Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists. 41_
"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 HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 84 NUMBER 24
June 26, 1996
The Twenty-Seventh SPIST Convention
Delegates fill key roles in Arlington The heart of the SPJST was in Arlington, Texas, June 9 - 12 as SPJST delegates and officials met for the SPJST's 27th quadrennial convention at the Arlington Convention Center. Host lodges were Lodge 183, Arlington, Lodge 180, Burleson, Lodge 154, Fort Worth, and Lodge 92, Fort Worth. Convention delegates received a warm welcome Sunday evening from members of Lodge 92, Fort Worth, who hosted a "Howdy Party" at National Hall in Fort Worth. Featured attractions were a catered barbecue buffet and music by the Dallas Czech Concert Orchestra. By-Law Considerations A total of 277 delegates, representing 37,631 votes, were seated for the opening of the convention on Monday morning, June 8. A total of 82 lodges - out of a possible total of 112 - were repre-
Hip, Hip Hurrah! and Supreme Lodge Chairman Cyrill "Sid" Pokladnik, center, accompanied by his wife, Justine, receives a standing ovation from the Twenty-Seventh SPJST Convention for his many years of service to the Society. Lodge 28, East Bernard President Joe Nezval leads delegates in a cheer for Brother Pokladnik, whose retirement becomes effective December 31, 1996. sented. Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar called the convention to order, followed by greetings from District
By-Law Revisions Enacted by Delegates to the Twenty-Seventh SPJST Convention The following is a summary of significant By-Law revisions enacted by delegates to the Twenty-Seventh SPJST Convention in Arlington, Texas. In the coming weeks, a complete summary of convention proceedings and updated By-Laws will be published and distributed to all convention delegates. • Addition to the preface of the SPJST By-Laws under the section entitled, "Purpose," to read as follows: This Society promotes providing a wholesome family environment for the entire family unit and endeavors to promote our common bond by keeping alive and encouraging the cherished traditions of the Czech history, culture, heritage, and family. • Change to Article 18, adding that employees of the SPJST Home Office are not eligible for membership on any standing committee. • Change to Article 32, stating that regular meetings of the Supreme Lodge will be held on a quarterly basis (previously meetings were held every two months). • Change to Article 35, stating that the Supreme Lodge will increase its lending limit from 75 percent to 85 percent of the appraised value on real estate loans (or the legal limit, whichever is greater); also, under Article 104, the lending limit for individual loans was increased from $100,000 to $200,000. • Addition to Article 40, stating that the Financial Secretary also be designated as the "Director of Human Resources." • Addition to Article 42, stating that no
Election Results of the Twenty-Seventh SPJST Convention
District Three Director
employee of the SPJST Home Office can serve as a director. • Addition to Article 57, stating that the local lodge reporter be listed as a local lodge officer. • Addition to Article 75, defining the process for establishment of new lodges: If 20 members cannot be secured immediately, a proposed lodge number can be designated and members can be accumulated over a period of up to 189 days into the proposed lodge. The Supreme Lodge has the authority to extend this period for up to one year. If a lodge is not organized within the period authorized, the Supreme Lodge will assign any members in the proposed lodge to another lodge of their choice or the nearest SPJST lodge. Prior to granting permission to designate a proposed lodge in an area, the Supreme Lodge will review and consider the potential need for the area and the proximity of existing lodges. • Addition to Article 96, stating that the Vestnik shall contain a Czech studies section with material in both the English and Czech language. • Change to Article 104; reducing from two to one, the number of directors necessary to perform an inspection of property on loans not exceeding $60,000.
All members of the Supreme Lodge and the Vestnik Editor were reelected to their respective positions. District Two Director Willie E. Kohutek and District Three Director Cyril! "Sid" Pokladnik announced their retirements in advance of the convention and did not seek reelection. Supreme Lodge
Three Director and Supreme Lodge Chairman Cyril' Pokladnik. City of Arlington Mayor Pro-Tern Dottie Lynn also welcomed the SPJST to town. As their first convention action, delegate,, elected Donnie Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook as convention chairman. Leonard Jansa of Lodge 160, San Angelo, was elected convention vice chairman. For the next day-and-a-half, delegates reviewed the recommendations of Donnie Victorick the By-Laws Committee. Several key items relating to the SPJST's internal management structure and mortgage lending guidelines were considered. The By-Law Committee's recommendation to establish the head of the Insurance Department as the head of the Society did not pass. Likewise, the motion to add scholarship guidelines to the ByLaws failed. Some of the significant convention actions which were enacted are outlined in the box at left. In addition to the items which were approved by the delegates, the By-Law Committee concluded its presentation with a list of six recommendations for the Society to consider. They are as follows: (1) Recommend the Supreme Lodge give strong weight to the District Youth Counselor's ideas regarding scholarship guidelines; (2) The district directors should visit every lodge within his/her district at least twice during their term in office; (3) Offer mortgage loans with a maximum duration of 30 years;
(Continued on page 3.)
Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar Lodge 48, Beyersville Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska Lodge 24, Cyclone Supreme Lodge Secretary-Treasurer Lanita Anglin Lodge 47, Seaton Supreme Lodge Financial Secretary Jerry Mikulas Lodge 47, Seaton District One Director Andrew Vavra Lodge 17, New Tabor District Two Director Frank Klinkovsky Lodge 47, Seaton District Three Director Johnnie Krizan Lodge 6, Cottonwood District Four Director Stanley Broz Lodge 160, San Angelo District Five Director Louis Hanus Lodge 88, Houston District Six Director Matt Vanek Lodge 32, Victoria District Seven Director Bob Bayer Lodge 107, Floresville
Vestnik Vestnik Editor Brian Vanicek Lodge 24, Cyclone
Standing Committees
Results of district caucus elections are posted on page 4.