Al Alves installed as East Coast president at Luso-American Fraternal convention

NEW BEDFORD – The Luso-American Fraternal – the fraternal division of Luso-American Financial, a society with dozens of lodges scattered across the United States – installed its officers for the East Coast during a weekend-long convention held at the Providence Marriott.

Al Alves, the new East Coast president, said he is all about teamwork and feels upbeat about the prospects of growth, increasing membership and promoting Portuguese culture and heritage.

“I am very excited to roll up my sleeves,” said Alves a few moments after taking the oath on Saturday night. “I don’t pretend to have all the answers. There is a ‘we’ behind every important endeavor, every major milestone and behind every hard achievement. We are an organization of togetherness, safe havens, giving a voice and stronger communities. I challenge you all to be part of the ‘we’ because in the union there is strength.”

Luso-American Financial is the largest and oldest national, fraternal benefit organization of Portuguese origin in the United States. It is the successor of the Benevolent Society of California, which was founded in 1868 in San Francisco and the União Portuguesa Continental founded in 1917 in Oakland.

In the East Coast, it is headquartered at the DeMello International Center on Union Street in New Bedford.

“We have 13 lodges in the East Coast, from northern Massachusetts all the way down to Virginia. Most of them are in Massachusetts,” Alves told O Jornal.

In the Bay State, Cambridge is home to two lodges and New Bedford, Somerville, Hudson, and Peabody each have one. In Rhode Island, the lodges are in Providence, Pawtucket, and Cumberland.

What are Alves’ priorities?

During the installation ceremony, Alves affirmed his commitment to implement policies that will help the society grow and promote public awareness about its mission and activities.

“I strive to make a difference and continue with the efforts that our past presidents have achieved towards a better tomorrow,” he said.

Nationwide, the society has about 19,000 members. It provides life and annuity products in an organizational structure allowing fraternal, cultural, charitable, humanitarian, educational and social activities for the betterment of its policyholders, members, and local communities.

There are no membership dues. Individuals become members by taking advantage of its life insurance plans and financial products, such as annuity plans, IRAs and education savings accounts.

As a not-for-profit organization, the proceeds from insurance and financial product sales enable the society to support a variety of programs that help enrich individuals and the community. These include youth activities, scholarships, donations to local and national causes, and programs and events that keep the Portuguese culture and traditions alive in the United States.

Alves said that Sister Rose’s House, the Missionaries of Charity, and Veterans Transition House are just some of the places the society has donated to.

“We are more than just insurance and fundraisers,” Alves said. “We make a difference with every blanket, every meal [we give], every visit to the needy and frail, and every scholarship. I believe that we are an unstoppable force, for good and for a greater community.”

Alves said that even though the society is sound, a robust future can only be assured with increased membership. Currently, most members are on the West Coast.

“We have some work to do,” he admitted. “We must improve and increase our efforts in the East Coast. It is my hope and anticipation to regain a full-time staff in the East Coast office.”

Alves said he is also eager to do something along the lines of what has happened in California, where children and youth from different lodges get together to dance, sing and carry out humorous skits.

“My main priority is to get children involved because that’s the future, without them this stops,” he said. “I’d love to have a rancho (folklore group).”

Alves recalled how he has been actively involved since his youth.

“I immigrated to the United States with my parents and siblings in 1969 at the age of 9 from the island of Terceira,” he said. “Shortly after settling in, my family became members of the Portuguese Continental Union Lodge 4 in New Bedford. The importance of maintaining my heritage, my culture and values I still hold dearly in my heart came from many gatherings and fraternalism that this society bestowed on me over the last 54 years… I am truly grateful for the beautiful memories made and look forward to the continued memories to be.”

Alves said he not only intends to increase the public’s awareness about the society and its services and activities, but also reach out to public officials.

“We must include elected officials in our local activities so that they can learn what, where and who we are,” he said. “We must contact state and federal lawmakers when asked to let our voices be heard on key issues that affect our society. We have members who have gone above and beyond so many levels, but I believe we need the help from everyone to promote Luso-American Financial.”

State Representative António F. D. Cabral, who attended the event, said he’ll continue to support the society in advancing its mission and attaining its goals.

“These are folks who really care about Portuguese traditions, Portuguese culture, about education and our kids, the future of this community,” he said.

New Bedford City Councilors Ryan Pereira and Naomi Carney then presented an official resolution from the City Council to Alves in recognition of being installed president.

Also installed were Rosa Romano, vice-president; Christine Rei, master of ceremony; Jerry Leandres, marshal; Carina António, inside guard; and Joseph Tavares, outside guard. João Paulino and José Guedes are the new directors.

“I am very excited about the future,” said Alves.

James DeMello to receive Peter Francisco Award

Every five years, the fraternal benefit society bestows the Peter Francisco Award on individuals or institutions who bring prestige to people of Portuguese heritage in the United States and to the Portuguese language and culture.

This year, that honor will be bestowed on James DeMello, proprietor of the DeMello International Center, in recognition of his philanthropy, entrepreneurship and strong advocacy for the Portuguese community.

The award was supposed to be presented during the convention, but due to unforeseen circumstances Mr. DeMello could not be present and it will be awarded at a later date.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Al Alves installed as East Coast Luso-American Fraternal president