History of the Club

A HISTORY, PURPOSE AND CONSTITUTION OF

THE NEW ENGLAND 1752 CLUB

"Ben Franklin Started Something New in

Seventeen Hundred and Fifty-two"

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While neither good poetry nor strictly accurate, the quoted doggerel is a reminder of both origin of the name, "1752 Club", and of the association of the great Benjamin Franklin with mutual insurance.

The New England 1752 Club, like other territorial organizations of field representatives of agency mutual property and casualty insurance companies, has that year in its name because 1752 marked the firm start of mutual insurance in this country.

The New England l752 Club, composed of special agents and other field representatives of companies doing business on the American Agency System in these six states, had its beginnings over thirty years ago. It is a direct successor to the "Association of Mutual Fieldmen of New England".

The old Association was organized in 1928 and had as its members the field agents of the New England agency mutual fire insurance companies. The first president of that association was John Porter, of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Others instrumental in the founding of the organization were Charles E. Hogan of the Middlesex Mutual of Concord, and Herbert H. Veit of the Merrimack.

The organizational meeting of the Association was held at the offices of the Mutual Fire Insurance Association of New England, then at 18 Oliver Street, Boston, in answer to a call by Charles F. Danforth, secretary of the Company association. Mr. Danforth served as Secretary Pro Tem for the Association.

Most of the meetings that followed were held at the Old Boston City Club. The association proved very useful to the members and their companies. Besides promoting better understanding among friendly competitors in the field, the meetings provided the opportunity for valuable interchange of information about the business and the people in it.

The activities of the old Association were suspended during World War II, when John N. Tulley of the Dorchester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, then president, and many of the members were called to the colors.

As World War II was drawing to a close, plans were drafted for revival of the old Association. It was decided advantageous to broaden the scope of the field club to include both casualty and fire personnel. Alfred G. Morse, supervising the New England field for the Shelby Mutual Casualty Company was instrumental in inducing those of the "fire side" to welcome their casualty brethren into their club.

With the broadening of the field club's scope, the name of "New England 1752 Club" was adopted as part of a nationwide movement to have a significant and distinctive name for the mutual field groups. Fred B. Cornelius, now with the Worcester Mutual Fire and then with the Central Manufacturers Mutual, was elected President of the expanded club at its first meeting, held November 1, 1944.

The constitution of the club, adopted at that time, well expresses its objects as follows:

"The organization of this club is for the purpose of fostering education, public relations, accident and fire safety, understanding and cooperation; and encouraging free discussion; also for the acquisition and exchange of information to the end that each member may be better qualified to convey to the public the high standards and ethics of the profession of mutual insurance and be better able to effectively serve the interests of their company and its agents."

The New England 1752 Club holds monthly meetings of its members except in July and August, generally in the vicinity of Boston. Many leaders of the insurance industry, and qualified experts in many fields, have spoken to the club, keeping its members up to date on new developments in the industry. In exchange, countless members of the 1752 Club have appeared as speakers and discussion leaders before agents' groups throughout New England, helping to spread understanding and promoting higher standards of agency service to the public.

In past years, the 1752 Club's educational activities culminated in a series of educational seminars for agents and agency employees in 14 cities, attended by over 650 insurance men and women. At the same time, other members of the Club have qualified to present an instructive and entertaining fire prevention demonstration before civic and school groups among the general public.

The New England 1752 Club is constantly seeking new opportunities to improve its members' proficiency as agency mutual field representatives and is always ready to cooperate with local or state groups of insurance agents in promoting public relations and better public understanding of insurance. The oldest insurance field association in the country, the New England 1752 Club is still growing in size and usefulness.

THE ASSOCIATION OF FIELD REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW ENGLAND organized December 1, 1928, hereby accepts the new Constitution and By-Laws for the continuance and broadening of its activities in the New England Territory.

The organization of this Club is for the purpose of fostering education, public relations, accident and fire safety, understanding, cooperation; and encouraging free discussion; also for the acquisition and exchange of information to the end that each member be better qualified to convey to the public the high standards and ethics of the profession of insurance and be better able to effectively serve the interests of his/her Company and its' Agents.

