Annual Reports and SL Minutes ln This Issue
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"CHANGING TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FRA TERNALISTS"
"Joining·Hands To Touch LivesFratemalism for the Family and our Nation"
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Official Organ Of The Slavomc Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897
BENEVOLENCE
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SP JST, P.O. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503
VOLUME79
NUMBER 7
ISSN-07458800 of the ways that we serve our members is through our financial products. We would like to acknowledge a dedicated group of members - our sales repre sentatives, who have given many hours of their time to bring in new members so that we continue to prosper.
Howard Leslůkar
President's Annual Message And Report Dear Fellow Members, My family and I wish each of you health, happiness and a prosperous new year. As we review our performance plan for the years that will take us the next century, we must face realities of a changing political economic environment.
and into the and
In the last few years, our fraternal system has adapted to meet the chal lenges of an unpredictable financial climate. Even though we are some times tempted to reflect the dismal forecasts of those who seem to be saying, "These are the worst of times," it is the wisdom of our ancestors that we should reflect on. I suspect that our ancestors, the founders and members who brought the SPJST through the turmoil of the Great Depression, World Wars I and II and other difficult times, would caution us against being overwhelmed by the negativism that so often surrounds us. Our founders took a positive ap proach and seized the opportunity to make real improvements during chal lenging years. The strong foundation that they laid for us, has brought this Society a strong record of growth. The elements of our Society that bind us together in strength as a fraternal are our lodge system, financial products and family-oriented fraternal programs. Our Mission Statement, "To Serve Our Members and Improve Their Quality of Life," was adopted by the Supreme Lodge to help guide our or ganization into the next century. One
Because of our dedicated members, our organization has prospered even in difficult times. This dedication has enabled us to become a strong and vi able organization. It is our objective to serve our membership through a strong lodge system. Our members, we are very proud to note, regardless of what position they hold--Director, Lodge Officer, Sales Representative, District Officer, Youth Leader, Editor, Officers of the Supreme Lodge and Staff--give generously of their time and talent, for the benefit of our Society.
tivate lodges in each of the districts. Many of the lodges that have been visited have responded well and we are looking forward to future growth. Last year, we were pleased to see our Lodge 1, Fayetteville, begin holding meetings and events. We have been gratified to add the following lodges to active status: Lodge 67, Schulenburg; Lodge 106, La Grange; and Lodge 89, Rosebud. We will be working with six additional lodges in the near future.
February
13, 1991
new Technical scholarships and Dis trict Youth scholarships, as well as the State Royalty Scholarships. Another group of individuals who are very important to our Society is our 50-Year Members. Fifty years ago, our nation was on the brink of the greatest war ever known to man. These 361 members have helped us through many challenges. To all of these spe cial people, we offer our congratula tions and our thanks as we honor them this year.
The youth program continues to Also in recognition for special ser generate growth and enthusiasm in the lodges. Many inquries have been made vice, we will honor 13 Age 96 Mem to the Youth Department on how to or bers this year. To each of these ganize a Youth Club. State Youth admirable people, we offer our hopes Director Claudette Reese has reported and wishes for many more years of that 6 youth clubs have been formed, It health and prosperity. Barbara Wright, is our pleasure to announce the fol secretary to the President will be lowing new youth clubs: Lodge 89, working with the Supreme Lodge In January 1991, the Supreme Lodge Rosebud; Lodge 49, Rowena; Lodge Members, the District Officers and Local Lodges to help coordinate selected one of these dedicated mem 196, Houston; Lodge 4, Hallettsville; presentation ceremonies for both the bers from local lodge winners for State Lodge 63, Sweet Home; and Lodge 80, 50-Year Members and the Age 96 Holland. We wish to thank Claudette, Fraternalist of the Year. Dolores Honorees. the District Youth Counselors and in Skrabanek of Lodge 47, Seaton, was terested members for helping to selected the "1990 State Fraternalist Continued interest in our heritage of the Year." We extend our con achieve this large increase in our has resulted in a large increase in the gratulations to Sister Skrabanek, and clubs. number of museum visitors. In 1990 give our thanks to her for the many the SPJST Supreme Lodge hosted The behind the scenes support given years of service to our society. by many parents and members for the 2,468 visitors to the museum which in Our Society has always recognized youth clubs has made a positive impact cluded 38 persons from countries team work and open lines of com on the Youth Program. Also respon around the world! Many students from munication as vital building blocks on sible for the growth generated are the local schools have visited the museum Local this past year, to learn more about our the road leading to strong growth. To Supreme Lodge Members, heritage. Lodge Leaders and Sales Repre strengthen our channels of com sentatives. We want to thank each and munication and foster teamwork, we Also, as a part of our heritage, we urge all members to attend the Local every one of them for all of their ser are encouraging members to send their Lodge Officers' Workshop scheduled vice to the youth of our Society. family histories to our Genealogy for Saturday, February 23, 1991 at Department, so that Curator Thelma Another very positive element of our Lodge 80, Holland, Texas. youth program is our State Royalty. Groppell can _enter them into our Reading the lodge reports in the The 1990 - SPJST State King and genealogy computer for safe keeping Vestnik, we are pleased to note that Queen have represented our Society at and research. Genealogy forms are the leadership in the local lodges is many different events around the state. available from the Home Office. recognizing their members for out We thank them for the fine job that The interest in our heritage is taking standing service given to their local they have done. many different forms, one of these lodge. The recognition of our members being the Tarok Tournaments held The outstanding generosity of our who give of their time and talent is ex across the state. From a small group of members was again reflected when the tremely important. To the lodge of ficers who have taken the time to Supreme Lodge authorized a scholar dedicated individuals to many new acknowledge their members in various ship drive to help increase the number learners, local lodges are organizing ways, we want to say: "Keep up the of scholarships available to our college tournaments for their members. We, at age members. Because of the response the Home Office, are responding to re good work!" to this drive, thirteen additional quests to assist with hosting and in lodge tournaments and Teamwork being an essential part of scholarships will be awarded to young structing beginners' classes. Our State Tarok our lodge system, the Fraternal Ac members who are striving to achieve tivities Coordinator (FAC), as passed higher education. The Name given to Tournament is on March 2, 1991, at by the 1988 Convention, is fast becom our Scholarship Fund Drive was "What Lodge 47, Seaton. Can 100 Pennies Buy." It was the idea ing a bridge to better communications As a new benefit, the Supreme Lodge and teamwork. The State Fratemal Ac of this program to show what a group has approved a State Horseshoe Tour of individuals can do when they pool tivities Coordinator (SFAC) Frank nament in 1991. Members should their resources. Klinkovsky is helping to train Local watch for more information about this and District FAC's and assists in coor With the thirteen additional scholar and the other SPJST StateToumaments dinating events in the local lodge and ships, the Supreme Lodge Board has in the Vestnik. between lodges. approved 68 scholarships for members Finally, we are glad to have been a A network team consisting of many this year. These scholarships include individuals has been working to reac- our regular college scholarships, the part of the fund-raiser for the estab-