Four Portuguese fraternal societies will be merging into one as of Jan. 1, 2010, to form the Portuguese Fraternal Societies of America (PFSA).

The current SES, UPEC, UPPEC and IDES societies will join to form the new organization.

The merger affects 58 districts in California, two in Nevada and two in Massachusetts with a combined membership in excess of 38,000.

The formation of the PFSA came in response to a recommendation from the California Department of Insurance that the fraternal organizations merge to assure protection of life insurance and annuities and to cover financial obligations for their members.

“This is a true testimony to the founding forefathers of four great Portuguese benefit fraternal societies uniting to become one,” members were told in a letter from the future PFSA Fraternal Board of Trustees. “The legacy and the history of our four societies are the principle roots that will strengthen our new foundation. Our culture and traditions have been a significant part of our decision making.”

The merger has prompted many questions from long-time members loyal to their individual societies.  Each has operated independently with its own identity, books and activities, and members voiced concerns about preserving the long-standing traditions of each organization.

A meeting was held recently in Gustine for local members to get some of their questions and concerns answered by representatives from the home office.

“The new society will be composed of four societies but identified as one,” Chairman of the Business Board of Trustees John Salvador explained. “The four societies are combining to strengthen what they have and all the assets. How the money in each council is spent will still be under the control of its members.”

Richard Castro, Chairman of the future PFSA Fraternal Board of Trustees, stressed to the concerned members that preserving the heritage and significance of each society is an important goal as the new society is formed, extending even to the patron saints and symbols representing the organization. “Each patron and symbol was so important to our founding fathers that we want to keep that represented in the new society,” Castro explained. The new symbol will incorporate devotions to St. Anthony, the Holy Spirit and Immaculate Conception.

As of the New Year, the current societies will be identified as PFSA  and assigned a new council number. The identity of each new fraternal council will always refer to the original councils.

All four home offices will be combined to one home office in San Leandro, the trustees reported.

“Supreme has come together and we’re hoping subordinate councils will also,” Salvador expressed.

“You’ll be able to do more as one large group and you won’t lose your name,” advised Geraldine Alves, director of the future PFSA Business Board of Trustees.

Six societies on the West Side decided to take that suggestion.

The historical moment took place in OLM Parish Center I on Nov. 17.

Six local Portuguese fraternal societies agreed to merge into one council with the hopes of creating a bigger, better society for their members. The SES Council 7, UPPEC Council 49 and UPEC Council 99 of Gustine and the SES Council 21, UPPEC Council 52 and UPEC Council 68 of Newman unanimously voted to merge. The president and secretary from each group signed the official document that evening, and now await the assignment of their new council number.

Eleanor Vierra of Newman said one of the benefits of the local groups deciding to merge is strengthening them as a unit. She has been president of the SES in Newman for 15 years and the Supreme choir director as well. She is also president of UPEC in Newman.

Another benefit of the merger is the consolidation of meetings, conventions and officials visits.

Although there will have to be compromises during the transition period as the new council is formed, the board of trustees expressed confidence that each society will come to support and embrace the new beginning for the fraternal society.

The current Supreme Presidents of each society will serve as ambassadors for the PFSA, attending official visits together throughout the transition period leading up to the first convention which will be held in November 2010. At that point, Supreme officers for PFSA will be elected.

Subordinate councils, like the newly formed one in Gustine/Newman will hold nominations for their own council officers after the official merge in January 2010. Members will be notified of the date when it is set.

“From what I understand, the merger has to be done. I think this is going to be good,” Vierra shared.

“We will be stronger as a larger group,” agreed Luisiana Drumonde, president of SES in Gustine.

Some of the societies have seen membership decline quite a bit over the years, so combining resources while retaining the history of each society makes sense, she pointed out.

Drumonde said the combined organization will keep the Portuguese culture strong while protecting the assets and providing the best service for members.

The unification mass will take place Jan. 10 at Five Wounds Catholic Church in San Jose.

“The societies will march in with their current banners and proceed out with their new council banners, very symbolic and unified,” Drumonde described.