Merit Award – Fraternal

Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit

As a fraternal benefit society, part of Luso-American’s obligation is to reach out to the communities we are a part of and aid those in need around us through our organization, our families, churches, and community.

Mr. Rodrigo Alvernaz embodied these ideals of fraternalism in all he did during his several years of dedication to the Luso-American family.

The purpose of this fraternal award is to recognize those members that have gone that extra “mile” in volunteer fraternal service (i.e., Meals on Wheels, disaster relief, hospital work, other fraternal organizations, schools, etc.). Through their tireless volunteer efforts, the community and Luso-American have benefitted significantly.

These are people who rarely say, “No!” and are always willing to lend a hand.

Recipients of the “Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit”

GUIDELINES for the “RODRIGO ALVERNAZ Fraternal Award of Merit”

Nominations from our Councils are accepted each year through May 1st deadline.

Eligibility

– The award nominee must be living at the time of selection and a benefit member in good standing of Luso-American Fraternal (LUSO) or Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel (SPRSI).
– Executive Officers, Directors, Sales Agents and the Home Office staff are not eligible to receive the award.
– Current Fraternal Directors, their spouses or immediate family members are not eligible.
– A Member can only be nominated by his or her Council.
– Nominees of any age are eligible.
– An individual may be nominated more than once.
– This award can be won only once by an individual.

Award Description

– The annual winner’s name will be added to the master Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit plaque which will be on display at the Luso-American Home Office in Dublin, CA.
– An engraved plaque will be presented to the individual award winner.
– The program will be publicized in the LUSO Magazine and the winner will be featured. In addition, this winner information will also be provided on our website at www.luso-american.org and other media outlets.
– The Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit recipient will also be nominated to the American Fraternal Alliance for the AFA Fraternalist of the Year Award.

Program Procedure

– Nomination Forms for nominees must be received at the Home Office no later than May 1st.
– Contest information, promotional data and nomination forms will be disseminated by the Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit Committee of the Fraternal Board of Directors.
– Councils are urged to conduct a search to select their nominee for the Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit.
– Councils are allowed to submit ONLY ONE nomination per year.
– The winner of the Award cannot be nominated again in the future.
– The winner will be chosen by Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit Committee. The decision of the Committee is final.

Notes on filling Out Nomination Form

– Each nominee will be judged on his/her own merits. Previous honorees and their accomplishments should not be the criteria for this year’s selection.
– When filling out the nomination form, please print legibly, or type, all information requested. This is especially important for narrative information.

A clear and complete narration is extremely important to the selection process.

Application for the Rodrigo Alvernaz Fraternal Award of Merit

Peter Francisco Award

The Portuguese Continental Union “Peter Francisco Award” was created at the Society’s 1957 Congress of Delegates, to be granted to a person or institution, of Portuguese or any other nationality, that by acts, conduct, or any other form of outstanding value and contribution brings prestige and admiration to all people of the Portuguese Heritage in the United States and the name of Portugal and its language and culture. The award was granted annually until 1967 and every five years after 1975.

The Peter Francisco Medal is composed by a cross resembling the Cross of Christ with a five-point star and the shield with the arms of Portugal, suspended by two hands shaking, the universal symbol of fraternalism, and across a sash with the words “Talent de bien fare” the monogram of Prince Henry the Navigator.

The previous Peter Francisco Awards were presented to…

John F. Kennedy in 1959, at the time a United States Senator of Massachusetts and President of the United States (1960)
Basil Brewer in 1960, Editor and Proprietor of the Journal “Standard Times” of New Bedford, MA
John dos Passos in 1961, Novelist and Poet
Joseph W. Martins, Jr. in 1963, US Congressman Massachusetts
Joao R. Rocha in 1964, Proprietor and Director of “Diario de Noticias” of New Bedford, MA
Joseph E. Fernandes in 1966, Business Entrepreneur – Fernandes Supermarkets
Anibal S. Branco in 1967, Supreme Secretary of the Portuguese Continental Union of USA
Cardinal Humberto de Sousa Medeiros in 1975, The first Cardinal & Archbishop of Boston, born in Portugal (Azores)
Claiborne Pell in 1981, United States Senator of Rhode Island
Attorney Edmund Dinis in 1985, United States Senator & State Representative of Massachusetts
“Luso-Americano Portuguese-American Newaspaper” from Newark, NJ in 1990, Weekly Portuguese Publication
Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva in 1995, Medical Doctor & Historic Investigator
Violinist Elmar de Oliveira in 2000, World Fame Violinist
Francisco J. Mendonca in 2005, Supreme Secretary Portuguese Continental Union (1968-1986, 1988-2002)
Jose M. Figueiredo in 2005, Supreme President of the PCU (1992 – 2002) & LALIS President (2003 – 2005)
Edith Francisco Buckley in 2010, Founder of the Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco
The Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco in 2010, The Society is to compile and maintain the documented records of Peter Francisco hand his descendants and give him his rightful place in American History.
Albert Costa, Jr. in 2015, Architect, Past PCU President

This award is given every five years. If interested in submitting a name, please e-mail your contact information and the individual you are recommending for the Peter Francisco Award.