school season is in full swing, which means that civic groups, companies and local charities are busy spearheading school-supply drives for schools in need. UCT home office employees got…

UCT employees have been collecting food and raising funds for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s Operation Feed campaign for decades. Last year was our best year yet for the campaign with $6,393…

I might be biased, but I think UCT employees are pretty special people! While there are less than 100 of us who work at the home office in Columbus, Ohio,…

As I look out my office window, I’m beginning to see tinges of fall colors and smatterings of scarlet and grey as Ohio State football begins to ramp up here…

Who is ready for Christmas? I’ll admit I still have some shopping to do, but the Christmas tree and decorations are up and ready for the holiday season. It has…

I keep telling you UCT employees are some of the most generous people I know, and it’s true. Though small in numbers (around 60 employees) we have BIG hearts! We…

For the 14th consecutive year, UCT home office employees/members will step up to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) battle against blood cancers by participating in the society’s annual…

Amazing things happen when caring people work together to make a difference in their communities! UCT’s home office employees – who are also UCT members – are perfect proof of…

UCT Gives Back launched this week and we want YOUR school to submit a video for a chance at winning $10,000! UCT Gives Back is a video contest open to…

As Sir Winston Churchill said, “we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” UCT’s members give of their time, talents and treasures…

After weeks of voting, with two schools running neck and neck to the end, we have two winners in our video contest, UCT Gives Back . . . Again. Eldon High…

In just a little over two weeks – 15 days to be exact – voting for the UCT Gives Back…AGAIN video contest will close, and UCT will award $10,000 to…

UCT Gives Back…to SPECIAL HOCKEY! That’s right, UCT is at it again and giving away $15,000 to special hockey programs in North America through the UCT Gives Back video contest!…

UCT Gives Back AGAIN Video Contest launched today and we want your school to submit a video for a chance at winning $10,000 or $5,000! Submission phase begins today and…

Helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been UCT’s number one community service project for over 60 years. In that spirit, in 2013 we awarded $10,000 to a program…

Last week we went to Eldon, Missouri, to present the first place prize for the UCT Gives Back contest to Eldon High School. Their program is very impressive, and the community…

One often wonders, how much more good could be done with more money? How much more magic can we create in special hockey programs with more funding? Now 54 ASHA…

That’s right – 10 very deserving finalists have been selected from special hockey programs that submitted videos showing how the $10,000 prize would help their program for individuals with intellectual…

UCT Gives Back…AGAIN and this time we’re giving away $15,000! We want YOUR school to submit a video for a chance to win. UCT Gives Back is a video contest…

Thanksgiving festivities were held October 8th for all Canadians, and as Americans gear up for the big day on November 22nd, we at UCT are stopping to GIVE THANKS for…

Summer officially arrives this week! It is perfect timing because this week the home office staff is ramping up our support for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and our Operation Feed campaign….

In December, UCT made two special hockey teams pretty darn happy by awarding them a $10,000 and $5,000 prize for their programs through the UCT Gives Back AGAIN to Special…

We’re excited to let you know that to date we’ve received a total of $19,577 in donations for our UCT Kaye Trainer International Capital Campaign! That’s enough for us to…

This week, we celebrated “Bring Your Child to Work Day” at the UCT home office in Columbus, Ohio. I asked our Special Projects Coordinator, Jessica Myers, who helped organized the…

More and more of our UCT local councils are getting on board with social media, particularly Facebook. Many councils have created Facebook groups and are actively posting UCT information for…

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the holidays and are starting to get back into your daily routines. We are looking forward to the new year and the opportunities…

UCT members are special people. Every day, across the U.S. and Canada they’re making a difference in their communities and having a positive impact on those who live there. UCT…

UCT members make a difference in their communities across North America and positively impact those who live there through their volunteer community service efforts every day. They embody UCT’s commitment…

The last six months have been surreal in so many ways. Mask wearing. Social distancing. Sheltering in place. Locking down. These are concepts that had no place in most of…

UCT members are volunteers across the U.S. and Canada giving back locally every day through community service. Our members produce amazing results. Over the past three years UCT’s numbers included…

Every day, across the U.S. and Canada, UCT members make a difference in their communities and have a positive impact on those who live there through their volunteer community service…

I’m always saying that UCT members are some of the most generous, community-conscious people I know, and don’t you know they always prove me right! In addition to all the…

In an effort to increase council activity and to enhance our partnership with ASHA (American Special Hockey Association) and SHI (Special Hockey International), UCT has officially kicked off the Kaye…

You’re most likely aware by now that due to COVID-19 the UCT Board of Governors has decided to cancel the 2021 face-to-face UCT convention in Lexington, Kentucky, in favor of…

This summer has seen Mother Nature once again flexing her muscle. Some areas of the U.S. and Canada have experienced record-breaking heat, drought and accompanying wildfires while others have been…

As a 501.c.8 membership organization, UCT is all about the folks who make our status possible – our members. I don’t need to tell anyone what a tough year 2020…

College is expensive. That’s why UCT is here to help. If you have a child or grandchild headed off to college soon, a UCT scholarship might be just what they’re…

