Western Fraternal Life Association

[3] The organization was a western offshoot of the Czech-Slovak Protective Society (CSPS), which was based in the eastern states.

Membership was opened to all in 1947, and at the 1971 National Convention, members voted to change the name to the Western Fraternal Life Association.

[3][5] Members created lodges in their areas to celebrate holidays, host plays and dances, and speak the Czech language.

The lodges became a source of support and solidarity for members during difficult periods, such as the Great Depression and the World Wars.

[3] As of December 2015[update],[3] the association has more than 38,000 members from the states that Western is licensed in: California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.