Re-connect with your colleagues over two days of
fantastic and fun educational sessions.
The Spring Symposium brings together fraternal colleagues for lively programming around key issues facing Alliance members. Three tracks – Fraternal & Marketing, Operations, and The Fraternal Future – allow attendees to tailor content to meet their needs.
REGISTRATION LIMITATION POLICIES:
Spring Symposium is limited to members of the American Fraternal Alliance.
Member fraternal benefit societies: unlimited registrants.
Symposium Sponsors: Maximum of two registrants.
Associate Members: One registrant who must sign a non-solicitation policy.
These policies will be strictly enforced. If you have questions about these limitations, please email info@fraternalalliance.org.
Spring Symposium Workshop Schedule
Click on the V to see the workshop options available for each session.
Monday, May 8
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception
Tuesday, May 9
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Fraternal Pep Rally
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Fraternal & Marketing
Digital Transformation for Fraternals
Innovation, digital strategy, creative thinking – have these buzz words made their way into your home office or boardroom discussions? Join industry leaders in the middle of their own multi-channel projects as we tackle all things digital and transformation to help leverage your society.
Kayte Fredrickson, President & CEO at Teachers Life
Don Nieland, Senior Vice President & Corporate Secretary at BetterLife
Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.
Operations
Compliance ChallengesAll fraternals face compliance challenges. Learn how to navigate the changing landscape and explore simple solutions to protect your society.
Antoinette Blair, LLB, LLM, CRCMP, LPEC, AVP Human Resources and Compliance at GBU Financial Life
Sean Cox, President at First Consulting
Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council
The Fraternal Future
Calling All Managers! Retain Current & Future Employees through Easy Motivation Techniques
Tom Meier of Equis Consulting takes attendees inside an uncomfortable truth: you can’t motivate anybody! You can however, champion your employees by asking the right questions to unlock a person’s natural ability to motivate themselves. Explore this tricky topic and unlock valuable tools to help you succeed.
Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting
10:30 a.m. | Break
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Fraternal & Marketing
Redesigning Your Chapter System
Inactive chapters, aging leaders, a crumbling lodge system – sound familiar? This workshop, led by people who have been there, will help you reimagine and implement positive solutions that are game changers for your society’s chapter system.
Melissa Cohen, Corporate Community Events Coordinator at GCU
Jaime Reynolds, FIC, Vice President of Communications & Engagement at Gleaner Life
Zach Snell, Director of Member Engagement at BetterLife
Moderated by Kate Chillinsky, Director of Member Engagement & Communications, American Fraternal Alliance
The Fraternal Future
The Class of 2023: What Tomorrow’s Fraternal Leaders Are Challenged by Today
Hear from the first class of the Fraternal Career Development series on what they gained from this experience, how they are translating lessons into growth at their society, and why it's an investment worth considering for your rising stars.
Agnieszka Bastrzyk, ALMI, FICF, ACS, Secretary-Treasurer at Polish Roman Catholic Union of America
Michael Cesario, Member Engagement Team Lead at Catholic Order of Foresters
Derek Hohn, Director of Fraternal Programs at Croatian Fraternal Union of America
Lauren Rainey, Director of Operations at KSKJ Life
Moderated by Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting
11:45 - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch and Networking
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Fraternal & Marketing
Branding/Rebranding – How to Increase Awareness & Build Positive Perception
Developing and implementing a strong brand strategy is critical for all societies. Hear from fraternal executives about their recent work to modernize their brands while preserving their common bonds.
Ken Hochstetler, President and CEO at Everence Financial
Mary Krutiak, Communications Director at 1891 Financial Life
Ken Laugel, President and CEO at UTUIA
Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council
Operations
Actuarial & Accounting News: COVID Mortality & NAIC Updates All Fraternals Should Know
Learn about COVID mortality from a recent study unveiled by the Society of Actuaries and then hear about important changes to bond factors and IMR issues from one of our sector’s most generous and knowledgeable top accountants.
Patrick Nolan, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Senior Experience Studies Actuary at Society of Actuaries Research Institute
Tip Tipton, CPA, Head of Accounting Policy at Thrivent
Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.
2:00 p.m. | Break
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Fraternal & Marketing
Meaningful Member Connections
Society leaders are thinking outside the box to connect with members. Explore new engagement tools & ideas to elevate your member experience.
Amy Jones, Director of Philanthropy at Royal Neighbors of America
Jennifer Stockdale, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at GBU Financial Life
Jessica Vasher, Manager of Community Engagement at Gleaner Life
Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.
Operations
Distribution Goals: Recruiting & Retention of Agents
A top priority for all societies is to find and keep quality agents who believe in the fraternal mission while also producing positive results. Tackle this important topic with fraternal leaders who have found success in this area.
Kaye DeMartino, Human Resources Business Partner at BetterLife
Leah Grabiak, FIC, ALMI, ACS, Sales Operations Manager / Home Office Agent at GBU Financial Life
Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council
The Fraternal Future
Economist Overview: Two Lengths Behind
A top economist provides his outlook on the markets and related investment strategies. This session will provide society leaders with valuable insights on changing interest rates, the ongoing recession debate, and other emerging factors.
Jeffrey Korzenik, Chief Economist at Fifth Third
3:15 - 4:15 p.m. | Networking
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Progressive Reception with Sponsors
Wednesday, May 10
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Fraternal Pep Rally
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Fraternal & Marketing
Fraternal Partnerships
Have you ever considered a partnership with another fraternal? As we all look for new ways to grow and diversify, why not lean into the amazing network that already exists within the Alliance. Discover how fraternal leaders are currently working together on products and taking advantage of other unique opportunities.
Chad Eyrich, Vice President of Distribution at Catholic Financial Life
Lesley Mann, Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer at GBU Financial Life
Austin Slattery, Director of Sales at UCT
Moderated by Kate Chillinsky, Director of Member Engagement & Communications, American Fraternal Alliance
Operations
Operations Overhaul – Workflow and Other Process Enhancements
Fraternal leaders guide attendees through an interactive exercise on process improvement and discuss the benefits of examining your society’s operations.
Joni Kazmierczak, Vice President of Operations at Catholic Order of Foresters
Roy Vajdak, Controller at SPJST
Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council
The Fraternal Future
Always Out There – Getting Comfortable with Self & Society Promotion
In this day and age, the “work” no longer speaks for itself. You have to do the speaking and that doesn’t always come naturally. Learn how to authentically advocate for your society through self-promotion – whether you’re the one doing it or helping your CEO do it. This session is for executives and managers who could use a boost in personal publicity.
Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting
10:30 a.m. | Break
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The Fraternal Swap Shop!
Put your brand on display in the Fraternal Swap Shop! During this interactive session, the Alliance will give member societies the opportunity to showcase their best swag. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and you might even be lucky enough to take one home.
Allison Koppel and Alliance staff will lead this fun and engaging experience.
11:45 a.m. | Adjourn
Fraternal Pep Rally Videos
DATES
May 8 – 10, 2023
LOCATION
Hyatt Lodge in
Oak Brook, Illinois
DINING
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Impact Sponsor
Connect Now Sponsor
Education Sponsors
Chi-Town Sponsors
Partner Sponsor