Sons of Poland

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The Sons of Poland (Polish : Synowie Polski) is a Polish-American fraternal benefit society which was organized in 1903. [1] In addition to selling life insurance to members, it supports charities in the United States and Poland as well as activities in the Polish-American community in New Jersey and New York.

Polish language West Slavic language spoken in Poland

Polish is a West Slavic language of the Lechitic group. It is spoken primarily in Poland and serves as the native language of the Poles. In addition to being an official language of Poland, it is also used by Polish minorities in other countries. There are over 50 million Polish language speakers around the world and it is one of the official languages of the European Union.

Benefit society an organizational or voluntary association, formed to provide mutual aid, benefit, or insurance for relief from sundry difficulties

A benefit society, fraternal benefit society or fraternal benefit order is a society, an organization or a voluntary association formed to provide mutual aid, benefit, for instance insurance for relief from sundry difficulties. Such organizations may be formally organized with charters and established customs, or may arise ad hoc to meet unique needs of a particular time and place. Many major financial institutions existing today, particularly some insurance companies, mutual savings banks, and credit unions, trace their origins back to benefit societies, as can many modern fraternal organizations and fraternal orders which are now viewed as being primarily social; the modern legal system essentially requires all such organizations of appreciable size to incorporate as one of these forms or another to continue to exist on an ongoing basis.

Life insurance is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer or assurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money in exchange for a premium, upon the death of an insured person. Depending on the contract, other events such as terminal illness or critical illness can also trigger payment. The policy holder typically pays a premium, either regularly or as one lump sum. Other expenses, such as funeral expenses, can also be included in the benefits.

Contents

History

The Association of the Sons of Poland was established in 1903 as a Fraternal Benefit Society. At the onset of existence the Association's goals were to provide benefits for Polish-American families and send financial help to their relatives in Poland. The Association grew both in membership and financial stability becoming a leader in upholding the traditions of Polish Heritage and patriotism as well as continuing an active contact with Poland. During the first World War while Russia and Germany were systematically destroying Poland, the Delegates to the Quadrennial Convention voted to tax each member 2¢ each month to be sent to feed hungry war victims in Poland. In the 1930s, large sums of money were sent to assist flood victims in southern Poland followed by tremendous donations to assist the poor in Polish cities. Just prior to World War Two, the Association was recognized for being the most active organization in the Polish-American Community and was decorated by the Second Republic of Poland with the coveted Złoty Medal Zasługi (Gold Medal of Service). The Association continued assisting Poland during her most devastating years of war.

Today the Association of the Sons of Poland is the only Polish American Fraternal domiciled in New Jersey. It supports Polish language courses and organizations that promote Polish Culture and Heritage, such as the Polish Singers Alliance of America and an exhibit of art at Seton Hall University. It continues to sponsor the Polish Children’s Heartline and the Polish Gift of Life, charities that provide medical care for Polish children. The Association was directly involved in the establishment of the Polish-American Congress and Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, both of which still receive support. Major Foundations like the Kosciuszko Foundation and the Polish Cultural Foundation also receive support. It also gives financial and material support to Polish Orphans, mentally and physically disabled children, the homeless and un-wed mothers both in Poland and the United States through the Sons of Poland Benevolent Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity.

Organization

Local units are referred to as "Lodges/Groups". Twenty persons who apply for membership may establish their own group however, a minimum of fifty members of the lodge/group is required to send a Delegate to the Convention. The highest national structure is the Supreme Convention, which meets quadrennially. The headquarters of the group is located at 333 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072, while the organization was originally established in Jersey City.

Membership

Membership is through the purchase of life insurance with the minimum amount at $2,000 up to a maximum of $20,000, as a non-medical limit but with an exam, the maximum coverage is $50,000. Benefits of insured membership include a subscription to the monthly Polish American Journal; Scholarships and Achievement awards for High School Seniors; prescription cards that can offer up to a 30% discount on prescription medications for members and even their guests from Poland or any other country; LifeLine Screenings to detect a possible tendency for stroke or aneurisms; group health care discounts that includes a dental/vision plan, and a choice of wellness plans from a health mart and accidental death/dismemberment insurance.

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References

  1. Alan Axelrod International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders New York; Facts on File, inc 1997 p.231