Thank you for supporting your community through the Give Back Groups program! To ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, we have made some updates to the Give Back Groups donation-matching program guidelines, effective March 1, 2024. Please read over the updated guidelines before submitting your request. Guidelines for project start-up funds remain the same. GBU will match funds raised for eligible organizations of up to $1,000 per participating insured member and up to $500 per participating social member (up to $5,000 per project). Eligibility Guidelines The benefiting organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization listed on Charity Navigator or provide documentation of 501(c)(3) status OR Matching funds must be for specific funds, projects or programs for schools, churches, other religious organizations or civic organizations. Insured members may lead up to two Give Back Group projects per year and may participate in up to two additional projects. Social members may lead one Give Back Group project per year and may participate in one additional project. AND the benefiting organization, fund, project or program must: Impact your local community OR Bring members of your community to work together for a cause outside your community, such as making care packages, or collecting items for those in need in other communities or countries. Ineligible organizations, funds, projects or programs include those that: Are political. Are controversial or serve a negative purpose. Fund outreach or teaching of any specific religion or point of view. Provide general funds for schools, churches, other religious organizations or civic organizations. Send funds outside of the local community without bringing community members together to work together for a cause. The maximum amount an organization may receive each year is $20,000. GBU will approve a maximum of 13 projects per month. If fewer than 13 projects are submitted in a month, the balance of available projects can be carried over to the next month. Choose how to help your community and start a Give Back Group or request project start-up funds today! Visit gbucares.org/give-back-groups .

The Volunteer of the Year award is an honor GBU presents to recognize a GBU member who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her community and/or district during the past year. The GBU 2024 Volunteer of the Year award is based on volunteer service performed from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Celebrate a fellow member's accomplishments by completing the Volunteer of the Year nomination form at gbucares.org/volunteer-of-the-year . All nomination forms must be received by Friday, August 2, 2024. Incomplete entries or entries received after the deadline will not be considered. For questions about this program or to request a paper nomination form, please contact GBU's Community Engagement Department at memberbenefits@gbu.org or call 800-765-4428.

Are you passionate about giving back to your community but not sure where to start? Consider applying for project start-up funds with GBU’s Give Back Groups. As a project leader, you can plan your own project to help your community, and GBU will reimburse you for associated expenses (up to a certain amount). Read stories from fellow GBU members who support GBU’s Community Pillars of Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support in their area through project start-up funds! Wellness Location: Wayne County, MI GBU Member: Donna Povich Benefiting Organization: Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit Project Description: Donna and fellow GBU members got together to purchase and collect food, blankets and towels for the animal shelter. Hometown Hero Support Location: Fayette County, PA GBU Member: Ken Firestone Benefiting Organizations: Normalville VFW, Springfield VHC, Indian Head VFD Project Description: Ken and his team made phone calls, had collection boots in the community and facilitated an auction to help support three volunteer fire departments. Charitable Giving Location: Fond du Lac County, WI GBU Member: Susan VandeBerg Benefiting Organization: REACH Waupun Project Description: Susan connected GBU and Lions club members to host a chili and warming station during the city-wide weekend event. The funds raised helped to support a local not-for-profit student mentoring program. Education Location: Washington County, PA GBU Member: Mary Ann Berty Benefiting Organization: Student run Trinity Leadership Committee Project Description: A team of GBU members led by Mary Ann hosted a silent disco dance for special needs students and invited other schools to participate! Choose how to help your community and request project start-up funds today! Visit gbucares.org/give-back-groups.

Junior Achievement (JA) USA is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs focus on developing school-age children in the areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy and are heavily dependent on community volunteers to operate. JA Inspire is more than a career fair; it brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch middle school students into their futures—high school, college, and careers beyond. At JA Inspire’s in-person events, students interact with company representatives and participate in hands-on activities, often using equipment or tools used on the job. From helping the students dress for success to operating the student exit table, GBU members and employees were able to spend the day sharing real-world work experiences and participating in hands-on engagement with the over 900 students who attended.

