The Association of Mennonite Aid Societies, (AMAS), was organized in July 1956 as a representative organization for counsel, promotion, education, and fellowship, for all Mennonite and Brethren in Christ mutual aid societies of North America, of which 26 have already joined. All member societies have one vote each, and elect a board of seven directors, which was initially composed of the following: Harold L. Swartzendruber (Goshen) chairman, J. Winfield Fretz (North Newton) vice-chairman, Howard Raid (Bluffton) secretary-treasurer, S. S. Wenger (Lancaster), Jacob Wedel (Moundridge), and William T. Snyder (Akron) representing the Mennonite Central Committee. The association met annually in March. The organization was later known as the Associated Mennonite Aid Societies (AMAS)

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 589. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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