The Polish National Union of America

Touching Lives

For More Than Ninety Years
Our History and Mission
The Polish National Union of America, also known as PNU or Spojnia, is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society which provides life insurance protection, annuities, retirement plans and numerous fraternal benefits to its membership.

The late Prime Bishop Franciszek Hodur organized the Polish National Union of America in 1908, eleven years after the organization of the Polish National Catholic Church. Since its inception the Polish National Union served the people in America as well as in Poland. One of the initial purposes of Spojnia was to help people belonging to the Polish National Catholic Church and others who shared in the organization's goal to achieve financial security. This action brought about an important idea to promote brotherly love and to maintain a sense of identity.

Headquartered in Scranton Pennsylvania since 1908, the Polish National Union of America has lived up to Bishop Hodur's high standards by providing material and spiritual security to the members and friends of the Polish National Catholic Church.This spirit of cooperation between Spojnia's leaders and members brought about the means, the force, and the responsibilities of deeds to meet the challenges of today.

From the signing of its first member, John Drwal in 1908, the Polish National Union of America has remained true to its principles and has grown in membership over the years to nearly 25,000 members, making the Polish National Union of America one of the largest fraternal organizations in America.

Today, as in 1908, the Polish National Union of America consistently provides its membership with quality fraternal insurance products and an avenue for participation in the Polish National Union of America's religious, national and ethnic heritage.

With grass-roots ties to the Polish National Catholic Church, the Polish National Union of America works closely with the church and its members to perpetuate Bishop Hodur's philosophy.

To date, the Polish National Union of America has provided millions of dollars in the form of loans and subsidies to Polish National Catholic Church parishes and Polish National Union of America members. "Spojnia" has also provided thousands of families the security of affordable, quality insurance and annuity products.

Remember...the Polish National Union of America is not only an insurance association, it is a fraternal organization, with a deep commitment to its members through the development of numerous fraternal activities and programs on both regional and district levels.

As a fraternal organization, the Polish National Union of America has no stockholders. Instead every insured member has a voice in the management and operation of the organization and can exercise his or her rights by participating in local branch activities or by being elected to national committees and board positions. Currently, there are more than one hundred fifty branches throughout the Polish National Union of America network.

Spojnia has grown by being financially secure, (with an asset value of over five million dollars in 1950; over twelve million dollars in 1970; and over twenty-two million dollars in 1990) and Spojnia has served as a dynamic force within American Polonia. Today, we are forging ahead to build an even stronger fraternal organization. Only with your membership can we grow and succeed. Let's "join hands to touch lives," and forge a greater and brighter tomorrow.
Fraternal Benefits

Unlike many other fraternal organizations, the Polish National Union of America is an organization that touches lives with a variety of social, cultural and educational activities for young and old alike.

Annually, the Polish National Union of America supports and sponsors numerous sporting and athletic events like district and regional golf and bowling tournaments, the annual Labor Day track and field meet or Zlot, Children's Day Celebrations and the annual YMS of R "Kurs Encampment".

Educationally, the Polish National Union of America offers financial assistance to members through the Polish National Union of America Education and Youth Commission in the form of stipends and state fraternal scholarships. The form to apply for a stipend is available for downloading here.

Additionally, as a member in the Polish National Union of America, you are eligible to join the Spojnia Credit Union, which offers competitive rates on new and used car loans, secured loans and personal loans.

On a national and international level, the Polish National Union of America is very active in both American and Polish-American patriotic endeavors and has participated in the rehabilitation of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Polish National Union of America has also extended a hand to those in need by participating in various national disaster relief efforts and humanitarian aid programs. One such program, The Medical Bridge to Poland, has helped to provide close to one million dollars in medical aid to Poland. This endeavor alone has touched more than 500 lives.

In 1993, Polish National Union of America President Anne Pron was invited by President George Bush to join a fifteen-member contingent meeting with him in the Rose Garden. She then participated in the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in which the remains of Polish statesman and composer, Ignancy Jan Paderewski were exhumed for final interment in Poland. In the summer of 1994, Ms. Pron was invited to join President Bill Clinton in Poland for the fiftieth Anniversary of the uprising and holocaust in Poland.

Summing it up, we offer:

  • Financial Assistance:
    • Mortgages are available to members at competitive interest rates.
    • If other financial assistance is needed members can turn to the Spojnia Credit Union, which offers competitive rates on share accounts, car loans, collateral loans, and limited signature loans.
  • Youth and Educational:
    • Member undergraduate college students are eligible for annual stipends. The form for applying for a stipend can be downloaded from here.
    • Besides the stipend, Spojnia coordinates educational and cultural events for members:
      • Tours to Poland.
      • Exhibitions of Polish dancing.
    • Other programs supported by Spojnia include:
      • Supplying text books to parochial and supplementary schools.
      • Arts and crafts.
      • Children's Day events.
      • Youth convocations, encampments, and retreats.
  • Sports Activities:
    • District golf tournaments are held with member participation.
    • Other sporting events supported by Spojnia include, track and field meets and bowling tournaments.
  • Polish Weekly Straz:
    • The Straz is a weekly newspaper published by the Polish National Union for current dues paying members. The newspaper provides a means of communicating the societies events. Paid up members can receive the Straz by becoming honorary members.
  • Spojnia Manor:
    • Reduced rates are available to members who wish to utilize Spojnia Manor, a personal care facility for senior citizens.
  • Other Charitable Support: Spojnia supports other charitable organizations such as:
Products

While the Polish National Union of America is extremely active in local, regional and national affairs, there is no question that the foundation to all of our fraternal activities is the offering of quality insurance and annuity products to our members.

Currently, the Polish National Union of America offers the following fraternal insurance products to fit our member's various needs:

Financial Stability

The Polish National Union of America has been there for our members, day in and day out, in good times and bad since 1908. This would not have been possible without a strong financial base and expert investment strategies. In fact, today the Polish National Union of America has one of the highest surplus ratios in the fraternal industry. The Polish National Union of America is a strong financial institution with assets of over twenty-three million dollars, which exceeds our liabilities by a substantial margin.

Unlike commercial insurance companies, the Polish National Union of America doesn't have stockholders; our only loyalty is to our members and their families. We are a strong financial institution that adheres to the strict insurance laws of every state in which we are licensed.

If you would like more information on any of our individual benefits or products, or if you have any questions regarding district and branch activities, please do any of the following:
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