Modern Woodmen is a financial organization that cares about its members, finances, and more. Modern Woodmen has two parts, one is the financial side and the other is the fraternal side, where members are encouraged to volunteer and get involved in fun monthly activities sponsored by Modern Woodmen. The branch in Windham, run by Managing Partner Tim Graham, is involved in many community activities from matching funds for local projects, to plant a tree programs and educational programs. Also there is Hometown Heroes, which honors positive role models.
“It really comes down to the
relationship you have with someone,” said Graham. “Members have to have a warm
and fuzzy feeling when you’re working with them.” At Modern Woodmen, they
foster that personal relationship and know that communication is priority one.
“It’s about you, not about the advisor,”
said Graham. They get to know their clients and find out about risk tolerance
and financial goals. The team in Windham is office manager Stephanie Dow,
financial representatives Laurie Paradis-Graham, Mike Toth and Graham. When
hiring team members, he looks for people who are honest, have high integrity
and morals. These are the people clients are trusting to take care of their
financial wellness.
The
mission of Modern Woodmen is “To improve the quality of life for our members.” Modern
Woodmen’s goals are to, 1. Take care of its members. 2. Keep the lights on. 3.
Put the balance of the money back into the community. “It’s a good business
model,” he said. “Our philosophy is to treat our members’ money as if it was
our own.”
Modern Woodmen got its name 132 years
ago when the organization was created to care for the widows and orphans of the
logging industry. Today that tradition of caring is what drives the employees
of the company.
Today,
members are anyone from a family with young children to older couples who want
to discuss estate planning or when to take Social Security. Modern Woodmen
offers life insurance, online banking, retirement plans, college saving
programs and most other financial products.
“Modern Woodmen is rated A plus by A.M. Best for 31 consecutive years,”
said Graham. For every $1 of liability Modern Woodmen has, they have $1.11 on
hand, should a payout be needed.
“I like helping people when they are
just starting out, to helping people secure their financial futures. We grow as
they grow,” Toth said.
The Windham branch services a 30 mile
radius around Windham. Recently they
have been helping current clients and new clients develop a plan and become
educated on the opportunities available when their companies give them a
buy-out option or they have to discuss retirement. They like helping people should they be laid
off or have to roll their 401k.
The company also works with small businesses
to develop employee benefit plans to help retain employees.
“We educate them so they can make a good
decision,” said Graham.
At one point the industry thought day
trading on personal computers would make the need for financial advisors
obsolete, but now people have realized that it’s the personal interaction that
can help a person meet their financial goals. Modern Woodmen offers yearly
reviews and for some members they meet more often as requested. There are many
member benefits like college scholarships, accelerated benefits and a
prescription savings card.
“The best part is when someone retires
and they start getting paid,” said Graham. They are then reaping the benefits
they have worked so hard for, he added.
Modern Woodmen is working on developing
another chapter on its fraternal side, which will enable them to give back to
the community more. For more information or to speak with a financial advisor,
contact Modern Woodmen at 207-892-0302 or online at www.modern-woodmen.org.
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