Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation • '
Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 85 NUMBER 19
May 7, 1997
"It was history in the making"
Summit promotes new wave of volunteerism The Presidents' Summit for America's Future held last week attracted four presidents and four first ladies to Philadelphia, as well as half of Clinton's cabinet, 30 governors, more than 100 mayors, scores of celebrities, and hundreds of leaders from the business, religious, and nonprofit worlds. Fraternal benefit societies were represented by National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) Executive Vice President David Tetzlaff and NFCA President James R. Opie. Founded in 1886, the NFCA is comprised of 92 fraternal benefit societies in the United States and Canada. The SPJST is a member of the NFCA. "It was history in the making," says NFCA Executive Vice President David Tetzlaff. "The Summit emphasized service to others through volunteerism. That gets right at the heart at what fraternal benefit societies are all about." Recognizing youth as the future of America, the goal of the three-day meeting was to mobilize millions of citizens and thousands of organizations to ensure that all of America's young people have access to five fundamental resources that
Monitor,
a national fraternal benefit society trade journal, NFCA President James R. Opie stated that, "By the year APRIL 27 - 29 • PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 2000, the National Fraternal Congress of America will mobilize its youth mem... AND WHY WHO ATTENDED bers to provide two million hours of volcommunity-service summit A three-day Cheirman::Retired Joint Symmit General untary service to communities, plus to mobilize Arrtericrl's citizen pOwer in ..a Chiefs of. Staff ChairMan:Colin united effortto Solve our common:prob invest an additional $10 million, on top Honorary Co-Chairmen: President Clinton lems; especially :those 'that threaten of its current contribution of more than and former Presidents :George Stish, America's Young people, Jimmy, Carter and .Gerald Ford, Nancy $60 million, to leadership development Organizers envisioned the Summit as cr: 12e9gan represented ROnald:Reagen. and life skills education for children, presidential .call to aCtion followed by, Co-Sponsors: The Corporation for announcements of commitments: by teens and young adults nationwide. National Service and the Points of Light community leaders and various organize:"This commitment to our nation's Foundation. tions nd Otisinestes. The final stage youth will not be forgotten after the articipants: 3000 national, state and involved:collaboration among the partici Summit, but will become an ongoing community leaders, including delegations pants to turnthe message of the summit mission we hope will be adopted by from 50 states and more than 100 cities. into concrete plans Of action, every society," Mr. Opie said. The NFCA is not alone in its pledge. can help them lead healthy, fulfilling and President Clinton called on Americans By the end of the Summit, 140 to "redefine citizenship" to include com- American cities had completed "action productive lives: munity service as a fundamental obliga- plans" and pledged to host "mini-sum• An ongoing relationship with a tion. He later declared that volunteer mits" in their areas to mobilize local caring adult or mentor; work had to "fill the gap" between what organizations and volunteers. USA • Safe places to learn and grow; government and the marketplace can • A healthy start; Today reported on April 30 that "more provide to needy people. It's a directive than 200 corporations have pledged an • A marketable skill through that fraternal benefit societies in effective education; and estimated $750 million in money, time, America have been addressing for the An opportunity to give back labor or services to help disadvantaged through community service. past century. children." In the April issue of the Fraternal On the first day of the Summit, —SPJST-
THE PRESIDENTS' SUMMIT FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE
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SPJST observes Fraternal Insurance Counsellor Month The SPJST joins the National Fraternal Congress of America in its annual tribute to Fraternal Insurance Counsellors by proclaiming May as FIC Month. NFCA President James R. Opie has issued a proclamation which states, in part, "I urge all fraternalists throughout the United States and Canada to join with me in heralding the accomplishments of Fraternal Insurance Counsellors and to note our gratefulness with pride." The complete text of his proclamation appears on the back cover of this week's Vestnik. Since the first FIC designation was first awarded in 1937, the privilege to put these letters behind one's name has been a hallmark of professionalism for sales representatives and home office fraternalists. Indeed, the FIC designation has become the acknowledged standard of fraternal field education, demon-
strating a commitment to ethics and providing career development and professional recognition. "Receiving the FIC designation is highly commendable," says Supreme. Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska, who holds the FIC designation. To qualify, a person must pass a series of three examinations based on the study courses entitled Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. A candidate for the designation must also meet certain experience and ethical requirements as well as be sponsored by his or her society. Candidates for the designation may be either sales representatives or members of the home office staff. At present, 14 SPJST sales representatives and Home Office personnel hold the FIC designation. They are listed on the back cover of this week's Vestnik. Another 100 are enrolled in the SPJST's new FIC training program. —SPJST-
A TOAST TO MOM Here's to, a very special Cady: Al woman of strength, beauty and wit; wife with Cove, laughter and Loyalty; A mother giving security, patience and Cove; A. friend fillkd with compassion, wisdom and faith. A toast to Mom! 'The most cherished gift site gives is herself Sappy Mother's Day!
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REMEMBER MOTHER'S DAY SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1997