UCT is very fortunate that we’re able to provide assistance to people in the form of scholarships. We are also fortunate that the recipients of our UCT Scholarship Program are willing to…

UCT is very fortunate that we’re able to provide assistance to people in the form of scholarships. We are also fortunate that the recipients of our UCT Scholarship Program are willing to…

On October 12, UCT employees and members will step up to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) battle against blood cancers by participating in the society’s annual Light The…

On Tuesday, September 10, UCT home office employees volunteered for United Way of Central Ohio’s annual Community Care Day. Their mission? To spruce up cabins at Flying Horse Farms, a non-profit camp…

This week UCT employees are kicking off our annual month-long Operation Feed campaign for Mid-Ohio Foodbank, which provides meals to thousands of hungry individuals in central and eastern Ohio each…

Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Kate Chillinsky, the new marketing manager at UCT. I’ve been working here for a few weeks now, but in reality I’ve been a part…

Hey, y’all, we’re headed to Lexington, Kentucky, June 27-29 for the 2020 UCT convention at the Hyatt Regency, and we want you to join us! The Hyatt Regency Lexington offers…

In our pre-COVID days when UCT conventions were still being held in person, we selected a specific cause or charity in the city where the convention was being held and…

First and foremost, for the current member year of April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018, nothing has changed to the Medal of Honor program. Everything you’ve already completed or…

From an adult perspective, the life of a child might look like pure bliss, but we all know that childhood poses challenges and concerns for every generation. Like those before…

Do you have a child or grandchild headed off to college soon? If so, then you know better than just about anyone that a college education is expensive. That’s why…

It’s no secret that obtaining a college degree today can be illogically expensive. A quick look at just how expensive it’s become succeeds in producing some sticker shock. For example,…

Back in October I talked a little about hunger in North America and manageable ways that local communities can address this growing issue. UCT is already on it, with many…

On April 18, 2012, a resolution was introduced to Congress.  The Promoting American Fraternalism Resolution recognizes the important contributions of Fraternal Benefit Societies to US communities. Among the points made…

With Memorial Day coming up at the end of the month, it’s a great time to think about ways to serve veterans who have so bravely served us – and…

The UCT Gives Back contest was meant to provide $10,000 to a school with a program for students with developmental or intellectual disabilities – but for Galax Elementary the reward…

UCT is a fraternal benefit member-society of the American Fraternal Alliance. The Alliance, formed in 1886, unites not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies like UCT operating in 50 states, the District of…

This is where the voting stands: Sandpoint Middle School-592 Oakstone Academy-519 St.Raphael School-428 Ivymount School-425 Eldon High School-331 Portage Collegiate Institute-307 Wilmot Union High School-286 Jessie Mae Monroe-151 Carleton Elementary-94…

UCT Gives Back to Special Hockey Video Contest is in to the third week of the voting phase – with over 21,000 votes tallied so far!!! Our top ten finalist…

UCT members are so passionate about giving back – especially to students in need – that we have a variety of scholarships available! Just check out what a UCT scholarship…

November 11 is a special day for UCT President Dianna Wolfe. Her husband, Richard, is a Vietnam veteran, which gives the day personal meaning to her. She was raised in…

Voting for our UCT Gives Back contest ends tomorrow.  We have had over 77,000 votes so far, and I’m excited to find out who wins.  The $10,000 prize will certainly…

In just over 8 days one deserving school will win $10,000 and another will win $5,000 through the UCT Gives Back…AGAIN video contest for schools with programs for students with intellectual…

In 205 hours UCT can award $10,000 to one deserving school. In 205 hours YOU can help determine which school wins! 205 Hours may seem like a long time, but…

For many businesses, the answer to what they do can be fairly short and succinct. GM manufactures cars. Kroger is a grocery store. McDonalds is a fast food restaurant. Everyone…

UCT’s website has undergone some updates recently. One item that is immediately apparent is the “What is UCT?” video on the landing page. It highlights the community service and volunteer…

UCT’s home office fraternal department has experienced some changes in the past few months – most notably retirements and new hires – that have left some of our members wondering…

Yesterday’s celebration was a result of some extremely determined coaches, special hockey athletes, families and friends of the West Michigan Patriots Special Hockey Team in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their efforts…

NHL Hockey Fans are clearly disappointed that the season has been delayed. Not only are fans unhappy, there have been articles about ancillary businesses (bars, restaurants, etc.) being affected, particularly in…

I spent last weekend at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel Maryland attending the UCT Winter Hockey Festival. It was a great event and the players seemed to really enjoy every…

Wondering what it takes to make a winning video for the UCT Gives Back Video Contest for Special Hockey Teams? Here are some tips that will help you to increase…

UCT kicked off The Kaye Trainer International Capital Campaign in July 2014. This is an ongoing campaign until we reach our total campaign goal of raising $200,000 or 80 Kaye…

There’s a school in Galax, VA who knows firsthand what a $10,000 windfall can do to enrich the lives of students with intellectual disabilities.  They know because they were the…

There’s a school in Galax, VA who knows firsthand what a $10,000 windfall can do to enrich the lives of students with intellectual disabilities.  They know because they were the…