Sis. TINA RIGLER (449) was recognized as a Fraternal MVP by the National Fraternal Congress of America for the week of Jan. 7.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize Tina Rigler, a member of SNPJ Lodge 449 in Cicero, Ill., as a Fraternal MVP (Most Valuable Participant) for the week of Jan. 7, 2008. Fraternal MVPs are “Fraternalists-in-Action” who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

“The NFCA wishes to salute those individuals as true fraternalists,” said NFCA Chair of the Board Katharine E. Rounthwaite. “As a Fraternal MVP, Tina Rigler embodies the heart of fraternalism through her hard work, dedication and generosity.”

Tina has been active in SNPJ for 30 years. She has held many offices, including those of Lodge 1 president; Lodge 449 recording secretary, vice president and president; and Chicago District Federation president. She currently serves as Lodge 449 secretary/treasurer, as an auditor for the Chicago District Federation of SNPJ Lodges and as Region 6 Vice President on the SNPJ National Board. She also earned the titles of Miss SNPJ and Miss Talent during the 1981 Miss SNPJ Pageant.

Her extensive involvement within SNPJ is due in great part to her interest in the Slovenian culture. She knows many Slovenian folk songs and dances, having performed in ethnic costume at several events. She can even play a few tunes on the button box. She keeps up with her cultural knowledge through her children, who attend classes at the Slovenian Cultural Center in Lemont, Ill., where she often volunteers. Tina always shows an interest in maintaining a strong Society by encouraging youth member participation through The Voice of Youth and the SNPJ TEL (Teens Experience Leadership) Workshop, and she is constantly looking to recruit field agents in her area to help facilitate new member enrollment and promote SNPJ benefits.

Tina resides in Lemont, Ill., with her husband of 22 years, Vince; and their three sons, Justin, 14; Robert, 11; and Jason, 8. Outside of SNPJ, Rigler displays leadership through involvement within the community. An active parent, she holds the positions of Cub Scout Pack 149 den leader, Boy Scout Troop 337 committee member and PW7 Little League team manager. She also volunteers at various school activities because she enjoys teaching and motivating children. Tina is currently employed as a legal secretary with a suburban Chicago law firm. She has been working in the legal field for more than 25 years.

Fraternal MVPs are part of the NFCA’s Fraternalists-in-Action program, which recognizes individuals whose unique stories best represent 21st century fraternalism. These fraternalists demonstrate exceptional compassion and vision through their volunteer activities.

About the NFCA
The 122-year-old NFCA unites 74 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The association represents 10 million fraternalists in 37,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks. Fraternal benefit societies provide their members with leadership, social, educational, spiritual, patriotic, scholarship, financial and volunteer-service opportunities. Combined, the NFCA’s member-societies maintain more than $329 billion of life insurance-in-force and in 2006 alone contributed almost $410 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered nearly 95 million hours for community-service projects. These statistics demonstrate the commitment that fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase: Joining Hands to Touch Lives. For more information on the NFCA, pay an online visit to www.nfcanet.org.