Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
VESTNIK 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 VOLUME 84 NUMBER 17 ISSN-07458800
It's National Fraternal Week The week of April 21- 27 has been designated Fraternal Week by the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) to celebrate the many accomplishments of fraternal.benefit societies and their members. The week coincides with National Volunteer Week because so much of what fraternals do is tied into the volunteer spirit of their members. Fraternal benefit societies, like our SPJST, offer a unique combination of business and volunteerism. Their mission is to provide financial security to members and to assist members in helping themselves and others through charitable activities. During 1994, fraternal volunteers devoted 78 million hours of service through 14 million different volunteer projects! SPJST members contributed to that tremendous effort.
Thank you, SPJST members, for doing your part and for your continued support.
April 24, 1996
Family Fun and mportant SPJST Dates April 27 April 28 April 28
State Horseshoe and Washer Tournament at Lodge 66, Waco District Three Spring Meeting at Lodge 135, Ennis District Four Spring Meeting at Lodge 73, Seymour Knights of Columbus Hall May 4 May Fete at Lodge 29, Taylor May 5 District Seven Spring Meeting at Lodge 133, San Antonio May 12 Mother's Day Barbecue at Lodge 24, Cyclone May 18 Lodge 49, Rowena Tarok Tournament May 19 Polka Fest at Inez, Texas — sponsored by Lodge 97, Placedo May 31 - June 2 LIT Workshop June 2 Picnic at Lodge 47, Seaton June 2 Lodge 88, Houston Homecoming with a Splash June 9 SPJST 27th Quadrennial Convention Begins in Arlington —SPJST-
Lodge 88, Houston pilot In March, Lodge 88, Houston began offerin g dance classes under the guidelines of the new SPJST Dance Program. The program, which was approved by the Supreme Lodge in 1995, was designed to teach the art of dance to SPJST members in good standing between the ages of three and seventeen. The program is under the general direction of the Supreme Lodge President, State Youth Director and the Lodge 88, Houston Advisory Committee. Lodge 88 members opted to establish the dance classes after receiving a letter from the Home Office informing youth clubs of the new program. Accepting the hid for Lodge 88, Houston were Edna Wehring (Advisory Committee President), Linda Wehring (Advisory Committee Vice Chairman) and Jeanette Bender (Advisory Committee SecretaryTreasurer). "So far, we've been very happy with the success of the pilot program," says Sister Wearing. "Response from our young people and parents has been very positive."
Lodge 88 Advisory Committee members Linda Wehring, left, and Edna Wehring, with instructor Sharon Joseph. Not pictured is AC member Jeanette Bender.
There are presently 30 young people, between four and 16, participating in the program. Classes are grouped in three divisions, according to age, and are held every Thursday night at the lodge hail. Dance class participants will be perforring for lodge members at the July lodge meeting. "What we're finding is that we are attracting a whole new segment of our young members," says Sister Bender. "About a third of those participating were previously in the youth club. The others are all new actives and that's good to see." District Five Director Louis Hanus agrees. "I think it's nice," he says. "Some of our other SPJST lodges provide the Beseda dance groups for their young people. The new SPJST Dance Program adds to that. It's something different and it really seems to get the younger members involved." The classes, which will continue through June 1, are instructed by Sharon Joseph. Sharon, who is an SPJST member, also teaches dance in the Houston Independent School District. Classes feature instruction on tap, jazz, ballet and clogging. Students pay a $15 Rarticipation fee and provide their own dance shoes and dance wear. SPJST Dance Program Guidelines state that participants shall be SPJST members before registering, explains State Youth Director Joni Lange, who led the development of the new program. For more information on the SPJST Dance Program, please contact SYD Lange at the SPJST Home Office at 1 (800) 72 - SPJST. —SPJST-
Fancy Footwork Dance Instructor Sharon Joseph, far right, demonstrates footwork to members of the 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. dance class at Lodge 88, Houston. Classes at the lodge are grouped in three divisions, according to age, and held every Thursday night at the lodge hall.
Lodge 88, Houston Presents Listing of Dance Class Members 1)ance Instructor: Sharon Joseph
6:30 Class Members 16tclo'1 Gra_ska. Clipper I latnrir k, 'halm ,Anielaka Stolle, Notn,ihaNtoile, .'kgneA 1)ailey Spain, Tiffany J nry, Leighla Huble. Rva illoonev
7:30 Class Members lVhzincv Cunningham-nn,tiarae Cunningham, Katura Brady, .Imkph Brady,
I ali.s.sia Nunal11,:. Ai • a/tc Aratalie Ittlekv, Leigh I lantrk k, Lauren Godwin, Ketsic Huble, Stephanie Boycc.'
8:30 Class Members Deanna Joseph, Kimberley Joseph, Chri.stina aytph, Krystle Ben :lee, Karen Bender, Kristen Bender, Valerie Stephens, Ang,gitt Alcx-wey;4qt. cLY