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 Columbia and Canada.
As not-for-profit organizations owned by and accountable to their members, fraternals help secure members’ financial security through reliable insurance, annuities, and retirement savings products. They use the revenue from their financial services operations to fund projects and organize volunteer activities that reflect their members’ shared values. Fraternals inspire members to participate in one of the largest member-volunteer networks in the world – serving people in need through a variety of outreach programs and improving the quality of life in communities across North America.
Each year members of fraternal benefit societies invest millions of hours in community works and contribute millions of dollars to charitable programs supporting community service projects. Fraternal benefit societies provide insurance products and financial services as well as a variety of other benefits such as scholarships, educational programs, vocational opportunities, and group discount programs to members.
The Alliance develops and supports public policy initiatives at the state and federal level that foster the expansion of the fraternal business model, protect the financial security of fraternal insurers and their members, and allow fraternals to effectively carry out their unique business and social missions. This fraternal advocacy is one of the organization’s most important initiatives. The advocacy efforts of the organization’s staff and volunteers from member-societies have been instrumental in maintaining the important tax exempt status of fraternals like UCT.
In keeping with this endeavor, The Alliance is supporting a Congressional Resolution that reaffirms the value and validity of the fraternal business model. The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness of the many contributions Alliance member-societies make to the financial well-being of their members, as well as the quality of life within the communities in which those members live and work.
House Congressional Resolution 19, the “Fraternal Resolution” introduced in February 2015, is sponsored by Rep. Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Paulsen (R-MN). The Alliance has initiated the Race to 100 objective to recruit 100 co-sponsors for the Resolution among members of the U.S. House of Representatives in advance of any significant debate on reform of the U.S. Tax Code.
As of March 1, 2016, 75 co-sponsors have been secured, bringing the goal of 100 co-sponsors within sight. You can help by visiting UCT’s new fraternal advocacy page at www.uct.org/fraternaladvocacy. There you can read the text of House Resolution 19, review the current co-sponsors of the resolution, and complete the simple online form to contact your Congressperson to ask for their support of the resolution if they haven’t already done so. If they are already a co-sponsor of the bill, you might consider sending them a letter thanking them for their support, which can be generated automatically from the site.
Fraternal advocacy matters for UCT and other fraternals like it. Please take a moment to check out our fraternal advocacy page and see what you can do to help. It’s easier than you think – and your efforts will make a difference!
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