Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nanote
VESTNIK 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 30
Making something good happen . .•
Supreme Lodge targets lodges for reactivation At their July 22-23 meeting in Temple, Supreme Lodge members brought sharp focus to their objective of rejuvenating at least two lodges in each district during the Society's centennial year. The drive to rebuild is expected to generate significant field activity in the selected lodges through 1997 and into 1998. "We made a commitment back in January to make something good happen in these lodges," said Supreme Lodge Chairman and District Six Director Matt Vanek. "That, of course, doesn't happen by just talking about it. It takes people getting out in the field — working with local lodge officers and members and working with other people in the community," said Mr. Vanek. A process for tracking the revitalization project was developed by State Fraternal Activities Coordinator Barbara Rosenkranz and presented during the meeting by Legal Advisor Sidney Kacir. "At a glance, the tracking charts will enable the Supreme Lodge to see what progress is being made," said Mr. Kacir. Lodges targeted for revitalization are identified in a chart that appears on page 3.
At their Wednesday afternoon session, Directors reviewed efforts made in their respective districts. In his report, District One Director Andrew Vavra indicated that Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar and he had made three visits to Lodge 141, Sealy. As a result, the lodge had selected a slate of officers, lined up a prospective new sales representative and discussed the likelihood of establishing a youth club at the lodge. "Progress is taking place, but there's still a lot of work to do," said Mr. Vavra, indicating that Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska and FAC Rosenkranz would be involved in upcoming lodge meetings and discussions. "And eventually, I'm sure, we'd like to have our State Youth Director Joni Lange and District Youth Counselor Susan Skrabanek get involved and provide some direction for establishing a youth club." Regarding efforts at Lodge 169, Brenham, Mr. Vavra stated that an initial meeting would be taking place on August 13. "That's the first step," he said. "That's when we'll sit down and try to get some definite goals and timelines down on paper."
District Two Director Frank Klinkovsky talked about the revitalization efforts being made at Lodge 174, Rockdale. "To date we've had one meeting with lodge members. State Field Representative Keith Gatewood was in on that session. One of the things that we talked about was switching the lodge from a quarterly meeting schedule to a monthly cycle," Mr. Klinkovsky said. Monthly meetings, he explained, are a move in the direction of building a more active program. "We want to get our State FAC out there and explore some ideas for lodge activities," he said. Lodge 155, Austin, which also operates on a quarterly meeting schedule, is the second lodge in District Two targeted for action. "For a long time, they've had to rely on a dedicated core of active members," said Mr. Klinkovsky. "We want to work with the officers of Lodge 155 to identify any new opportunities for growth that may exist in their community. Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska agrees. "To their credit, Lodge 155, Austin has a dedicated core group of members," said Mr. Mikeska. "We also realize that Austin is a big city with a very diverse population. In addition to bolstering the program at Lodge 155, we believe there may be opportunities for establishing a new lodge — or lodges — in the area." The District Three lodge revitalization program is well made according to District Three Director Johnnie Krizan.
"We could do a feature story on the successes that we've already recorded at Lodge 5, Pilot Point-Tioga," he said. Over the past year, membership in the lodge has more than doubled from 42 to more than 100 members. "It's been a real team effort," said Mr. Krizan, citing the organizational efforts of past District Three Director Sid Pokladnik, State Field Manager Gene McBride, State Field Representative Jerry Kucera, District Youth Counselor Bessie Petr and various Home Office personnel, including President Leshikar, Vice President Mikeska and State FAC Rosenkranz. "But it doesn't stop there. I've got to give a big part of the credit to the crew there at Lodge 5 — the past officers for their willingness to embrace change and the current group for their progressive attitude. It really shows in the members they've attracted," Mr. Krizan said. "They're on a monthly meeting schedule and that seems to be working out very well. There's a little social at each gathering and a youth club that also meets. " I had the chance to visit the youngsters at District Three summer camp and was happy to see that six youngsters representing Lodge 5 were in attendance," reported Mr. Krizan. "Not only that, the adult lodge is also very active. They fielded teams in several of the SPJST 100th Anniversary contests and are already planning their first golf tournament which will take place in August." (Continued on page 3.)
"We made a commitment back in January to make something good happen in these lodges."
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SPJST State Royalty and Beseda SPJST members are encouraged to Saturday, August 2,1997 attend this year's Statewide Royalty Beseda Competition begins at 2 p.m. Competition and Youth Achievement • Royalty begins at 4 p.m. Day to be held this weekend, August • Evening Meal at 6 p.m. (Grilled Chicken - Plates: $4.75) 2 and 3, at the Mayborn Convention • Grand March at 7:30 p.m. Center in Temple, Texas. Directions • Free Dance with music by DJ - Public Invited and hotel information for out-of-town State Youth Achievement Day travelers appear on page twelve of Sunday, August 3,1997 Opening Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. • this week's Vestnik. Congratulations • Lunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and best wishes to all who will be • Talent Begins at 11:30 a.m. participating in the events. • Program ends at 5 p.m.
July 30 1997
WILVatite*--etwommikrivotagwiti lePlai riVAIMAgi Nal& 4111111M164.11M 44101m4t. itpt = WANINswWitAtiAVALV apwwithortamir," MST's rising stars shine I 1-V Saturday and Sunday, AL August2 and 3 at the Maybom Convention Center in Temple. For more information, see page 2.
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