"CHANGING TO MEET
VESTNIK
THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FRATERNALISTS"
SPJST Herald "Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897
BENEVOLENCE
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaste r : Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 February 26, 1992 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 80 NUMBER 9
Howard B. Leshikar
Supreme Lodge President's Annual Message Dear Fellow Members, My family and I wish each of you health, happiness and a prosperous new year. January of this year marked the beginning of a convention year. Preparations for the XXVIth convention, scheduled for June 14, 1992 in Victoria, Texas, have already begun. Dedicated individuals of the District VI Convention Committee, along with the Home Office, are working together to assure the success of this event. We feel as plans progress toward June, the details will be worked out so this will be an enjoyable convention for all those attending. If you have any proposals concerning what the society should do for the next four years to celebrate our 100th Anniversary in 1997, please send them to the appropriate convention committee as soon as possible. In 1985 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began a study on the 501 (c) Section on fraternal societies to determine if seven of the largest fraternals were adhering to the legal requirements of a tax exempt entity. During the course of the study other Treasury projects received a higher priority resulting in the postponement of the study. However, recently the fraternals were notified that the study is once again being pursued. Our society along with other members of the National Fraternal Congress, will be monitoring the progress of this examination. All members of fraternal societies must realize the repercussions on operation if our tax exemption is modified or eliminated.
Many times we are asked, what is a fraternal benefit society? The legal definition is that we are a 501 (c) 8, which is a tax-exempt society. Under our legal definition, we operate through a local lodge system that must continue benefiting members. We must also have a representative form of government with the control of the society in the members' hands. And, if life insurance or other benefits are to be offered to the members, then our organization comes under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Insurance. The key requirement of any fraternal, is that it must have a lodge system and it must be active, i.e., meeting the needs of its members. This is why we are promoting more activities on all levels of the society. The XXVth Convention held in 1988 broke ground by passing a new officer's position called the Fraternal Activities Coordinator, which is authorized at the local lodge and district level. Our State FAC, Frank Klinkovsky, has been busy training and coordinating with the FAC's of the society to gather information so that we are able to gauge the success of our fraternal programs. Putting this report together requires much consideration and time - we want to thank the members and the FAC's for their efforts on these reports and say - "your efforts are appreciated!" The office of the FAC functions as a coordinator for a fraternal committee in their lodge. The FAC's are being trained at the local lodge level and a large response of interest has been received in this training. Not only the local lodge FAC's invited to attend these training sessions, but also the local lodge officers and any interested members. We appreciate the response and the reception that we have received from the lodges that we have attended. The lodge reporting system has a definite impact on how the Treasury Department will view the final outcome of the study. This reporting system, called the Annual Fraternal Services' Report, is information that is gathered by the local lodge Fraternal Activities Coordinator (FAC). The information on the Fraternal Services' Report consists of acts of services by members, acts of service by the lodge, money spent on events, charitable items, and community service, etc. This information from the lodges of our SPJST Society is then sent to the National Fraternal Congress. At the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), the combined reports from all fraternals nationwide are given to each member of Congress and the President of the United States for evalution purposes. In 1990, through this system our society reported over 460,000 fraternal
acts statewide; however, not all local lodges reported. The effects that these acts have on individuals, families, members and communities are very important. We know that many members do fraternal acts every day by helping lodge members, by sending cards to the sick, by visiting those who are ill or in the hospital, by giving clothes to the needy, or by donating time and/or money to a charitable organization. Combining the strength of individuals can indeed make a world of difference. These humanitarian acts of our members together with other societies add up to millions of fraternal acts nationwide, supporting benevolence, humanity and brotherhood. We want to compliment the members who make up our volunteer sales force. This very dedicated group gives of their time to help members select the best possible insurance product for their needs. The life insurance products that we offer to our members are some of the finest available. These products help families cope with the loss of a loved one by easing the burden of financial strain. This is one way that we can help families to cope with a loss. By bringing new members into the society we continue to grow. It remains vital for us to not only maintain our services to the members, but to increase them in the future. To our volunteer sales force - "keep up the good work!" The SPJST Society, functioning through a lodge system, with a fine package of insurance products, offers to families and individuals a support system that other insurance companies cannot offer. The reason our lodges continue to operate, is because of members who volunteer their time and efforts to make life a little better for their neighbors, their communities and their nation. Our lodges offer our members a chance to practice skills for the work force, a chance for social interaction, a chance to learn, and a chance to be involved in the democratic process. The whole foundation of our society depends on these volunteers who strive to do their best in all things. A heartfelt thanks to all these members who keep our lodges going strong. In keeping with our legal requirements of functioning through a lodge system, and keeping with the tradition of establishing new lodges, we want to welcome aboard a newly-organized lodge in Eddy, Texas. To all the members of SPJST Lodge No. 200, we are looking forward to having you become a part of our society. Each year we select one person among many whom have dedicated themselves to our founding principals. This year our State Fraternalist of the
Year for 1991, is Sister Della Kadlecek of Lodge No. 88, Houston. Della, who passed away in December of 1991 is being recognized for her many years of dedication and service to her lodge and the SPJST society. We extend our congratulations to her family on this honor, and we also wish to express our deep condolences on their loss. We will acknowledge Della as the State Fraternalist of the Year for 1991 at the Local Lodge Officers' Workshop on February 29th, 1992, and at the XXVIth Convention in June. On February 29th, the Local Lodge Workshop will be held at SPJST Lodge 18, Elgin, Texas. This workshop is designed to refresh memories, renew friendships, bring forth new ideas, and pass along information which will help the lodges better meet the needs of their members and promote teamwork and unity. The scholarship drive or "What Can 100 Pennies Buy" is a prime example of teamwork and unity in helping individual members. This drive depicts the concept of what happens when a group of people combine their resources. Through the generosity of members, over 7,500 was raised, giving us an extra 15 - $500 scholarships to give to members. Of all the money that is raised by other non-profit organizations, only a percentage of the money goes to the actual cause. However, in the 100 Pennies Scholarship Drive, 100% of the money raised will be used to further members' educations. This kind of unified effort can definitely have an impact on members' lives. We want to thank all of the members, lodges, youth and friends who have giyen so generously. Members give generously in many ways. One way if their devotion to the youth program. These parents, youth leaders, and district youth counselors realize that the path that our society takes lies in the ability to teach our children benevolence, humanity, and brotherhood for all. These members realize that the youth program is greater than the self-interest of an individual. This program is implemented for a greater good, that being to teach the children how to cope with competition, how to excel, how to display good sportsmanship, how to be leaders and how the democratic process works. Since its implementation in the 1950's, the youth department has not stood on one individual's efforts alone, but on the efforts of many. We would like to welcome the new State Youth Director, Joni Lange, who will be coordinating training, workshops, camps and other programs with our Youth Leaders and District Youth Counselors. We want to thank these leaders, parents, and members (Continued On Page 3.)
Supreme Lodge Officers'iDirectors' Annual Reports In This Issue