"CHANGING TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FRATERNALISTS"
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
ViSTNiK SPJST Herald Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897
BENEVOLENCE
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 February 24, 1993 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 81 NUMBER 8
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Supreme Lodge Officers and Directors Annual Report Issue President's Report Working Together and Making a Difference vention. Many compliments were Dear Fellow Members, When the founding fathers organized received about how smoothly the conour society in 1897, they focused our vention ran, about the teamwork that was exhibited and the fraternal spirit that efforts as a Fraternal Benefit Society on "brotherhood, humanity and benevo- was shown. We at the Home Office would like to extend our thanks to all lence," which imply very strongly that those members of District VI that made working together was to become the northis convention a mal method of success. operation. -Today As you are we often hear the aware, from the last terms, "working convention, a numtogether or team ber of by-law work" used in many changes were enactways. Our organized. The Home ers knew that withOffice is now in the out teamwork not process of implemuch could be menting those accomplished. To changes. insure a brighter Since 1985 future, we as SPJST we have reported to members must you that the United work together for States Treasury the good of all. Department (IRS), When our brotherhas been making a hood or fraternalism study of the seven guides our efforts, Howard Leshikar largest fraternals in we are able to proSupreme Lodge President the nation, trying to duce the benevodetermine whether lence that is our potential. "Working together" must or not the tax exempt status of fraternals apply not just to our SPJST society, it is warranted. We have just received the should also apply to our families, our report from the National Fraternal Concommunities, our nation and our world. gress of America (NFCA), and are in the Working together is an all encompassing process of reviewing it. We will be relaying to the membership the subcause that we must be willing to live by. An outstanding example of working stance of this report as soon as we have had an opportunity to fully study it's contogether was our XXVIth Convention clusions. held last June. For the first time, a disWe feel sure that this study will pretrict composed of many lodges, hosted the convention for the state. When one sent us with the challenge that will take thinks about the massive effort that it the concerted effort of many working takes to bring individual members from together from the local level, up through the local lodges and coordinate that the state and national levels. As a socimovement into a successful three or four ety, we have been taking all steps possible in anticipating this challenge and day event, it can seem overwhelming! having our Society in compliance with There were many meetings between the Home Office and the District Members both the letter and the spirit of all the laws that govern our organization. which resulted in a well organized con-
It is important for the public officials in our communities to realize the contributions that our local lodges play in making our communities better places to live. Thanks to all those lodges that keep their local officials informed about their activities and invite them to participate at local lodge events and functions. Please continue to work together with these leaders and keep them informed. An important part of communicating to Congress is the Annual Fraternal Activities Report, which shows the level of positive influence our fraternal societies have on our communities. We want to thank all the Fraternal Activities Coordinators, who turned in their lodge's report, for their time and efforts. While these reports take much time and thought, they are absolutely necessary to document our continuing benevolence. In 1991 we had an outstanding year. We project, as reports come in for 1992, that we will have an even better year then the previous one. Events and meetings reported held by SPJST lodges in 1991 were 5,871. This is almost 1,000 more events than reported for 1990! Fraternal acts reported by the local lodges were up from 106,000 in 1990 to 147,000 in 1991. SPJST local lodges also gave a total of $406,224.03 to charitable organizations, in and around their communities in 1991. This amount was also higher than the amount reported in 1990. These events and fraternal acts at an individual level may seem not to matter much; however, when added with the activities of other SPJST members and lodges across the state of Texas, individuals working together can have positive impact of astounding magnitude. Every year we honor a special group of individuals who have made a difference through their everyday lives by giving in many ways. These are the Local Lodge Fraternalist's of the Year. All of these individuals have excelled in their charitable works and are winners in every sense of the word! Enough can not be said for all that they have done to help their lodges and their communities. The top five finalists for State Praternalist of the Year 1992 are: State Winner—J.C. Dressler of Lodge 172, Pasadena; Honorable Mentions—Bessie
Petr, Lodge 84, Dallas; Erwin Holy, Lodge 4, Hallettsville; Frank Pajestka, Jr., Lodge 80, Holland, and Elizabeth Urbanek, Lodge 49, Rowena. Congratulations! May we all be inspired by your exemplary deeds! The presentation of the State Fraternalist of the Year will be held at the Local Lodge Workshop to be held on Saturday, March 13th at Lodge No. 177, Academy. Plan to attend this workshop as it will carry over the ideas brought up from the workshop in '92. Last year at the local lodge workshop, a 'brainstorming' session by those in attendance brought up many ideas members would like to see implemented. It is our desire to listen to our members and carry out their suggestions and ideas. We can learn much from each other. Our compliments go to the members who make up our volunteer sales force. This dedicated group gives their time to help members select the best possible insurance product from the many that we offer. By bringing in new members we continue to grow. Also our volunteers who accept positions at local lodges help the Society by keeping our lodge systems functioning for the benefit of the member. To both of the above volunteer groups, we say, "Keep up the good work!" The Supreme Lodge encourages meaningful fraternal activities on every level of our Society. We must continue to involve our members and help them to find activities and financial services that meet their needs. Under our legal definition, we operate through a local lodge system that must continue benefiting members. To benefit members must be made aware of our services and programs. We also have a capable and willing staff to assess and assist members with their needs. From fraternal benefits, to insurance and through mortgage loans, accounting and legal services, welltrained and enthusiastic staff members are ready to serve you. Our State Fraternal Activities Coordinator, Frank Klinkovsky, is busy coordinating the SPJST State Tournaments to be held this spring. Check the Family Fun and Important SPJST Days calendar for the date and place. In the past these tournaments have been attended by some very competitive members of all ages and professions who find time for lighthearted socializing with friends made over the years at SPJST State Tournaments. A true fraternal spirit is evident at these events. Our State Fraternal Coordinator is available to help local lodges who wish to hold tournaments. He can make suggestions, help in planning, and assist with publicity. We would like to thank Frank for the extra dedication and effort he enthusiastically gives to all our activities. (Continued on page three)