When I came on board GBU Life (GBU) last year, I was just learning about fraternal benefit societies and their place in history. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from the American Fraternal Alliance (the Alliance) to learn more about the role that this important organization plays in uniting fraternal benefit societies like GBU. The Alliance unites more than 50 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies, including GBU, operating in fifty states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The organization “unites members through Advocacy, Education and Networking,” which is key to keeping fraternal societies modern and relevant in today’s fast-paced society. GBU has been a member for years and works closely with the Alliance, but most recently, GBU CEO William (Bill) Hunt has been a board member and key leader in helping the Alliance expand its mission. This year, Bill is serving as chair of the board and leading key initiatives along with ten other leaders representing the Alliance’s membership and CEO Allison Koppel, as they advocate for and modernize the role of fraternal organizations. Advocacy The Alliance engages in initiatives such as lobbying for legislation that benefit its members and their communities while keeping an eye on and preparing defense against legislation that could be harmful to member societies. The Alliance collaborates with member societies to highlight community service projects, raise awareness about important social issues and host educational events. Education The Alliance recently developed the Fraternal Career Development Series (FCD) to help retain and nurture young and up-and-coming talents in the industry. Programs like this help to secure the future of member societies while fostering innovative ideas. The Alliance collaborates with member organizations to help solve industry problems, nurture relationships and invigorate the programs and benefits offered by fraternal benefit societies. Networking The open exchange of ideas is key to the long-term growth of the fraternal industry. The Alliance supports this by fostering an atmosphere of non-competitive and collaborative idea-sharing between societies. Leaders from member societies have opportunities to meet at the Alliance’s annual Spring Symposium and other regional networking events held throughout the year. There are also many opportunities to meet virtually. In April 2024, I will be finishing the FCD program along with my GBU colleagues Anna Meek, Ken Elliott, Mary Koczan, Janine Brickner and Leah Teahl. We have learned invaluable leadership skills, from the way we receive information and make decisions to various communication styles among our teams and how we can best work together. The energy and resources that both GBU and the Alliance are investing in the future of fraternalism are amazing to me as someone new to this side of financial products. As forward-thinking organizations, GBU and the Alliance understand that good leadership is evergreen and not limited to a specific industry. To retain a top talent pool, it is crucial to equip those up-and-comers with the tools they need to succeed. “ The Alliance recognized the need to nurture this group of our members and we are thrilled with how the FCD students have embraced this program. They are taking the lessons they’ve learned and applying them within their societies.” – Allison Koppel, CEO, American Fraternal Alliance. I asked Bill Hunt about what has changed in the fraternal industry since he joined the board and what his vision is for his presidential term. “Since joining the board, I have witnessed significant changes in the fraternal industry. There’s been a shift towards greater collaboration among fraternal organizations, increased focus on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and growing emphasis on enhancing and expanding member engagement.” “As I look ahead, I foresee the continuation of efforts that strengthen those collaborations and promote innovation within the industry while we continue to support the well-being and growth of our members, our Societies and our communities.” – William (Bill) Hunt, CEO, GBU Life.

