SVOZ 1171vcati Official Organ Of the Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas. Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE VOLUME 56 — NO. 14
HUMANITY
BROTHE
Postmaster; Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE SPJST, FOB 100, TEMPLE, TEX. 76501
00D
APRIL 3, 1968
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK BY-LAW COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
THOUGHTS .. .
After several months of meetings and considering quite a number of changes in our by-laws, the by-law committee has completed most of their work and the results are to be found in this issue. We are glad that we were able to include all of their work in this one issue. It is my understanding that these changes and proposals will also appear in each delegate's portfolio at the convention.
There is nothing in this world quite so irritating as seeing someone else achieve something we failed to achieve or accomplish something we failed to accomplish. • • We all need someone who will make us do what we are capable of doing. —Thomas Carlyle
It must be stated, in complete candor, that in looking over the proposed changes, no big or radical changes are contemplated, save perhaps one, which deals with direct billing. Other proposals, previously considered, did not win the committee's approval and are not being submitted at this time. The matter of direct billing comes under the new Article 45 u, and would simply place the task of billing and collecting insurance premiums in the hands of the Supreme Lodge and IBM machines, as is the case with some of our Midwest fraternals. It should be noted, however, that the Midwest fraternals, after approving direct billing in their conventions, allowed the lodges in their society to either go along with it or reject it, thus putting
acceptance of it on a voluntary basis Gradually and so far, a vast majority of the lodges voted to accept direct billing. There are arguments both for and against this system. There are those who fear that the local lodge system will be in jeopardy with this important function taken from them. Others contend that not having to bother with the collection process has helped their local activity. The by-law committee proposes that direct billing go into effect January 1, 19'73, provided it is approved at this coming convention. Another change can be seen under Article 4, wherein the committee is proposing that lodges having 20 to 200 delegates be entitled to one delegate, and ' an additional delegate for each
additional 209 members. This scale was previously based on increments of 100 members. New Article 10 now clarifies the basis upon which the number of delegates is determined — by those premiumpaying and full benefit members over 16 years of age. Article 4 e (4) and Article 7 c provide that no lodge elects more than 10 alternate delegates. The convention will continue to elect the editor, but the Supreme Lodge would have the authority to appoint the Chief Medical Examiner. Back to direct billing for a second: if direct billing is authorized by the convention, it is pointed out that the present 6 per cent being refunded to the local lodges will have to be reduced to offset the cost of implementing the new system in the Supreme Lodge. The by-law committee will meet for the last time on May 25 and 26th. Any further proposals and changes will most probably appear in the Vestnik and at the registration desk at the convention. Voting By Proxy. Supreme Lodge Secretary Bro. Raymond Urbanovsky pointed out at the District VI spring
BY-LAW COMMITTEE REPORT IN THIS ISSUE