Bernard J. Cigrand

2022 Convention Assembly Committee reports presented to delegates

Cont’d. from Pg. 1

Representatives from each of these lodges were called forward to receive a certificate. A total of 20 lodges met their goal and seven of those had a positive net gain.

The evening also included a memorial service featuring a video presentation with photos of the deceased and music.

Three outstanding fraternalists were recognized as Honorary Delegates. They included the late Leroy Muehlstein, Grand President from 1989-2009; the late Harrison Hilt, Home Office employee from 1967-2017 and Lee Vogel, Grand Vice PresidentFraternal from 1997-2013.

Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly and Vice President of Operations and COO Samantha Schulmeier Kelley, cochairs of the Convention, then introduced the candidates for the Board of Directors.

Monday evening concluded with musical entertainment by Four Star Entertainment.

Chair of the Board Sandra Jones officially opened the Convention the morning of Tuesday, May 10. Cecily and Samantha presented Jones with a ceremonial gavel. Jones recognized and thanked them and their staff for “all their hard work organizing the convention, especially after having to reorganize after the 2021 cancellation due to COVID.”

Business Operations Committee Member Lori Todd introduced the board members and officers. Member Benefits Committee members Stephen R. Prewitt and Gary Falkenberg presented the colors and Director Suzanne Hildebrand led the pledge of allegiance. Vice Chair of the Board Michael Beam gave the opening invocation and Cecily introduced dignitaries.

Mayor of San Marcos Jane Hughson welcomed the delegation. She expressed her appreciation to the organization that she said, “makes such a big difference in communities” for choosing the City of San Marcos to host the Convention. The 2017 Convention was also held at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos.

Vice President of Finance and CFO Mary Pruitt read a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledging the Convention Assembly.

Throughout the Convention, committee reports were presented to the entire delegation. The first report was the Credentials Committee Report and Check-in Procedures presented by Samantha. Parliamentarian John Kirk Overby gave a presentation of the Standing Rules.

The remaining of Tuesday’s business sessions included the Board of Directors report given by Sandra; report of the President and CEO by Eugene Zollinger; report of the Vice President of Finance and CFO by Mary; report of the Vice President of Sales by Robin; report of the Vice President of Member Benefits by Cecily and report of the Laws Committee by Samantha.

Tuesday evening, Director David R. Noak gave the invocation before dinner. The night’s festivities featured a “Night in Vegas” presented by Elite Casino Events. The casino night participants were given vouchers to kick off their casino fun and additional “chips” were available for purchase. All proceeds benefited the Join Hands Day project for the Greater San Marcos Youth Council. Participants were able to turn in their “chips” for a chance at various prizes.

Convention business resumed the morning of Wednesday, May 11. Director David Wolf gave the invocation and committee reports continued. The Compensation Committee report was presented by Mary; Business Operations Committee report, Laura Tiffin; Community Engagement Committee report, Elizabeth Byron; Member Benefits Committee, Shirley Kuhen Faske; Ritual Committee, Cecily; and Appeals Committee report, Patricia Bushmann.

Nominations were then heard and the election of the board of directors was held followed by the election for chair of the board. Serving on the Election Committee were Cheryl Garcia, Christian Hosinski, Pamela Nentwich, Angela Netherton and Sherry Stoddard.

The Convention Banquet was held Wednesday evening with Cecily as mistress of ceremonies. Robin gave the invocation and Samantha introduced special guests, SPJST President Brian Vanicek and his wife Joan, Stephanie Macchia, attorney representing Hermann Sons Life, and her guest Mike.

Retired Grand President Stephen R. Prewitt installed the newly elected board of directors and new Chair of the Board Kimberly Krueger gave the closing remarks.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been elected to the board of directors,” she said. “My heart is so full and I thank you for putting your trust in me. I look forward to working with this board of directors and thank the outgoing board for all the hard work and dedication these last few years – during these difficult times a lot of hard decisions had to be made and I thank them for having the organization’s best interest in mind.”

Krueger then recognized the Home Office staff and convention organizers.

“I want to recognize the Home Office staff for all its dedication and hard work during this Convention and to the staff who stayed behind who kept the Home Office running,” she said.

“I believe in Hermann Sons Life and look forward to working hard at keeping it around for generations to come.”

A dance ended the night with music by Fast Moving Trio. With all business concluded, the Convention ended on Thursday, May 12, with breakfast.

Chair of the Board Sandra Jones, from left, officially opened the Convention the morning of Tuesday, May 10. Vice President of Operations and COO Samantha Schulmeier Kelley and Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly, Convention co-chairs, presented Jones with a ceremonial gavel. Election Committee member Christian Hosinski reads election results. Also pictured are committee members, from left, Angela Netherton, Sherry Stoddard, Pamela Nentwich and Cheryl Garcia.

The new Board of Directors was installed during Wednesday’s Convention Banquet.

Member Benefits Committee members Stephen R. Prewitt, left, and Gary Falkenberg presented the colors at the opening of the Convention Assembly on Monday morning.