Board Election GBU Financial Life’s (GBU) National Bylaws allow all adult insured members (as defined in Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws) the right to vote for GBU’s Board of Directors. Ballots will be mailed at the beginning of August 2024 to all eligible members. Eligible members will have the ability to vote by paper ballot via mail or electronic ballot online once they have received their ballot. Cumulative voting or voting by proxy is not permitted. The Process and Term The GBU Board of Directors consists of seven (7) elected members and the Chief Executive Officer of the Society, who is appointed by the Board. The elected members serve a term of four (4) years or until their successors are elected and qualified. In 2024, three (3) elected Board seats will stand for election for a four-year term. The other four seats will stand for election during the next election period taking place in 2026. For 2024, all members of the Society seeking candidacy to the Board must submit their application request in writing via email to: Office of the CEO boardcandidates@gbu.org Interested applicants will receive a candidacy packet, which will need to be completed by May 20, 2024. All eligible applicants will constitute the slate of candidates. Summary of Board Member Responsibilities The GBU Board of Directors is responsible for the effective governance of GBU Financial Life. Its primary objectives are to provide overall governance of the Society, establish and oversee policies and direction, as well as advise and assist management with the leadership and promotion of GBU in support of its mission, strategy and core values. GBU Financial Life Bylaw Requirements as per Article VI, Section 1 To be eligible to be a candidate for or serve as an elected Director, all individuals must: a. be a GBU adult member (as defined by Article IV, Section1 of the Bylaws) age twenty-one (21) years or older and under the age of seventy (70) years on January 1 of the election year. b. not be: (1) a current employee, general agent, or agent of GBU; (2) a former employee, general agent, or agent of GBU unless three years have expired from the termination date of their employment or GBU agent contract; (3) a current corporate officer, field manager, sales agent, broker or director of any other life insurance company or fraternal benefit society, or (4) an immediate family member (parent, spouse, natural or adopted child, sibling) of any person in any of the prohibited categories enumerated above; c. be capable of assuming the responsibilities as outlined herein and as established by GBU from time to time and possess qualifications that reflect the complexity and magnitude of the business affairs of GBU as well as the desire to promote and support the fraternal benefit system within GBU; d. not have been removed from office for cause by action of the Board of Directors; e. have no criminal history other than matters determined insignificant by the Nominating Committee, such as a minor traffic violation; f. meet all other requirements under the law or established by resolution of the Board of Directors. Additional Qualifications of Board Candidates A candidate for an elected Board seat must possess at least one of the following: - Bachelor’s degree or higher - Currently holds or has held a management-level position for a minimum of ten (10) years - Owns or has owned a successful business for at least ten (10) years. - Currently is employed or has been employed in the insurance industry for a minimum of ten (10) years or has held an insurance certification for a minimum of ten (10) years, except as specified in the eligibility requirements. - Serves or has served on a professional Board for a minimum of ten (10) years Expectations of Board Members The following are the expectations and commitments of GBU Board members: - Dedication to and display of values that are aligned with the mission of GBU Financial Life - Avoidance of any conflict of interest - Availability to prepare for and participate in GBU Financial Life Board meetings. Currently, the Board meets as an entire body six (6) times per year. Board members are also assigned membership and participate in various committees of the Board throughout the year. Currently, the GBU Board has the following committees: Executive, Audit, Investment, Sales and Marketing, Fraternal and Compensation. Board meetings are conducted in person or via the use of any means of communication by which all participants may simultaneously communicate. - Participation in the overall governance of the Society through expertise obtained in one or more of the following areas: accounting/finance, general business leadership/management, legal, investment management, sales, marketing, risk management, human resources, civic leadership or fraternal operations - Familiarization with GBU Financial Life’s business and fraternal mission, insurance products, policies, procedures, finances, investment practices, service platform and fraternal operation -Contribution to building a congenial team atmosphere with other GBU Board members -Understanding of the time commitment of a GBU Financial Life Board member's duties. This is normally between 20-30 days annually. Board members are to be available, either in person or electronically for any special meetings called by the Chair of the Board. 2024 GBU Board Election Timeline First Week of April 2024 – GBU Board election announced and call for candidates in The Reporter. May 15, 2024 – All requests for Board Candidacy Application packets must be received by the Home Office via the following email: boardcandidates@gbu.org. May 20, 2024 – Completed Board Candidacy Application packets and supporting documents must be received at the GBU Home Office. June 3, 202 4– Complete eligibility determination of applicants. July 1, 2024 – All eligible applicants submitted to Independent Election Facilitation Company. First week of July 2024 – Candidate information runs in the summer edition of The Reporter, along with voting information. August 1, 2024– Ballots mailed to members. September 20, 2024 – Balloting closes online; mailed ballots must be received. September 27, 2024 – Election results independently tabulated and certified and approved by the Board.

With district and donor funding, the GBU Foundation has encouraged and assisted members in furthering their education through its scholarship program since 1963. We celebrate GBU Foundation scholarship and grant recipients’ achievements to spotlight the true impact of charitable giving.

Since its inception on April 13, 1892, GBU has been a pillar of stability in the realm of financial services. Founded on the principles of fraternalism and community, the company has witnessed significant changes over the years while steadfastly maintaining its core values.

For more information or to submit an application, visit REPORTER.GBU.ORG/BIRTHDAY-MATCH. How about a Birthday Match reminder? Email memberbenefits@gbu.org with your name and birth month, and we will send you a reminder during the month of your birthday! Start a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser, and GBU will match what you raise, up to $250!