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Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897 BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. O. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 USPS 658480 JANUARY 13, 1982 VOLUME 70 — NUMBER 2
Mr. and Mrs. W.
ksa
Parents Honored On Their Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Lsuksa of reception table as covered with a Rogers celebrated their 50th Anni- lace tablecloth using a gold candle versary December 27, 1981 with a arrangement. Wedding pictures stew diiner prepared by James were on display. An anniversary Luksa, son, of Bardwell. Approxi- ceramic plate with all the children's mately 130 relatives and friends and grandchildren's names was also attended the afternoon social held in on display. The tables were the Seaton cafeteria. decorated in white and gold. Sheryl W. J. Luksa and Lottie Motl were Marek registered the guests. married 50 years ago at HeidenThe Luksa's Golden Wedding heimer, Texas 29 December 1931. Anniversary dinner was given by Three members of the Luksa's their children, Janet and Melvin wedding 50 years ago were in Marek of Pierce, Texas; James and attendance. They were W. J.'s Delores Luksa of Bardwell, Texas; sister, Millie Schiller of Temple; Lottie's sister, Justine Chaloupka of Shirley and Charlie Waits of Rogers, Ft. Worth and Lottie's brother, Texas; and Marvin and Esther Luksa of Alamo, Texas. The Luksas John Motl of Ft. Worth. The cake was decorated by Connie have 8 grandchildren. Marek and Esther Luksa using gold (Brother W. J. Luksa is a member color with the date "1931-1981 — of Lodge No. 24, and the parent of Lottie and Bill" imprinted. The DYC Janet Marek in Dist. 6.)
Bingo Elections AUSTIN, Tex.—State Comptroller Bob Bullock said Thursday that voters in at least 12 Texas counties and five cities will decide January 16 whether non-profit groups can legally operate bingo games in their communities. "This is going to end the confusion about bingo in Texas. From now on, bingo is going to be approved by the voters and licensed by the state or it's going to be illegal," Bullock said. Cities, counties and justice precincts that approve bingo can also levy a 2 percent gross receipts tax on the games. The Comptroller's office will handle licensing of the games, collect the tax and return it to the communities where the games are held. Where voters approve bingo, nonprofit groups must get licenses from
the Comptroller's Bingo Regulation Division and can't legally operate games until 10 days after the local option election, according to Division Director George Garland. "We are urging non-profit, groups in these counties and cities to apply in advance for their licenses by contacting us right away," Garland said. Organizations should contact the division by writing to 111 E. 17th, Austin, Texas 78774 or calling 1-800252-5555. According to the new bingo law, cities, counties and justice precincts that don't vote to approve bingo in January must wait until the next constitutional election date of April 3. To call a bingo election, a local governing body must receive a petition with the signatures of 10 percent of the number of voters who
cast ballots in the last governor's election. The Comptroller's first enforcement priority following the January voting will be to protect those groups who have obtained licenses. "Especially where the local government has levied the 2 percent tax," Garland said, "we will be checking to make sure every bingo game is licensed. Those that don't have licenses will be urged to get them. If they don't become licensed and keep playing bingo, we will file complaints with local authorities and the Attorney General." Counties due to vote first on the bingo question included Guadalupe, Comal, Kerr, Maverick, Kleberg, Victoria, Fayette, Milam, Wharton, Nueces, Lavaca, Jim Wells, and Webb.--(From the Flatonia Argus; submitted by Bro. Nick Morris. Also see article under "Supreme Lodge"
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1981—Banner Year For SPJST Sales Representatives The SPJST's all-volunteer sales force produced a banner year for the society in 1981. Our fraternal insurance society's hard-working group of sales people registered a net increase of $5,207,400 in newly-issued business, a gain of some 25% over the previous year, according to Bernard M. Gebala, SPJST vice president. Because of this major sales effort, the SPJST had some $157,000,000 total insurance in force at the end of 1981. The figure will not be finalized until completion of the annual report to the Texas State Board of Insurance. Vice President Gebala said that the 25% increase in 1981 was the largest gain, both in dollars and on a percentage basis, in recent years. He said the excellent results reflected the high degree of professionalism that sales representatives are now bringing to our program. "It was a direct result of teamwork," he said of the 1981 banner year. "We had great cooperation and good lines of communication between the sales representatives and the Home Office. Our training program was also beneficial. The new WATS line for immediate assistance in working with a client was quite helpful; and last, but certainly not least, is our very favorable premium structure." Gebala Vice President emphasized that 1981 results were
even more impressive when the nature of the all-volunteer sales force is considered. "All of our 434 volunteer sales representatives have other jobs or businesses or private interests," he said. "Therefore, they all essentially work part time." He said that of the 434 sales representatives, exactly 300 produced the newly-issued business and that, in the final countdown, 25% of the sales group produced 75% of the business. "The results present a challenge to others," he said. "The record of the 300 shows that it can be done and that in 1982 all sales representatives can work to match or even surpass last year." Vice President Gebala also noted that there was a direct correlation of results with training. The people who wrote, the greatest volume of insurance were those who attended train sessions 1.3 ,- ed the WATS line, and took advantage of all the -tools" that the Home Office provides for the sales force. He said that all districts had a successful year, although some better than others, and that the gain was not centered in any particular district or geographical area. Directly contributing to the banner 1981 was the cooperation and support of the Board of Directors and the excellent interoffice cooperation at the Home Office between officers and departments. "Directors and officers of the SPJST are fully aware of the fact that our growth is totally dependent upon the work of sales representatives," Vice President Gebala said. "We, at the Home Office, are totally dedicated to giving sales representatives their proper recognition and all the assistance they need." He noted that the entire Home Office had been involved in the- computerization program in 1982 and that a beneficial result of this automation will be the speed-up in processing of new insurance and payments to sales representatives. Vice President Gebala said that the Home Office hopes to strengthen the already-strong sales program in 1982 with innovative planning, more training at times convenient for sales representatives to insure better attendance, more "tools" in the form of brochures and visual aids, and sales incentive programs that will recognize the outstanding work of sales representatives. (All of our members and, especially our SRs, are requested and urged to read the above.Editor Sefeik.)