VESTNIK December 29:Layout 1
ˇ ´ VESTNIK
12/22/10
Volume 98 Number 50
2:55 PM
Page 1
S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
Humanity ISSN —07458800
Brotherhood
$4,000,000 Certificate Issued!
Brother Mikulas Bids Farewell
After more than 50 years of service to SPJST, Jerry Mikulas has announced that he will be retiring as Financial Secretary, effective December 31, 2010. “I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to work at a job that I have loved for the past 50 years and five months,” says Brother Mikulas. “After much thought and consideration, I am announcing my retirement. My family has been my biggest supporter throughout my career and now it’s time for me to focus all my energy and time back into my family.” Brother Mikulas started on August 1, 1960, working in the Financial Secretary’s department under the direction of Raymond Urbanovsky, whom he considers his mentor. Jerry was first elected Financial Secretary by delegates to the 22nd SPJST Convention held in 1976 in Waco. He says that he fell in love with the job and is proud of the finance and accounting work that he has been able to do for SPJST. “I always strived to provide prompt, efficient and courteous service to our members,” adding that he was proud SPJST has maintained its fraternal spirit over the years. “I’m also happy to report that in all of those years, we never had an audit that indicated any discrepancy of any magnitude.” Brother Mikulas says the thing he’ll miss most about the job is the people. The job, he says, has been an everchanging experience. He was responsi-
ble for ushering SPJST into the computer era in the late 1970s. “I spent many a night there until three o’clock in the morning, ensuring that the system was functioning properly,” he recalls. Jerry says he enjoyed working with his fellow officers and district directors in assembling budgets that kept operating expenses down and preserved and enhanced fraternal incentives and services. The SPJST Supreme Lodge and Home Office honored Brother Mikulas with a 50th anniversary party and open house on August 6. “The depth of experience and knowledge that Brother Jerry takes with him will be dearly missed,” says Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek. “The one consolation is that he won’t be taking his incredibly devoted and talented staff with him. We wish Jerry a happy and well-deserved retirement.” Upon Brother Mikulas’ departure and until further notice, SPJST Data Manager Debbie Dohnalik, with 34 years of SPJST accounting experience, will oversee activities within the department. Brother Mikulas and his wife Betty have three children, Donna Heatherley and husband Shayne, who have three children, Lauren Jeneyson, Hailey Heatherley, and Ty Heatherly; son Wade Mikulas and wife Michelle, who have three children, Landon, Parker and Brooke; and Chad Mikulas and wife Heather, who have two children, Cole and Camryn. —SPJST—
Interest Rates.......................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Home Office New Yearʼs Holidays .....3 SL Special Meeting Minutes ...............4 State FAC Update ................................5
Just because you live in a small community and belong to a rural lodge doesn’t mean you can’t hit the big time in insurance sales . . . just ask Heather Wilhelm of SPJST Lodge 38, Kovar! In November, Heather had a certificate for $4,000,000 issued! Heather “When I conWilhelm tacted Heather and let her know her applicant had been approved, you could literally hear the joy in her voice and sense the huge grin on her face,” Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride exclaims. “I am pretty sure that it took a couple of days before her feet touched the ground!” Congratulations to Heather on a job well done! “I can’t wait to see what she has in store for 2011,” Brother McBride adds. —SPJST—
SPJST lodges invited to attend awards banquet January 29 in Temple
All SPJST lodges are invited to participate in the 2010 SPJST Awards Banquet which will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple. The event begins at 1 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 6 p.m. The format for this year’s event has been streamlined to include less down time and greater recognition for each lodge officer, sales agent, and member being honored. To facilitate atten-
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Lodge Section .....................................5 Youth Section ....................................22 In Memoriam ......................................26 Czech Culture ...................................27 Advertisements ................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
December 29, 2010
Page 9
Lodge 39 Bryan members visit nursing home
dance, every lodge will have mileage paid for at least one vehicle. Lodges that will be receiving incentive awards will be authorized mileage for up to two vehicles. Lodge presidents and secretaries will be receiving a letter during the second week of January informing their lodge if they will be receiving mileage for an extra vehicle. Award-winning sales agents will also
Continued on Page 3.
Page 13
Lodge 91 Crosby hosts SPJST Float
Page 15
Lodge 143 Inez members gather for Christmas social