Section 1. Membership shall be personal, and there shall be Three Classes, Active, Associate and Honorary.

Section 2. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall consist only of full time salaried field representatives of Fire or Casualty Insurance Companies operating on an agency basis in any or all of the New England States, and each member shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall consist of Home Office Executives of Fire or Casualty Insurance Companies operating on an Agency basis; whose work, in whole or in part, includes the territory of the New England States; also salaried employees of such companies or service organizations maintained solely by such companies, acting as engineers, inspectors, adjuster, auditors and others performing special field duties.

Section 4. Each ASSOCIATE MEMBER shall be entitled to all privileges except the right to vote or hold office.

Section 4A. HONORARY-MEMBERSHIP shall consist of those who have been approved, first by the membership committee and then by a majority vote of the members at a regular meeting. These members shall have all rights except the right to vote and hold office -- they shall not pay any dues.

Section 5. An eligible candidate may be elected to membership by the following procedure:

Name to be presented to the members at a regular meeting and then immediately referred to the Membership Committee by the. presiding officer. After favorable recommendation by the membership committee, candidate's name to be submitted to the members in the notice prior to voting at a regular meeting.

Section 6. Any controversy as to the correct classification or eligibility of a member shall be decided by the Executive Committee.

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held at such time and place as may be designated by the Executive Committee.

Section 1. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Committee upon written request of three (3) or more members. Notice to the members with its' purpose shall be mailed to each member not less than two weeks in advance of said meeting.

Section 1. The president or the vice-president shall preside at all meetings. In their absence some other active member may be chosen as Chairman of the meeting.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall have full charge of the affairs of this Association, directs its' activities and expenditures and be authorized to fill vacancies for the unexpired term, should any occur before the next election.

Section 2. Expenses necessary for the nominal operating maintenance of the organization, not to be construed for any extraordinary purpose, if in excess of the amount provided by the annual dues, shall be met by assessments upon the membership and be levied in such form at such time as the Executive Committee may direct.

Section 1. Active and Associate members alike are obligated to pay annual dues amounting to Twenty Five Dollars ($25.00). First year dues Thirty Dollars ($30.00) includes club pin. The annual dues are payable on July 1 of each year.

Section 2. Non-Payment of dues or assessments automatically disqualifies a member and his name is dropped from the roll, if his dues remain unpaid six months after July 1st of each year. If reinstatement is desired, his name shall be presented to the Membership Committee and he shall be given the same consideration as a new member.

Section 1. The officers shall be a president, vice president, a secretary and a treasurer and there shall be nine directors. The directors shall be elected as follows: Three directors for a term of one year, three directors for a term of two years, three directors for a term of three years; and each year thereafter three directors shall be elected for a three-year term. The officers and directors shall be elected by ballot at the regular meeting prior to the annual meeting and shall take office immediately following the annual meeting.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the four officers and nine directors. The directors shall be eligible to serve on the Executive Committee for only one consecutive term.

Section 1. A Nominating Committee of three members shall be appointed by the President at the regular April meeting and it shall be their duty to present to the Secretary a list of its' nominees for Officers and Directors, so that the Secretary may be enabled to notify each active member at least two weeks prior to the date of the May meeting.

Section 2. Members of the Executive Committee are not eligible for the Nominating Committee.

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of its' active members at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present. Four weeks advance notice that changes are contemplated shall be mailed to each Active Member by the Secretary, and the full text of the proposed changes shall be plainly stated.

Section 1. This organization shall make such By-Laws as may be necessary for the additional conduct of its' affairs.

Section 1. Annual meetings of the New England 1752 Club shall be held at the regular June meeting, unless otherwise ordered. The hour and place for such meeting shall be designated by the Executive Committee, and the Secretary shall notify all members not less than two weeks in advance of said meeting stating in such notice, as far as possible, matters which are to come before the meeting for consideration. The fiscal year shall start July 1st.