Every once in a while, we need to be reminded of some of the important activities of the IRLCA. I feel this is one of them, and we need to address some of the issues at this time.

Let me bring you up-to-date on what is required to become a member. First of all, you must be a member in good standing with both National and State associations to become a member. Also, you must be less than 55 years of age. Cost for the initial fee is only $2, and Past State President Jack Miller will pay that. So, you can become a member of this organization for free. We thank Jack and Sandy for their generous contribution and interest in keeping the Mutual Benefit Society an important part of their life. If you are a member at the time of death, your family will receive $500.

Our problem is this, we need each of you non-members that are less than 55 years old to become involved and to become members. As this Society has been in place for a long number of years, there are now a large number that will no longer be assessed, as they have paid their $500 into the Mutual Benefit Fund, and you will never have to pay more than $500 into the fund.

This is one way of helping our fellow members through this very difficult time in their life. We can read about the Mutual Benefit Society all day long, but we do not realize the importance of that $500 until that day in our life becomes reality, and our spouse has passed away. We will read about the death in the State paper, and think that I should have done something about that. But you do as most of us do and put it in the back of our mind, therefore, failing to even send a card. And remember what the sympathy card cost, as they are not cheap. So by becoming a member you are helping a fellow member that has just lost their spouse, and can use the $500 immediately, and to show you are thinking of them at this time of loss. Remember, we are a family organization, and we want to show we care for them as one of the family.

You will be assessed $1.35 for each death. You will be notified by postcard when there have been four deaths. This will cost each member $5.40 per each notice (four deaths), or $10.80 if both of you are members. This is not something that will put a finacial burden on anyone, and it is a great way of showing your fellow members that you do indeed care for them. This is not something that should be put off, but something that needs your immediate attention.

We need each of you as members, and we would appreciate it if you would give this some serious thought, and become an active member and join the Mutual Benefit Society at the first opportunity.

If you need a membership form, it only takes afew minutes to fill out, notify Mutual Benefit Secretary Sarah Taylor and she will send it to you immediately.