OAK BROOK, IL (January 5, 2011)— The nation’s premier association of fraternal

benefit societies has adopted a new identity to better reflect its purpose, membership and

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 nine 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.”

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.

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 nine million individuals in 31,500 local chapters, making it

one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks.

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