Cicero, Ill., Lodge 449 Secretary/Treasurer Sis. TINA RIGLER (center) with Illinois Senator Richard Durbin and State Representative Melissa L. Bean.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized Sis. Tina Rigler (449) as a Fraternal MVP (Most Valuable Participant) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27-28. Sis. Rigler, honored for her outstanding fraternal service, met with members of Congress representing her home state and congressional district. 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 salutes Tina Rigler as a true fraternalist,” said NFCA Chair of the Board Katharine E. Rounthwaite. “As a Fraternal MVP, Ms. Rigler embodies the heart of fraternalism through her hard work, dedication and generosity. She demonstrates how fraternalism is a force for good in American society.”

Sis. Rigler with Illinois State Representative Judy Biggert.

During her Capitol Hill visit, Sis. Rigler met with Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Representative Judy Biggert (R-Ill.). These members of Congress were very interested in learning what Rigler and the Slovene National Benefit Society are accomplishing in their state and districts, and expressed their support for fraternal contributions to local communities.

In his remarks prior to meeting with Rigler, Senator Durbin speculated that his state’s junior Senator, Barack Obama, would be the next president and that major fiscal reforms are likely in 2009. Rigler’s visit helped make the point that later this year and more intensively in 2009,when Congress considers what tax benefits should be kept in the area of tax reform, the fraternal exemption is doing exactly what Congress intended when it was first enacted over 100 years ago, and that there is strong public policy in favor of keeping it.

“Fraternals have a great story to tell, and no one can tell it better than the individuals who devote time to making their communities a better place by helping their neighbors and friends,” said NFCA Chair Rounthwaite. “Tina Rigler went to Washington and was an excellent goodwill ambassador for the fraternal benefit system. Through her story, she demonstrated to members of Congress the good works performed by fraternalists every day.”

“The MVP visits remind legislators in a very direct way that any attempt to raise revenues by eliminating the fraternal tax exemption would also eliminate important volunteer activity that could not easily be replicated,” said Evan Migdail, the NFCA’s Washington lobbyist. “For that reason, each of the fraternalists who come to Washington carries a vital message to Congress.”

Of the 10 million fraternalists nationwide, Tina was selected for this honor for her many contributions and long history of volunteerism. Her involvement in fraternal and charitable activities has been a shining example for others.

Tina, a member of Lodge 449 in Cicero, Ill., has been active in the SNPJ for 30 years. She has held many offices, including those of Lodge 1 vice 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.

Tina’s 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 culture through her children who attend classes at the Slovenian Cultural Center, where she often volunteers. She always shows an interest in maintaining a strong Society by encouraging youth member participation through The Voice of Youth and the SNPJ TEL Workshop, and is constantly looking to recruit field agents in her area to help facilitate new member enrollment and promote SNPJ benefits.

Sis. Rigler 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, Tina 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 events because she enjoys teaching and motivating children. Tina is currently employed as a legal secretary with a suburban Chicago law firm and 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.

The NFCA unites 73 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 fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase, “Joining hands to touch lives.” For information, visit the NFCA web site, www.nfcanet.org.